AI resume builders are handy browser-based tools for creating resumes from scratch or updating an old draft. You can play with different layouts, adjust the aesthetics, and identify related keywords (for specific job descriptions). This helps you create an ATS-friendly resume that easily bypasses automated scanners.
To make it easier, I’ve tested all the AI resume tools mentioned in this article and given my first-hand impressions. (In the end, I’ve also shared a method to create an ATS-optimized resume without these tools.)
- 1. VisualCV
- 2. MyPerfectResume
- 3. Resume.io
- 4. KickResume
- 5. Rezi
- 6. Zety
- 7. Novaresume
- 8. ResumeGiants
- 9. Enhancv
- Show less
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1. VisualCV
VisualCV is a GPT-powered AI resume builder that allows you to import a draft (or LinkedIn profile) or start from scratch to get your CV within minutes. It has multiple customizable templates in its CV maker that help you choose from a variety of formats and aesthetics. You can write entire sections with the built-in AI writer or take the reins into your own hands.
VisualCV analyzes the job description and suggests updates based on the skills and experience requirements. This optimizes your CV for the present-day applicant tracking systems (ATS) that filter applications based on job-related keywords.
The interface is clean yet detailed, allowing you to adjust every section and description.
There are multiple unique templates, giving candidates a decent choice. From simple and minimalist to eye-catching one-page resumes, VisualCV has got all the tools and tricks to make that lasting impression.
I particularly like that you’re not restricted to one resume with VisualCV. Instead, it lets you manage multiple domain or job-specific versions so that you don’t need to tailor this critical document every time you hit apply.
Next, you have the freedom to download the CV as a PDF, DOC, or share it via a link. The second method has an excellent advantage in that you can track employer views or downloads, giving you insights into the behind-the-scenes progress.
VisualCV Pricing
VisualCV has a free version which lets you see its template library and create one resume. Downloading and everything else are reserved for paid plans, charging $16/month.
2. MyPerfectResume
MyPerfectResume offers 40+ ATS-friendly templates to create an attention-grabbing resume. I tried this CV builder with my existing resume, and the whole process took less than five minutes.
It asks for the standard information regarding skills, experience, education, and more, if you’re starting from scratch. You can add the data in specific sections manually or import its ready-to-use examples, and finally enhance with AI if needed.
You can preview your resume at every step, change templates, and go back to specific sections at the end to further optimize. Design customizations include colors, font size and type, and section/paragraph/line spacing.
Lastly, you can add additional sections before downloading or printing it.
MyPerfectResume Pricing
You can design a resume and complete the process without paying. Afterwards, one must pay $2.95 for a 14-day fully featured trial, which renews at $23.95 every four weeks.
3. Resume.io
I found Resume.io very interesting in that you can build a resume with your LinkedIn profile, in addition to existing drafts.
However, since most of us already have resumes, I choose to upload my existing one to streamline the process. This simply extracts all the details from the draft and lets you edit each section before putting that data in the selected template.
The best part is you can paste a link to the job listing and let resume.io tweak the details accordingly. This tells you that your resume score matches the job description. Afterwards, you can edit things manually or let AI stretch the score as much as possible before giving it to you for the final touch.
Just out of curiosity, I tried Resume.io resume building from a LinkedIn profile, too. It correctly fetched my profile details, links, education, and experience. So yeah, I suggest trying this one if you’ve a better and more updated LinkedIn profile than your last resume draft.
Resume.io Pricing
You can unlock all the premium features with a 7-day plan costing $2.95 (auto-renews at $29.95/month afterwards) or opt for its quarterly payment cycle, billing $16.65/month.
4. KickResume
Powered by GPT, KickResume is used to prepare an AI resume draft within seconds. This platform features 40+ templates to bypass ATS scanners, putting you ahead of hundreds of applicants in the race.
Like some of the tools, you can directly build a resume with your LinkedIn profile or an existing draft. Alternatively, create everything from scratch with AI assistance.
I uploaded my draft, and to my surprise, it prompted me to upload something with at least 200 words. While not a deal breaker right away, this makes little sense since job professionals are moving towards one-page resumes with pinpoint data.
Anyway, I moved to the next option available to me, which was LinkedIn profile import. The following step was to select the template. Most of the templates were premium, so you can’t even try them without paying.
On the bright side, KickResume is one of the few AI resume builders that allows you to build and even download the AI resume for free, provided you stay within the “limits”. For instance, you can’t go beyond two entries in the work experience section. Likewise, downloading a resume with additional sections for achievements, awards, certificates, etc., is reserved for paid users.
KickResume Pricing
There is a limited-featured free tier. However, you must pay to try all the premium features. Plans start at $19/month.
5. Rezi
Rezi is an AI resume builder that lets you start with a draft, LinkedIn profile, or from scratch. Again, importing your resume is the best way to move forward. Additionally, you can add the job title and the description for which you’re applying, making your resume ATS-friendly.
Resume editing is AI-assisted, and you can track your resume score while doing so as a measure of improvement. After polishing the existing information, you can also add new sections, including professional/academic achievements, certifications, etc.
One parameter Rezi significantly falls short on is templates, which are only a few and lack aesthetic versatility. Most of these samples feel the same and lack font/color customization. It feels like Rezi, for some reason, completely overlooked the visual appeal of resumes.
Though their paid plans promise access to “all” templates, you won’t know the authenticity of their claims until you pay. And I wouldn’t prescribe doing that unless you’ve tried all the other tools on this list. Still, if I have to recommend Rezi, it would be for AI keyword targeting rather than anything else.
Rezi Pricing
Free downloads are possible. Unlocking the full set of features costs $29/month or $149 for a one-time payment.
6. Zety
Zety is a popular choice for making resumes with AI. Its user interface is quite similar to MyPerfectResume; however, Zety is the older of the two. Also, you get more filters when selecting the resume template.
You can upload a resume and tweak everything or start afresh. In any case, you get a chance to update/enter data about your contact channels, work history, education, skills, and more.
Every step allows you to preview changes and switch to a different resume template. At last, you can add extra sections detailing personal information, certifications, software, languages, etc., before downloading/printing the document.
Zety Pricing
Resume building and downloading in TXT format is free. Afterward, you must pay $1.95 for a 14-day trial (featuring unlimited downloading, prints, and edits), which auto-renews to a $25.95/month subscription until cancelled.
7. Novaresume
Novareume has a wonderful user interface for building resumes. However, I could not find an upload functionality, which means you would have to start from scratch. Still, I call its UI refreshing and unique since it has a designer approach to resume building.
You will edit and live preview the entire document at once, which is starkly different than some of the tools we have seen in this list, where you edit/view one section before moving to the next.
Every section edit with Novaresume prompts AI assistance. You also have greater creative freedom in choosing the layout, fonts, and colors. And though there are predefined templates, you can custom-arrange the sections at will.
Overall, the process is rewarding but only if you’re willing to put in the work. And yeah, the inability to upload an existing draft doesn’t help either.
Novaresume Pricing
You can create a one-page resume and download it for free without using premium features. Accessing every feature, including extended resumes, creative backgrounds, rating styles, and more, costs $24.99/month.
8. ResumeGiants
You can create an ATS-optimized resume with ResumeGiants from scratch or build upon your current one. Needless to say, the latter helps you complete the process within minutes.
While the template library doesn’t boast big numbers, the catalogue features great versatility. Select sections, such as Skills and Objectives, also flaunt a Generate with AI button, which helps you create content based on the subject job title.
Customization largely depends on the template you start with. Still, a few changes are universally available, including font type, size, and spacing. There is little scope for playing with colors, other than changing the banners—that again is based on the base template.
After editing/writing every section, you can check the preview and jump to specific portions for further modifications.
ResumeGiants Pricing
There is a 14-day free trial, but only if you register with payment details. Paid plans cost $9.99 per 28 days.
9. Enhancv
You don’t create a resume but “craft” it with Enhancv. Straightaway, this is my favourite pick out of all the ones I’ve used/mentioned in this list and otherwise. The template library is decent, and the user interface is slick, helping you to get the work done without breaking a sweat.
Like many of the resume builders, you can simply upload the draft and polish it to perfection. The best part is the design customizations and GPT-powered editing assistance.
You edit live. I mean, what you see is what you get. Simply click any portion for the available editing options, which mainly allow putting lists, logos, locations, descriptions, and more, based on the section heading.
Additional sections allow you to include sliders and ratings for greater visual appeal. Besides, there are generous background options to theme your resume for the job opening or to match your style.
While the free version is powerful, you’ll have to deal with the Enhancv branding at the bottom. Plus, the ATS checks, where you paste the job description to get related suggestions, is a premium feature. If you don’t value those, Enhancv allows you to download them right away or share a public link.
Enhancv Pricing
The free plan is valid for 7 days. Let’s you create two Enhancv-branded resumes with a few limitations, such as you can’t enter more than 2 years of experience. For more features and freedom, Enhancv has a monthly tier priced at $24.99/month.
Honorable Mentions…
10. Canva: Excellent creative freedom with drag-and-drop resume builder.
11. Resume Builder: 25+ ATS-optimized templates and 500+ resume examples.
12. Resume Now: Job/industry-based examples and ATS optimization.
13. Resume: No-fuss resume builder from Indeed.
14. Standard Resume: Resumes that look great even on smaller screens.
15. Resume Genius: Download resumes as .doc (and PDF, TXT), making post-download editing possible.
16. CVMaker: Create resumes from scratch. Ideal for beginners.
17. Resumai: AI resume builder from Rezi. Allows downloading in the free tier, too.
What is the Difference between a Resume and a Cover Letter?
A resume is a one or two-page professional summary of your experience, education, skillset, interests, achievements, etc. The idea is to present a short and skimmable document of your professional background, which shouldn’t take more than a few minutes for a hiring manager to review.
A cover letter is generally a one-page synopsis indicating a candidate’s fit for the subject position. It highlights relevant skills and experience, and most importantly, expresses one’s enthusiasm towards the company and its work.
How to Write a Cover Letter?
Here are some pointers I would keep in mind while writing a cover letter to stand out.
1. Achievements: Talk numbers, stating the difference your efforts made in the growth of your previous companies. It can be a successful marketing campaign, deals closed, web traffic jumps, number of downloads, etc.
2. Assessment: Show how well you understand the organization and its work.
3. Impact: Most importantly, mention the exact workflows or areas where you can contribute to their growth. It would be exponentially better if you could link it back to your previous roles.
4. Compliment: Job application forms aren’t made for every candidate. So mention those extra details the job form never asked for, or write a line or two justifying that particular form response if needed.
Many, if not all, tools we have shared also feature writing a cover letter. However, I would not prescribe 100% dependence on AI. At the same time, employers also rely on automation to screen through cover letters, which means ATS is at play here as well.
Conclusively, I suggest taking limited AI assistance and then putting some “manual” effort into optimizing it to truly reflect your personality and expertise.
Final Thoughts
AI resume builders are good for ATS optimization and do it in a flash if you’ve a decent draft ready.
But if you hate subscriptions (who doesn’t?), head over to ChatGPT, put the job description, and prompt it to create a sample ATS-optimized resume for the role. Then, open Google Docs or any word processor and create the resume by using the GPT-mentioned keywords. You can also put the final version (without the personal details) in ChatGPT for critique.
Good luck in your job hunt!