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Free download

Free UK CV template for 2026

Two professional CV designs in Word, free to download with no sign-up. Every section has guidance on what to write, so you can replace it with your own details and have a clear, well-organised CV ready to send.

Classic CV template

A clean, traditional layout in charcoal: centred name and contact details, clear section headings and each job's title, employer and dates on their own lines. Suits any job.

Download Classic (Word)

Signature CV template

A more modern layout in navy, with each job's dates set beside its title so your career history is quick to scan.

Download Signature (Word)

Word (.docx) files. They also open in Google Docs.

What the template includes

  • Name and contact details
  • Professional profile
  • Key skills
  • Employment history, newest first
  • Education and qualifications
  • Interests and references

How to fill in your CV template

  1. 1

    Start with your contact details

    Your name, the town you live in, one phone number and a professional email address. You do not need your full home address.

  2. 2

    Write a short profile

    Three or four lines on your strongest experience and skills, written without “I” or “my”. Aim it at the jobs you are applying for.

  3. 3

    List your jobs newest first

    Give each job its title, employer, town and dates. Use three to five bullet points for recent jobs and fewer for older ones.

  4. 4

    Start each bullet point with an action

    Use the present tense for your current job (“Lead a team of six”) and the past tense for jobs you have left (“Led a team of six”). Add numbers where you can.

  5. 5

    Add your education and qualifications

    Put the most useful ones first: degrees, trade qualifications, licences and tickets, then GCSEs, including English and Maths.

  6. 6

    Check it, then match it to each job

    Check the spelling and the dates, keep it to two pages, and adjust it for each advert so the employer can see you have what they ask for.

Applying for a particular job? How to write a CV for a job.

Already have a CV?

CV Polish

Upload your CV and we rewrite it in this layout, using only what it already says: a new profile, clearer bullet points and correct spelling and grammar. See a free preview first.

Polish my CV

Applying for a job?

Free Job Match Analysis

Paste the job advert and see how well your CV matches it: your strengths, what to improve and what the employer asks for that your CV does not show yet.

Check my CV against a job

Questions about CV templates

Is the CV template really free?
Yes. Both designs download straight away as Word files, with no sign-up and no payment.
Can I use it in Google Docs?
Yes. The template is a standard Word (.docx) file, so you can open it in Microsoft Word or upload it to Google Docs and edit it there.
How long should a UK CV be?
Two sides of A4 is the usual length. Someone with little work history may only need one.
Should I put a photo or my date of birth on my CV?
No. UK CVs normally leave out a photo, date of birth, marital status and nationality. Employers do not need them to judge your application.
Should I send my CV as a Word file or a PDF?
Use whatever the advert asks for. If it does not say, a PDF keeps your layout exactly as you set it, while a Word file suits recruiters and online systems that ask for one.