Is InstantCV really free?
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Yes — InstantCV is completely free. Building a resume, importing an old one, using the AI writing help, switching between all 20 themes and downloading the finished A4 PDF cost nothing. There is no trial period, no credit card step, no watermark on the export and no premium tier hidden behind the download button.
Do I need to create an account?
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No account is required at any point. There is no signup form, no login, no email confirmation and no password to remember. You open the homepage, start typing into the builder, choose a theme and download your PDF. Because there are no accounts, there is also no marketing list and no onboarding sequence to unsubscribe from later.
Is my resume data stored anywhere?
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No — your resume data stays inside your own browser. The form state, your uploaded photo and the generated PDF are all handled on your device, and InstantCV keeps no user database, so nothing you type is filed against a profile. Optional AI wording help sends only the snippet you ask it to rewrite, and nothing is retained afterwards.
Are the templates ATS-friendly?
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Yes, every theme is built to be parsed by applicant tracking systems. The layouts use conventional section headings, a single clear reading order, web-safe fonts and plain bullet lists instead of text boxes or graphics. The exported PDF contains real selectable text rather than a flattened image, so a parser can extract your contact details, roles, dates and skills.
Can I edit my resume after downloading the PDF?
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Yes — reopen the builder and keep editing as long as the tab still holds your details. Because nothing is stored on a server, the safest workflow is to finish a version, download it, and keep that PDF as your record. If you start a fresh session, load the closest resume example and paste your own content back in, then export again.
What is the difference between a CV and a resume?
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A resume is a short, targeted summary of your relevant experience, while a CV is a fuller record of your career. In the US a resume is usually one or two pages tailored to a single job; in the UK, Europe and academia "CV" means much the same document, and in research it can run longer to list publications and teaching.
How long should my resume be?
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One page is right for most applications, and two pages once you have several relevant roles. Students, new graduates and career changers should stay on a single page and cut anything older than a decade. Senior specialists, consultants and academics can justify a second page when every line still supports the role they are applying for.
Does the AI write my whole resume for me?
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No — the AI assists with wording, it does not invent your career. You can ask it to tighten a summary or turn a flat duty into a sharper achievement bullet, then accept, edit or discard the suggestion. Every field stays editable, and you should always add the real numbers, tools and outcomes that only you know.
Can I use InstantCV on my phone?
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Yes, the builder works on phones and tablets. The form, the theme picker and the live A4 preview all adapt to small screens, and the PDF export runs in the mobile browser, so you can finish an application without a laptop. For long editing sessions a larger screen is still more comfortable because you can see the preview beside the form.
Which template should I choose?
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Pick the plainest theme your industry will accept. Modern, Minimal, Corporate and Compact suit most corporate and graduate applications; Classic, Executive, Academic and Legal fit conservative fields; Creative, Two-Column and Editorial suit design and marketing roles; the technical themes fit engineering portfolios. You can switch themes at any time without retyping a word.
