Looking for a professional CV template for UK job applications? This guide provides 10 free, ATS-friendly CV templates designed specifically for the British job market in 2025.
What Makes a Good UK CV Template?
A professional UK CV template should be clean, easy to read, and optimized for both Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and human recruiters. Unlike US resumes, UK CVs are typically 2 pages long and include more detailed information about your career history.
Essential Elements of a UK CV Template:
- Personal Details: Name, phone, email, location (city), LinkedIn profile
- Professional Summary: 3-4 lines highlighting your key strengths
- Work Experience: Reverse chronological order with achievements
- Education: Qualifications with grades (A-Levels, GCSEs, degrees)
- Skills: Technical and soft skills relevant to the role
- Additional Sections: Certifications, languages, interests (optional)
10 Best CV Templates for UK Jobs (2025)
1. Classic Professional CV Template
Best for: Corporate roles, finance, law, consulting
A traditional, clean layout with clear section headings. Uses a professional font (Calibri or Arial) and minimal formatting. Perfect for conservative industries where substance matters more than style.
✨ Key Features:
- • Simple two-column layout
- • Professional color scheme (navy/grey)
- • ATS-friendly formatting
- • Clear section dividers
2. Modern Creative CV Template
Best for: Marketing, design, media, creative industries
A contemporary design with subtle color accents and modern typography. Balances creativity with professionalism, making your CV stand out while remaining readable by ATS systems.
3. Graduate/Entry-Level CV Template
Best for: Recent graduates, career starters, internships
Emphasizes education, projects, and transferable skills. Includes sections for university achievements, societies, and volunteer work to compensate for limited work experience.
4. Executive/Senior CV Template
Best for: Senior managers, directors, C-suite roles
A sophisticated layout that highlights leadership experience and strategic achievements. Focuses on high-level accomplishments with quantifiable results.
5. Technical/IT CV Template
Best for: Software developers, engineers, IT professionals
Structured to showcase technical skills, programming languages, and project experience. Includes dedicated sections for certifications and technical proficiencies.
6. Healthcare/NHS CV Template
Best for: Nurses, doctors, healthcare professionals
Tailored for NHS applications with sections for clinical experience, registrations, and continuing professional development (CPD).
7. Teaching/Education CV Template
Best for: Teachers, lecturers, education professionals
Highlights teaching experience, qualifications (QTS, PGCE), and subject expertise. Includes sections for curriculum development and student outcomes.
8. Sales/Business Development CV Template
Best for: Sales professionals, account managers, BD roles
Results-focused template emphasizing revenue growth, client acquisition, and performance metrics. Uses bold formatting to highlight key achievements.
9. Career Change CV Template
Best for: Professionals switching industries
Skills-based format that emphasizes transferable skills over job titles. Includes a strong personal statement explaining your career transition.
10. Academic/Research CV Template
Best for: Researchers, academics, PhD candidates
Comprehensive format for academic CVs (often 3+ pages). Includes sections for publications, research projects, grants, and conference presentations.
UK CV Format Guidelines (2025)
Length
Standard: 2 pages (A4)
Graduate/Entry-level: 1-2 pages
Senior/Executive: 2-3 pages
Academic: 3+ pages (as needed)
Font & Formatting
- Font: Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
- Size: 10-12pt for body text, 14-16pt for headings
- Margins: 2.5cm (1 inch) on all sides
- Line spacing: 1.15 or 1.5
- File format: PDF (unless .docx requested)
What NOT to Include
❌ Avoid These on UK CVs:
- Photos (unless applying for acting/modeling)
- Date of birth (age discrimination laws)
- Marital status or number of children
- National Insurance number
- Salary expectations (save for cover letter)
- References (state "available upon request")
How to Customize Your CV Template
Tailor to the Job Description
Match keywords from the job posting. If they want "project management," use that exact phrase in your CV.
Quantify Achievements
Use numbers: "Increased sales by 35%" is better than "Improved sales performance."
Use Action Verbs
Start bullet points with: Managed, Developed, Implemented, Achieved, Led, Coordinated.
Keep It Current
Update dates, remove outdated skills, add recent achievements. Your CV should evolve with your career.
ATS-Friendly CV Template Tips
92% of UK recruiters use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen CVs. Your template must be ATS-compatible:
- ✅ Use standard section headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills)
- ✅ Avoid tables, text boxes, and columns
- ✅ Don't put important information in headers/footers
- ✅ Use standard fonts (no fancy typography)
- ✅ Save as .docx or PDF (check job posting)
- ✅ Include relevant keywords from job description
Get Your Perfect CV Template with AI
While free templates are a great starting point, creating a truly tailored CV for each job application can be time-consuming. That's where My CV Buddy comes in.
Create Your Perfect UK CV in Minutes
My CV Buddy uses AI to automatically tailor your CV to any UK job description. Choose from professional templates, optimize for ATS, and download in multiple formats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use a CV template or create from scratch?
Use a template! It saves time and ensures proper formatting. Just make sure to customize it for each application.
Are free CV templates as good as paid ones?
Yes, if they're ATS-friendly and professionally designed. The content matters more than fancy design.
Can I use the same CV template for all applications?
Use the same template design, but always customize the content for each job. Tailor your skills, experience, and keywords to match the job description.
What's the best file format for UK CVs?
PDF is generally best as it preserves formatting. However, some ATS systems prefer .docx, so check the job posting.
Conclusion
A professional CV template is your foundation for job search success in the UK. Choose a template that matches your industry and experience level, then customize it for each application to maximize your chances of landing interviews.
Remember: The best CV template is one that's ATS-friendly, easy to read, and showcases your unique value to employers. Focus on achievements, use keywords from job descriptions, and keep your formatting clean and professional.