Simple CV Template: Examples & Expert Tips

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Not all CV templates need to be flashy and eye-catching. Sometimes, the best option is to keep things simple. Cue the entry of our simple CV templates. Whether you’re aiming for a role as a teacher, shop assistant, warehouse operative, or accountant, a clear and concise simple CV template showcases your skills, education, and experience and saves your time and energy for other job-hunting tasks.

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Check out more CV templates to boost your job search, create an application that truly reflects your personality, and stand out to potential employers:

Free simple CV template

Get started with your CV now – use our free CV template that you can easily copy and edit. Whether you’re applying for your first job or updating your CV, this simple format ensures clarity and professionalism. Customise it to showcase your skills, experience, and personality.

Kiara Connell
444 Kingsway
Manchester M60 3TT
07912 345678
kiara.connell@example.co.uk

Professional summary

Highly skilled and creative Photographer with 10 years of experience in capturing stunning images. Proficient in using advanced photography equipment and editing software to produce high-quality photographs. Strong eye for detail and ability to work in various settings and lighting conditions.

Work history

Photographer (03/2022 – Current)
Framie Studio – Manchester

Captured professional photographs for various clients, including weddings, events, and portraits.
Edited and retouched images using Adobe Photoshop to enhance quality and ensure client satisfaction.
Collaborated with clients to understand their vision and deliver photographs that exceeded their expectations.
Managed all aspects of photoshoots, including equipment setup, lighting, and composition.

Photographer (01/2018 – 02/2022)
Capturing Memories – Manchester

Conducted on-location and studio photoshoots for clients, including fashion, product, and lifestyle photography.
Utilised advanced lighting techniques to create visually appealing and impactful images.
Managed post-production tasks, including editing, retouching, and colour correction.
Collaborated with a team of stylists, makeup artists, and models to create cohesive and visually stunning photoshoots.

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Visual Arts
University of Manchester, 2018

Skills

Advanced knowledge of DSLR cameras and photography equipment
Proficient in Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom for photo editing
Strong understanding of composition, lighting, and colour theory
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
Attention to detail and strong organisational skills
Ability to collaborate effectively with clients and team members
Creative and innovative approach to photography

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Create a job-winning simple CV in no time

Choose from professionally designed templates that make creating your job application quick and easy. Highlight your skills, experience, and achievements in a polished format designed for success.

Not sure how to structure your CV? Explore our CV format guide to make sure your CV stands out.

How to write a winning CV using our trusted simple CV format

Creating a compelling CV doesn’t have to be difficult. Follow these simple steps to create a winning CV that highlights your strengths and impresses potential employers:

STEP 1

Choose the right template

A well-structured and modern template is the foundation of a strong CV. Browse through our template library to find something that reflects both your personality and the industry you work in.

Consider a visually dynamic design for creative roles, while a traditional format works well for corporate positions. A clear layout ensures that employers can quickly find the information they need. Choose a template that reflects your professionalism and is easy to customise.

STEP 2

Include your contact details

Your contact details are crucial – this is how employers will contact you. Put your full name at the top of the page, followed by your phone number, work email address, and your location. Unless specifically requested, avoid including outdated information, such as your full address. Make sure your email address and phone number are professional and up-to-date to make a positive impression.

Example:

Paul Piper
4 Queensway
Sheffield S1 9TH
079123 456789
paul.piper@example.co.uk

STEP 3

Provide your work history

The work experience section shows your career path. To create it, list your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent or current job. For each role, include your job title, company name, and dates of employment. Under each job, write a few bullet points outlining your key responsibilities, achievements, or any quantifiable results you delivered.

Example:

Sales Associate (March 2022 – Current)
BrightStyle Retail, London

Provided exceptional customer service by assisting customers with product selection and providing detailed information on features and benefits.
Maintained store presentation by organising merchandise displays and ensuring shelves were fully stocked.
Achieved and exceeded monthly sales targets through effective up-selling and cross-selling techniques.

STEP 4

Showcase your qualifications

Your education and certifications are part of the knowledge base that you present to recruiters. To create your CV’s education section, start with your highest qualification, such as a degree or diploma, and include any relevant courses or certifications that enhance your value as a candidate. Include the institution’s name, the degree or certification earned, and the dates of attendance.

Example:

NVQ Level 3: Logistics Operations Management (2023)
Sheffield College, Sheffield

STEP 5

List your skills

The skills section of your CV gives recruiters a snapshot of your abilities. Using bullet points for clarity, include both technical skills, such as software knowledge or what languages you speak, and soft skills, such as leadership or communication.

Tailor this list to the job description by focusing on skills that meet the job’s requirements and your prospective employer’s needs. Be honest about what you excel at – this section will often form the basis of your interview questions.

Example:

Patient treatments
Medication administration
Advanced nursing duties
Health assessments
Teamwork
Time management

STEP 6

Write your professional summary

Your professional summary, or personal statement, is a short career description. It sits at the top of your CV but should typically be written last. Writing it last allows you to reflect on the key elements of your CV and cover letter and create a concise, powerful statement that ties all aspects of your job application together.

In three to four sentences, highlight your most relevant experience, key skills, and career goals. Think of it as your elevator pitch. It should be brief but compelling enough to grab recruiters’ attention at first glance.

Example:

Professional Construction Manager with proven proficiency in HSE compliance, internal and external communications, crew supervision, and cost control. Committed to on-time project completions, cost-effective budgeting, and superb work quality.

STEP 7

Proofread and edit

Before submitting your application, read through your CV carefully or use online tools to find mistakes. You can also ask a trusted friend or family member to review the document. Pay particular attention to consistent formatting, such as font size and spacing, to ensure your CV looks polished and professional. A well-edited CV is a sign of professionalism, which employers find highly valuable in candidates.

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Simple CV templates & examples

Need some inspiration for a standout CV? Explore these expertly crafted CV templates tailored to different industries. Use them as a guide for your own CV and get the job of your dreams now.

Human resources simple CV template

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Showcase your expertise in managing people, policies, and workplace dynamics with this simple human resources CV template. Designed for HR professionals, it highlights key skills such as recruitment, employee relations, and compliance, making it easy to present your experience effectively.

Waitress or waiter simple CV template

Create my CV

Showcase your customer service skills and experience with this clean, easy-to-use CV template. Tailored for waiters and waitresses, it highlights essential skills such as communication, multitasking, and teamwork, allowing you to showcase your strengths effectively.

Photographer simple CV template

Create my CV

Showcase your creative skills and experience with this sleek and professional photography CV template. Highlight your in-house and freelance expertise in photography techniques, editing, and project management while showcasing your portfolio.

Intuitive

Our CV builder has been designed with ease of use in mind, allowing you to quickly create a professional CV without any technical knowledge. Its user-friendly interface ensures a seamless experience, guiding you through the process step-by-step.

Customisable

We offer a variety of templates and personalisation options so you can tailor your CV to reflect your unique style and professional needs. From fonts to layout adjustments, you have complete control to make your CV stand out.

Quick

Rather than starting with a blank page, our online CV templates and expertly written example text will help you along the way. Our builder also gives you helpful and hints at every stage, making it quick and easy for you to write a CV.

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Dos and don’ts of using a simple CV template for UK jobs

DO

Find a professional, simple CV template.
Simple doesn’t have to mean amateurish. Starting from scratch with Microsoft Word will result in a CV that stands out for all the wrong reasons. Instead, spend some time finding a CV template that really looks the part. Think bold headings, a clear structure, and well-labelled sections for your all-important skills and experience.
Do your research before writing a simple CV outline.
The key cornerstone of creating a great CV is awareness of the company you are applying to. If you plan your basic CV outline before researching the company, you could focus on details irrelevant to the role or not aligning with the organisation’s ethos. Look up their formatting guidelines, as well.
Keep things concise and to the point.
Staying brief will be universally appreciated by all employers and recruiters who must read through tens or even hundreds of CVs for every role. Simple CVs should be kept to one or two pages at a maximum. Bullet points are a great way of achieving this, allowing you to list skills or responsibilities without long, winding paragraphs.

DON'T

Don’t forget to include the keywords.
Simple CV templates are highly compatible with ATS software, which recruiters use to scan CVs for keywords and phrases. Of course, you need to ensure these words and phrases are included in your CV to start with. Have a good read through the job specification and pick out essential skills and qualities, then make sure they’re included in your CV.
Don’t include irrelevant information.
The best way to use your basic CV template is to include the right information. If you ramble for several pages about jobs you had twenty years ago in a completely different industry, you’re unlikely to be a successful candidate. Keep your CV to two pages maximum. Recruiters are potentially reading hundreds of CVs, so you need to capture their attention quickly and hold it.
Don’t forget to use a cover letter.
Especially if you are using a universal CV to apply for different job roles, a cover letter could be a great way to tailor your application and set you apart from other applicants. It doesn’t have to be particularly long or complicated. Your cover letter is a simple way of introducing your application and expressing why you’re a great fit for the job.

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Key takeaways for creating a simple CV that lands you the job

Keep the layout clean and professional

Simplicity doesn’t mean sacrificing professionalism. Choose a simple CV template with bold headings, a clean structure, and clearly labelled sections for your top skills, experience, and qualifications. Avoid overly flashy designs.

Prioritise content over design

While how your CV looks is important, the focus of the job application should be on its contents. Ensure that all key sections are present and relevant to the role.

Make your application ATS-compatible

Include job-specific keywords to ensure your CV is compatible with applicant tracking systems (ATS). This will increase your chances of getting past the initial screening stages.

Pair your simple CV with a cover letter

Enhance your job application with a well-written cover letter. In the letter, expand on the highlights of your CV and explain why you’re a great fit for the role.

Study simple CV examples before writing

Review samples tailored to your desired role to understand how to format your CV. Compare your CV to these examples to refine and improve your job application.

FAQs about simple CVs

How do I create a simple CV?

The easiest way to make a simple CV is to use a pre-made template as your starting point. It should include all of the must-have sections for your CV, starting with the personal statement and then moving on to work history, skills, and education. Once you have your template, fill it in with your information and save it in your preferred format. It’s that easy with myPerfectCV.

Can I tailor my universal CV to specific jobs?

A simple, universal CV can (and even should be) be tailored to the job you’re applying for. Some small tweaks to the personal statement, education, and work history can make a big difference when recruiters are assessing your suitability for a role. By including job-specific keywords and phrases, you will also make your CV more likely to pass an ATS check.

How do you write a basic CV for a student?

A basic CV for a 16-year-old will look very different to one for a college student. Generally, a basic CV for a teenager will focus on academic achievements from school, key skills, and any hobbies or interests that might be relevant to the job role. Meanwhile, a basic CV for students who are at college or university will also incorporate skills and achievements from their current course or module. Utilising a simple CV template for students is a fantastic time-saver.

Who should use a simple CV template?

Universal CV templates are highly useful for creating a simple CV to apply for multiple jobs. However, they can also be used by applicants who are looking for one template that can be tailored for different applications. Doing so saves you from having to start from scratch time and again or move things around while still impressing recruiters with your CV.

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Simple CV templates can start up your career

Simple, universal CV templates can be the ultimate starting point for a wide range of roles and sectors. At myPerfectCV, we make it easy to choose the best simple CV template for your needs then fill it with pre-written content such as key skills, work history, and a personal statement. Browse myPerfectCV’s selection of CV examples and basic CV templates to save yourself the time and energy of creating one from scratch.

Choose your template as a starting point, select content based on your job role and industry, apply the finishing touches, then download your CV in Word, HTML, PDF, and other formats. It’s that simple!

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*The names and logos of the companies referred to above are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with myperfectCV.

Simple CV template, examples and CV tips

Free simple CV template

Create a job-winning simple CV in no time