Simple CV Templates That Land Job Interviews

Include your contact details

Every strong CV starts with the basics: your contact information. This section should sit at the top of your simple CV template, making it easy for employers to get all the info needed to reach you.

Here’s what to include:

• Full name: Use your preferred professional name (no nicknames).
• Phone number: Include a valid phone number.
• Email address: Choose a simple, professional email (e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com).
• Location: List your city and country only. Full addresses are no longer needed.
• LinkedIn profile or portfolio link (optional): Add these if they strengthen your application.

Detail your work history

The work experience section presents your career path. It shows employers what you’ve accomplished and how your experience fits their needs. List your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. 

Each entry should include:

• Job title.
• Company name.
• Location.
• Dates of employment.
• A short list outlining your work achievements. Start each accomplishment with a power word, and quantify as many of them as possible to add impact.

Showcase your education

Your education section helps employers understand your background and qualifications. To create your CV’s education section, start with your highest qualification, such as a degree or diploma, and include any relevant courses or academic projects that enhance your value as a candidate.

Be sure to include:

• The name of the institution
• The degree, diploma, or certification earned
• The dates of attendance

List your skills

The skills section of your CV gives recruiters a snapshot of your abilities. Mix both your hard skills (technical abilities such as software knowledge) and soft skills (your people skills). 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. Aim for at most 10 skills to not overwhelm your simple CV template.

Strengthen your simple CV with bonus sections

Bonus sections can greatly enhance your simple CV template. Use them to highlight extra achievements or strengths that don’t fit elsewhere. Aim to add 1–3 bonus sections to avoid cluttering your simple CV format.

Here are a few bonus sections you can include:

• Certifications: Show proof of professional growth or technical skill.
• Language levels: Highlight any additional languages you speak and your proficiency level.
• Volunteer Experience: Adds credibility and shows your good character traits.
• Awards or Achievements: Include recognition for excellence in work, study, or community activities.
• Hobbies and Interests: Optional, but useful if they show qualities valued in the workplace (e.g., leadership, creativity, or teamwork).

Write a simple personal profile

Your personal profile (also called a CV summary or personal statement) is the short paragraph at the top of your CV that introduces who you are, what you do, and what you can offer. In a simple CV, this section should be concise and direct (3–5 sentences), with no buzzwords or filler.

Even though this section lies close to the top of your CV, 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.

How to structure it on a simple CV template:

• Start with your professional details: Mention your job title or area of expertise.
• Add a credibility signal: Include your years of experience or a key qualification.
• Highlight 2–3 strengths: Focus on what makes you effective in your role.
• Include a quantified accomplishment: Show measurable impact to prove your value.
• End with your goal or value: Explain what you aim to bring to your next position.

Proofread and format your simple CV structure

Formatting is what gives your simple CV template its clean, professional look. Good formatting helps recruiters read your information quickly and ensures your CV passes through applicant tracking systems (ATS) without issues.

Here’s how to format your simple CV template:

• Use an easy-to-read CV font such as Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, or Times New Roman.
• Keep the font size between 10 and 12 points for the main text. For headings, go slightly larger, 14 to 16 points, and use bold text.
• Maintain 1.0 or 1.15 line spacing for readability and add a blank line between sections to avoid clutter.
• Keep everything left-aligned. It’s cleaner and easier to scan than centred text.
• Use standard margins of 2.5 cm (1 inch) on all sides.
• Stick to A4 paper size and export your CV as a PDF to preserve formatting.
• Stick to black text on a white background for maximum clarity. If you want to add colour, use one accent colour (e.g., dark blue or grey) for headings only. Avoid heavy graphics, icons, or borders. They distract from your content and can confuse ATS systems.
• Keep your CV to one page if you have limited or no experience, or two pages maximum for mid-level and senior roles.

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.