Are Resume Builders Worth It? Pros and Cons

A resume builder could be just what you need to help you get started on creating your resume for your next job search. Whether you decide to create your resume on your own or choose to use a resume builder for a better template is up to you. There are pros and cons to using a resume builder and in this article we’ll highlight what those are so you can decide for yourself if a resume builder is worth it.

Pros of resume builders

1. They come with easy templates

You’ll find countless resume templates to choose from on a resume builder. These templates will allow you to have a beautiful resume design without needing any design skills yourself. Most resumes are black and white. And a pop of color doesn’t really hurt. An extravagantly designed resume works well in creative industries but most recruiters don’t actually care for designs unless it’s for a design role. They want a resume that’s easy to read and that’s a good match for the experience they’re currently looking for.

2. You can customize them without design skills

Resume builders are worth it, especially for people who lack design chops. You’ll have the freedom to customize your resume without affecting the look or design of it. You’ll be able to use a more templated resume design. The ability to customize your resume with a resume builder while still maintaining a cohesive and clean design makes resume building so easy for people who aren’t savvy resume writers or designers.

3. You can build a resume faster

A resume builder helps you build a resume faster. This is often because it usually has built in resume templates, so the design element is taken care of. There may also be AI features that help you come up with ideas on what to write so you can write the content faster too. On your own, you might spend a couple of hours writing a resume. However, a resume builder is worth it if you want to create an effective resume in under an hour. If you’re ready to dive into your job search quickly, a resume builder can help you write a resume much faster than creating one from scratch.

4. They can give suggestions for bullet points

Resume builders are worth it because they can help you write bullet points for your resume. With a little help from AI, you can have your resume builder guide you along the journey of writing your resume. Keep in mind, you don’t want AI to write your resume for you on its own. A human touch of what you did is important. Most people who get hired from using AI on their resumes make tweaks to the content. But AI does help people land jobs more easily. The bullet point generator available on Huntr will give you suggestions based on common job responsibilities based on the input of your job title to help you craft something that sells you as a candidate. From there, you’ll add your accomplishments or make some tweaks to the copy to make the bullet point your own.

5. They built around the latest resume trends

Resume builders are worth it because they’re often built around the latest trends. Right now, so many of the best resume builders use AI functionality. An AI resume builder has so many modern features that can really elevate your resume. You don’t want to create a resume that only uses AI, and to be honest it’s not possible to do that because your experiences at work are unique. However, you can use the AI functionality of resume builders to help you craft your work story. For example, an AI resume builder can pull out keywords from a job description to help you add the right skills. An AI resume builder can also help you generate bullet points for your resume that you modify to add your own experiences. It can also give you feedback on your resume to make it better.

6. They’re step-by-step

Most people don’t create resumes often. Most of the time you’re happily employed. So, knowing how to create a resume can take some practice and require some research before you feel confident enough to work on it. Without a resume builder guiding you along the way, it can feel extremely difficult or overwhelming to write a resume. But, resume builders are worth it because they often are step-by-step helping you along the way. They’ll often prompt you with sections to fill out. Some resume builders offer suggestions on bullet points you can create based on your job title. Overall, there’s so much hand holding to help you as you work through your resume as you embark on your job search.

7. They’re ATS friendly

There’s so many myths out there about resume builders not being ATS friendly. However, they are. Companies in the resume building space often have to meet certain criteria to ensure their product works and their customers have success in the job search. Not only are resume builders ATS-friendly, but they’re also optimized to help you pass those filters easily. Features like Huntr’s Resume Skills Generator allow you to add the relevant skills a company is looking for. You’ll be able to extract keywords from job postings and add them to your resume in only a couple of clicks. A resume builder is worth it because you’ll be able to pass ATS by optimizing your resume for the right keywords and more.

8. They store your resume for you

Many resume builders have resume storage allowing you to store your resume in the cloud without having to worry about accidentally deleting the file or forgetting your file name accidentally. You can securely keep your resume online in case of emergencies, unexpected job layoffs, or your next job search. Knowing where your resume is located can allow you to find it and edit it with ease, using a tool you trust.

9. Built-in error checker

Some resume builders have grammatical error checkers or typo checkers which help you catch mistakes before applying to dozens of places. Beyond this, you might use a resume checker to check for things like section completion, content quality, and content length. After all, a resume isn’t meant to be several pages long, your resume length in an ideal situation should only be one page long. Getting that kind of feedback can enable you to create a positive first impression when you send out your resume. Having a friend or family member look over your resume isn’t always possible. Some people aren’t trained in knowing what sort of resume mistakes to look for. However, having a resume checker give you feedback makes a resume builder worth it.

10. Easy to tailor resume to jobs

A resume builder often has many features. One of the best features that makes a resume builder worth it is the resume tailor. A resume tailor helps you tailor your resume for every job you apply to by giving you suggestions to make your resume more similar to the job you’re applying to. You’ll get feedback and a score that helps you better understand how similar your resume is to the job you’re applying for to give yourself the best competitive edge you need.

Cons of resume builders

1. Lack of uniqueness

A lack of uniqueness might be why a resume builder is not worth it. Keep in mind that many black and white simple resumes not only pass through into the interview stage but eventually get someone into an offer stage. After all, it’s not a resume that’s meant to be unique, it’s you. As long as you’re sharing your value in your resume about what your main qualifications are and what separates you from the pack, you don’t need a flashy design to make you stand out. The content of your resume is what’ll sell you as skilled. As long as you’re explaining yourself well, you should go far.

2. Customization constraints

A resume builder might not be worth it because of its customization constraints. Keep in mind, the reason why resume builders have these in place is because there are standard resume formats to follow. A resume builder is there to help you create a well-designed resume in the right resume format. It’s not meant to limit or constrain you from what you want to do. It’s meant to guide you on your journey of building your resume during the job search without needing to be an expert at resume writing or design.

Pros of traditional resume

1. Great for creatives

A resume builder is a great option for anyone who doesn’t have design skills. Those in creative industries, like graphic design, are likely going to prefer designing their own resume since it gives them the opportunity to showcase some of their design chops before an interview comes around. For a graphic designer, a resume builder might not be worth it. It might prevent them from showcasing some of their talent in the early stages. They could really show some innovative resume design when applying for jobs to give them an edge over other candidates applying for a similar role.

2. Reflects who you are

A completely custom traditional resume, especially when done by creatives or design savvy job seekers, can reflect who you are. You might include elements that might give you an edge up. Keep in mind that a resume does have a standard format to follow so you don’t want to be too creative with this. But having a little bit of playfulness in how you present yourself to a hiring manager could land well if you have the skill set to pull it off.

Cons of traditional resume

1. A unique resume takes time to create

The downside of creating a traditional resume is that it’ll take quite a bit longer to create. You might have to invest in more time to get the formatting to work a certain way to create a presentable resume. You also need to have the design chops to create this unique looking resume. Otherwise, it won’t sell you as a candidate. A unique resume isn’t easy to create. And just because something is unique doesn’t mean that it’ll be what makes you attractive to a hiring manager looking to hire someone like you. The level of effort and skill required in designing a resume might not be what hiring managers need. Considering that most resumes of people who are hired are black and white, it’s safe to say that a clean resume can be more effective than a truly unique one.

2. It might not pass ATS filters

When designing your own resume, you might add elements or not include elements that’ll help you pass ATS filters. A resume builder typically follows standard ATS formats that allow you to ensure your resume is seen by hiring managers. When you use a resume builder, you can use a resume tailor to compare your resume to a job posting to ensure there’s some overlap between yourself as a candidate and what the company is looking for. When you’re not using technology, it’s hard to know if you’re aligning yourself with the job description enough. This might cause you to fall through the cracks in the job search process because you’re not using the right keywords in your resume. A job description keyword finder by a resume builder is worth it when you only have one shot to make a first impression.

3. It might be hard to edit

Depending on the design elements you include on your resume, if you need to make changes due to typos or adding new jobs in the future, you might find your resume design hard to edit. Designing your own resume works great if you’ve meticulously looked over it and have no intentions to change any elements of it. However, if you plan to make tweaks down the road, such as tailoring your resume for different jobs, it can be harder to edit a more rigid and creative design. You want to have a simple resume builder that allows you to add or modify your resume with ease.

So, are resume builders worth it?

Yes, in the end resume builders are worth it for most people. Unless you’re a professional graphic designer, you probably could use some help and support with your resume design, copywriting, and more to help sell you as a candidate to a hiring manager. A resume builder offers so much value to you, allowing you to write your resume faster, provide you with a quality design, and help you find the best way to position yourself. To start building your resume, sign up for Huntr today.