It all started with a flood of messages from friends, family and colleagues. “Can you help me design a professional CV?” they’d ask. As a designer and developer, I’d often oblige. But over time, I noticed patterns – people (especially freelancers) struggling with typos, outdated versions, and the endless churn of file iterations.
I knew there had to be a better way. Why, in a world where everything else is dynamic and personalized, are we still sending static PDFs? This question sparked an idea: what if I could create a tool that allowed people to build living, breathing CVs? A tool that was as dynamic and adaptable as freelancer it served. That’s when LinkToMyCV was born.
From Frustration to Inspiration
The problem wasn’t just theoretical, I’d faced these challenges myself:
- Sending out a CV, only to spot a typo after hitting send.
- Receiving feedback to tweak something and then juggling version after version.
- Wanting to apply for front-end developer, but also full-stack developer causing again more versions.
These struggles weren’t unique to me. Every freelancer I spoke to shared similar pain points. It wasn’t just about convenience; it was about creating a CV that matched the fast-paced, ever-evolving world we live in.
I decided to build a platform where freelancers could:
- Make real-time updates without starting from scratch, as I say "the build once share forever principle"
- Showcase their personality and skills with customizable layouts.
- Share their CVs as effortlessly as sharing a link.
The vision was clear. All I needed was two weeks, determination, and some modern tech.
The Building Blocks
I started with technologies I trusted—tools that could deliver speed, security, and scalability:
- Next.js & Vercel: For performance and seamless deployments.
- Drizzle ORM & Vercel Postgres: To handle secure, efficient database queries.
- React-Hook-Form: For smooth and dynamic form interactions.
- NextAuth.js: To allow quick and secure logins via Google and LinkedIn.
- Puppeteer: To generate pixel-perfect PDFs directly from the live CV.
- Tailwind CSS: To offer a sleek, customizable design experience.
Turning Vision Into Features
As I coded late into the night, the platform began to take shape. I wanted every feature to solve a real problem freelancers faced:
- Dynamic Updates: No more version chaos. Just update your CV, and it’s live.
- Customizable Design: With over 40+ color schemes and 10+ fonts, every CV could be unique.
- Shareable URL: A professional link that could be shared anywhere—GitHub, LinkedIn, email signatures.
- Multi-Language Support: A must-have for international freelancers.
- Privacy Controls: Sensitive information stays secure, with options to share selectively.
- PDF Export: For the occasional job portal that still clings to PDFs.
- Multiple Variants: One platform, many tailored CVs for different roles and industries.
Every time I finished a feature, I imagined the freelancers using it. I thought about their relief when they could finally ditch the endless file revisions and focus on what really matters—showing off their expertise.
Why It Matters
Building LinkToMyCV wasn’t just a coding challenge; it was a goal to solve a real-world problem. Freelancers, especially in IT, thrive on flexibility and professionalism. But until now, their CVs haven’t reflected that.
With LinkToMyCV, they can finally:
- Present themselves with polished, responsive designs.
- Adapt quickly to diverse roles and industries.
- Share their career stories with the click of a link.
I’m proud of what I’ve built in such a short time. But this is just the beginning.
Have questions about how it all works? Drop a comment—I’d love to share the details.
Ready to level up your CV game? Visit LinkToMyCV.com today and see the future of CVs for yourself.
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