Menu
After 40 hours of testing resume writing software, LiveCareer is still our pick for the best option. The program is web-based rather than downloadable, and the number of features, as well as the site’s connectivity and convenience, are hard to beat. In this post, I’ll share some of the most powerful writing tools for bloggers. I’ll also cover Mac, Windows, mobile apps and web apps. Use these powerful writing tools to capture ideas, write, edit, proofread and fine-tune your blog posts.
Best Resume Writing Software of 2019 - Software
After 40 hours of testing resume writing software, LiveCareer is still our pick for the best option. The program is web-based rather than downloadable, and the number of features, as well as the site’s connectivity and convenience, are hard to beat. The program doesn’t just help you with resume creation but supports you throughout your job search experience, and you can connect your finished resume directly to social media job sites.
Best Overall
LiveCareer My Perfect Resume
LiveCareer’s features are impressive, including its connectivity and export options. It’s an up-to-date, web-based platform that lets you store your work on the cloud.
Best Value
CakeResume
CakeResume is a web-based platform with a free version that is very easy to use. However, it doesn’t have all the options and features of LiveCareer and other top software.
Best Downloadable
ResumeMaker Professional Deluxe 20![]()
ResumeMaker comes with tons of supportive features for your job search and resume creation, but it is not as attractive as some of the web-based software we tested.
Best OverallLiveCareer My Perfect Resume
LiveCareer My Perfect Resume
Allows you to import an already existing resume
More export options, including Word documents and plain text files
Only 20 Templates
Fewer customization options than downloadable software
Subscription-based model could end up costing you more
LiveCareer’s up-to-date templates, convenient features and connectivity to social media websites make it the best place to build your resume.
Plus, there’s support for other parts of your job search, like templates for cover letters. It uses a wizard to help you through the process and give you tips along the way.
You can import an already existing resume into LiveCareer to make resume creation faster; we only found few sites or programs with that feature. In addition, LiveCareer has helpful exporting options, like the ability to download Word documents and plain text files. The site offers some helpful prewritten phrases you can use if you get stumped trying to come up with your own. The only real downside to this service is the smaller number of templates compared to some downloadable programs with thousands of templates designed for specific careers. LiveCareer has only 20 templates to choose from, but the service does offer both major types of resumes: chronological or functional. Overall, LiveCareer’s clean, intuitive interface, wizard and import and export options make it the best for creating an up-to-date and stylish resume. Best ValueCakeResume
CakeResume
Attractive interface is easy to navigate
Social media connectivity
Can’t import existing resume
CakeResume makes resume creation easy with straightforward drag-and-drop menu options.
It’s a more global platform than other software we tested, offering support in languages beyond English and finished examples from all over the world. The site also hosts a network for employers looking for new talent. You can make your finished resume available for them to browse or give access to specific individuals via a link.
There are some limitations to the customization features that CakeResume offers, and it doesn’t help with cover letters, which is a feature of many of the services that we tested. And while the site does offer some support with a free ebook and blog postings about common practices, it doesn’t have the prewritten phrases that other sites provide to help you craft your resume. The interface is attractive, and the software features great connectivity options, like links to Facebook and LinkedIn. And if you’re looking for simplicity, CakeResume is the place to be. Its subscription fee is only a little higher LiveCareer, and you can create attractive and good-looking resumes, even with its free version. Best DownloadableResumeMaker Professional Deluxe 20
ResumeMaker Professional Deluxe 20
1,250 job templates
Connectivity options
So many options can be overwhelming
ResumeMaker is a downloadable program from Individual Software that’s loaded with features.
In many ways, it’s the most comprehensive software that we encountered while testing. It has 1,250 templates, and you can search them by profession so that you can make a specific resume for each job that you apply for.
ResumeMaker also has templates and suggestions for every job-related situation, including cover letters and letters of resignation. The software comes with 150,000 prewritten phrases to help you find the right words for your work experience. You can also perform an online job search or make a cost of living comparison through its online offerings. And it has a helpful wizard which saves vital information so you don’t have to continue to input it over and over again. But truthfully, the sheer number of features feels a little overwhelming. Resume creation can be daunting, and ResumeMaker’s approach throws you into the deep end of available options. It also doesn’t feature the sleek, easy-to-use design of popular web-based programs out there. That said, it was the best downloadable software we tested. Best Built-in Job SearchPongo
Pongo Resume Builder
Includes pre-written phrases
While Pongo has fewer editing features than other resume software, it offers a lot of support to users at every stage of the job search process.
In addition to a simple resume builder, the program has videos with interview advice as well as a “career corner” with a blog featuring advice about creating resumes and cover letters. The program has partnered with job-search company Indeed to offer a lot of opportunities to users.
Many of the fields in Pongo’s resume builder are required before you can generate a preview. Other programs let you choose which fields to include in your resume, but Pongo tries to make sure you don't forget anything important along the way. It also gives you access to pre-written phrases to help you fill out your resume, a feature not all services include. There’s also a management system to track your ongoing inquiries and applications so you can make sure to follow-up with a potential employer. Most Cutting-EdgeVisualCV
VisualCV Professional
Bold designs make it a more future-facing option
There’s no option to review or audit your resume before publishing
Like many resume software makers, VisualCV emphasizes a web-based approach.
While you can still download your completed resume in PDF format, the service encourages you to create a link which you can share with friends and potential employers. This allows you to create a personalized webpage rather than a single printable or paper-based document.
Not all the services we tested look toward the future while also providing enough tools to customize a traditional document. For inspiration the site includes examples of what users can learn to do with the application. And, with over 40 templates, twice as many as LiveCareer, you get more to choose from. While it’s true that other downloadable tools give you even more control and options than web-based programs like this, VisualCV includes some bold and innovative templates that embrace changes in the ways that we search for a job.
Why Trust Us?
We’ve been testing the latest in resume writing software for over a decade. We like to get hands on with the products and services we test, and with software, this means we subscribe, download, research and use each of the programs that we review. This level of testing lets us make comparisons to make sure that we’re recommending the very best products available to our readers. As a reviewer, I test dozens of other educational and professional software packages, so I’m familiar with what’s possible in programming these days.
How much Does Resume Writing Software Cost?
Resume writing programs that you download for a one-time cost usually run about $30.00. However web-based subscription services range anywhere from $1 to $2 dollars up to about $20 a month. Pay attention when you subscribe, though, because most services offer several different plans – and some plans limit the features or number of resumes you can create. Make sure to find a selection that works for your job search. Also, several of the programs we tested come with a free trial, but frequently the company won’t remove their watermark from free templates. It’s best to pay a little extra and remove the companies’ branding.
How We Tested
We read dozens of articles and researched the current industry standard in resume writing software before we selected which programs to test. Then we downloaded or subscribed to the ones we selected. Most of the current software is web-based, but there are few downloadable programs that have enough features and support to be worth mentioning.
In each program we created a resume and then tested the available features. We evaluated how intuitive the input options and wizard (the tool that you use to input your data) were in each program. We also looked for programs that offer additional support beyond simple resume creation. Resume software that connect with popular job search engines or give tips about acing your interview ranked higher in our comparison.
We looked for import and export options that allow you to easily transfer your completed work to new systems and give you flexibility to use the information from older resumes to create new ones. We also graded the software on customization tools, like margin spacing and font choices, as well as text size and watermarks to make sure you can create a resume that’ll stand out. We learned there’s often a balance between having plenty of options and having so many that they become overwhelming, so we looked for a number of templates and features that was just right.
Are Resume Builders Worth It?
In a word, yes. Based on our experience with the sites and services we tested, it's helpful to have the task of creating a resume broken up into more manageable chunks. Many of the programs that we used have wizards that provide helpful tips or guidance on each section. It's also convenient to be able to save personal information, like your address and home phone number, to be used over and over again as you customize resumes for different job applications. Overall, because resume writing is such a common experience, we think its hard to go wrong with these programs. They are also inexpensive enough that its worth a try.
Resumes of the Future
As you build your resume, it’s worth considering how hiring practices will change over time. We wouldn’t be surprised to see personal web pages or portfolios replace more traditional resume templates over the next few years, and many of the web-based programs seem to offer more connectivity options and link-sharing capabilities than their downloadable counterparts. There may come a day when we use certification services like Lynda and Degreed to show off the skills we’ve gained.
The New York Times reported in its article, “Job Hunting in the Digital Age,” that some companies use bots to conduct keyword searches of your documents to find the best match from a large pool of applicants. This means it matters which words you use to express your interests and experience. It's important to check in with the trends and services available to make sure you’re on the right track before creating your next resume.
Resume & Job-Hunting Trends to Look for in 2019
A recent survey shows that nearly 25 percent of Americans plan to look for a new job in 2019. If you’re among them or just want to keep a resume on hand in case a job posting catches your eye, here are some things to keep in mind:
Keep It Short, but Not Too Short: A recent study by ResumeGo shows that recruiters are twice as likely to prefer a two-page resume than a single-page resume. The common wisdom used to be that anything beyond a single page is a strike against you, but if you have the work experience and qualifications, don’t skimp on including them. Be as thorough as possible.
Start Strong: The top third of your resume is the most important real estate. Use it to make an impression and to give the hiring manager the most important information. Include contact information, your LinkedIn account info, your most recent job and a summary statement. The summary isn’t an objective – instead, it should be a statement that catches the recruiter’s eyes. In the summary, talk about your successes and what you can add to the company you’re applying at.
Optimize Your Resume: Many companies use applicant tracking systems to monitor and update you on your application’s progress. Some of these systems can be overzealous about filtering resumes, so you may need to include some keywords used in the job posting. In some cases, you can benefit from using the particular jargon preferred by the company you’re applying at.
Best Program On Mac For Blog Write Java
Customize & Cut: Make sure each resume is tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. One-size-fits-all resumes don’t really work any more. Trim your resume to the last 10 to 15 years of your job history – anything further back could date you or may be irrelevant. If you’re applying for a job as a software developer, the company hiring you isn’t interested in your high school dishwashing job.
Dedicated Writing Apps
What constitutes the best app for writers depends on their process, genre, and conditions in which they are most productive. Additionally, it depends on what they intend to do with the finished work: publish it online, send it to an agent, or shoot a film. There is no single best app for all writers, but there are plenty of excellent writing apps that cater to different needs, work styles, and genres.
Priced for the Starving Artist (Mostly)
Apps for writers tend to be less expensive than other kinds of software. Many sell for a one-time fee, although a few require a subscription. The least expensive writing apps cost only around $10. Final Draft, one of the most expensive writing apps, costs $249.99, but even that is a one-time fee, meaning you pay once and own the software for life. Ulysses used to sell for a standalone fee but recently moved to a subscription model, now costing $39.99 per year. If you own an older copy of Ulysses, it's still yours to keep and use, but you won't receive any updates.
When an idea strikes, many writers want to be able to jot it down or immediately add it to an ongoing project. To do that, they likely need a companion mobile app to go along with their desktop software. Support for mobile apps isn't particularly strong in the writing category. A few companies that make software for writers offer iOS apps, but it's rare to find anything for Android. Additionally, mobile writing apps typically cost a good deal more than what people are used to paying for an app. Scrivener for iPhone and iPad, for example, runs $19.99. Storyist's iOS app is $14.99. To get over this price hurdle, I recommend thinking about the combined cost of the mobile and desktop software together and considering it a bundled purchase.
What's the Best Screenwriting Software?
As a genre, screenwriting has unique requirements. Scripts for movies, television, and the stage must make clear the difference between direction, setting descriptions, spoken dialogue, and so forth. This allows all the people involved in creating the final product—actors, film crew, editors, and directors—to do their jobs. As a result, the formatting for screenwriting is exceedingly precise. A few writing apps cater specifically to professional screenwriters. Final Draft is one, and it continues to be an industry standard. If you're actively employed in film or television, you might already own a copy. When you purchase Final Draft, you can use the app on two computers, and it's compatible with both Windows and macOS.
Another app that specifically handles scripts is Adobe Story. The app costs $9.99 per month, but it's also available to anyone who has an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription. Story is unusual because it's not just writing software. It also lets you make notes about the actual production of a script. For example, you can write a detailed description of shots you want to see or provide information about shooting locations. The app can generate a production schedule based on all the metadata associated with each scene. Adobe Story is also compatible with Adobe Premiere, so after the footage has been shot, you can pipe in the script to run alongside the video, helping the editors do their job, too.
Alternatives to Microsoft Word
Why would a writer use a dedicated writing app instead of Microsoft Word (or Google Docs, Apple Pages, or any other typical word processor)? There's no reason you can't use any of those apps, but they don't have many of the special features you get from apps that are specific to writers.
Fiction writers, book authors, and screenplay writers often change the order or scenes, sections, and chapters. That's easy to do when an app is designed specifically with professional long-form writers in mind. With the right drag-and-drop tools, you can quickly and easily reorganize your files. It also helps if footnotes and endnotes renumber accordingly, when you move parts around.
Another feature that office apps typically don't have is a writing target. It's common for professional writers to strive to meet a daily word or page count goal. So while Word, Google Docs, and Pages all have word count features, they don't have the same options for setting and tracking goals over time.
Some writers need to keep exhaustive notes regarding plot points and characters, and possibly even visual references, such as an image of a shoot location or faces that inspire characters. The best writers' apps include tools that make it easy to see reference material and notes whenever the writer needs, and then get back to writing quickly.
Finally, the word processors in suites are generally heavy-duty apps that can do everything from formatting and footnoting to headers, footers, and special pagination. That's handy for many kinds of business and academic writing, but for the average creative writer, all this may just be a major distraction.
What's the Best Distraction-Free Writing App?
Writers who find themselves in the less-is-more camp will want a writing app that strips away anything that could possibly be the least little bit distracting. Distraction-free writing apps are a dime a dozen; the trick is to find one that also offers the tools you need when you need them. The best distraction-free writing apps hide the tools you need until the appropriate time, rather than omitting them altogether.
With that criterion in mind, Ulysses is my favorite distraction-free writing app, and a PCMag Editors' Choice. A well-designed interface makes Ulysses easy to use and easy on the eyes. It has good tutorials and help menus for newcomers, including a cheat sheet for Markdown language. Markdown is a very lightweight set of codes that can be used instead of the rich formatting options that are common in word processors. If you've ever typed asterisks (*) around a word in a chat app to make it bold, that's similar to Markdown. It's very simple, and takes no time at all to learn, especially when you have a cheat sheet to guide you.
The idea behind Markdown is that you can apply basic formatting, like marking titles and subtitles, bold and italic text, without moving your fingers from the keyboard. Accounts stored program for mac. It's also less distracting than having a panel with 50 alluring typefaces that you're dying to try. Ulysses is only available for Mac and iOS. Windows users might also try yWriter.
Note that we have reviewed Focused (for Mac), but it didn't score well enough to make this top-ten list. If you're curious why, please feel free to read the review.
![]() What Are the Best Writing Apps for Novelists?
Book authors spend a lot of their time simply organizing their manuscript. Whether it's fiction or nonfiction, the work doesn't always shape up as the author originally intended. Chapters sometimes move. Stories aren't always told in a linear fashion. And scenes sometimes become more effective when their order changes.
To facilitate the shaping of a story in this way, you need a library, or a pane within the writing app showing file folders and their organization. Not all writing apps have one, as you can see from the chart above.
Best Program On Mac For Blog Writing ServicesWriting for Medium, WordPress Blogs, and More
Book authors and screenwriters aren't the only types of writers, of course. Many writers create shorter pieces that they publish online directly, without ever passing through the hands of an agent, publisher, or movie producer. If you're publishing on Medium or WordPress, it sure is handy to have a writing app that can export each piece directly to your platform of choice.
Ulysses and iA Writer both have integration options for those two platforms. Like Ulysses, iA Writer is a distraction-free writing app, but it's much more pared down. It has some neat functions, such as text transclusion, that can be fun to learn for people who think more like programmers than traditional writers. Text transclusion allows you to create a final document of many smaller pieces by, essentially, giving commands about which files to pull together and in what order. 'First display the introduction. Next add an image. Then include my argument. Finally, show my author bio.' The text of your document could be all of four sentences long, but it might whip together a piece that, when exported, is 25 pages.
Best Free Writing ProgramsYour Writing, Your Choice
Every writer has unique needs and desires. Do you need an app that works on both Windows and macOS? Is learning a new way to format text a deal-breaker? Does your final submission need to meet industry standards the way screenplays and teleplays do? The range of software dedicated to writers is impressive. If nothing tickles your fancy from the full reviews linked below, you should also read our short synopses of many other apps for writers, as well. Finally, if you decide that a dedicated writing tool just isn't for you, and you'd rather just use a plain old word processor, we've rounded up the top office suites, too.
Best Program On Mac For Blog Writing A BookFeatured Writing App Reviews:Best Program On Mac For Blog Writing Jobs
Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |