CV guide: how to make yourself a SPECTACULAR Curriculum Vitae with Canva

You're about to make a cool CV. Okay, maybe not as cool as Elon Musk who builds electric cars that run faster than petrol ones and launches spaceships into space ...

But definitely cool enough to stand out and stand out among many! A bit like these:

All the examples above were created using Canva , a simple and free program with which you can easily create a resume with a captivating and original visual impact

You're about to make a cool CV. Okay, maybe not as cool as Elon Musk who builds electric cars that run faster than petrol ones and launches spaceships into space ...

But definitely cool enough to stand out and stand out among many! A bit like these:

All the examples above were created using Canva , a simple and free program with which you can easily create a resume with a captivating and original visual impact .

And here, step by step, how to do it.

Step 1: Register on Canva

Signing up is very simple:

1.Go to the site https://www.canva.com/ ;

2.Choose whether to register with your Facebook, Google or Apple account, or by entering your email address;

3.Follow the quick steps to create your profile.

If you have already created an account then just enter your username or email and password in the boxes at the top right. You don't have to download anything , you just need to log into the site.

You are now ready to create your CV!

Step 2: Create your project

Canva is created to be quite intuitive, in fact as you can see to create a new project you are spoiled for choice:

in plain sight Canva gives us some examples of projects that we can create.

Just click on a model to continue; pressing the "Create project" button opens an infinite list of categories of projects that you can create: from your CV to Facebook covers and invitations for your birthday party.

If, on the other hand, you want to enter the large Canva archive and search for yourself, then click on “Explore Models” and write what project you want to dedicate yourself to.

Whichever method you choose, click on the project you are interested in to open it and get started:

Step 3: Create your CV

The page opens already showing you the available models . Careful! Choose from those that have the words (obviously very small) "FREE" at the bottom right.

Once you have selected the model you like best, let's start creating your CV. Canva helps us immediately, offering a small mirror at the bottom right with a tutorial and tips that can be consulted at any time by pressing the "Help" button.

The model we have chosen can be completely modified. In the left bar we find:

. Elements : it allows us to insert photographs, shapes, graphics, icons of any kind… in short, everything and more! We can also search for what we need, by typing the name in the search bar, for example “Skype Icon”.

 

. Text : text boxes with all imaginable fonts and styles. But being a curriculum, unfortunately, we cannot indulge ourselves too much.

 

. Background : by selecting one of the proposed backgrounds we immediately see the result in the preview.

. Uploads : You can upload your photographs to be included as images in your CV.

NB: Please , always make sure that there is the word "FREE" on everything you choose.

Now that you have seen all the elements you can insert, we can start editing the model !

You will find at the bottom right the zoom icon that will follow you faithfully as you move from page to page.

Select the element you want to insert and drag it to the project preview . You can resize and move the element however you like, while moving it with the mouse Canva shows you the alignment lines with the other elements to help you be precise (and a little fussy).

Using the toolbar that appears at the top, you can flip it, change its color, choose its position and transparency and, if you don't like it, delete it by clicking on the trash can

If you want to move several elements at the same time, you can create an area by holding down the left mouse button and selecting the elements that interest you. With the keyboard arrows you can move them in all directions.

When you select an existing text box, the toolbar allows you to perform tons of Word-like actions. You can also click on the "Link" icon to link an external site to the text, for example your publication or the project you are talking about.

If you want to insert your photograph, upload it to the "Uploads" section we saw earlier, select it and drag it with the mouse to the element where you want it to appear, for example the circle-shaped box with the girl you see above.

No sooner said than done, instead of the girl you will find your beautiful smiling face. If you don't like the shape, just delete the item with the trash, select a new shape from the “Items” and drag your photo again.

NB At any time, if you have done something wrong or that does not encroach on you, you can always go back using the arrow pointing to the left. If you change your mind, click the right arrow to restore what you removed.

For each page you create, if you look just above the top margin, Canva gives you the ability to assign a Title, enter notes, copy or delete it.

Instead, at the end of the last page, you will find the button to add a new page.

While you work, the saves are automatic (the message "All changes have been saved" appears), but if you want to be sure not to lose even a comma click on "File" and select "Save".

But now stop talking! It's really easier done than said, find the template you like and start creating your resume with Canva .

Step 4: Last but not least

Just a few last things for when you're done:

Give the project a title, writing it in the upper right corner in the space next to the “Share” item.

The "Share" item allows you to invite whoever you want to see and edit the project, just enter the e-mail address and send the invitation.

Also in this toolbar, you will find the "Download" button. Pressing it opens a drop-down menu where you can select the format in which to download the project

By clicking on the small arrow to the right of the word “Print document (A4)” you can choose different sharing options using social networks including LinkedIn.

Perfect, now you have everything you need to get started. Canva has tons of other features that you will discover as you continue to use it.

One last tip to easily generate your CV

The CV generated with Canva is very nice, but only the people you send it to will see it. If you also want to obtain a public CV, which can be found and consulted by all those looking for a professional figure like yours , we recommend that you generate your CV also with PubliCV , quickly and easily.

Canva is still a great tool, but if you are unfamiliar with graphics programs on your PC you may struggle and take longer than expected - even if you may need a CV as soon as possible .

To overcome this obstacle you can use PubliCV, which is perfect not only to create one or more versions of your CV , but also to have your own presentation web page , which will allow you to be easily found by those looking for someone with yours. experience and with your skills.

The CV created with PubliCV is called publiCV (with a lowercase "p"), precisely because it is public and can be easily consulted by agencies and employers, and you can also convert it into a normal CV by downloading it in PDF format (the most requested for sending by e-mail from companies).

In addition to being quick and easy to use, this service offers another great advantage: it is completely free , unlike Canva where the most advanced features, the most beautiful graphics and the most sought after CV templates are paid.

If Canva is too complicated and you prefer something simpler and faster to use, then generate your CV with PubliCV , to make it easier for those who offer a job tailored to you.