StandOut CV
StandOut CV is a UK-based, bootstrapped online CV builder serving individual job seekers globally with ATS-friendly templates, a 1,000+ CV examples library, and pre-written content, monetized via subscription and a 30% lifetime affiliate program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What StandOut CV does
StandOut CV is a UK-based online CV builder platform founded in 2009 by former recruitment professional Andrew Fennell. The company operates a cloud-based, self-serve web application (built on a WordPress CMS backend) that enables individual job seekers to create ATS-friendly, professional CVs through guided templates, a curated library of pre-written phrases and skills, and step-by-step interface flows. Beyond the core CV builder, the platform offers a suite of complementary career tools including a cover letter builder, a free downloadable job application tracker, over 1,000 industry-specific CV examples, a job descriptions library, and a CV advice hub — collectively functioning as a content-led career services ecosystem targeting users globally.
The business operates on a subscription-based recurring revenue model for premium CV builder access, supplemented by a 30% lifetime affiliate revenue share program targeting careers content publishers, YouTube channels, and podcasts. StandOut CV employs a product-led growth motion: organic SEO traffic driven by thousands of indexed content pages (CV examples, career advice, statistics) feeds users directly into the self-serve builder at cvbuilder.standout-cv.com and app.makemycv.com. Distribution is primarily digital-first and global, with regional website variants in the UK, US, and Australia. The company is founder-led, privately held, bootstrapped (no external institutional capital disclosed), and operates primarily remotely with occasional London-based meetings.
StandOut CV firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- StandOut CV
- Legal name
- StandOut CV LTD
- Website
- https://standout-cv.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- StandOut CV is a UK-based, bootstrapped online CV builder serving individual job seekers globally with ATS-friendly templates, a 1,000+ CV examples library, and pre-written content, monetized via subscription and a 30% lifetime affiliate program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
StandOut CV industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Resume / CV Building Software
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Resume & Professional Branding (CV, LinkedIn, Portfolio) (EDAAAKAB)
Keywords
Where StandOut CV is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
StandOut CV business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- CV Builder Subscription: StandOut CV operates on a subscription model for access to their CV builder tool, with users paying for premium templates, pre-written content, and unlimited cloud storage and downloads
- Affiliate Program: StandOut CV offers an affiliate program with 30% lifetime revenue share on referred subscriber payments, targeting careers advice websites, YouTube channels, podcasts, and job websites
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
StandOut CV product offering
Product offeringCore offering
StandOut CV operates an online CV builder platform that enables individual job seekers to create professional, ATS-friendly CVs through a step-by-step interface. The platform provides expert-designed CV templates, a library of pre-written phrases and skills across all industries, and a library of over 1,000 real-life CV examples. It sells access via subscription, with complementary free career advice content, cover letter tools, and a job application tracker supporting the user journey.
Product overview
StandOut CV is a career services platform built around an online CV builder as its core product. The platform offers a suite of tools including a CV builder with expert-designed templates, access to over 1,000 CV examples, cover letter templates, a job application tracker, and an affiliate program. The ecosystem also includes extensive free career advice content through a CV advice hub, job descriptions library, job search guidance, and industry statistics/research. The CV Builder serves as the primary paid product, with complementary free resources supporting the user journey from CV creation through job application and interview preparation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- StandOut CV Builder Online CV builder tool that guides individual job seekers through creating professional, ATS-friendly CVs using expert-designed templates, pre-written content suggestions, and step-by-step guidance from recruitment professionals. Sold via subscription with lifetime cloud storage and unlimited PDF downloads.
- CV Templates Professional CV template library including Simple, Creative, Modern, and UK format templates designed to attract employers and pass ATS scans. Fully customisable for individual job seekers across industries.
- CV Examples Library of over 1,000 real-life professional CV examples across various industries and career levels including Student, Graduate, Project Manager, Teacher, Customer Service, Software Developer, and more.
- Cover Letter Builder Tool for creating cover letters with advice, examples, and templates designed to complement the CV builder for individual job seekers applying to roles.
- Job Application Tracker Free downloadable spreadsheet for tracking job applications, available in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets formats, featuring color-coded follow-up reminders for individual job seekers.
- CV Builder Affiliate Program Partnership program offering 30% lifetime commission on subscription revenue, with 60-day cookie window and monthly payouts for affiliates promoting CV building services.
Quantifiable outcome
- Users report landing first interview within 3 weeks of using the platform
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use StandOut CV
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
StandOut CV technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
StandOut CV partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
StandOut CV competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Resume Genius: Resume Genius runs a content-led SEO site plus an online resume builder with templates and examples for job seekers, mirroring StandOut's content-and-builder flywheel.
- Resume.io: Resume.io is a direct peer offering an online, template-based resume builder with subscription pricing and downloadable PDFs, targeting individual job seekers globally — the closest functional and business-model analog to StandOut CV.
- Novoresume: Novoresume provides an online resume builder with ATS-friendly templates and content suggestions on a freemium subscription model, competing head-to-head with StandOut for SEO traffic and job-seeker conversions.
- Zety: Zety operates a resume and cover-letter builder platform with guided content suggestions and subscription pricing, targeting professional job seekers across multiple markets — directly comparable offering and pricing model.
- LiveCareer: LiveCareer offers resume-building tools, templates, and writing examples to individual job seekers, monetizing via subscriptions and CV-writing services — same product category and customer base as StandOut CV.
- Enhancv: Enhancv provides an online resume builder focused on design-forward, ATS-friendly templates and content guidance for individual job seekers — overlapping use case and monetization approach.
- MyPerfectResume: MyPerfectResume combines a resume builder tool with professional writing services and content resources, targeting job seekers willing to pay — directly overlaps StandOut's combination of tool and service monetization.
- TopResume: TopResume offers resume writing services plus a free resume review tool to job seekers; while heavier on services than StandOut, it competes for the same customer and overlaps in the CV examples and advice content category.
Broad incumbents
- Canva: Canva is a broad design incumbent whose free resume templates and builder compete with StandOut CV; it is a much larger platform with overlapping functionality but a far wider product portfolio aimed at general design consumers.
- The Muse: The Muse combines career advice, job listings, and resume resources for individual job seekers; broader than StandOut but a competitor for attention and SEO traffic around CV advice content.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
StandOut CV financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
StandOut CV leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
StandOut CV funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
StandOut CV M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about StandOut CV
What does StandOut CV do?
StandOut CV operates an online CV builder platform that enables individual job seekers to create professional, ATS-friendly CVs through a step-by-step interface. The platform provides expert-designed CV templates, a library of pre-written phrases and skills across all industries, and a library of over 1,000 real-life CV examples. It sells access via subscription, with complementary free career advice content, cover letter tools, and a job application tracker supporting the user journey.
Is StandOut CV a public or private company?
StandOut CV is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was StandOut CV founded?
StandOut CV was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is StandOut CV based?
StandOut CV is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does StandOut CV make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. CV Builder Subscription is the primary driver. The others are affiliate Program.
Who are StandOut CV's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Resume Genius, Resume.io, Novoresume, Zety, LiveCareer, Enhancv, MyPerfectResume and TopResume. Broad incumbents are Canva and The Muse.
Does StandOut CV have an API?
No public API is recorded for StandOut CV.
What industry is StandOut CV in?
StandOut CV's product category is Resume / CV Building Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAKAB, Resume & Professional Branding (CV, LinkedIn, Portfolio). Its SIC code is 7372.