CV Templates: How to Use Them and Powerful Examples

A well-written, error-free CV is the key to making an impact with potential employers, and a CV template can help. A strong CV will set you apart from other candidates and give them something extra to consider when it comes down to selecting who will move forward in the selection process.

Using a template to format your CV can make creating a winning document that will land you an interview much easier.

What is a CV?

A curriculum vitae, or CV, is an important document to submit when applying for a job. Along with your cover letter, it serves as your first impression to potential employers and highlights details about your education, work experience, skills, and other career achievements.

What is a CV template?

A CV template is a pre-drafted sample of a CV you can use as a reference guide on how to build your own CV. Using a template as a guide, you can tailor your CV for each job application to highlight your best qualifications for each job. The more relevant information that you can put on your CV, the better your chances of getting invited in for an interview. Moreover, the more prominent you make the core competencies for a role on your CV, the more likely you are to attract the attention of the recruiter. 

Why use a CV template?

A CV template can help you organise your information and ensure you include all of the necessary sections in your CV. A good CV template may also include instructions on how to fill out each section of the document, which can save you time. Some CV template tools online give you a form to fill in to guide you through the entire process.

How to choose a CV template

Choosing the best CV template for your needs involves a combination of factors, from the look and feel to the information you include. Consider the following factors:

Style

The style of your CV has a direct bearing on how you are perceived by an employer. Two main types of CV styles are chronological and functional: 

• A chronological CV typically lists your previous work history in reverse chronological order (from most recent to least). 

• A functional CV focuses on skills and qualifications that an employer is likely to view as relevant to the role being applied for. This style may be used instead of or alongside a chronological CV.

You might also use a combination CV, achievement-based CV, or creative CV. Learn more about each of these styles and which one is right for you: CV Formats for Winning CVs: Layout, Content, and Tips.

When choosing a CV template, ensure you opt for the right kind for your sector. If in doubt, ask colleagues, HR professionals in your niche, or recruitment consultants if you can see some example CVs from your niche or if they can give you a CV template to use as a basis for your CV. 

Aesthetics

The aesthetics of your CV should reflect the role you are applying for. If you are applying for a job in a creative industry, you would do well to choose a sophisticated, modern template with plenty of white space and striking graphics. On the other hand, if you are applying for a job in a more traditional field, such as banking or finance, a more formal design may be best suited to the role.

Practicality

Your CV template should also be practical from a layout perspective. A table-based layout makes it easy to move text from section to section and helps keep the format uniform and nice-looking. 

Read more: CV Cover Letter Template Examples and Guidance

Tips for your CV

• When you are writing a CV, it is important that you keep it simple and straightforward. Do not clutter your CV with information that is irrelevant to the position that you are applying to.

• Your CV's layout and design should be consistent throughout in terms of headings, typeface, and format. It should also be clear and free from any grammatical errors or typos. Have a friend proofread it before sending it out.

• Consider using bullets when presenting information about your competencies, education, and qualifications so that it is easy to skim, read and understand.

• Use sufficient margins on all four sides of each page so that there is some white space. Also, leave plenty of space between each section of text on the page. This will make it much easier to read when printed.

• Keep your CV brief but informative by not going into too much detail about any one subject. For example, do not include every project in which you lead a team of developers. Use highlights and keep your CV to two pages.

What is the best font for a CV?

The best CV font choices prioritize readability and professionalism. Widely acceptable fonts include:

• Arial

• Calibri

• Helvetica

• Times New Roman

• Georgia

Fonts that tend to be difficult to read and should generally not be used on a CV are cursive or script, decorative, novelty, and very light or thin fonts.

Getting started with Coursera

For more help producing your CV or cover letter or for creating a general career strategy, consider the Career Discovery Specialisation on Coursera.