What are the most professional CV templates available on Google Docs?
Serif and Swiss are the most professional-looking of the five free CV templates in Google Docs, with a traditional, corporate style.
Coral and Spearmint look a little more modern but use a single column, which makes them the safer choice for applicant tracking systems.
Modern Writer suits writing and creative roles.
| Template | Look | Layout | Works well for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serif | Serif fonts with blue section titles | Sections side by side | Law, academia, and public-sector roles |
| Swiss | Clean sans-serif text with orange accents | Sections side by side | Corporate and finance roles |
| Coral | Coral headings on a plain page | Single column | Most roles, including creative ones |
| Spearmint | Green accent bar and headings | Single column | Tech, start-up, and digital roles |
| Modern Writer | Typewriter-style font with pink highlights | Header bar above the main content | Writing, design, and media roles |
A professional UK CV needs a clean look and a layout that software can read in the right order.
Side-by-side sections look tidy, but some applicant tracking systems read across columns and jumble your work history.
For a corporate feel with less risk, use Coral or Spearmint and change the accent colour to navy or dark grey.
Google Docs lets you recolour headings in a few clicks, so a single-column template can look as formal as Serif.
How do you make a CV on Google Docs?
To make a CV on Google Docs, open docs.google.com, choose a CV template from the Template gallery, set the paper size to A4, and replace the placeholder text with your own details.
When your CV is finished, download it as a PDF so the formatting stays intact for employers.
1. Sign in to Google Docs
Go to docs.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
If you do not have one, you can create a free account in a few minutes.
Your CV will save to the Google Drive linked to that account.
2. Choose a CV template
Click Template gallery at the top right of the Google Docs home page, then scroll down to the CV templates.
Click the one you want, and Google Docs opens an editable copy in your Drive.
You can also get there from Google Drive by clicking New, hovering over Google Docs, and selecting From a template.
3. Set the paper size to A4
Open File > Page setup and check that the paper size is A4 and the orientation is portrait.
UK employers view and print CVs on A4, so setting this first stops your layout moving later.
4. Rename the file
Click the file name at the top left and change it to your name followed by “CV”.
A clear name makes the document easy to find in your Drive and easy for recruiters to recognise.
5. Add your details
Replace the placeholder text section by section, starting with your contact details and personal profile.
Keep your contact details in the main body of the page rather than the header.
Google Docs saves every change automatically, and File > Version history takes you back to an earlier draft if an edit goes wrong.
6. Remove what you do not need
Delete any sections you have no content for, such as awards, rather than leaving them empty.
Keep the remaining headings simple, such as Work experience and Education, so recruiters can scan your CV quickly.
7. Download your CV as a PDF
Go to File > Download > PDF document (.pdf) when your CV is ready to send.
Open the downloaded file and check the spacing and page breaks before you attach it to an application.
How do I choose the best CV template on Google Docs?
Choose a Google Docs CV template that keeps your experience easy to read for both people and software.
Look for a single-column layout, standard section headings, and contact details in the main body of the page.
Then check that the design leaves room for up to two pages of A4, the usual length for a UK CV.
| What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| One column for your main content | Some applicant tracking systems read across columns and mix up your work history |
| Standard headings, such as Work experience and Education | Recruiters and software find each section straight away |
| Contact details in the main text | Some systems skip headers and footers entirely |
| A4 paper size | UK employers view and print CVs on A4 |
| Body text at 10 to 12 points | Your CV stays readable without wasting space |
The template only shapes how your content looks.
Career coach Amanda Augustine, describes the goal as “an easy-to-read, typo-free document that presents a compelling career narrative, quantifies your accomplishments, offers proof of your skills, and is tailored to a specific role.”
A good Google Docs template makes that content quicker to scan.
Can you use Resume.io CV templates with Google Docs?
Yes, you can move a CV built with Resume.io into Google Docs in two ways.
On the free plan, export your CV as a TXT file and paste the text into a Google Docs template.
With a premium subscription, download any template labelled DOCX on this page as a Word file, which Google Docs can open and edit.
| Route | What you get | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Export to TXT, then paste into Google Docs | Your wording, ready to drop into any Google Docs template | Free |
| Download as DOCX, then open in Google Docs | The Resume.io layout, editable in Google Docs | Premium |
| Download as PDF | A finished CV, ready to send | Premium, or free with the Vancouver template |
Resume.io CV templates are designed in the builder rather than as Google Docs files, so neither route gives you a shared Doc to copy.
A Word file can shift slightly when Google Docs converts it, so check the spacing and page breaks before you send it.
Writing your content in the CV builder first gives you sample phrases, writing tips, and spell check before you move to Google Docs.
| Resume.io template | Layout | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| London | Classic single column, spacious and symmetrical | Experienced candidates and administrative roles |
| Prague | Highlighted skills section, built for applicant tracking systems | Technical and skills-led roles |
| Vienna | Bold banner with two balanced columns | Creative fields |
Should you send your CV as a PDF, Word file, or Google Doc?
Send your CV as a PDF unless the job advert asks for a Word file.
A PDF looks the same on every screen, and most applicant tracking systems can read one easily.
Avoid sending a Google Docs link, because the recruiter may need permission to open it and will see any edits you make after sending.
| Format | When to use it | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Most applications | Check that the text is selectable, not an image | |
| Word (.docx) | When an advert or recruitment agency asks for one | The layout can shift on the recruiter’s computer |
| Google Docs link | Only when an employer asks for one | Set sharing to view only, and stop editing once it is sent |
Name the file clearly, such as Firstname-Surname-CV.pdf, so recruiters can find it among other applications.
Consistent CV formatting matters more than the file type: one font, even spacing, and dates aligned the same way throughout.
Key tips
- Google Docs has five free CV templates, and Coral and Spearmint are the safest single-column options.
- Set the paper size to A4 under File > Page setup before you start writing.
- Keep your contact details in the main body of the page rather than the header.
- Resume.io CVs move into Google Docs through a TXT export on the free plan or a DOCX download on premium.
- Send a PDF unless the employer asks for another format.
FAQs
Here are quick answers to other common questions about Google Docs CVs.
Is there a CV template on Google Docs?
Yes, Google Docs includes five free CV templates: Swiss, Serif, Coral, Spearmint, and Modern Writer. You can find them in the Template gallery on the Google Docs home page.
Can you make a CV on Google Docs on your phone?
Yes, the Google Docs app lets you edit a CV and change its page setup on a phone. A computer is easier for detailed formatting, so the app works best for quick updates.
Is Google Docs free to use for a CV?
Yes, Google Docs is free with a Google account, including its CV templates and PDF downloads. Your CV saves to Google Drive, which comes with free storage.
