40 Free CV Templates for the UK [+ Download]

CVs are no longer plain, black & white documents with raw data. The visual part of a CV became as essential as its substantive part. Unsurprisingly, many candidates seek unique CV templates to reveal their personality and individuality.

I’ve prepared a list of 40 free CV templates to use for any job in the UK. If you’re looking for a free CV template, you couldn’t find it better.

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The LiveCareer online CV maker lets you build a professional CV fast and download it as a PDF or DOC.

Want to research alternative CV templates? See our curated list for:

• Basic CV templates
• Best CV templates
• Blank CV templates
• Canva CV templates
• Creative CV templates
• CV Designs
• Modern CV templates
• Word CV templates
• Visual CV templates

Now, let’s move to the listing of our free CV templates for the UK job market that will enhance your job hunt:

1. Swiss

The first template comes from the Google Template library, which you can access with a registered Google account. The layout reflects the Swiss style's principles, favouring minimalism and eliminating distractions for the viewer. Sans Serif typefaces are typical for the Swiss design, striving to achieve legibility. This free template might be useful when writing a CV for a creative profession.

2. Serif

The Serif template, named after the Serif font styles, is another simplistic CV layout from Google that limits embellishments to the minimum. It also saves a lot of space between each CV section, improving readability. Such a simple structure with a non-cluttered appearance will fit a medical professional’s CV well, especially with the blue accents frequently used in the healthcare industry.

3. Black & pink

A well-written CV matches the job profile, and this free Modern Writer CV from Google proves it perfectly. The typewriter font reflects the character of the writer’s work and accentuates his creativity. The pink-coloured entries add a modern twist to this free CV template, making it a perfect choice for freelance copywriters’ CV, copy editors, business analyst CVs, and more.

4. Contemporary

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Staying on the modern designs, here’s a free CV template from the LiveCareer CV builder. The Contemporary template magnifies a candidate’s name and uses a distinctive turquoise bar on the left, creating a geometric impression. Additionally, it uses simple visual elements in the languages section, which picture the progression of language fluency. This template might be useful when writing a CV for an office job, such as an administrator's CV or an executive assistant's CV.

5. Intelligent

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This CV layout is accessible from the LiveCareer builder, too. It is not in vain called an Intelligent template, having a clean structure and formatting. This CV layout aligns with aesthetic qualities, so it’s ideal for those who must prove such values through their work. Writing a hospitality CV? I think you definitely need to check out this free CV template.

6. Coral

The Coral Template designed by Google might seem pretty straightforward, too; however, it catches attention with a combination of three different CV fonts and a distinctive coral tone used for section names. Sometimes, adjusting fonts and adding accent colours is enough to tweak a usual black-and-white CV layout. This CV template is versatile, so you can adjust it to any profession.

7. Spearmint

The Spearmint template is another creation of Google designers who advocate for simplicity and restraint in CV making. The vivid green colour recalls the feeling of freshness but also connotates with calmness, development, or growth. Use it freely for an architect's or an industrial designer's CV.

8. Emphasis

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The colour palette you use in your CV can inform about your personality and character. If you’re vibrant, you’ll more likely use vivid colours instead of grey tones. This Emphasis template by LiveCareer features a common reverse-chronological CV format; however, it uses a yellow stripe to break the routine and monotony. Use it for a sales assistant CV or other job requiring extroverted traits.

9. Managerial

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This free CV template from LiveCareer has an elegant look, which can put you forward with confidence. Such a CV layout and a sleek design can underscore your professionalism and expertise, especially if you hold a managerial role. Writing an office manager CV? I think you won’t find a more fitting CV template than the Managerial.

10. Clean

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This free CV template made by LiveCareer represents the same CV structure as the previous example. Nevertheless, the light blue bar on the front makes it cleaner and lighter. Recruiters love easy-scannable CVs that don’t overwhelm them while reading, and this Clean CV template is up to the task. Use it when writing a CV for professions that require focus and calmness, such as a beauty therapist's CV. 

11. Embellished

In my opinion, CVs are the most effective when they incorporate simplistic designs and focus on written content. At the same time, graphic elements used with moderation can make CVs more innovative and appealing, especially if you apply for one of the most sought-after jobs on the UK market. This Creative CV template from the Microsoft CV gallery is the best proof, so use it for a graphic designer CV or other design-related profession.

12. Circular

This Creative sales CV template from Microsoft takes CV-making a step further. If your profession requires developing your personal brand, you might want to infuse your CV with elements that express your individuality and refer to your field. Use it for an art director CV or a marketing CV.

13. Geometric

A Geometric CV template is another display of ingenuity. It features a well-organized layout, clean lines, and incorporates shapes like triangles, squares, and circles to create a sense of visual structure. Geometric CV templates can be great for individuals interested in creative and visually-oriented fields, so I recommend that you use them for a fashion CV or an interior designer CV.

14. Photo

This lovely Photo CV template with pink embellishments comes from Microsoft stock, too. Though we can’t thoroughly recommend using a photo in a CV, it can sometimes be advantageous when aiming to establish your personal brand and improve visual recognition. A photo is usually expected in industries like modelling, acting, or different customer-facing roles as it showcases your appearance. Writing a hostess CV or an actor CV? This template is the right choice.

15. Playful

This Playful business template from Microsoft combines professionalism with vibrant design elements to create an engaging CV. Such CVs are well-received in industries valuing creativity and innovation. This CV mixes vivid and muted colours to maintain a professional tone while adding a playful touch.

16. Navy modern

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If you don’t feel like a playful approach to a business CV is your thing, here’s a great alternative from LiveCareer. This Modern template reflects contemporary design trends while having a very professional appearance. A navy blue rectangle up front adds visual interest but doesn’t overwhelm the content. This versatile CV template with free download will come in handy when you’re writing a receptionist’s CV.

17. Prominent

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Another modern CV design that presents qualifications, skills, and experience in a clear and impactful manner. The dividing lines between this CV’s sections create a clear hierarchy, helping to guide the reader’s attention the right way. You can find this UK CV template in the LiveCareer builder, under the name of Prominent template. Use it for hospitality and office jobs.

A strong CV summary will convince the recruiter you’re the perfect candidate. Save time and choose a ready-made personal statement written by career experts and adjust it to your needs in the LiveCareer CV builder.

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18. Centred

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Choosing an ATS-friendly template, like this Modern 6 CV template from LiveCareer, ensures that your CV is easily scannable and compatible with automated systems used by recruiters. It uses a standard font, clear headings, simple section titles, and basic line dividers. This free CV template for UK job applications can be used for various professions thanks to its simplicity.

19. Pistachio

Another classy proposition from Microsoft uses a pastel tone and simple text entries as a background. A candidate’s name is centred and immediately catches the attention. Such a plain design as this Modern developer template helps focus on the most essential information, like experience and technical skills. If you’re preparing a web developer CV, here’s the ready-made CV template for you.

20. Organized

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LiveCareer offers numerous modern templates, and here’s another one to consider when striving for a well-ordered CV. Such an arrangement of CV sections helps to showcase your qualifications neatly and effectively. The blank space in the right corner is reserved for a photo if you consider one. This Trendy CV template might be useful when writing an account manager’s CV or a CV for other jobs where you can boast your organizational skills.

21. Typewriter

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A very simplistic, typewriting-inspired CV layout from LiveCareer, resembling the Writer’s template from Google. This Classic 10 CV template will help you achieve a clean and focused representation of your qualifications. It will serve copywriters, content writers, and technical writers perfectly.

22. Bold green

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Using a larger font size for the name and surname in your CV is a common practice to create a strong first impression. This Contemporary 4 template that LiveCareer offers reflects this idea pretty well, making a candidate’s name easily noticeable. I would advise that you use this free CV template when creating your first job CV to get noticed.

23. Clear blue

Though "stylish" can vary based on personal preferences, some general characteristics are commonly associated with a stylish CV, and they are pretty visible in this Stylish sales CV template from Microsoft. A bold header, serif fonts, and subtle background stripes are just a few. Consider this free CV template when writing a sales CV.

24. Green square

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Another UK CV template comes from LiveCareer. An elegant header with a subtle square, clean typography, and small geometric elements make this Creative CV template appealing and notable. It also leaves freedom to apply it for different jobs.

25. Bookmark

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CV with a bookmark is another way of organizing your CV layout the alternate way. This Modern 10 free CV template designed by LiveCareer has a vertical bookmark on the left side, and it looks like made from an original paper type. When editing this template in the LiveCareer builder, you can choose a variety of bookmarks in different colours and textures to add a modern flair to your CV. So what about a teacher's CV with a trendy bookmark on the left?

26. Light grey

Creating a paralegal CV involves showcasing your professional skills and qualifications in a clear and organized manner. In this dedicated Paralegal template by Microsoft, the information is presented in a neat and concise manner, saving ample space. In addition, it features a small, classy scale considered a symbol of justice.

27. Minimalist

Making a minimalist CV involves simplifying the design while presenting your qualifications and experiences cleanly and concisely. This Basic template from Microsoft uses a plain layout with blue heading distinctions to maintain harmony and balance. In my opinion, this free CV template for Word will work well if you wish to underscore your professionalism and elegance.

28. Traditional

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This Traditional CV template provides a clean and straightforward format that is widely recognized and easy to navigate. Traditional templates are quite popular, and this is another CV example you can find among LiveCareer’s assets and adapt to any profession.

29. Impactful

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Creating an impactful CV involves a combination of content, design, and customization, and this Impactful CV template from LiveCareer makes the grade. Adjust the main colour to your needs, and you’ll get a well-formatted, personalised CV document. Pink is associated with gentleness and softness, so don’t hesitate to use it when writing a CV for the beauty industry, such as a nail technician’s CV.

30. Classy beige

Here’s another example of a legal CV template, which aligns with the profession. A subdued colour and modern, classy fonts make this Attorney resume from Microsoft an excellent choice for lawyers who want to balance professionalism and visual appeal.

31. Blue-lined

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Here’s another Traditional 2 CV template with free download that you can find in the LiveCareer builder. Certainly, adding lines to your CV can help visually separate sections and create a more organized and professional look, no matter the job profile. 

32. Contrasting

A bolded name at the top can definitely add a memorable touch to your CV. This unique Bold CV template combines a subtle yellow background and a contrasting main heading. Show off your creativity and digital savviness by applying this originative template, for example, when crafting a video editor CV.

33. Experienced

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What distinguishes this Experienced CV template from LiveCareer is the contact information section. A horizontal contact section in a CV is an alternative layout to the traditional vertical contact information placement, and it’s a visually appealing way to present your contact details and create a more modern and unique look for your CV. I am sure this free CV template for UK jobs can be adjusted to any profession.

34. Photographed

This Modern CV template was conceived by Microsoft, and it can include a professional photograph of yourself alongside your qualifications, experiences, and other relevant information. While adding a headshot to your CV can provide a personal touch and help employers remember you, you must approach this decision thoughtfully and consider the conventions of your industry and location. This Microsoft’s free CV template might satisfy journalists, presenters, or public professionals.

35. Chronological

This Modern chronological resume by Microsoft showcases your work experience and professional education in reverse chronological order while incorporating modern design elements. It also uses a distinct red tone to accentuate the most crucial information. Use it for an artist CV.

36. Swiss-styled

Remember the Swiss template from Google that we presented at the beginning? Here’s an alternate Swiss design CV template from Microsoft following the Swiss design rules. It has a clean, structured layout, strong typography, and it is visually clean. When applying Swiss design principles to your CV, focus on simplicity, organization, and readability. This CV sample was written for an office manager role, but you can also use it when composing a CV for a project manager or similar. 

36. Simple

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This simple Classic 5 CV template from LiveCareer focuses on presenting your qualifications, experiences, and skills in a clean and straightforward manner. A simple sans serif font supports this minimalistic design while classy initials placed in the centre add a unique visual element to this b&w CV layout. This free CV template for UK jobs might appear helpful when preparing a CV for an electrician or an engineering CV, as they usually focus on the technical rather than visual aspects.

38. Dark blue

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This Contemporary CV template by LiveCareer combines modern design elements with a focus on clarity, organization, and visual appeal. It also displays professional skills in two columns to keep enough whitespace between sections and fit all contents on one page. The name is separated from sections with a navy blue bar, adding a contemporary flair to this CV. I recommend using it specifically for office and banking jobs, e.g. when writing a finance CV or an investment banking CV.

39. Rose classic

Another Microsoft artwork that prioritizes compatibility with ATS while maintaining a professional and traditional design. Simple fonts and subtle colour additions make this Rose template a classic choice. This particular CV example is an HR CV, but I think you can adjust it to many roles.

40. In-line

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The last example comes from the LiveCareer gallery and is called Modern 2. It’s a simple line CV template maintaining a clean and minimalistic design while incorporating subtle line elements for visual interest. Thin lines divide sections, and a minimal colour palette keeps the design understated.

And, voilà! With such a vast list of free CV templates for UK jobs, you’re good to go. Just make sure you choose a template that aligns with the profession and doesn’t hurt your job hunt.

Or, choose a professional CV builder like Livecareer, where all CV templates are reliable and recruiter-approved. You get expert advice and examples as you write, and our builder does the hardest job for you, adjusting formatting and other visual parts of your CV.

You don’t have to be a CV writing expert. In the LiveCareer CV builder you’ll find ready-made content for every industry and position, which you can then add with a single click.

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Thanks for reading. If you have any questions about how to find a good free CV template, ask in the comments section. I’ll be happy to help you.

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.

Frequently asked questions about free CV templates

Where can I download a CV template for free?

If you want to download a CV template free of charge, you can do it in two ways:

1. Pick one of the templates listed in the article above. If you want to leverage one of LiveCareer's CV templates, simply press the blue button displayed on the template you like. It will take you to our builder, where you will create or upload an existing CV to a pre-made layout. If you’re interested in a template issued by Google or Microsoft, look for a link in the description visible right under the image.
2. Go directly to LiveCareer’s CV builder. Initially, you’ll be asked to select one of the few recommended templates. Next, go through all the CV sections and fill them with relevant information. In the last step, you can edit your template, adjusting colours and your CV formatting. If you change your mind, you can still pick an alternative template to rework the visual part of your CV. Finally, click the download icon, and get the complete CV template on your device.

Why a good CV template is important?

Whether you’re making a career change CV or writing your first CV from scratch, a ready-made template is an inevitable part of preparing your application. Since it provides a well-structured CV layout with all crucial CV sections to fill, it saves you a lot of time and streamlines the process of CV writing. A good-looking CV template means an organised, polished, and professional CV, which plays a significant role in making a good first impression on a recruiter. 

How to get a free CV template in Word?

To get a free CV template in Word, follow these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Word and click “file”. Then, click “new”.
2. View the list of templates and pick “curriculum vitae” to create yours. You can use the search bar to find it quickly.
3. Open the template and start filling in your details.

The quickest way to get a CV template in Word is to head directly to our free Word CV templates gallery. Meanwhile, we encourage you to visit LiveCareer’s builder, where you can find almost 40 different CV templates, from simplistic CV layouts, through modern CV templates, to creative CV designs.

What is the best CV template for a CV?

Though there is no universally the best CV template to use, the most proper CV template is the one that matches your individual circumstances. It is essential that the CV template you choose fits your role and industry and aligns with its norms.

On top of that, a suitable template includes all the essential CV elements: CV personal statement, work experience, education, professional skills, and added sections. When choosing a preferred template, ensure it is readable and compatible with ATS software. A well-prepared CV is not only visually appealing but also comprehensive and functional.

Does LiveCareer offer CV templates for free?

Besides the above article, where you can find a variety of different free CV templates, you can visit LiveCareer’s CV template gallery with modern, creative, and basic CV designs to choose from. Alternatively, go directly to LiveCareer’s professional CV maker and decide on your CV template right in the process of CV creation. This is the best way to check if a selected template exposes and highlights your most essential information and makes your CV an appealing read.

What are the most popular CV templates in 2023?

The most popular CV templates in 2023 are:

• Modern – they incorporate contemporary design elements and use much white space to maintain readability and clearance. They’re up-to-date with current CV design trends and are often used by those who want to present themselves as smart, tech-savvy, and with a sense of aesthetics.
• Creative – they contain non-typical CV elements, icons, and, most often, vibrant colours to underscore candidates’ inventiveness and unique personality. They’re eagerly used in graphic designer CVs and marketing CVs, where ingenuity plays first fiddle.
• Classic – they strive for clarity and simplicity, adhering to commonly accepted norms and standards. Thanks to their universality, they can be used for a whole range of professions, maintaining a good balance between a substantial and a visual part of a CV.

In our builder, you’ll find a whole cross-section of various CV templates that help to express your values, personality, and attitude while keeping your CV perfectly good, compelling, and easy to read.