HatchResume — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about HatchResume, the free resume builder at hatchresume.com.
- What is HatchResume?
- HatchResume is a free online resume builder at hatchresume.com. It gives you 50+ professional, ATS-friendly templates, an editor for your details, and a one-click PDF download — with no account required.
- Is HatchResume really free?
- Yes. Every template, every feature, and the PDF download are free, with no trial, no watermark, and no card required at any point. There is no paid tier.
- Do I need to sign up or log in?
- No. There are no accounts on HatchResume. You can start editing a resume the moment the page loads.
- Where is my resume data stored? Is it private?
- Only in your own browser, and never on a server — HatchResume has no backend, so the whole app runs client-side. By default your resume is kept just for the current tab and the browser erases it the moment you close that tab; refreshing and moving around the site are safe. If you would rather keep it between visits, tick "Keep my resumes on this device" in the editor and it moves to this browser's longer-term storage on this device only. Either way, no copy exists anywhere else, so use the Backup button before you close the tab if you want to keep it.
- Are the templates ATS-friendly?
- Yes. The templates in the ATS-Optimized category use single-column layouts, standard section headings, and plain-text contact details and links — the structure applicant tracking systems parse most reliably. Other categories trade some of that for visual design.
- How do I download my resume as a PDF?
- Use "Download PDF" to open your browser's print dialog, then choose "Save as PDF". This preserves the selected template design and keeps its text selectable, searchable and readable by most systems. "Download ATS PDF" downloads a clean, single-column text PDF designed for maximum parser compatibility. "Image PDF" is a flattened visual snapshot for cases where exact pixels matter, but its text cannot be selected or reliably parsed. Every option is free, generated on your own device, and supports multi-page resumes.
- Does HatchResume check how my resume is written?
- Yes. The Writing Review panel scores your bullet points and flags the specific problems recruiters notice: openers like "Responsible for", passive voice, first-person phrasing, claims with no number attached, bullets that run too long, and the same verb starting three different lines. It runs as you type, in your browser.
- Can I move my resume to another browser or computer?
- Yes, with the Backup button: it downloads your resume as a JSON file, and Restore loads it back in anywhere. There is no cloud sync — that would mean storing your resume on a server, which is exactly what HatchResume avoids — so the file is the handoff.
- Can I make my resume fit on one page?
- Yes. HatchResume warns you as soon as your content spills onto a second page and offers a one-click "fit to one page" action that scales the whole layout down proportionally.
- What is the job description matcher?
- Paste a job posting into the matcher and HatchResume extracts its key terms, compares them against your resume, and lists the keywords you are missing, ranked by importance. The comparison runs in your browser — the posting is not uploaded either.
- Can I keep more than one resume?
- Yes. You can save several resume versions in the same browser and switch between them, which is useful when tailoring one resume per role. Undo and redo are available while editing.
- Does HatchResume work on a phone?
- The site loads and works on mobile browsers, but the editor with its live A4 preview is far more comfortable on a laptop or desktop screen.
- Can I switch templates without losing what I typed?
- Yes. Your content is kept separately from the design, so you can move between any of the 50+ templates at any time and your details carry over.
- Who made HatchResume?
- HatchResume is an independent, open project built and maintained by a solo developer. Feedback and bug reports go through the form on the home page.
Start building — it's free
HatchResume home · Free resume templates