FAQ

Straight answers.

If it's not here, ask us directly.

Is The Resume Lab actually free?+

Yes — everything is free while we're in beta: every template, every download, no watermark, no card. If paid plans ever arrive, downloading your own resume will stay free. That's one of our four rules.

Where is my resume data stored?+

In your own browser, on your own device. There's no server database — your resume, your uploaded photo, and your imported files never leave your computer. The trade-off to know about: clearing your browser data clears your resume, and it won't sync between devices yet. Download a PDF as your backup.

Will my resume pass ATS software?+

Every template exports real, selectable text with standard section headings — no tables, no graphics tricks, and ligatures are disabled so text extracts cleanly. Try it yourself: copy-paste your downloaded PDF into a text editor; what you see is what a parser sees. The built-in ATS check also compares your resume against any job description you paste.

Does the ATS check add hidden keywords?+

No, and it never will. Hidden white text is exposed the moment an ATS converts your PDF — recruiters see the keyword dump and reject. Our ATS check tells you which keywords are missing so you can add them honestly, in visible text.

Should I put a photo on my resume?+

Depends where you're applying. US, UK, Canada and Australia: no — many recruiters must discard photographed resumes for anti-discrimination reasons. Germany, France, much of Europe and Asia: a professional headshot is normal. We offer both photo and photo-free templates and tell you which suits which market.

Can I import my existing resume?+

Yes — upload a PDF or DOCX and we extract your details, jobs, education and skills automatically. Parsing happens entirely on your device. Standard single-column resumes import very well; creative layouts may need touch-ups, and the score bar shows you exactly what's missing.

Can I write my resume in another language?+

Yes. The editor and every template handle any script your keyboard can type. The built-in spell checker currently covers English (US and Australian). The Languages section uses CEFR levels (A1–C2) that recruiters worldwide recognise.

Why does my download open a print dialog?+

Choose “Save as PDF” as the destination — that's your download. It produces an exact-A4, print-perfect file. We use the browser's own PDF engine because it's the most faithful renderer of your preview.

How does 'Fit to one page' work?+

It measures your content and scales the typography — within professional limits (never below ~70%) — to fit a single A4 page. If your content can't fit even at the smallest size, it says so honestly instead of shrinking your resume into unreadability.

Who builds The Resume Lab?+

A two-time startup founder in Melbourne, who built it during his own graduate job hunt and tested every feature on real applications. Read the full story on our About page.

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