Building an online resume with CVStash is hassle free and requires only few steps. Just register an account with them, enter all the information that is generally required in a resume and you're ready to e-mail it to your potential employers. Building a resume is the first step in the process of searching job. CVStash makes that step simpler for you!
We contacted Arbie Samong, founder of CVStash to learn more about this start-up and his experiences so far. Catch his interview below:
Arbie, please introduce yourself to E-junkies.
Tell us about 'CVStash'. What is the fascinating concept behind it?
CVStash is a free Resume Builder site, that allows one to create their resumes fast and easy that is free of charge (as in free beer). The site code is also open-sourced (as in free speech) for those who can manage to host their own resumes. It does one thing and one thing only, that is, to create your resume so that you can focus on the job hunt.
It is a simplistic resume building tool for active job hunters. I advocate the idea of active job hunting because it gets you where you want to be (most of the time), and with you being able to scrutinize opportunities based on your wisdom instead of being sold positions by savvy recruiters. While I find nothing wrong with the current practice of recruitment in any industry, I think you as a job seeker knows a lot more about the specifics of the career you wanted than a recruiter, and in the long run puts you in a more even terms with your employer knowing that you are always open to many opportunities being an active job seeker. The Web has changed many things about seeking jobs and finding talents, and in this time and age I believe that an individual has more control as well as opportunities handed to him by advances in technology, and CVStash is one of those advances.
What are top 3 features of 'CVStash', according to you?
First of all it is free, both as free speech and free beer. Second, one can easily join and create their resumes in minutes. Lastly, no ads, no subscriptions, no offerings, no pressure to make friends and other unwanted stuff that gets in the way - just build it and distribute!
I understand that CVStash is different from other resume posting websites. But what are the advantages of using CVStash that overlap those websites.
CVStash is so darn easy to use. One does not have to be web savvy in order to join and use it. I could even say that it is easier than opening up a word processor and using their templates, attaching it to your email and hoping the other end did not encounter problems reading your CV. Also, some of the sites have unnecessary clutter with them - ads, social networking, endless options and pointless features only to ask for your money in the long run - which, for me, gets in the way of what an active job hunter needs done. That is, to be able to easily create a resume and distribute it without much fuss and distraction.
Tell us about the pre-launch experience. What was the major difficulty?
Being a developer who does not spend much time with designing user interfaces I had the most trouble trying to create an acceptable design and feel for the site. Good thing I read somewhere about http://www.themeforest.com, which allowed me to choose what I think most fits the site philosophy and apply it to my existing template structure.
What kind of response 'CVStash' has received so far?
I would say slow and steady. It garners users every day, most of which actually build their resumes. A number of sites like yours have also expressed interest in the app. I could see more growth in the months to come as I discover ways to spread word about CVStash and how it can help the modern job seeker.
What methods are you mostly relying on for promoting your venture?
I usually mention it when communicating or replying in some social networking site, usually on a job-hunting related subject. That allows me to spread the word to the intended audience and at the same time spring off conversations on how to improve the site as well as criticisms. I am slowly trying to build up presence on the more popular sites like Facebook and Twitter, but right now it is just me having good 'bar over beer' conversations with those I am trying to help.
Share the best incident that you encountered on this journey from conceiving the idea till present.
It is seeing profiles being created and some users giving feedback on how easy it is to use. From there I see people entrusting me with helping them on their job hunting, and I sure do hope it helps them in some way land the career that they really wanted.
What is your vision for 'CVStash' as a whole? Where do you project to see it 3 years from now?
I could see a common modern job seeker handling out resumes on email in the form of CVStash permalinks, with no need for bulky attachments. There would be people sending links of CVStash permalinks over IM, Facebook, twitter, and other popular mediums of web communication. I can see companies printing out / downloading CVStash resumes as a usual practice in their recruitment process. Most importantly, I can see people landing their dream jobs and companies speeding up the interview procedure because of CVStash.
Since you've recently started up your venture, one can look up to you for the best advice. What message do you have for them?
Entrepreneurship is a lot like running an indie band. Stay small. Stay agile. Take advantage of the many free services to help you launch. Keep connecting to your audience. Keep the feedback loop active and open, but learn when to say no. Keep an open mind. Read tons of stuff, and read some more. Most of all, have fun!
Arbie, thanks for this informative interview. I am sure 'CVStash' would be a great help for all the job seekers out there. Good luck!
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