Did you know hiring managers only spend about 7 seconds looking at each CV they get? A polished, professional CV template will help you make a strong first impression.
A sharp, well-laid-out CV demonstrates you take your career seriously and are committed to presenting yourself in the best possible light. And that will help you stand out from other applicants, which can make a huge difference in a competitive job market, where even small details matter.
Just like the right outfit can make you a little more confident, a well-designed CV can give you the ego boost you need for a competitive edge. When you present yourself in the best possible light, you’ll feel empowered to succeed in your job search.
In this guide, we:
- Discuss the importance of a well-designed CV
- Cover the benefits of using a blank CV template
- Give you our best tips when selecting a blank CV template
- Answer all our CV template FAQs
Looking for a job is possibly the most important career choice, so it can be intimidating. If you have any doubts or questions about the next step, use our career counselling service to help gain clarity.
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The importance of a well-designed CV template
Recruiters often get dozens or even hundreds of applications for competitive positions. They don’t waste time considering dull, cluttered, out-of-date CVs.
A visually appealing CV template with a strong layout will help capture the recruiter's attention. It also demonstrates your professionalism and highlights your skills and experience.
A well-designed template can showcase your skills, experiences, and qualifications clearly and concisely, so it’s easy for recruiters to quickly identify your strengths. And each section in a good template has been ordered and placed for the best effect.
Choosing a well-designed CV template demonstrates your attention to detail and professionalism. The best ones include all the sections you want for your targeted job, leaving out the fluff and rubbish you don’t need.
Benefits of using a blank CV template
Unless you’re a professional CV designer yourself… anyone?.... you’ll probably benefit from using a template. Here are the 5 major benefits of using a CV template:
Saves time
Since the template is already designed, you don't need to spend hours creating a layout from scratch. Instead, you can focus on filling in the blanks with your information, which is especially helpful if you're applying to multiple jobs or need to update your CV often.
Ensures all the important information is included
Depending on the type of CV you choose, a template will include sections for contact info, work experience, education, skills, and other relevant details. This will make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly assess your qualifications and determine if you're a good fit for the job.
Preset formatting rules
Templates often have preset font styles, sizes, and spacing guidelines that help make your CV look professional and polished. This can be particularly important if you're applying for a job in a more traditional or formal industry that prioritises attention to detail and a professional appearance.
Great design
A great CV template will have a strong design that showcases your skills, experiences, and qualifications in a visually appealing way. This can be helpful when you're applying for work in a creative or design-oriented field, where these characteristics are crucial.
Easy to update
Since most templates are created using familiar file formats and include formatting presets, you can easily update or change your CV. Easy changes are handy when growing your skillset and quickly tailoring your CV to highlight your most relevant experience for specific jobs, or even for a career change.
Blank CV templates to copy and use
Double column blank CV template
This two-column resume optimises space so you can say more about yourself! The double-column formatting can hold tons of information before it looks cluttered.
In our version, the left-hand column presents your summary and experience sections. Recruiters can scan the right-hand column to see highlights of your achievements and education.
We also use sans serif fonts throughout this template because your resume will likely be read on a screen. Sans-serif fonts improve on-screen readability since there won't be any blurry serifs.
This template is an all-around winner but not a specialist. You can use it for almost any industry, but some jobs may need other specific info or sections.
Also. you may have read that some two-column resumes and applicant tracking systems (ATS) don’t always play well together. But this is not always the case,
In fact, we’ve done real-life ATF tests with every two-column template we offer and found they’re all readable! So there’s no need to worry about compatibility with our templates.
Use this template to apply as a market researcher, supply chain manager, barista, or in construction.
Single column blank CV template
This template blends modern and classic CV design aspects for an all-around ATS-friendly winner. Our choice of serif fonts for the large headings and sans-serif for content keeps readability high while adding some elegance, plus it looks brilliant as a printed hard copy.
This is also an ATS-friendly CV template. You can be confident it will impress even the AI who reviews it.
The traditional design elements and single-panel layout we use for this CV template will work for any industry. But, it’s a great fit for traditional or conservative workplaces that prioritise function over frills.
The single-column template is perfect for applying as a bookkeeper, support worker, musician, or factory worker.
Minimal blank CV template
Our minimal CV template makes the most of white space and sans-serif fonts to give your resume a clean and fresh look. Each resume section is distinct, which helps makes the overall CV inviting and readable.
The few pops of colour we include draw the reader’s eye to each section. And because it’s two columns, you can include a surprising amount of info before it gets cramped.
This template is great for a relationship manager, writer, UX designer, or consultant.
Timeline blank CV template
We designed our timeline CV to help you summarise your career progress in a skimmable one-page resume. It starts with your most recent job and goes back in history in order of date.
Bold fonts with large section headings and contrasting colours direct the recruiter's eye quickly to the key info you want to highlight. We considered each design choice in this template to help employers quickly understand the value of your most recent and relevant work experiences.
Use our Timeline CV template if you have plenty of experience or advanced standing, such as a finance manager, project engineer, chief of staff, or marketing director.
Tips for choosing the right blank CV template for you
Assessing readability and visual appeal
Because a recruiter’s first pass over your CV may only last a few seconds, you need to make them count. When you’re evaluating CV templates for readability and visual appeal, consider these factors:
Font choice has a major impact on the legibility of your CV. Depending on the template, choose 1-2 clear, easy-to-read fonts that are neither too small nor too large, and use them consistently throughout the document.
White space is crucial in making your CV easy to read and attractive. It’s important to balance text and white space to avoid overcrowding, which can look messy and be off-putting to the reader.
Formatting your CV in a clear and logical structure is important. There should be headings and subheadings that make it easy to navigate, and use bullet points, bolding, and italics consistently to draw attention to key information.
Design elements like colour schemes or graphics can be used sparingly to complement the content of the CV and boost visual appeal. Less is more in this case: don’t let the design detract from the content.
Ensuring compatibility with applicant tracking systems (ATS)
Recruiters increasingly use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter through large numbers of CVs quickly and efficiently. These systems scan the document for key words and phrases related to the job description to determine if the candidate meets the initial screening criteria they set.
Because it’s widespread and you may not know in advance which companies are using an ATS, I suggest choosing an ATS-compatible CV template from the start. ATS-compatible templates are designed with appropriate formatting, headings, and font styles to ensure the software can read and interpret it.
An ATS-friendly CV template will optimise your job application and increase your chances of passing the initial screening process. This is especially important for highly competitive or desirable jobs where the number of applicants can be overwhelming.
Selecting a template that aligns with your personal brand
The clever ducks at The Harvard Business Review say building a personal brand is a real investment. Make the most of your branding by ensuring your CV template aligns with it.
Here are some tips to help you choose a template that reflects your personal brand and image:
Identify your personal brand
Before choosing a CV template, you have to know what your personal brand is. Your brand should reflect your values, personality, and the message you want to convey.
Research CV templates
Look for CV templates that align with your personal brand. You can search for templates on websites like Enhancv, Canva, Indeed, and Zety, or hire a professional graphic designer to create a custom template.
Consider your industry
Your CV template should also appeal to your target industry. For instance, if you're in a creative field, a more visually appealing template may be suitable, but in a more traditional industry, a clean, professional template might work best.
Customise the template
Once you've selected a CV template, customise it to reflect your brand. Add your name and contact information, and choose colours and other design elements matching your brand.
Test it out
Once you’ve selected a template, fill in your personal details and review it. Ask yourself whether it reflects your personal brand. If you think something isn’t quite right, don't hesitate to adjust it or try a different template.
Remember, your CV is a representation of your professional image. Choose a template that showcases your strengths and presents you in the best possible light.
The devil is in the details in today’s competitive marketplace. If you have doubts about how your CV compares with others in the industry, get advice from our career counselling service.
We’ve helped thousands of people succeed in their job search, and we can help you. Contact us about anything from CV writing and design to interview prep, contract negotiations, and any other questions you have about reaching your career goals.
Key takeaways
The impact of a well-chosen and customised CV template
- Great design can help you stand out from other applicants
- Saves time and effort over creating a CV from scratch
- Ensures consistency throughout your document
- Provides a solid foundation for customisation
- Allows you to easily and quickly tailor your CV
- ATS-friendly templates increase the chances of passing initial screening processes.
The ongoing process of updating and adapting your CV
Updating and adapting your CV to reflect your developing skills, experiences, and career goals is important as you progress in your career. Do this to keep your CV relevant and to highlight your best qualifications.
Regularly updating your CV lets you focus on recent successes, education, and new projects. Establishing that you’re current on industry trends and tools is a great way to show recruiters that you’re a competitive applicant.
We’re also well past the days when you could apply to every job with the same CV. If you want to impress a recruiter, it’s a must to tailor your CV to highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to the particular job they’re offering.
Lastly, updating your CV will help you stay organised and focused on your career goals. By regularly reviewing your CV, you can keep track of the goals you’ve met and plan your next steps.
We’ve helped thousands of people succeed in their job search, and we can help you. Get in touch with us about anything from CV writing and design, to interview prep, contract negotiations, and any other questions you have about reaching your career goals.
