Product Development
A Free CV Tool That Actually WorksA CV Tool That Actually Works
The Problem I Kept Seeing
For years, people kept asking me the same favor: "Can you help me write my CV?" It was not just
friends and family anymore. Strangers were reaching out too. These were not lazy requests, people
genually struggled with job applications and did not know where to turn.
The pattern was clear. Most people had no idea what recruiters actually look for. CVs were generic,
not tailored to specific jobs. Applicant Tracking Systems were rejecting good candidates. And many
felt they had to pay expensive CV writers just to have a chance.
I had developed my own method over the years, and it worked. People who followed my approach were
landing interviews. But manually helping everyone was not sustainable.
Testing the Waters
Before building anything, I needed to know if this was a real problem worth solving.
My validation approach was simple: I shared my own CV online to see the
response, started manually writing CVs for 5+ people each week, asked my social media audience
directly, "Would you use a tool that teaches my method?", and watched as many of those people
actually got interviews and jobs.
The response was overwhelming. People were saying yes, engaging with my content, and some even
offered to pay me to build it.
The demand was real.
The Solution: OneGoodCV
I decided to build OneGoodCV, a free web app that teaches people to write effective CVs using my
proven method.
Core concept: Instead of doing it for them, teach them to do it themselves. Once they learn, they
never need to pay anyone again.
What I Built
- Video course breaking down my step-by-step process
- Simple CV builder to apply what they learned immediately
- ATS-friendly templates that actually pass automated filters
- One-click PDF export so they can start applying right away
- Community feedback feature for peer reviews
The goal was simple: Help Help people build CVs that get interviews,
not just look pretty.
Building It (The Hard Part)
Timeline: 30 days from idea to launch. My
role: Everything, Product Manager, Developer, Designer.
What those 30 days looked like
- Built the entire app using React
- Designed and recorded the full video course
- Created all the branding and marketing materials
- Set up social media presence across LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram
- Ran a private beta with real users and incorporated their feedback
- Planned a 30-day content strategy for launch
I kept the design minimal and focused. No fancy features that would confuse people, just what they
needed to build a great CV.
My Research Process
To make sure I was building the right thing, I went deep on understanding the problem. I interviewed
20 job seekers across different industries and experience levels, sent out surveys that got 150+
responses about CV struggles, actually watched people try to create CVs and noted where they got
stuck, and asked specific questions like "What is your biggest challenge when writing a CV?" and
"How do you feel when applying for jobs?"
Key insights I discovered
- People spend 5-10 hours writing a single CV
- Many waste $50-200 on professional writers who create generic CVs
anyway
- ATS systems reject candidates for formatting issues, not lack of qualifications
- Job seekers want to feel capable and in control, not dependent on others
I used these insights to shape the tool's features and ensure it addressed real user pain points.
What Made It Different
The CV tool market is crowded, so I had to be strategic about what would make OneGoodCV stand out.
- Educational first: Instead of AI writing CVs for people, I teach
them how to write their own
- Brutally honest guidance: I tell people the truth, a CV gets you
interviews, not jobs. You still need to perform well in the interview.
- Completely free: No subscriptions, no hidden costs
- Personal touch: Users can reach out to me directly for advice
- ATS-optimized: Templates designed to pass automated filters, not
just look good
Early Results
Even before launch, the signs were promising.
- Daily messages asking when it would be available
- Beta testers giving positive feedback and useful suggestions
- Steady growth in social media engagement through educational content
- Over 1,000 people showing genuine interest
Post-launch tracking plan: Number of CVs created through the platform,
course completion rates, user success stories and testimonials, and community engagement levels.
Key Lessons Learned
People want to feel capable. When you give them the right tools and knowledge, they prefer to do
things themselves rather than outsource.
Good design means less confusion. Every feature I added had to serve a
clear purpose or it got cut.
Content builds trust before product. Sharing helpful tips and honest
advice on social media created a community before I even launched.
Feedback is everything. Beta testers caught issues I never would have
seen and suggested improvements that made the final product much better.
What Is Next
The roadmap is focused on making the core experience even better.
- Industry-specific templates for tech, marketing, healthcare, etc.
- Job description analysis to help people tailor CVs more
effectively
- Expanded community features for better peer feedback
- Partnerships with job platforms and universities
Skills This Project Showcased
Product Management: Market research and user validation, feature
prioritization and roadmap planning, user feedback integration and iteration.
Technical Execution: Full-stack development with React, UI/UX design
with user experience focus, end-to-end product delivery.
Go-to-Market: Content strategy and community building, brand
development and messaging, launch planning and execution.
I saw a real problem, validated it properly, built a solution that addresses the root cause, and
created something that genuinely helps people. The fact that it is growing organically tells me we
are on the right track.
Try
OneGoodCV