Simple / Basic CV Templates + How to Make Them Work

In an increasingly complex world, your CV is one area where simplicity remains essential. Avoid complicating things with difficult-to-use templates that add more hassle than value. Stick to our selection of simple and basic CV templates that are as effective as they are easy to use.

Each example you’ll see is packed with features and recruiter-approved while remaining effortlessly simple. Combine them with our incredible CV builder, and you’ve got the recipe for pain-free job-hunting success. 

Create an effective CV in minutes. Choose a professional CV template and fill in every section of your CV in a flash using ready-made content and expert tips.

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Looking for a different CV template? Try these:

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• LaTeX CV Templates & Why You Need Them
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• Word CV Templates & Why Use Them
• Visual CV Templates & What Are They

1. Simple scanner

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We begin with our appropriately named Simple scanner template. Right off the bat, this proves that a simple CV template can still be packed with useful features. First up, it uses a mix of alignments to help the reader navigate the page. In other words, it forces their gaze to flick back and forth across the page, making sure they take everything in. And there’s no effort required from you to achieve this effect. Our CV builder makes it so simple it’s child’s play. All you need to do is enter your content and the end result is a perfect basic CV template.

2. Professional minimalist

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Another example of bare-bones brilliance is this simple CV format. It has the minimalist elegance of a fine piece of brutalist architecture: no distractions, no unnecessary additions, it’s just pure job-winning content.

The fact is, overly-complicated CV templates can spell disaster for your job application. That’s because most companies now use something called ATS. It stands for Applicant Tracking System, and it’s a type of software that scans your CV before human recruiters get a chance to see it. If there’s too much clutter from images and poor layout, the software can’t read it. Then you get rejected and wonder why you never heard anything back. Rest assured that every LiveCareer CV template, and especially a simple one, is fully ATS-compatible.

3. Bold professional

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Now you can see how simple changes make all the difference to a basic CV template. The CV fonts are key here, starting with the CV header. Look how the large font size and mix of bold and standard-weight lettering makes the candidate’s name pop off the page. Then as we move down to the CV summary and other section headings, you’ll see that capitalisation adds emphasis, too. They’re small changes that yield big results in terms of quality. Plus, when you use our CV builder you’ll get expert CV tips, too.

4. Centred executive

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This example may be a very simple CV template, but it’s anything but boring. A centre-aligned CV header and personal details flow effortlessly into the personal profile. It’s an excellent choice for more experienced candidates, as this spacious yet simple CV format gives lots of room for a detailed work experience section. This makes it particularly suitable for an architecture CV, where showcasing extensive projects and accomplishments is crucial.

5. Corporate business card

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The inspiration behind this basic CV template is simple. It takes its design cues from the uncomplicated elegance of a corporate business card. But that said, it’s so effective that any jobseeker stands to benefit from using it, not just candidates for corporate roles. It's also an excellent choice for a manager’s CV, projecting professionalism and competence.

6. Classic professional

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A Google study revealed that readers consistently rated more complex CV layouts as less attractive than simple CV formats. By choosing a clean, basic CV template, you ensure that nothing distracts from your job-winning content, letting your qualifications take center stage. The simple CV format shown above is ideal for adapting into a PhD CV, allowing your qualifications and research to be the main focus.

7. One page modern

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Another advantage of choosing a basic CV template is that there is so much more room to fit everything in. And if you’re aiming for a one-page CV, this example is perfect for you. The CV header is small, discreet, and neatly tucked away right at the top of the page, leaving you more room to fit everything in. One-page, simple CV templates are highly recommended for less experienced candidates. If you’re writing a student CV, this basic template for a CV is the one for you.

8. Business professional

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Still not sure which simple CV template to choose? Try Business professional. It starts with a header arranged in classic letterhead style and features a two-column format for your CV skills section, so you’ll have no problems fitting in all those job-winning abilities you’ve gained over the years. This makes it an excellent choice for a data analyst CV or a software developer CV, where highlighting a range of technical skills (including IT skills) is essential. And as with all of our monochromatic CV templates, it looks great printed on paper, too.

9. Blue modern header

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The simple addition of colour can make all the difference to a basic CV template and simple CV format. The broad header in a professional-looking shade of blue is the first element that catches your eye. But there are matching additions of colour in the section headings too. An ideal choice for adding a touch of creativity without going overboard. Consider it for a solution architect's CV or a project manager's CV. This CV looks really good!

A strong CV summary will convince the recruiter you’re the perfect candidate. Save time and choose a ready-made personal statement written by career experts and adjust it to your needs in the LiveCareer CV builder.

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10. Electric blue creative

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If you’re looking for a bright and fresh feel, then this simple CV template might be just the one. It retains all the basic elements of our monotone examples but with neon stripes of electric blue. That gives it more of a youthful feel, and as such we’d suggest it’d make a great simple CV template for school-leavers.

11. Light blue creative

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We’ve added even more colours to this example, but it’s still a simple CV template designed to win you interviews. Duck egg blue, dark grey, and white backgrounds work together to create a calm and professional impression. We’ve even added a few simple CV icons to the personal details section to give this basic CV template even more clarity.

12. Blue modern accents

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This simple CV template variation is ideal if you liked our electric blue example but wanted something a little more toned down. Darker shades of blue are more closely related with strength and reliability, so it's an excellent choice for more experienced jobseekers targeting managerial roles. We also recommend it for a nursing CV to convey a sense of trustworthiness and professionalism.

13. Creative green

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Now we move from blue to green. This simple CV format features a striking stripe of green to highlight the CV header and a mix of grey and black font to give another touch of style while remaining simple. Use it as a simple student CV template to make a strong first impression. Try it yourself with our CV builder.

14. Orange creative

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Now we warm things up with this orange basic CV template. Just that one colourful element helps to make this simple CV format really stand out. Consider using it for a marketing CV or a designer CV to appear professional yet creative. Imagine how it’d look compared to a collection of dull, poorly formatted templates. Simple, striking, and sophisticated.

15. Red modern

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The last of our simple CV templates designed for the UK makes use of a rich, dark red for an elegant, professional look. And as with all of our templates, it’s versatile too. You can download this simple CV template in Word or as a PDF. Using PDF format is generally best as it preserves your layout, but some employers still specify Word format, so you’re covered either way.

When to choose a simple CV template & format?

Choosing a simple CV format is a good choice in many circumstances, regardless of where you are in your career. One key reason to select a basic CV template is clarity and readability. If you're applying to roles where straightforward skills and experience are most important, a simple CV format ensures that your qualifications stand out without distractions. Industries such as construction, maintenance, and transportation often prefer a no-frills approach, as these roles focus more on relevant experience than on creative presentation.

A simple CV template is also a safe choice when you’re unsure about the company’s culture or the preferred style for applications. In more traditional or corporate settings, elaborate or overly designed CVs might feel out of place, making a simple template the best way to maintain professionalism. Similarly, when applying to multiple companies across different industries, a basic CV template can offer the versatility needed to appeal to various recruiters without needing constant revision.

Lastly, a simple CV format benefits hiring managers, as it allows them to quickly access the information they need. With a clear CV layout, your qualifications, experience, and professional skills become easily identifiable, which can be particularly advantageous when recruiters are reviewing a large volume of applications. In roles where the competition is high, this can make a significant difference in getting noticed.

How to make a simple CV template stand out?

Making a basic CV template stand out doesn’t require flashy designs or complex layouts—it’s more about presenting yourself in a way that aligns with the role and grabs the recruiter’s attention. Here are five practical tips to help you: 

1. Highlight industry-specific keywords

Research the job description and include keywords and phrases specific to the industry. Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter CVs, so integrating these keywords increases the chances of your CV making it to a hiring manager’s desk.

2. Focus on relevant experience

Don’t just list all your past jobs—prioritise the experiences most relevant to the position you’re applying for. Reorganise sections of your CV to make these experiences stand out, even if it means creating a Relevant experience section separate from other roles.

3. Add a professional profile or summary

Start with a brief, tailored profile or summary at the top of your CV. Use this space to articulate who you are professionally and how your skills and professional achievements align with the role. This gives a clear and immediate value proposition to the recruiter.

4. Incorporate a personal touch

Use formatting, fonts, or colours sparingly to reflect your personal style, but keep it professional. For creative roles, consider adding a portfolio link or showcasing your design skills within the template, while for traditional roles, focus on clear and clean layouts.

5. Tailor soft skills with examples

Instead of just listing soft skills like teamwork skills or problem-solving abilities, provide examples. For instance, write: “led a team of five to successfully complete a £1M project ahead of schedule,” to give context and prove your capability.

Here’s an example of a basic CV template with a clear structure and well-organised content:

Example of a basic CV template

You’ve just seen a simple CV template that includes all the essential elements of a strong CV.

You don’t have to be a CV writing expert. In the LiveCareer CV builder you’ll find ready-made content for every industry and position, which you can then add with a single click.

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Thanks for reading about our simple and basic CV templates. If you’d like to know more, please ask in the comments section and I’ll be happy to answer.

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.