Free CV Templates | Learn how to craft a standout CV

If you’re struggling with the process of applying for jobs, we’re here to help. With one of our free CV templates, you can give your application a boost.

Writing CVs and job applications is a skill in itself. It often takes practice and a fair amount of trial and error. However, when you’re in the process of applying for jobs, you might not always have time design and refine your documents. That’s where things like CV templates come in handy.

To give you a hand with your applications, we’ve come up with some CV outlines that can help make your name stand out. As well as providing guidance on what you should include and why, we’ve also highlighted some online courses that can further boost your CV.

Why use CV templates?

Perfecting your CV format can seem like an endless task. Although you know how much of a perfect fit you are for a particular job role, it can be tough trying to explain that to a hiring manager or recruiter – especially with just 2 sheets of A4 paper to do it. Using a template can help save you time and make sure that you include all the essential information that’s relevant to the roles you’re applying for.

We’ve come up with a range of different free CV templates that can take some of the hassle out of the application process. You can use these CV examples as a basis for building your own document that’s sure to impress the right people.

CV essentials

Let’s start by looking at a basic CV. With this example, we’ll cover all of the essential things that you should include in every CV or resume:

- Contact/basic info. This section should include things like your name, address, email, phone number, LinkedIn details, and other useful links (such as a portfolio). It’s often the first thing a recruiter will look at.
- Profile or personal statement/summary. In this short section, you want to concisely summarise who you and what you’re all about. It’s effectively a blurb of your career or aims, giving the reader all the info they need in one short chunk.
- Achievements. Here, you can include all kinds of things. Whether it lists problems you’ve solved, targets you’ve reached, successful projects you’ve worked on, or awards you’ve won, they’re the unique highlights that make you stand out. Just make sure they’re short and to the point.
- Education and qualifications. All you need here is a brief overview of your studies and qualifications to date. You don’t have to go into huge detail, and your most recent/relevant ones should take priority.
- Experience. This section is one that’s often closely examined by recruiters. As well as giving key information about where and when you worked, you should also outline your responsibilities and achievements. You can repeat from the achievements section above.
- Key skills. Again, this is an area that gets a lot of attention as it shows you’re qualified to do the job you’re applying for. You should include hard and soft skills that are related to the role.
- Interests. Here, you’ll want to show some of your personality, hobbies, and passions outside of a work environment. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t link it to your career if it’s relevant to do so.
- References. If you choose to include reference details as part of your CV structure, you’ll want to select professional people who know you well.

Useful courses

Writing Applications. Can help you write your CV/resume and cover letter.
How to Succeed in an Interview. Gives you all the tools you need to be successful in interviews.
Essential Skills for Career Development. Focuses on some of the skills you need to define and grow your career.
Work Ready Skills. Develop some of the essential skills for job seekers, including job searches, writing a CV and interviewing.

Download the Basic CV template

CV templates for doctors

There are quite a few points that need careful consideration when it comes to a doctor’s CV. Along with the essentials mentioned already, you’ll also want to include:

GMC registration status. Include this with your main personal details to give recruiters this essential piece of info at a glance.
Specialisms. When it comes to roles in the medical profession, clearly outlining your areas of expertise can give a quick rundown of your experience.
CPD and training. As with many careers, continuing professional development shows a commitment to lifelong learning and can make relevant knowledge stand out.
Professional memberships. Outlining your affiliations and memberships is often an essential part of any medical application.
Clinical audits and research. Showing commitment to improving your practice and evaluating and contributing to a body of research is always impressive.
Publications. Listing any published articles, books, and/or research gives further credibility to your application.

Useful courses

Healthcare and Medicine. A range of courses related to topics such as patient care and healthcare issues.
Medical Humanity. A course focusing on how and why you should engage patients and communities when it comes to new healthcare treatment and technology.
COVID-19: Global Health Perspectives. A course exploring the different approaches of healthcare systems around the world to the coronavirus pandemic.

Download the Doctor CV template

CV templates for nurses

For nurses, your CV structure should be fairly similar to other medical professionals. It should be concise and carefully crafted around the job you’re applying for. Again, clarity is vital, as you’ll want to make sure the most important and impressive details are easy to pick out. Here are some of the essentials you’ll want to include:

Personal summary. Here, you should talk about your nursing ethos and philosophies, as well as your strengths and passions.
Registration. You’ll want to make sure this piece of information is included with your personal details, giving a quick reference to those looking at your CV.
Professional training. You don’t have to list everything here, but things like courses, workshops, published articles, and volunteering that is relevant to the role you’re applying for should be included.

Useful courses

Nursing. You’ll find an array of nursing courses focusing on all kinds of topics. They can help give you a refresher in certain areas or improve your skills in a totally new one.
Effective Nursing in Times of Crisis. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, learning about how nurses around the world respond to such disasters can be beneficial.
Clinical Supervision with Confidence. For those going into a role that includes supervising others, this course can help you improve your knowledge, skills, and confidence in doing so.

Download the Nurse CV template

CV templates for new graduates

Job hunting after you’ve graduated can seem like an exhausting process. Graduate roles are hot property at the moment, meaning competition is high. With one of our free CV templates, you can make sure you give yourself the best chance possible of getting an interview. Here are some areas to focus on:

Experience and placements. Many jobs require experience, but you can only get said experience with a job. This paradox has long haunted all types of graduates. So, if you can highlight some relevant experience, formal or otherwise, it can go a long way to making you stand out.
Skills. You should make sure you tailor this section to the required skills outlined in the job description. Try and give examples of where you’ve put these skills to practical use.
Interests. If your experience is limited, showing you pursue a range of relevant interests related to your profession can balance things out a little.

Useful courses

How to Get a Graduate Job. This course focuses on how to navigate the graduate job market, including things like employability skills, crafting cover letters, and optimising your LinkedIn profile.
Preparing for Work. With this course, you’ll focus on identifying your strengths and using them in your career.

Download the New Graduate CV template

CV templates for managers

When applying for any managerial role, you’ll need to show a range of skills and experience when it comes to leading and being responsible for others. Along with the general abilities required, you should also highlight job-specific competencies in your CV. Here are some areas where you can do so:

Achievements. This section serves as a kind of highlights reel for your career. Make sure to list some relevant achievements that show your leadership abilities. It could be things like implementing changing, managing adverse conditions, or building relationships.
Professional qualifications. Any certificates, courses, exams, and other qualifications that are specific to your industry should be highlighted here. Again, linking them to the role you’re applying for can go a long way.
Professional experience. One of the key requirements for any management role is experience. As well as giving details of your responsibilities, make sure to give context to your successes.

Useful courses

Growing as a Manager. If you’re hoping to move into a managerial role for the first time, this course is an excellent primer on some of the skills and knowledge you’ll need to manage others and their workload.
Managing People. With this program, you’ll work your way through several courses focused on various aspects of managing people in the workplace.
Management & Leadership. For general management and leadership courses, you can find our entire range, which focuses on a wide variety of aspects.

Download the Manager CV template

CV templates for marketers

Marketing is an industry where both results and knowledge matter. As such, you’ll need to prove to your potential employers that you have a proven track record of both. Your marketing CV should be a piece of advertising in itself. Here are some areas you want to pay particular attention to:

Achievements. Marketing roles tend to be results-driven. Highlighting your achievements in terms of improving key performance indicators and targets can impress those who are reviewing your CV.
Professional experience. Showing a range of experience is essential when you’re applying for marketing jobs, especially if it’s relevant. Whether it’s formal or informal, make sure to include dates and details.
Tools and software. Marketing is an area that’s rapidly developing when it comes to technology. Outlining the technical tools and software you’re proficient in shows that you’re keeping up with these changes.

Useful courses

Customer engagement. As a marketer, you’re tasked with building relationships with customers that encourage repeat interactions. This course focuses on engaging customers through these relationships.
Digital marketing. Our digital marketing course focuses on the rapidly growing field of online business. You’ll explore some of the basics of things like SEO, display advertising, and PPC marketing.
Marketing analytics. Another key area of modern marketing is analytics. This course looks at how data is used to improve marketing results.

Download the Marketer CV template

CV templates for teachers

As a teacher, your career profile will be continually evolving and improving. As such, keeping your teacher CV up-to-date and relevant can take some time. Education and experience are, of course, important, but there are other areas that need some attention too:

Personal statement. This section should really sell you and your teaching ethos. Although a relatively short summary, it should still hit all of the career highs and key skills you possess.
Professional memberships. Your professional memberships can show that you have specific interests that you pursue outside of the classroom.
CDP and training. You don’t necessarily have to include everything you’ve done throughout your career here, but the most recent and relevant points should be included. Again, this shows your dedication to improving as a professional.

Useful courses

Primary Education Teaching. A range of courses that can help you with things like lesson ideas, teaching skills, and other aspects related to teaching in a primary education system.
Secondary Education Teaching. Our selection of courses aimed at those teaching in secondary education. It includes CPD and skill development opportunities.
Professional Development. With our continuing professional development courses, you’ll find subject-specific learning opportunities. You’ll also find courses related to broader trends and topics related to teaching.

Download the Teacher CV template

CV templates for teaching assistants

When it comes to a teaching assistant CV, many of the same principles apply as with a teacher. You’ll want to highlight things like your personal attributes as well as your experience and education. We’ve highlighted some section worth looking at in greater detail:

Personal statement. This area gives you a chance to show your personality and enthusiasm for the role. You want to mention your career highlights so far, as well as what it is that makes you the ideal candidate for the roles you’re applying for.
Professional experience. In this section, you can highlight the most relevant and recent roles you’ve worked on. Give priority for formal work that is directly linked to the role you’re applying for, but also mention any casual work you think is relevant.
Education. Under this heading, you can list your formal education as well as your professional qualifications. You could also list any CPD highlights in this section or in its own subsection.

Useful courses

Succeed as a Newly Qualified Teacher. For those who are NQTs looking to gain experience, this course can give you some inspiration for planning, preparation, and finding support.
Supporting Successful Learning in Primary School. This course is designed for teaching assistants who want to improve the support they give to students in the classroom, focusing on primary students.
Supporting Successful Learning in Secondary School. This course is designed for teaching assistants who want to improve the support they give to students in the classroom, focusing on secondary students.

Download the Teaching Assistant CV template

CV templates for data analysts

A data analyst CV should focus on the skills and experience you’ve developed during your studies and work. For those who lack formal experience, you should have plenty of personal projects and school/university work to fall back on. Here are some areas to pay close attention to:

Achievements. Data analysts are usually goal-orientated professionals, which is what this section should be about. Highlight particular times where you’ve excelled or exceeded targets in your work.
Professional experience. Again, a proven track record of data analysis will go a long way to securing you an interview. Make sure to give sufficient detail about your roles and experience but avoid anything overly long.
Tools and software. As this is a technical role with many elements, giving a rundown of the technology you’re familiar with can provide a quick reference point for potential employers.

Useful courses

Data Analytics. We’ve a whole host of data analytics courses. Whether you want to learn something new or refresh your current knowledge, you can find one that’s right for you.
Big Data Analytics. Big data is big business right now, and those with expertise are in high demand. This course gives you some of the basics and key concepts related to the field.
Practical Data Mining. This program of three courses gives a practical introduction to data mining with the popular Weka workbench. By the end, you’ll know some of the more advanced data mining techniques.

Download the Data Analyst CV template

CV templates for programmers

Programmers and software developers are in high demand at the moment, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need a top-notch CV to find a job. Employers look for those candidates with a good mix of soft and hard skills, as well as plenty of experience.

Achievements. This section doesn’t have to centre solely on your professional achievements (although they certainly help). Personal projects related to role show a level of dedication and self-learning that always impresses.
Professional qualifications. When it comes to your education, make sure to include any industry-relevant courses, exams, training, and other qualifications you have taken.
Professional experience. Programming is an industry where experience is everything. Make sure you flesh out the areas where you have the most experience linked to the role you’re applying for.
Tools and software. As with many jobs in the IT industry, the more tools and software you can use, the more valuable you’ll be.

Useful courses

Coding and Programming. You can find all kinds of courses here, which can help you brush up on your existing knowledge and learn something new.
Functional Programming in Haskell. Haskell is becoming an increasingly popular programming language. This course helps you develop functional skills in using it.
Using AI for Business Planning and Decision-Making. AI is one of the new frontiers of modern technology, and those who know the principles are in high demand.

Download the Programmer CV template

CV templates for web developers

Like programmers, web developers are highly sought-after at the moment. Despite that, you still need a web developer CV that’s going to get the attention of a hiring manager or recruiter. To do so, you need to pay particular attention to these areas:

Achievements. In many respects, web developers are creative problem solvers. Your achievements should reflect this, whether they’re professional or personal ones linked to your career.
Professional experience. Like many roles in this industry, experience is one of the things that determines who gets an interview and who doesn’t. Make sure yours is concise and clear, giving details on the most important points.
Tools and software. You’ll want to list out the various technologies you’re proficient in, as well as the level to which you can use them. It gives recruiters a chance to see the extent of your learning and abilities.

Useful courses

User Experience. User experience and web development often go hand-in-hand. For those who are new to the field, this course is an excellent primer on some of the technologies and skills you’ll need.
Create Accessible Interfaces. One of the key trends across a variety of design fields is accessibility and inclusivity when it comes to things like user interfaces. This course explores how to program interfaces that work for disabled users.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills. Web developers often have to work with a variety of stakeholders across an organisation. As such, communication skills are usually needed. This course can arm you with everything you need to excel.

Download the Web Developer CV template

CV templates for interns

A strong internship CV can help you get that ever-valuable experience that permanent jobs often require. It can also help you get your foot in the door of an organisation you want to build a career with. Often, you’ll be competing against many others, so if this is your first serious application, you’ll want to pay close attention to particular areas:

Education. Internship recruiters often pick the best and brightest to join their ranks. As such, you should make your education section as polished as possible. As well as highlighting your grades, make sure to note any particular achievements and responsibilities you took on.
Previous experience. Even internships like to see that you’ve got some past experience. Although job-specific experience helps, think about other instances where you’ve worked on transferable skills that might be relevant.
Interests. Sometimes, it’s equally as important that you’re the right fit for the company culture as you are experienced. With this section, you try to really make your personality shine through.

Useful courses

Wellbeing and Resilience at Work. If you’re going to be going into your first major role, it’s important to understand why resilience and adaptability are so essential for the workplace, and how you can work on your own skills.
Current Digital Workplace Trends. For many interns, there will be at least some degree of digital technology you’ll need to work with. This course can introduce some of the current trends and how you can stay abreast of them.
Training and Development at Work. Internships are all about personal and professional development. This course explores some of the ways that workplace training works, and how you can make the most of your own.

Download the Intern CV template

CV templates for engineers

Engineers work across a wide range of areas, and as such, their CV may change considerably depending on the role. You’ll want to tailor your resume to the niche you’re applying for, but there are some constants that you should focus on:

Achievements. In this section, you can focus on the tangible results you’ve accomplished in your previous roles. Use numbers and figures where appropriate, and pick out ones that are applicable to your new job.
Professional qualifications. In this field, continuing development is vital. You can highlight some of your more recent professional qualifications alongside those that qualify you to do the job.
Tools and software. Again, given how diverse engineering is, you’ll likely have a broad knowledge base for all kinds of technologies. List out the ones that will be most impressive here.

Useful courses

Global Issues in the Construction Industry. This course helps you keep up-to-date with some of the most pressing issues and effective solutions related to the construction industry.
Construction Ethics and Compliance. With this course, you’ll learn about some of the ethical decisions faced by those working in construction.
Technical Report Writing for Engineers. Technical report writing is an art form in itself. This course introduces you to some of the key concepts and techniques you’ll need to master the practice.