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Killer Resumes: 3 Places to Find Easy-To-Use CV Templates That Get Noticed in Basel

Hey, Basel Job Coach – I need a better CV. This one’s not working. Where can I get easy-to-use templates?

“My CV’s not working” – I often hear this.

There are tons of reasons why this might be the case.

More often than not, other factors are at play that aren’t being considered because they require a deeper understanding of the Modern Job Search.

Especially in Basel, which might not be your home city.

Don’t forget, lots of the time, people get offered jobs without even having one.

However, creating a standout resume is usually the best way to start. Understanding what great looks like is the first step in making your path to a great CV much easier to follow. That’s where easy-to-use CV templates come in.

Picture of 3 easy-to-use CV templates killer resumes

That’s great, but just tell me where to find some easy-to-use CV templates

OK, OK. Let’s assume you aren’t a big fan of Microsoft Word either.

Here’s my Top 3 easy-to-use CV Templates Platforms:

Canva is a leading design platform known for creating visually appealing designs, including flyers, posters, logos and anything else you can think of. Creative types love it because it’s great for things like Instagram posts, LinkedIn banners, etc., without needing a PhD in Digital Design.

Canva is also great for CVs. That’s because:

  • Diverse designs: You can pick from minimalist to creative, which caters to different industries as well as your personal tastes
  • Easy customisation: As it is mostly drag-and-drop, you can easily personalise templates by changing colours, fonts and layouts
  • It’s fast: If you have your text ready to go, you can paste it in

Spoiler alert: It’s also what I use for most people as part of the CV Masterclass sessions

For balance, here are some other considerations:

  • What you gain in user-friendliness, you lose in advanced design features that you would find in pro software
  • The best templates require a Canva Pro subscription, which isn’t great if you are on a tight budget.

Nevertheless, you do get what you pay for. If your job search takes a while, the Canva Pro subscription is worth it, so you don’t have to pay to download multiple versions of your CV. You’ll really notice this when you start tailoring your Resume for multiple job applications.

In 2021, it was valued at $40bn, so they are doing something right.

Picture of 3 easy to use CV Canva template

What's Next?

Express, the artist formerly known as Spark (and Creative Cloud Express – this is getting confusing), is Adobe’s creation tool.

It’s Canva’s main competitor. Want a “professional grade CV”? You’ve got it.

If you’re looking for a job in a ‘creative’ field, or if you have prior experience of working with Adobe’s product suite, like Photoshop or Illustrator, it’s the choice for you. Also, it’s probably a good idea to use it if you’re applying for a job at Adobe…

Pros:

  • Pro Quality: The templates are really good and suitable for various industries
  • Creative Customisation: You can add design elements such as graphics, photos and icons to stand out
  • Integration: If you have other Adobe products, it’ll work seamlessly


Some other considerations:

  • Learning Curve: If you’re not familiar with Adobe products, it’ll take more time to maximise its potential
  • Cost: There is a free version, but it’s not so budget-friendly, especially if you’re not going to use any other features
 

If you really want to get into the weeds, here’s an in-depth Canva vs Adobe Express/Spark/Creative comparison.

Didn’t you say 3 Easy-to-Use CV Templates Platforms?

Yes. Yes I did.

The third. Is Word.

No need to link it – chances are this will already be on your machine unless you are a Pages user. No, didn’t think so.

Word. Love it, or hate it. Still annoying, even though Clippy was minimised for the last time in 2007.

Seconds to learn, lifetimes to master and all that.

However, it remains the classic choice for most people when updating their resumes.

Therein lies one of the biggest challenges. Updating. Not creating.

People often return to the last CV they put together and update it as if the world has remained the same in the last ten years.

But if you scratch beneath the surface, many modern and traditional Word templates exist.

Pros:

  • Easy-to-Use: Most people can use Word to a basic degree. Following a template makes it easier
  • Compatibility: You can always be confident that the end user will be able to open it in the format that you designed it for
  • Applicant Tracking Systems: The places where you upload your Resume to apply for jobs are primarily designed with Word in mind. This makes it easier for machines to parse and assess the information.


Downsides:

  • Visuals: Unless you are a superuser, making your CV look slick is quite challenging, and other platforms do it better
  • Creative Features: There are limited options for adding unique design elements
 

Thanks for the explainer on Word. Really useful…

Hold on, hold on. It had to be in there! Try a template. It’s free if you already have it, and it’s probably where you’ll start writing your draft anyway.

Any more advice on CV Templates?

Lots and lots and lots. Google Docs can be handy. But, let me summarise my thoughts on an important topic…

Many sites now offer silver-bullet resumes, AI enhancements, bells and whistles, etc. My advice: Some are useful (not enough to recommend here, yet), but beware of shiny penny syndrome or, these days, AI-Washing. Just because it sounds good doesn’t mean it is the best use of your job search time and resources.

The main drawbacks of using too much AI are that you will:

  1. Risk losing authenticity (the number one trait that hiring managers want to see & feel)
  2. Find it harder to understand, define and articulate your Professional Value Proposition because you are less likely to be able to iterate your thoughts on who you are and what you offer to employers.

The same goes for getting someone to create or write your CV. It’s not a fix for the ultimate challenge: securing your next role.

Remember, people are offered jobs without needing a CV, but you will not get a job solely on the strength of your CV.

Where should I start?

Start by checking out some modern templates suitable for your industry. Find one you like, then add what you want to say. Top Tip: White space is key for readability and engagement

If you’d like some personal advice and you are in the Basel area, check out our CV Masterclass. In 3 hours you’ll not only have a great resume to take away, but a clear understanding of the person it represents.