Are there free Microsoft Word CV templates available online?
Yes. Microsoft Word includes free CV templates.
Open Word, select File > New, and search for “CV” or “resume”. Microsoft’s online template library offers more designs, and several UK careers sites share free .docx files.
Resume.io CV templates also download as Word files with a premium subscription.
Each route trades cost against how much formatting work is left for you.
The table sets them side by side so you can match one to your time and budget.
| Route | Cost | Suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Word’s built-in templates | Free with Word | Quick CVs when you are comfortable editing the design yourself | Many follow US resume conventions, so check the headings and paper size |
| Free .docx downloads from careers sites | Usually free, though some ask for an email address | A particular look you cannot find in Word | Quality and UK formatting vary, and some downloads lead into a paid builder |
| Resume.io template downloaded as Word | Free to build and export as text, premium subscription for .docx | Applicants who want writing prompts and a design set up for UK applications | .docx is available on selected templates |
If you want to pay nothing and are happy to adjust the design yourself, Word’s own templates are a sensible place to start.
If you would rather have prompts for each section and switch between designs without retyping, a CV builder handles more of the formatting for you.
What are the best Microsoft Word templates for creating a professional CV?
The most professional Microsoft Word CV templates use one clear column, standard section headings, and a readable font.
Recruiters can scan these designs quickly.
Applicant tracking systems (ATS), the software many employers use to sort applications, also read them without scrambling the text.
Choose a two-column template only when you need extra room for skills.
Amanda Augustine, career expert at Resume.io, sums up what matters most in a template: “Keeping the design simple, with an easy-to-read font and a two-page limit, will ensure your CV looks professional and easy to digest.”
The right Word template depends on what your CV needs to show first.
These Resume.io designs all download as .docx files.
| Your situation | Template | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Applying through online job portals | Simple ATS | Clean one-column design that screening software reads easily |
| Skills-led roles such as IT, trades, or care | Precision ATS | Highlighted skills section near the top |
| Results you can measure | Header ATS | Dedicated achievements section |
| Plenty of experience to fit on two pages | Two column ATS | Two-tone design that separates skills from work history |
| Corporate, finance, or legal roles | Corporate | Timeline structure with a sidebar |
| A long work history | Professional | Generous space for work experience |
| Modern or design-aware fields | Essential | Minimalist header with a versatile structure |
A common mistake is picking the most eye-catching design in the gallery.
Graphics, icons, and text boxes look polished on screen but can break apart when an ATS converts a Word CV to text.
Keep decoration in the header and let your experience fill the rest of the page.
How can I customise a Microsoft Word CV template?
To customise a Microsoft Word CV template, open it, turn on formatting marks, and change fonts through Word’s Styles rather than line by line.
Then replace each placeholder section with your own details, fix spacing with paragraph settings, and save the finished file as a .docx so you can keep editing it.
- Open the template: If Word opens it in Protected View, select Enable Editing at the top of the window.
- Show formatting marks: Select the ¶ symbol on the Home tab to reveal hidden tables, spaces, and page breaks.
- Set your fonts and colours with Styles: Go to Home > Styles, right-click a style, and select Modify, so every heading changes at once.
- Replace the placeholder text: Work through the template section by section, starting with your personal statement and then your work experience, education, and skills.
- Adjust spacing: Use Line and Paragraph Spacing on the Home tab instead of pressing Enter to create gaps.
- Save your work: Keep the file in .docx format so you can tailor it for each application.
Most formatting problems in Word templates come from hidden tables and text boxes.
When a line jumps to the next page or a column shifts after you delete text, the formatting marks show which cell or section break caused it.
You can then fix the cause directly, rather than adding and deleting spaces until the page looks right.
Changing fonts through Styles has a second benefit.
If you want a different look for another sector, you can restyle the whole Word document in a minute instead of editing every heading by hand.
How do I make a Word CV template ready for UK applications?
To make a Word CV template ready for UK applications, set the paper size to A4 and switch the spellchecker to English (United Kingdom).
Then remove details UK employers do not expect, such as a photo or date of birth.
Many free Word templates follow US resume conventions, so these settings matter as much as the design you choose.
| Setting | Where to find it in Word | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Paper size | Layout > Size > A4 | UK employers print and view CVs on A4, while US templates are often set to Letter size |
| Spellcheck language | Review > Language > Set Proofing Language > English (United Kingdom) | Word set to US English flags British spellings such as “organised” |
| Personal details | Contact section | Leave out your age, date of birth, marital status, and nationality, and delete any photo frame |
| Font | Home > Font | Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri at size 11 or larger keeps the CV easy to read |
| Section headings | Throughout | Rename “Objective” or “Summary” to “Personal statement”, the term UK employers expect |
The guidance on personal details and fonts comes from the National Careers Service, the government’s free careers advice service for England.
A first CV for a weekend or summer job shows why this matters.
A school leaver who opens Word’s default resume template can end up with an “Objective” heading, Letter-sized pages, and spellcheck correcting their British spelling.
None of that is what a UK café manager or shop supervisor expects.
A few minutes on these settings turns that Word template into a CV that reads as British from the first line.
What are the pros and cons of making a CV in Word?
Word’s biggest advantage for a CV is that almost every employer and job board can open a .docx file, and you can edit it offline at any time.
The drawbacks are formatting that can shift between Word versions, built-in designs that look dated, and a default template that many other applicants are also using.
| Pros of a Word CV | Cons of a Word CV |
|---|---|
| Opens on almost any computer and most job boards | Formatting can shift when opened in a different Word version or another program |
| Templates are easy to adapt to your sector and experience level | Some built-in templates look dated next to current designs |
| Works offline for quick edits before an application | Anyone who receives the file can change it |
| Built-in spelling and grammar checks | Popular default templates make many CVs look alike |
The duplication problem is easy to underestimate.
A recruiter screening a pile of applications for one role may see the same default Word design several times.
Small changes to colour, heading style, or spacing make your CV look like your own work rather than a download.
Should I send my CV as a PDF or Word document?
Send your CV as a PDF unless the job advert asks for a Word document.
A PDF fixes your formatting on any device, and saving it from Word keeps the text selectable for applicant tracking systems.
Keep an editable .docx master as well, so you can supply a Word copy when an employer or recruitment agency requests one.
| Situation | Format to send |
|---|---|
| The advert gives no instruction | |
| The advert or application portal asks for .doc or .docx | Word |
| A recruitment agency wants to add its branding or edit the CV | Word |
| You are emailing a hiring manager directly |
To create the PDF, select File > Save As in Word and choose PDF as the file type.
Saving it this way, rather than scanning a printout, keeps every word readable by software.
A PDF also removes the red and blue lines Word places under names, places, and technical terms it does not recognise.
Name both files the same way, such as Firstname-Surname-CV, so the version an employer opens is clearly yours.
Key tips
- Pick a Word template by what your CV must show first, whether that is skills, results, or a long work history.
- A one-column design with standard headings is the safest choice for applications through online portals.
- Before writing, set the paper size to A4 and the spellchecker to English (United Kingdom).
- Changing fonts and colours through Styles keeps every section of the CV consistent.
- Keep a Word master copy and send a PDF unless the advert asks for Word.
FAQs
These are the questions people most often ask about using Word for a CV.
Is there a CV template on Microsoft Word?
Yes. Microsoft Word has free CV and resume templates built in, which you can find by selecting File > New and typing “CV” into the search bar. Check the paper size and spelling settings before you start, because many of these templates follow US conventions.
Are Resume.io Word CV templates free?
No, not as Word files. A free Resume.io account lets you build a CV and export it as a plain text file at no cost. Downloading a designed template as a Word (.docx) file needs a premium subscription, and .docx is available on selected templates.
Can I use a Word CV template for my first job?
Yes. A simple one-column Word template suits a first CV, and the National Careers Service suggests listing education before work history when you have little experience. Part-time work, volunteering, and responsibilities at school all count as experience.
