Enhancv is one of the most popular online resume makers. If you want to build a standout resume, you should know how to use Enhancv to boost your resume-building process. In this article, I will tell you how to use this excellent resume maker to make your own resume.
What is Enhancv?
Enhancv is an online platform that provides an AI-powered resume and cover letter builder, designed to assist job seekers in creating visually compelling and Applicant Tracking System (ATS)-compatible professional documents.
At its core, Enhancv offers a comprehensive resume builder with 11 customizable templates in modern, creative, and classic styles. Users can easily tailor designs with a drag-and-drop editor, duplicate resumes for specific job applications, and even add unique sections to highlight personal attributes. A standout feature is its AI assistant, powered by ChatGPT, which provides ATS optimization by suggesting missing keywords, boosts achievement descriptions with stronger verbs and quantifiable results, and generates tailored summaries and cover letters. This AI-driven approach helps users learn effective resume writing and significantly increases their chances of landing interviews.
While a free trial is available, it comes with limitations, such as watermarks and editing restrictions, prompting users to consider its Pro subscription plans, which range from $13.33 to $24.99 per month. Despite some user concerns regarding pricing, technical glitches, and suitability for ultra-conservative industries, Enhancv is generally praised for its intuitive design, customization options, and time-saving features, boasting high ratings on platforms like Trustpilot and Reviews.io.
Why Should You Use Enhancv?
Enhancv can be a very useful tool when you're seeking a job, especially if you want to create a resume and cover letter that stands out visually and is optimized for modern hiring practices. However, it also comes with some notable drawbacks.
Enhancv's Pros
- Visually Appealing and Customizable Templates: Enhancv offers a range of modern, creative, and classic templates that are designed to look great to human recruiters. Its drag-and-drop editor allows for extensive customization of colors, fonts, and layouts, helping your resume reflect your personal style and stand out from generic applications.
- AI-Powered Optimization (ATS and Content): This is a major advantage. Enhancv's AI assistant can help you:
- ATS Optimization: By pasting a job description, the AI suggests missing keywords, helping your resume pass through automated screening systems that many companies use.
- Achievement Booster: It rewrites bland bullet points to highlight your impact, encouraging you to add quantifiable achievements and stronger action verbs, which is crucial for demonstrating value.
- Smart Writer: It can generate tailored resume summaries and cover letters based on your experience and the specific job you're applying for, saving you significant time and effort.
- Time-Saving Features: You can import information from your LinkedIn profile or existing resumes, making the initial setup quick. The platform also allows you to quickly duplicate and tailor resumes for different positions, which is invaluable when applying to multiple roles.
- Unique Sections: Enhancv allows you to add unconventional sections like "hobbies," "personal philosophies," or "portfolio links," helping you showcase your personality and make your application more memorable, especially for creative or modern industries.
- Cover Letter Builder: It streamlines the creation of personalized cover letters that match your resume's branding, enhancing the professionalism and consistency of your application.
- User-Friendly Interface: Many users find its interface intuitive and easy to navigate, making the resume-building process less daunting.
Enhancv's Cons
- Pricing and Free Plan Limitations:
- Restrictive Free Trial: The free trial is limited (7 days for individuals) and places a large, unprofessional watermark on downloaded resumes, strongly pushing users to upgrade. You can only create and edit a limited number of documents.
- Cost for One-Time Use: For job seekers who only need a resume for a single job search, the subscription plans (starting at $13.33/month for the semi-annual plan) can feel expensive, especially since they auto-renew.
- Not Ideal for All Industries: While its modern and creative templates are great for many fields, they might be considered "too creative" for more conservative industries like law or finance, where traditional resume formats are often preferred.
- Technical Glitches: Some users have reported issues with LinkedIn import functionality, formatting inconsistencies, and problems with exported resumes displaying correctly on certain platforms (like Workday). The spell/grammar checks can also be occasionally faulty.
- AI Limitations: While helpful, some users find the AI suggestions can be generic, overly focused on numbers (even when not entirely relevant), or at times unhelpful or inaccurate. It might not always capture the nuance of your experience perfectly and requires careful review.
- ATS Compatibility Doubts: Despite claims of ATS compatibility, some users have reported issues with their highly designed templates not parsing correctly with older or less sophisticated ATS systems.
- Customer Support Complaints: There have been instances where users experienced slow or unhelpful responses from customer support.
How to Build Resumes with Enhancv
Building a resume with Enhancv is a streamlined process that combines intuitive design with AI assistance. Here's a step-by-step tutorial on how to use it:
Getting Started
Access the Builder: When you first enter Enhancv's builder, you'll be given a few options to begin:
- Upload Existing Resume: If you have an old resume, you can upload it, and Enhancv will try to parse the information to pre-fill sections.
- Import from LinkedIn: A convenient option if your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date, as it will pull your professional history and details directly.
- Start from Scratch: If you don't have an existing resume or LinkedIn profile, you can begin with a blank slate.
Choose a Template
Enhancv offers a variety of resume templates in modern, creative, and classic styles. Browse through them and select one that appeals to you.
Tip: Don't stress too much about your initial choice; you can change the template at any point during the building process.
Fill Out Your Resume Sections
Click to Edit: Each section of the resume (e.g., Contact, Professional Experience, Education, Skills) is easy to fill out. Simply click on the section you want to edit, and it will open into an editor.
Enter Information: Type in your details. For some sections, like "Professional Experience," Enhancv's AI will offer suggestions specific to your job title. You can choose to select these and then edit them to accurately reflect your own experience, or you can type in your own details from scratch.
Customize Contact Info: For the "Contact" section, you can click on a settings button to specifically choose what information (e.g., phone, email, LinkedIn URL) you want to include.
Add/Remove Sections: Enhancv includes standard resume sections by default. You can delete any you don't need. If you want to add additional sections like "Awards," "Certifications," "Languages," or even more unique ones (like "Hobbies" or "Life Philosophy"), click "Add a new section" and select from the available options.
Adjust Your Layout of Resume
Enhancv allows you to easily rearrange the order of your resume sections. Use the drag-and-drop feature to move sections around and present your most important qualifications or relevant experience higher up on the page.
Change Your Formatting and Design
Navigate to the "Design & Font" section. Here, you can fine-tune the visual appearance of your resume.
- Margins and Spacing: Adjust margins and text spacing to ensure your resume is well-formatted and fits onto the page effectively.
- Fonts: Choose from a selection of fonts to give your resume a specific look and feel.
- Colors and Background: For added personalization and flair, you can change your resume's color scheme and add a background. Remember to choose designs that are appropriate for your target company and industry.
Utilizing Extra Features Like ATS Checker & Share Link
Explore Additional Tools: Enhancv offers several extra features to help you refine your resume:
ATS Check (Pro Feature): To use this, you'll need a Pro subscription. It allows you to paste a job description, and Enhancv will scan your resume to see how well it matches the keywords and requirements of that job. This is highly useful for creating targeted resumes.
Content Improvements (Pro Feature): Also a Pro feature, this tool is designed to check your resume for errors and offer suggestions to improve your writing, similar to grammar and style checkers.
Get Feedback from Friends (Available on Free Plan): Enhancv provides a shareable link that you can send to friends or mentors to get their feedback on your resume.
They can add comments directly to your document, which you can then see and address within the builder.
Share Link (Available on Free Plan): Generate a public link to your resume, allowing you to easily share it with recruiters or others who need to view it in a browser.
Download Your Resume
Once you're satisfied with your resume, proceed to download it.
Free Plan Limitation: If you're on the free trial, your downloaded resume will include an Enhancv watermark at the bottom. To remove this branding, you'll need to upgrade to a Pro plan.
File Formats: You can typically download your resume as a PDF (the preferred format for most recruiters) or a TXT file. You may also have the option to have it sent to your email address.
By following these steps, you can leverage Enhancv's features to create a polished and optimized resume for your job applications.
Best Enhancv Alternative: TalenCat CV Maker
If you find Enhancv’s pricing a bit steep for your budget, TalenCat CV Maker offers a fantastic, budget-friendly alternative without compromising on quality. While Enhancv charges $24.99/month for its premium features, TalenCat provides similar AI-powered resume-building tools at just $4.9/month—making it one of the most cost-effective options on the market.
Both platforms include ATS optimization, professional templates, and AI-generated content, but TalenCat stands out with its lower price point and additional features like AI mock interviews and career planning tools. If you're a student, freelancer, or job seeker looking for a new career, TalenCat delivers excellent value while still helping you create a polished, recruiter-friendly resume.
Plus, TalenCat’s freemium model allows you to test basic features before committing to the paid plan—unlike Enhancv, which requires an upfront subscription for full functionality. So, if Enhancv feels too expensive for your needs, TalenCat CV Maker is the smarter, more affordable choice for crafting a standout resume without breaking the bank.
Conclusion
Enhancv stands out as a powerful and user-friendly AI-driven resume and cover letter builder, particularly effective for crafting visually compelling and ATS-friendly documents. Its core strengths lie in its modern, customizable templates, intuitive drag-and-drop editor, and a robust AI assistant that offers intelligent suggestions for content optimization, keyword inclusion, and achievement highlighting. These features significantly streamline the resume-building process and can give job seekers a notable edge in competitive markets, especially for roles that value creativity and a personalized touch.
However, users should be aware of its limitations. The free trial, while available, is restrictive due to watermarks and limited functionality, essentially serving as a demo. Its premium pricing, which auto-renews, can be a deterrent for those only needing a one-time resume. Furthermore, while excellent for modern industries, its highly designed templates might be less suitable for traditional fields, and some users have reported occasional technical glitches and inconsistencies with ATS parsing.
Ultimately, Enhancv is a strong contender for job seekers prioritizing design, AI assistance, and time-saving features. For those on a tighter budget or in more conservative industries, exploring alternatives like TalenCat CV Maker, which offers similar AI capabilities at a significantly lower price point and includes additional features like AI mock interviews, might be a more fitting choice. The decision to use Enhancv hinges on individual needs, budget, and the specific industry a job seeker is targeting.
