Free CV template for UK jobseekers (Word, PDF...)

Looking for a free CV template? Discover a variety of professionally designed premium and free templates, and our top tips to help you make a strong first impression with potential employers.

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Free CV template: 3 to download

Find below three unique Word CV templates, completely free for download. Each of them has been thoughtfully designed to enable you to showcase your professional experience, skills, and achievements in a polished and easy-to-read format.

With a click of a button, you can download and personalize a UK CV template to create a standout CV that is sure to impress potential employers in most industries.

CV template free - Aurora

CV template free - Elegance

CV template free - Felicity

Our selection of premium templates

True: there are plenty of free CV templates online! But sometimes a free CV template simply doesn’t cut it…

Do you want to apply a more customized and sophisticated touch to your CV? Then, you might want to have a look at our selection of premium CV templates. They aren’t free but are thoughtfully crafted using CVHelp’s state-of-the-art builder to meet more specific needs and preferences.

Whether you are looking for simple templates, professional CV templates, modern CV templates or creative CV templates, you’ll benefit from a greater array of advanced CV design options and a unique, professional look that will set your CV apart from the competition.

Use this template

Gazelle

Click on the links above and browse our catalogue to find the best CV templates for your search.

In addition to these premium CV templates, we also offer a variety of job-specific examples. They are created to cater to the unique demands of different roles and fields.

Whether you need a perfect CV for a managerial position, a role in healthcare, or a first job in a creative field, we’ve got you covered. Our job-specific CV examples are designed to highlight the skills and experiences that matter most in your targeted industry.
Here are some categories you might find useful:

Free CV template: Maximise your CV impact

The Internet is brimming with free CV templates. However, they aren’t all created equal. Differences in design, CV layout, and content can greatly impact the effectiveness of your professional CV. That’s why we’ve dedicated our resources to put together this comprehensive guide.

Our aim is to help jobseekers identify and utilize the best free CV templates. This guide is more than just a collection of free CV templates; it’s a tool to enhance your job-hunting strategy and increase your chances of landing that dream job.

In need of creative CV templates? Looking for a UK CV template designed with a deep understanding of industry standards and the specific needs of UK jobs? Have a look at our CV builder.

Highly recommended – even with small fee

For a small fee, this was an excellent way to produce a modern, fresh looking CV, with lots of industry specific tips on content.

- Aish lb

Extremely friendly

Extremely friendly, the templates are great and it gives you the great advices of what to write in the best way.

- Jorge D. Lopez

Excellent customer service

Clearly answered all my questions with a patient, kind manor.

- KimRegan

An example of a free CV template

Personal Details

(Your Full Name)
(Your Current Address)
(Your Contact Number)
(Your Professional Email Address)

Personal Profile

A brief overview of who you are, what you can offer, and what your career goals are.

Education

(Your University/College)
(Your Degree Title, Grade, and the Dates you attended)
Highlight any modules relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Work Experience

(Your Job Title at the Company)
(The Name of the Company)
(The Dates You Were Employed)
(List Key Responsibilities and Achievements)

Skills

List any relevant skills here. Try to back up these skills with examples of when you’ve used them.

References

Normally, it’s enough to just write “References are available upon request.”

This CV template on one page is versatile and can be adapted to suit any job search. Regardless of the industry, role, or level of experience, it provides a solid foundation for structuring your CV.

Remember, a good CV is your personal marketing tool, and a CV template is just a starting point. Feel free to copy it, but more importantly, get inspired by it. Customize it to reflect your unique CV skills, experiences, and career goals. Don’t hesitate to put your personal spin on it, in order to impress recruiters by showcasing who you are and what sets you apart from other candidates.

Free CV templates: Google docs

Let’s take a moment to spotlight a useful resource for applicants: Google Docs.

Google’s free online suite offers a collection of versatile and user-friendly free CV templates that can be a great starting point for crafting your CV. These templates are accessible and customizable and can be tailored to a degree to meet varying needs.

Create your CV

Free CV templates: Canva

Canva, a popular online design platform, also provides a library of free CV templates.

They come in a range of styles, from minimalist to creative, catering to various aesthetic preferences and needs. From changing bright colours to darker ones to font pairing and rearranging layout elements, Canva helps you create a CV that stands out in the crowd of applicants.

Create your CV

Free CV Templates: PDF for UK CVs

When it comes to preparing a CV for the UK job market, the PDF format is a popular choice. Designed to preserve the formatting and layout of your CV, this CV format ensures that your document appears exactly as you intended, no matter what device or operating system it’s viewed on.

Pros of using PDF for UK CVs

Universality and stability: The prime advantage of using PDF for your CV is its universality and stability. It preserves the design, CV fonts, and layout of your CV, ensuring it looks the same on any device it’s opened on.
Prevents potential mishaps: This format prevents potential mishaps with formatting that could make your CV difficult to read or appear unprofessional.
Compatibility with tracking systems: PDFs are widely accepted by most applicant tracking systems (ATS) used by companies to scan CVs, helping your document to pass through these systems without issues.

Cons of using PDF for UK CVs

Incompatibility issues: While rare, some older applicant tracking systems may have trouble reading PDF files, which could potentially hinder your chances in the hiring process.
Difficulty in editing: If you need to make last-minute changes or tailor your CV for different roles, PDFs can be more challenging to edit than other file formats, such as Word, the de facto standard of document file formats for Microsoft Office users.
File size: PDFs can be larger in size than other formats, which might be an issue if the employer has set a limit on the size of files that can be submitted.

How to make a free CV

Crafting a compelling CV requires careful consideration of the content, structure, and design. Your CV should act as a concise and clear summary of your professional history, skills, and aspirations. It’s your opportunity to make a strong first impression on employers and showcase why you’re the best candidate for the job. To make your CV stand out, be sure to include the following sections:

Personal Details: Include your full name, current address, contact number, and professional email address. Note that you are not required to include details about your marital status.
Personal Profile: Write a brief overview of who you are, what you can offer the job, and what your career goals are.
Education: List your educational history, including school names, degree classification, grades, and dates attended.
Work Experience: Detail your employment history, responsibilities, and achievements.
Skills section: Use bullet points to highlight any relevant skills and support them with examples or evidence.
References: Typically, it’s enough to state that “References are available upon request.” However, if an ad specifically asks for this information, provide it.

Optional Sections to Consider for a UK CV

While the sections mentioned in the template above are considered essential for a comprehensive CV, there are several optional sections that UK job-seekers can consider including to get a recruiter’s attention:

Achievements: This section can be used to highlight specific accomplishments in your career that demonstrate your capabilities.
Hobbies and interests: Discussing your hobbies and interests can give employers a glimpse of your personality and indicate if you would be a good cultural fit for the company.
Volunteer work: If you’ve done any volunteer work, especially if it’s related to the position you’re applying for, it can be beneficial to include this information in addition to your work history.
Languages: If you’re multilingual, this is worth highlighting as it can be a valuable asset in today’s globalized workplace.
Publications or Certifications: If you have any relevant published works or professional certifications, don’t hesitate to list them.

Remember, the key to a successful CV is to tailor it to each specific application. Choose the sections that best showcase your qualifications for the position at hand, but don’t forget to use white space to support the overall hierarchy so that your CV remains easy to read

Free CV template: FAQ

Have questions? We’re here to help.

1. Are there any free CV templates?

Yes, there are numerous resources available online where you can find free CV templates. One such resource is CVHelp. CVHelp offers a broad variety of free and premium templates that cater to different roles, industries, and personal styles. These templates are designed by career professionals and follow the latest industry trends to help you create a CV that’s visually appealing and able to effectively showcase your qualifications and skills.

2. How to download free CV templates?

Downloading free CV templates is quite straightforward. Choose a reputable online platform that offers CV templates, such as CVHelp or Google Docs. Once on the site, you can browse through their library of free templates and pick one that aligns with your preferences or the specific position you’re applying for.

After choosing a free CV template, there will typically be an option to ‘Download’ or ‘Use this template.’ Click on that, and the template should download onto your computer as a file, which you can then open and edit using a suitable software program, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Remember, while a template provides a structure, it’s your responsibility to ensure that the content is compelling, relevant, and tailored to each specific job application.

3. How to make a CV on phone free?

You might already know how to write a CV. But do you know how to make one on your phone? Creating a CV on your phone for free can be accomplished with various mobile applications available on Android and iOS platforms.

Here are the general steps to follow:

Download a CV builder app from your phone’s app store. Some popular ones include Microsoft Word and Google Docs.
Once the app is installed, open it and browse through the available CV templates. Choose the best CV template for your style and the position you’re applying for.
Fill in each section of the template with your personal information, including your name, contact details, work experience, education, skills, and references. Make sure to tailor your CV template to the job description of each specific application.
When you’ve filled in all the information, review your CV for any errors or improvements. Once you’re satisfied, save your CV. Most apps will offer a variety of formats to choose from, including PDF, which is widely recommended.
Finally, you can easily share or send your CV directly from the app via email or save it to your preferred cloud storage for easy access and editing in the future.

Remember, while apps can provide a useful template, the content of your CV is up to you. If you want a good CV, make it compelling, relevant, and tailored to each position you apply for.

4. Is My Perfect CV free?

Just like CVHelp, MyPerfectCV offers a limited range of free services designed to assist jobseekers in creating a professional and effective CV. These free services include access to a number of free CV templates, as well as helpful articles and expert advice about CV, cover letter writing and job searching.

However, please note that CVHelp also provides additional services for a fee, including access to a CV builder, a cover letter builder, and a large range of more specialized templates and examples.

5. Is there a truly free CV template?

Yes, there are myriad resources online where you can find truly free CV templates. Websites such as CVHelp offer free and premium templates that can be downloaded and used completely free of charge.

These templates cater to most jobs, industries, and personal styles, allowing you to create a CV that best suits your needs. However, remember that while a CV template provides a structure, the content within it should be carefully curated and customized to reflect your skills and relevant experience for the specific job that interests you.

Couldn’t find the answer you’re looking for? You can always contact us.

Free CV template UK

Crafting a successful CV is an essential step in your job-hunting journey. While the process may seem daunting, there are numerous resources available to guide you, including free CV templates that can ease the task.

These templates can be a great starting point but remember: the most crucial aspect is the content you provide. It should be compelling, relevant, and tailored to each specific job application. With the right amount of effort and consideration, you can create a CV that effectively showcases your skills and experiences, better positioning you in the job market. Good luck!