Andrei Kurtuy – The Romanian Entrepreneur Revolutionizing Resume Building with Novorésumé

Discover the story of Andrei Kurtuy, Novorésumé co-founder – a journey of innovation, courage, and global impact in careers and education.

Andrei Kurtuy is the co-founder and CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) of Novorésumé, a creative educational startup born out of a desire to make building a professional résumé more accessible. After personally experiencing the challenges of integrating into the job market in Denmark, he and two co-founders decided to turn that experience into a practical solution now used by over 15 million people worldwide.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in a single sentence to spark curiosity in those who don’t yet know you?
Andrei Kurtuy: I’m a Romanian entrepreneur who, after sending over 1,000 résumés without receiving a single reply in my first year in Denmark, went on to co-found Novorésumé, a platform used by over 15 million people in more than 200 countries to create CVs and land their desired jobs.

C&B: Looking at the narrative arc of your career or business, what have been the key moments that defined you?
Andrei Kurtuy: The first defining moment was moving from Romania to Denmark at 19, knowing no one and not speaking the language. In the first year, I applied to over 1,000 jobs and didn’t get a single response. Instead of going back home, I took a bartending course, paid in installments. A week after I got my certificate, I landed my first job.
Then, in 2015, together with two university classmates, we took part in a project competition. I was frustrated by how clunky it was to create a résumé in Word, and with the help of Cristian (with a design background) and Ștefan (on the tech side), we laid the foundation of what would become Novorésumé.
In April 2016, we created a fictional résumé for Elon Musk as an experiment. It went viral internationally and brought in over 100,000 users in a very short time. It was a valuable lesson in how far well-crafted content can go.
Another important moment was learning how limited focus can be. We had a tendency to try too many things at once, and that cost us. The lesson was clear: learn to say “no” more often and focus on what we do best.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment so far in your journey, and how did you overcome it?
Andrei Kurtuy: The toughest moment was in 2016. I was 23, had just been rejected from my master’s program, was on unemployment benefits after my contract at the library ended, and we had just launched Novorésumé. Everything felt uncertain — I didn’t know whether to find a job, hope for the master’s program, or go all in on the startup.
There were months when I didn’t know what I was doing. The pressure was real. What helped me was being flexible — I said “yes” to anything that could teach me something. Eventually, someone dropped out of the master’s program, and I got in. That led to a job in Business Development and gave me some stability.
Looking back, I think that uncertain, broke version of myself — but willing to keep going — was exactly what I needed. I learned to build in the midst of chaos.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of obstacles?
Andrei Kurtuy: Yes, from the very beginning, our goal has been to help people find the right job and build the career they deserve. I’ve personally experienced how hard it is to present your skills professionally, especially when you lack connections or resources.
Even when we made mistakes or the market changed, our core mission stayed the same: to make access to career opportunities more equitable. We’re not just building a résumé tool. We want to give people a real chance, regardless of where they come from or what they studied.

C&B: What were you like at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve changed since then?
Andrei Kurtuy: At 19, I was full of energy and ambition, but pretty naive. I believed that if I worked hard and got visible results — money, traffic, users — I would be successful. I was impatient and quick to change direction if something didn’t work fast.
Now, at 32, things are different. I no longer chase immediate results. Success, for me, means having the freedom to make decisions aligned with my values and to build a balanced life. I’ve learned that real progress is sometimes boring — it comes from consistency, not sprints. Reputation is built over years. Clarity comes from action, not perfect plans.

C&B: If we were to meet your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Andrei Kurtuy: I think they’d say I’m authentic and transparent. That I take responsibility for decisions and don’t change direction every other day. That I stay calm under pressure — a skill I picked up as a bartender — and that I always try to see the big picture without losing sight of the details.
They’d probably also say I give them space to share ideas, try new things, make mistakes, and learn. I try to be a leader who values trust, continuous learning, and long-term growth — not just quick wins.

C&B: What’s the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Andrei Kurtuy: I think the most important decision was to keep the freemium model for Novorésumé. Even though over 90% of users use the free version, we chose not to switch entirely to a paid model.
That decision helped us tremendously in the long run: it increased our visibility, built trust, and allowed us to grow a large user base. Many of them become paying customers when they need more. It confirmed that you can build a sustainable business if you focus on the value you provide, not just on immediate profit.

C&B: How did you build your leadership style or decision-making approach? Was it natural or learned?
Andrei Kurtuy: It was shaped by everything I’ve done so far. From bartending — where I learned to stay calm and work well with people — to my job at the library, which taught me organization and patience. Then in Business Development, I learned how important clear communication is and focusing on real human needs.
In decision-making, I try to combine data with intuition. We constantly analyze user behavior, test, and measure. But there are also moments when you have to make quick decisions based on experience and instinct — especially when data doesn’t tell the whole story or when innovation is involved.

C&B: What sets your business or professional approach apart from others in the industry?
Andrei Kurtuy: We focus on personalization. In our industry, many promote the idea that a one-size-fits-all résumé is enough. We believe every job is different — so the résumé should be adapted accordingly.
We also stand out in how we approach content: we don’t create it to impress, but to help. We write clearly, for real people. Most people search “how to write a résumé,” not “how to stand out through storytelling.” When we understood that, we grew organically by speaking the users’ language.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments bring you the most satisfaction?
Andrei Kurtuy: My day starts with movement — I either run or walk, and aim for 10,000 steps. It’s a daily reset that helps me think more clearly.
At work, as CMO, I handle everything related to digital marketing. I work with the team and external partners, test ideas, and constantly adjust. As fewer people follow brands and more follow individuals, I adapted — I now write a career-focused newsletter and create content that directly helps people.
The most rewarding moments are when we get messages from people who found jobs thanks to the platform. Outside of work, I unwind by reading. I just finished Lord of the Flies — still incredibly relevant.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them day to day?
Andrei Kurtuy: Stoicism has influenced me a lot — especially the idea of Amor fati — to accept and even love what happens to you, even when it’s hard. I try to see obstacles as necessary parts of the journey.
Authenticity is a core principle. I try to be transparent and consistent, which builds trust in the team. At the same time, I know everyone is different, so I approach relationships with empathy.
I try to protect my attention, which I see as a very limited resource. I only say “yes” to projects that have real impact, align with our strengths, and don’t burn out the team.
And I strongly believe in adaptability. In a constantly changing industry, continuous learning is essential.

C&B: How did the idea to start this business come about, and where did the name come from?
Andrei Kurtuy: The idea came in 2014, during a university competition. I was studying marketing, Ștefan was in Computer Science, and Cristian was in Multimedia Design. We joined forces and started working on a solution to a problem we all faced: how hard it was to create a résumé in Word.
We wanted to build an app where the design was already taken care of, and the user only had to fill in the information. That’s how the first prototype was born.
The name “Novorésumé” comes from “novo” (new) and “résumé” (CV). We liked the idea of a “new résumé” — something modern and professional. Plus, the domain novoresume.com was available, which was a big bonus.

C&B: If you could send a message to people following in your footsteps, what would it be?
Andrei Kurtuy: Don’t wait until you’re ready.
Many young people waste years waiting for the perfect idea, the perfect moment, or the certainty that it’s “worth it” to start. The truth is, learning comes from doing, not planning. Clarity comes when you begin — not when you’re just dreaming.
Talk to people who have the problem you want to solve. Don’t try to seem legit before you actually have something that works.
If you’re in your 20s, take risks. It’s the best time to try. If you wait too long, you might build confidence in the wrong direction — towards safety, avoiding uncertainty, routine.
You don’t need the perfect idea to start. You just need to start.
And maybe most importantly: enjoy the beginning. The long nights, the mistakes, the first little wins — those are the most valuable memories. You only build your first company once. Live the moment, not just the next step.â

This interview with Andrei Kurtuy shows us that success is not born out of perfection, but out of persistence, courage, and the ability to learn from failure. His story proves that obstacles can become the foundation of a remarkable career, and that true innovation arises from real-life experiences. Novorésumé is more than just a platform – it is a bridge between people and the opportunities they deserve.