Online CV Builder: How It Works

Using the builder, step by step

1. Open the builder. There's nothing to sign up for. Go straight to Create my CV, or start from a CV example.
2. Fill in each section. Personal details, summary, experience, education, skills, and optional projects, certifications, languages and references. Each section explains what to write.
3. Add, reorder and remove entries. Use the arrow buttons to change the order of jobs or qualifications; the most recent usually goes first.
4. Preview as you type. On a computer the preview sits next to the form. On a phone, switch between Edit and Preview at the bottom of the screen.
5. Choose a template. Switch between Modern, Classic, Minimal, Graduate and Professional at any time.
6. Download your PDF. The builder checks for missing or mistyped details first, then creates an A4 PDF on your device.

What the builder checks for you

• Your name is filled in before you download.
• Email addresses, phone numbers and links look valid.
• End dates come after start dates.
• Text length stays within sensible limits for a CV.

Where your CV is stored

Your CV is saved automatically in your browser on the device you're using, and the PDF is created on that device too. It isn't uploaded to our servers. That means:

• You can close the page and continue later on the same phone or computer.
• If you clear your browser data, use a private window or switch devices, your CV won't be there. Use Menu → Save backup file to keep a copy, and Open backup file to load it elsewhere.
• Anyone using the same browser on the same device can open the builder and see your CV, so use Start a new CV on shared computers when you finish.

About the PDF

• A4 size with consistent margins on every page.
• Real, selectable text with embedded fonts, so it looks the same everywhere.
• Long CVs flow onto extra pages, keeping headings with the entries that follow them.
• No watermark.

Because page breaks are worked out when the PDF is made, the downloaded file may place a heading or entry slightly differently from the on-screen preview.

Tips for the best result

• Write experience as short bullet points, one per line. Start each with an action word.
• Keep your summary to two to four sentences.
• Only add a photo if the job advert asks for one.
• Check the preview before downloading to make sure nothing important falls onto a new page on its own.