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Best CV Templates for UK Job Applications

a woman working on a laptop with a job application on the screen.
CV Whizz Team
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CV Whizz Team
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Updated on June 12, 2024

It’s no secret that everyone, no matter their industry or rank, faces stiff competition in the job market. Having an optimized CV is important to make yourself stand out from the crowd. The key to this is choosing the best CV template to work with.

Once you have the best CV template that works for you, you’ll have a solid foundation on which to showcase your skills, qualifications, and experience.

Choosing to work with a CV template instead of writing a CV from scratch guarantees that you have a professionally approved structure and layout that has already worked for countless others.

On this page, you can discover some of the best CV templates for the UK that OnlineCV has to offer. These can help you catch the attention of recruiters and secure an interview.

We also offer you some tips to choosing the best template for your level of experience and industry sector.

Try one of the best CV templates

We offer a huge range of the best online CV templates in Word or PDF format that you can download with just one click.

Consider some of the following styles of CV template to give you an idea of the kind of layout you might like to pursue.

Buenos Aires

The retro styling of this CV template makes it an ideal choice for candidates in technical and technological fields. Its emphasis on skills and experience strongly demonstrates your commitment to your field.

San Francisco

A modern and stylish design that is organised into columns and uses small graphical icons for extra impact. It’s the ideal choice for professionals who want to stand out.

Hanoi

This CV template uses colour to its advantage to set a bold, confident tone. Your contact information and summary are displayed first, while your skills and experience are easily visible.

Best CV templates by job experience

You may not have much experience in your chosen field yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t build an impressive CV.

Our best Student CV templates help you avoid faux-pas in your first career steps.

Our Basic CV templates can also help you secure entry-level positions in your industry and begin your ascent up the career ladder.

Even if you’re an experienced worker in your sector, your career can be derailed by a lacklustre CV. Our best Professional CV templates help you to elevate your candidacy above the pack.

Discover a selection of our best CV templates for different levels of the career ladder below.

1. Student CV

2. Basic CV

3. Professional CV

How to choose the best CV template format

Firstly, it’s important to select a CV tempate that uses a universally recognized format, such as a CV template in Word or PDF.

Our best CV templates in Word are best if the recruiter is using ATS software, which allows the user to scan and filter down CVs.

CV templates in PDF on the other hand, allow you to ensure the CV looks exactly as you intended even if opened on an older version of Word or different programs.

Other tips for selecting a CV template

Some other advice to keep in mind:

  • Choose a template with a clear layout – Select a template that allows for a section for your personal statement and a full list of your skills and previous positions. Bullet points should outline your achievements and expertise.
  • Find the best CV template for your job – Some CV templates fit better for certain industries and roles than others. For example, a creative professional might choose a more colorful template, while a business leader should stay more formal.
  • Don’t let it run too long – It’s tempting to pack as much of your work history, skills, and experience into a CV template to fill it out to the max. However, this is a mistake. Keep it as concise as possible and don’t let the CV extend beyond one sheet.

Finally, remember to trust your CV template. It has been designated as one of the best CV templates and rated highly by professionals for a reason. Don’t make too many changes to the CV layout or format, as it has been designed to maximize readability and get the best results!

How to achieve the best CV for UK applicants

One you have selected the best CV template for your needs, there are certain things you should keep in mind when filling out your information to ensure optimum results.

Remember to:

  • Keep it to-the-point – Organise as much of the information as you can into bullet points, and use strong action verbs to avoid wek passive voice phrases and excess words.
  • Stick to a single font – Avoid changing the predetermined fonts on the template. A maximum of three font sizes should be used across the whole document, paragraph text, headings, and subheadings.
  • Use clear headings – Make sure all the information is clearly organised under headings so that hiring managers can easily find what they are looking for when skimming through the document.
  • Use reverse chronology in your work history – You should always list your roles in chronological order starting with the most recent relevant positions and then work backwards.

Dont’s when completing your CV Tempate

Meanwhile, you should avoid:

  • Including irrelevant or outdated information – There is no need to include all of your qualifications or your entire work history on your CV. If you have tons of recent experiences more relevant to the job you are applying for, focus more on outlining these rather than the distant past.
  • Rushing – Even if you choose the best CV template with the perfect layout and presentation for your career, it won’t matter if you rush the writing. Take your time and double -or even triple- check everything before you send your CV out to recruiters.

If you get stuck filling out your information, remember that we have a huge library of CV examples and guides for a whole spectrum of jobs across nearly every industry.

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