14 Free CV Templates for the UK to Download in 2022 (2024)

We’ve all done it. You write your CV but it’s looking a bit dull. So you head over to Google and type in ‘free CV template’. But lo and behold there is so much to choose from it’s impossible to decide even where to begin.

Choosing the best CV templates for free download can be like finding a needle in a haystack. But we’ve used our expertise to track down the very best free CV templates online so you don’t have to. Here you will find our selection of the finest free CV templates on offer.

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Free CV template example

1. Black professional

Our first free CV template comes to you from Canva, a good source of free creative CV templates. It uses a stark juxtaposition of black and white to create a striking effect without using excessive colour or cluttering the page with graphics. And the example would be a good choice of career for using it. A graphic designer CV would be ideal for such a striking template. But there are risks with examples like these. It looks attractive but that black area takes up a lot of space that could be filled with content. Writing a one-page CV would be tough with this one. Take a look at LiveCareer’s CV templates if you want to see samples that are better optimised.

Download this free CV templatehere.

2. Bright doodles

Here’s another example from Canva but this time a completely different look. This free CV template is fun, colourful, quirky, and certainly eye-catching. It could work well for a fashion designer CV. But it’s a little too quirky for more conservative professions and may stop recruiters from taking you seriously. For most jobs, it’s better to tone things down a bit. LiveCareer’s CV templates are ideal as they’re all recruiter approved for professional good looks.

Here’s the link for this curriculum vitae template free download.

3. Misty rose lines

This wonderfully named free CV template is also from Canva. The soft, dusty pink accents give it a unique feel but it’s a good example of where things can go wrong when you get a CV template for free. The real issue lies in the question of resume vs CV. Many sources are set up for the American resume market and contain elements that aren’t acceptable in the UK. This one has a photo, and that’s considered unacceptable by most UK recruiters. It’s safer to stick with examples that are UK optimised, like LiveCareer’s CV templates.

Here’s the linkto get this free CV template.

4. Spearmint

Here’s an example produced by Google. This free UK CV template should work well across multiple industries. To access their templates you need a Google account. Then you open Google Docs, then click File>New>From Template and scroll down to see the free CV templates. It’s easy and convenient to access but having to edit it in Google Docs can be a pain. Mess with the formatting and you’ll find your CV layoutcan be ruined. If you use our CV builder though that isn’t a problem. Whatever you change, it’ll make sure your CV structure stays looking sharp.

5. Serif

This is another example from Google Docs and you can use the same process as in the example above to find it. These free CV templates are worthy of note just because of the sheer size of G Suite’s market share. It actually holds a massive 55% of the office productivity market share worldwide. This one uses a fresh blue colour combined with a serif CV font to give it classic good looks. But one thing it won’t do is give you expert tips as you write. That’s where a lot of free CV template downloads fall flat, they just don’t have the ability to actually help you learn how to write a CV. Whereas LiveCareer’s CV maker is absolutely packed with useful hints.

6. Contemporary purple

Here we have an example of a freeWord CV template from Microsoft Office. Still the king of CV templates in many people’s minds, it offers a great selection of examples. This example uses royal purple and white chevrons for a very distinguished look. It could work really well for a job where visual impact is key, such as for a photographer CV. But again, the editing process can be tough. Word is notorious for being difficult to customise, especially if you start adding additional information such as a hobbies and interests section. That’s why we recommend using LiveCareer’s CV generator, so you can add and subtract content with ease.

You can download this free UK CV templatehere.

7. Bold infographic

Here’s an example from Microsoft Office that’s a good example of an infographic CV template. It uses a mix of images and graphical elements to convey information about the candidates skills and experience. It’s effective but not without its risks. Use a poorly designed free CV template and you could render your job application unreadable to ATS. That’s the software that scans incoming CVs and rejects them if they’re poorly formatted. Use a LiveCareer CV template though and you can be confident that it is ATS compliant.

Get this infographic CV templatehere.

8. Red infographic

One more professional CV template for free download from Microsoft. Once again, it’s a bright and bold infographic example. But all of that colour and creativity counts for nothing if you haven’t got high quality-content to fill it with. Our CV maker has thousands of pre-written CV examples for you to use throughout your CV. So if you get stuck on your work experience section you get plenty of inspiration to help you keep going. And that’s something that even Mirosoft Office’s best CV templates can’t do.

Download it for freehere.

9. Salmon chevron

This free CV template for the UK jobs is similar to the contemporary purple example from Microsoft, using a coloured sidebar with chevrons for a clean and contemporary look. One disadvantage though is that it’s only available in Adobe Illustrator format. If you were writing an artist CV you’d probably be comfortable with this, but for most candidates, this won’t be useful. It’s worth repeating that LiveCareer’s CV builder is incredibly easy for everyone, regardless of your IT skills.

Download this free CV templatehere.

10. Red software developer

This software developer CV comes from Behance, another super source of free CV templates. Just be careful with that pesky photo again. Remember, it’s right on top of the list of things not to include in a free CV template for the UK job market.

Download it for freefrom thislink.

11. Simple Jack Sparrow

Here’s a more simple free UK CV template example. It features clean black text on a simple white background, with a nice little creative touch in the form of vertical alignment for the job title. It would make a good choice for writing a teacher CV, where an impression of conservative clarity is required.

You can download this CV templates for freehere.

12. Green and black modern

Another more reserved example here, but it’s elevated by subtle splashes of pale green. It also makes uses of font pairing. A classic CV design trick where two different types of font are used for a pleasing visual effect. The combination of sensible simplicity and fresh design elements makes it a great pick for a graduate CV.

Get this free CV template here.

13. Orange and black modern

This free CV template is a wall-to-wall slab of orange. It’s certain to invoke the feelings of warmth, excitement and enthusiasm that are traditionally associated with the colour. A solid choice for writing a retail CV template for free, where such qualities are highly sought after.

Get it for free here.

14. Purple and peach

Here’s the last of our professional CV templates for free download. It’s very colourful, but it’s also a good example of what can go wrong with overly creative CV examples. The layout is actually quite distracting and hard to follow. Employers only spend seconds reviewing each CV, and they won’t waste their time with something that’d difficult to read. In addition, it certainly doesn’t follow standard UK CV format and is likely to get rejected because of that. Once again, use LiveCareer’s CV templates and you won’t have this problem.

And we’re done. When you’re looking for a free CV template you’ll find a lot of examples. But there is always a risk that the one you choose could damage your job hunting chances. LiveCareer’s CV templates are reliable and recruiter-approved. You get expert advice and examples as you write, and our builder takes all the hard work out layout and formatting.

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.

Create your CV now

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