Word vs Online CV Builder: Which is the Best?
It’s not enough to just have a CV these days. You also have to have one with an eye-catching design as well as the right information to let a potential employer know that you’re the right candidate for the job. While many of us have used Microsoft Word in the past to craft a CV, there is now a new way to create a CV that lands you the job of your dreams: online CV builders.
With an online CV builder, you can really help yourself stand out from the crowd. Best of all, you don’t have to spend any money to create a completely professional-looking resume that is built to impress. There are plenty of great templates out there that you can use based on those that have been used by successful applicants in the past.
Today will be comparing Word vs Online CV Builders to let you know which is the best choice for creating your CV. We will be comparing each in order to answer which is the best choice when it comes to crafting your CV. With this article, it will soon be clear that the days of opening Microsoft Word and hacking out a CV are long gone- there is now a much better way. Let’s get started!
What is an Online CV Builder?
Before we compare online CV builders with Microsoft Word, it is important that you have a basic idea of what an online CV builder is. Put simply, an online CV builder is an online tool that allows you to create a resume that you can then download, print, and send to potential employers without having to worry about the ever-changing best practices of creating a resume. Most online CV builders will allow you to create a resume completely for free, however, not every online CV builder offers the same features.
Some online CV builders will let you enter your information before allowing you to download a printable version that is ready to be sent to employers. Other online CV builders will also give you the option to create a cover letter as well, and in some of them (like BuzzCV) you’ll even be given the option to create a personal resume website!
Why Online CV Builders Are Better Than Microsoft Word
Now that you know what an online CV builder is and how it works to help you build a professional resume, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of using one. We will also be taking a look at the pros and cons of using Microsoft Word to create your resume so that you have an understanding of why online CV builders are considered the best method. Let’s get started!
The Pros of Using an Online CV Builder
As it turns out, there are many pros associated with using an online CV builder when writing your resume. Online CV builders have become many people’s go-to when creating a winning resume and, as you’ll see, there are many reasons for this.
Minimal to No Technical Knowledge Required
One of the best things about using an online CV builder is the fact that they require little to no technical knowledge to use. Using an online CV builder, you can easily upload your information from a Word document or even enter it yourself manually. You don’t have to worry about formatting your resume, nor do you need to have any knowledge of more technical aspects such as coding knowledge in order to create a complimentary website to go along with it. All you have to do is simply upload your information and the online CV builder will take care of the rest for you!
Online CV Builders Are Low Maintenance
In most cases, online CV builders allow you to create several different versions of your resume that can be tailored specifically to the jobs that you are applying for. Once you’ve created your resume, you can download it and the accompanying website is automatically created for you. Again, there is no need to worry about the more technical aspects as an online CV builder takes care of these components for you.
Online CV Builders Offer Customizable Templates
Although it should be noted that the number of customizable templates varies by platform, almost every online CV builder has at least a few different templates that you can customize to your liking in terms of colors and fonts. You may even be able to choose formats and styles that are best for certain industries. The templates offered by an online CV builder make it easy to design your own resume, both in terms of a printable resume and a resume website.
The Cons of Using an Online CV Builder
As attractive and easy-to-use as online CV builders are, there are a few cons that should be noted in order to offer the most honest comparison between online CV builders and Microsoft Word for building a resume. That being said, the pros of using an online CV builder far outweigh the cons, making it the best option for creating a resume you can be proud of!
Less Control Over Your Content
One of the main drawbacks, for some, when it comes to using an online CV builder is the simple fact that you have less control over your content. The platform that you choose to create your resume could shut down at any point and, if that were to happen, your resume website would be lost and you’d have to start over again from scratch. That being said, the ability to create a resume website with an online CV builder with little to no technical knowledge far outweighs this possibility.
Templates Are Easily Recognizable
Due to the limited number of templates available on most online CV builders, employers and hiring managers may be able to easily spot when someone is using an online resume template. Although there are plenty of customization options offered, they aren’t always as robust as the options available when creating a resume for yourself. With the time saved creating your resume with an online CV builder, however, this hardly seems like much of a con.
Some Aren’t Free
Finally, it should be noted that while many online CV builders are free, there are some online CV builders that only offer all of their amazing features for paid customers. While you may be able to create a CV for free, some may require that you pay to access all of the features. In most cases, however, these robust features are worth paying a little extra.
The Pros of Using Microsoft Word
Now that you know the pros and cons of using an online CV builder to build your resume and resume website, it’s time to look at Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word was long considered to be the best way to create a professional resume. That is, until online CV builders entered the picture and changed the game entirely. Let’s take a look at some of the pros of using Microsoft Word to create your resume.
Professional-Looking Format
One of the most difficult parts of creating your resume is often getting the formatting right. Even if you know what you want it to look like, getting the spacing and font sizes all lined up can end up being a giant pain. When using a Microsoft Word template, the guesswork is mostly taken out of the process. Simply pick one and plug in your information.
Built-In Checklist
A Microsoft Word template will also break down all of the sections of your resume for you. From work history and education to skills and personal information, a Microsoft Word resume template will have all of the designated places for you to fill out yourself. This makes it easier to plug in all of your details without forgetting crucial information during the process.
The Cons of Using Microsoft Word
So what’s wrong with using Microsoft Word over an online CV builder to create your resume? It seems like the pros make it an easy choice, after all. That’s where you would be wrong, however. While Microsoft Word may have once been considered the best option for creating a resume, there are some cons that make it an outdated method to use overall.
It’s Harder to Stand Out From the Crowd
For one, when using Microsoft Word to create your resume, hiring managers see dozens, if not hundreds, of resumes each week and most of those are made by someone using a Microsoft Word template. While the templates help you design your resume, what you need to remember is they are also helping millions of other people create their resume the exact same way. When it comes to a job hunt, you don’t want to blend into the crowd. It’s better to stand out. Using a Microsoft Word resume template, it will be much more difficult to do so.
Not Optimized for the ATS
Secondly, Microsoft Word templates are not optimized for the ATS. Most of today’s employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to sort and rank all of the resumes they receive. If your resume doesn’t hit the right notes for that system, it is likely to end up in the reject pile and the hiring manager may not even see it. Regardless of whether or not you are the best candidate for the job you’re applying for, having a resume that isn’t optimized for the ATS may keep you hidden from prospective employers. This is a big con to consider when it comes to using Microsoft Word over an online CV builder.
Offers Outdated Resume Styles
Finally, if you’re using a Microsoft Word template, you might be using a template that is far outdated. Believe it or not, resumes are constantly evolving. Using a template that isn’t up to speed with the resume rules of today can immediately make you look out of touch. This isn’t the kind of first impression you want to make with a potential employer. Unfortunately, that’s what you’ll get when using a Microsoft Word resume template.
The Choice is Clear: Use an Online CV Builder
As you can see from weighing the pros and cons of both online CV builders and Microsoft Word, the choice is clear: you should be using an online CV builder to create your resume and resume website. This online tool makes it easier than ever to create a professional-looking resume and resume website without much technical knowledge at all. Best of all, customizable templates make it easy for you to stand out from the crowd!
Summary
So, in summary, why should you be using an online CV builder to create your resume and resume website?
- Minimal to no technical knowledge required
- Online CV builders are low maintenance
- Online CV builders offer many ultra-customizable templates to use
Create a Winning CV With the Best Online CV Builder: BuzzCV!
Now that you know why online CV builders are the key to creating a winning resume and resume website, it’s time to find one that can do it all for you! Luckily, you’ve already found the best of the best. Buzz CV offers certified resume templates recommended by recruiters and, using our platform, you can create your new CV and download it in as little as 10 minutes. Even further, our platform allows you to easily create a Digital CV/ CV Website without the hassle that can be sent to an employer as a link. This is the best way to represent yourself as a job candidate! Check out our CV templates today to get started and register as a member for free today!
As a member, you’ll have access to:
- Free CV templates
- Digital CV
- Digital cover letter
- Personality test
- Job search
- Customer support
Online CV builders are the way of the future and there has never been an easier, faster, and hassle-free way to create a winning resume that wows future employers. Register today to become a member and start building your next resume!
