What's inside
- A simple, single-column layout that applicant-tracking systems can read (no tables, text boxes or columns to trip them up).
- Every section you need: personal profile, key skills, work experience, education and optional extras.
- Grey guidance notes in each section showing exactly what to write — delete them as you go.
- Worked examples of achievement-led bullet points, so you can turn duties into results.
How to use it
- Download the template and open it in Word, Google Docs or Pages.
- Replace everything in [square brackets] with your own details.
- Delete the grey guidance lines as you finish each section.
- Tailor it to each job — mirror the words from the advert where they're genuinely true of you.
- Keep it to one or two pages and save a copy as a PDF to send (unless the employer asks for Word).
Why this layout works
Many UK employers screen CVs with applicant-tracking software before a human ever sees them, and fancy designs with columns, tables or graphics often come out scrambled. A clean, single-column CV with standard headings reads perfectly to both software and people. If you'd like a hand tailoring it, our CV specialist Wren rewrites your CV for a specific advert in the free app, and our CV keyword checker shows which of the advert's terms to include.
Helpful guides
Frequently asked questions
Is this CV template really free?
Yes — it's a free download with no sign-up. Open it in Word, Google Docs or Pages and edit it however you like.
Is it ATS-friendly?
Yes. It's a single-column layout with standard headings and no tables, text boxes or graphics, which is what applicant-tracking systems read most reliably.
Can I use it in Google Docs or Pages?
Yes — it's a standard Word (.docx) file, so it opens and edits in Google Docs, Apple Pages and most word processors.
Should I send my CV as Word or PDF?
Save and send a PDF unless the employer or agency specifically asks for Word — a PDF keeps your formatting exactly as you set it.
Your career team, free to start
Wren, Scout, Ace, Juno and Cedar help you build your CV, decode job adverts, prepare for interviews, and stay steady through the ups and downs — free to start, no sign-up.
Try it free →Free to start, no card · one-off Week Pass £9.99 when you need more
Written and reviewed by the Career Agenting System team at Culture & Clarity Limited · Last reviewed August 2026 · Our editorial standards