Short answers to the questions people ask most about Resume Cat. More about the app is on the Resume Cat page.
Is Resume Cat free?
Yes. Building a resume, the examples, the writing tips and writing check, the one-page check, all six free templates and four fonts, a cover letter with each resume, duplicating to tailor, and the PDF (Share PDF, Print and Copy text) are free, for as many resumes as you like. There's no watermark, no ads, no trial, no account and no "pay to download". Resume Cat Pro is an optional one-time purchase that adds three extras: two designed templates, a cover letter for each job and where you sent each resume.
How do I start a resume?
On the home screen, tap Start from scratch for a blank resume, or Start from an example and pick one of four: student or first job, retail and service, office and admin, or tech. The people, companies and contact details in the examples are made up, so replace them with your own. Your name, one job and a few skills are enough for a first resume; everything else is optional. Every change is saved as you type, even if you switch apps halfway through.
How do I write good bullet points?
Open a job and tap Add bullet point for each thing you did. Tap Verbs for a list of action verbs: tap one to start your bullet with it. Use the past tense for old jobs; the present tense works for the job you're in now. Each section also has Writing tips in its menu.
What do "Fits on 1 page" and "writing tips" at the bottom mean?
The bar at the bottom of the editor shows how many pages your resume takes with the template, font and paper you picked, like "Fits on 1 page" or "2 pages". It changes as you edit. Under it is the number of writing tips. Tap the bar to see them: the writing check points out bullets that don't start with a verb, "I" and "my", dates that don't match and missing contact details, among others. Tap Show me on a tip to go to the section it's about.
What does the ATS mark on a template mean?
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is software some employers use to read and sort resumes. Resume Cat marks three templates ATS: Clear, Classic and Compact. They're one column, with black text and standard headings, so the text reads in order. Every Resume Cat PDF has real, selectable text. Modern and Elegant add a colour accent, and Two-column puts your contact details and skills in a side column; the app notes that some systems read two columns out of order, so it's best for emailing to a person. No app can promise how an employer's system reads your resume, or that you'll get an interview, and Resume Cat doesn't.
Can I change the template, font, colour or paper size?
Yes, at any time. Tap Preview & PDF. Pick a template from the row above the page; each one has a one-line note under it. Below the page you can pick one of four fonts (Inter, Lato, Source Serif or Merriweather), the paper (US Letter or A4) and how dates are written. Templates with a colour accent also show a colour choice. Changing the look never changes what you typed.
How do I send my resume?
Tap Preview & PDF, check the pages, then:
- Share PDF sends the PDF to Mail, Files or any app.
- Print sends it to your printer.
- Copy text puts it on the clipboard as plain text, ready to paste into an online application form.
You can also copy the plain text from the editor: tap ⋯, then Copy as plain text.
How do I write a cover letter?
In the editor, tap ⋯, then Write a cover letter. Fill in who it's for (the hiring manager's name is optional) and the company, then write your letter, or tap Start with a simple outline and replace everything in [brackets]. The word count under the letter says 200–350 words is about right. Your name and contact details come from the resume, in the same template. In Preview & PDF, switch between Resume and Cover letter at the top to share, print or copy either one. One cover letter with each resume is free.
How do I tailor my resume for different jobs?
On the home screen, touch and hold a resume and tap Duplicate to tailor, or in the editor tap ⋯, then Duplicate to tailor for a job. Edit the copy for that job. Tap ⋯, then Rename to give each copy a name only you see, like the job it's for. With Pro you can also keep a separate cover letter for each company and note where you sent each resume.
What does Resume Cat Pro add?
- Two designed templates: Bold (your name on a band of colour) and Edge (a colour edge down each page), in your colour. They're for emailing to a person; the ATS templates stay free.
- A cover letter for each job: in the cover letter, tap Letters, then New letter for another job. Your letters are kept per company under Other letters; tap Open to switch. Your current letter stays free.
- Where you sent it: on the home screen, touch and hold a resume, tap Mark as sent… and add the company, the job if you like, and the date. It shows on your list. These notes are kept on your device and in your own backups, and they're never added to the PDF.
Where are my resumes kept? Do I need an account?
There's no account and no sign-in. Your resumes are on the home screen under Your resumes. Your resumes are kept on your device and in your own backups unless you share, save or print them. There's no sync between devices. To delete a resume, touch and hold it and tap Delete, or tap ⋯ in the editor, then Delete. The resume and its cover letters are removed from this device, and this can't be undone.
Does Resume Cat write my resume for me?
No. There's no AI service in it. It gives you examples, writing tips, action verbs and a writing check, and you write the words.
Does it work offline?
Yes, for making resumes. There's no account, and Resume Cat makes no network request of its own. So you can write and edit resumes and cover letters, change templates and fonts, make the PDF and copy the text without a connection. Printing goes through AirPrint, so your printer has to be reachable. Sending by email or to iCloud needs a connection. So does buying or restoring Pro, which goes through the App Store.
I bought Resume Cat Pro. How do I get it on a new iPhone or iPad?
Open Resume Cat, tap ⓘ on the home screen, then Resume Cat Pro, then Restore purchase. Use the same Apple Account you bought it with. When Pro is on, the Resume Cat Pro row says "On".
Something else?
Tap ⓘ, then Report a problem or Suggest an idea, which opens an email to us. Or write to [email protected] from any email app.