Free CV Template Professional Resume Template for 2026

Create a professional CV in minutes with this free, ATS-friendly template. Fully editable online, PDF-ready, and perfect for freshers, graduates, and experienced professionals applying worldwide.

  • ✓ 100% Free
  • ✓ ATS-Friendly
  • ✓ PDF Download
  • ✓ No Signup

Contact

Phone:

Email:

Location:

LinkedIn:

Skills

Languages

Interests

Profile Summary

Professional Experience

Education

References

About This Free CV Template

This free CV template is designed for job seekers who want a professional-looking CV without spending hours on design. The layout uses a clean two-column structure — contact details, skills, languages, and interests on the left; a detailed summary, work experience, education, and references on the right.

The template is fully ATS-friendly. All sections use standard headings (Contact, Skills, Experience, Education) that applicant tracking systems used by companies in Dubai, UAE, the UK, India, and worldwide can parse correctly. This gives your CV a much higher chance of reaching a real recruiter instead of being filtered out before anyone reads it.

You can edit everything directly in your browser — no Microsoft Word, no design software, no signup required. Change colours with the pickers in the left panel, fill in your information, and when you're ready, click Print / Save as PDF to download a ready-to-send CV.

Why This Free CV Template Works

100% Free Forever

No watermark, no signup, no premium lock. Edit and download as many times as you need.

ATS-Friendly Structure

Standard section headings and readable formatting help applicant tracking systems parse your CV.

Customisable Colours

Change the sidebar background and font colour with two clicks. Match your industry or personal brand.

PDF-Ready Output

Save as PDF with one click. Perfect for email attachments, LinkedIn, and job portal uploads.

References Section

Includes a dedicated references area — valuable when applying for roles where professional references matter.

Works for Any Industry

Suitable for freshers, graduates, career changers, and experienced professionals in every field.

How to Use This Free CV Template in 5 Steps

  1. Choose your colours — use the colour pickers in the left panel to set the sidebar background and text colour. Popular choices: dark grey for corporate, navy for finance, muted green for sustainability roles.
  2. Fill in contact details — phone, email, location, and LinkedIn URL. Double-check the spelling and phone number.
  3. Write your profile summary — 3–4 sentences describing your background, strengths, and the role you're targeting.
  4. Add experience and education — click "+ New Experience" and "+ Education" to add sections. Add your references at the bottom.
  5. Save as PDF — click Print / Save as PDF, choose "Save as PDF" in the print dialog, and your CV is ready to send.

Free CV Template vs Modern CV Template — Which Should You Choose?

The right template depends on your industry, experience level, and the type of role you're applying for. Here's a quick comparison.

FeatureFree CV Template (this)Simple CV TemplateATS-Only Template
Design styleCustomisable sidebar + main columnMinimal, no sidebarPlain black & white
Best forAny industry, any experience levelFreshers, graduatesCorporate, online job portals
ATS compatibilityExcellentExcellentPerfect
References sectionYes (included)NoNo
Customisable coloursYes (background + font)Yes (background + font)No
Length1–2 pages1–2 pages1–2 pages

This free CV template is the most versatile option — it includes a references section, allows colour customisation, and works for every industry. If you're not sure where to start, this is a safe choice.

Who Should Use This Free CV Template?

This template is used by job seekers across every stage of their career. Here's who benefits most:

🎓 Freshers & Students

Perfect for your first CV. Clean sections for education, projects, skills, and internships — with space for references if you have them.

💼 Experienced Professionals

Easy to read for long career histories. The dedicated references section is valuable for mid-to-senior roles.

🌍 International Applicants

Suitable for jobs in Dubai, UAE, India, UK, Canada, and worldwide. Customisable colours let you adapt to any market.

🔄 Career Changers

Focus on transferable skills. Use the profile summary to explain your career transition.

⚙️ Tech & Engineering

ATS-friendly structure means your CV reaches engineers and hiring managers at tech companies without filtering issues.

📚 Academic & Research

The references section is especially useful for academic positions where professional references are expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this free CV template really free?

Yes. This template is completely free to use, edit, and download as PDF. No signup, no watermark, no hidden fees, no premium lock. You can create as many CVs as you need.

Is this template ATS-friendly?

Yes. It uses standard section headings (Contact, Skills, Experience, Education, References) and a clean structure that allows applicant tracking systems to parse your CV correctly. This is essential for online job applications.

Can I change the colours of this template?

Yes. Use the 'Change Background Color' and 'Change Font color' pickers in the left panel to customise the sidebar. Popular choices include dark grey for corporate roles, navy for finance, and muted green for sustainability-focused companies.

Who is this free CV template best for?

It works well for freshers, graduates, career changers, and experienced professionals in any industry. The references section makes it especially suitable for mid-to-senior roles where professional references matter.

Can I use this free CV template for Dubai and UAE jobs?

Yes. The layout suits Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Gulf job applications. You can adjust the colours to match local market preferences, and add references from previous employers.

How do I download my CV as a PDF?

After filling in your details, click the 'Print / Save as PDF' button. In the print dialog, choose 'Save as PDF' as the destination. Your CV will be saved to your computer as a PDF file, ready to send.

Does this template include a references section?

Yes. The template includes a dedicated References section where you can add names, contact details, and relationships of previous employers or colleagues. This is valuable for roles that require professional references upfront.

Can I edit this template on mobile?

Yes. The editor works on mobile browsers. For the best editing experience we recommend using a desktop or laptop computer, especially if you have a long CV.

Should I include a photo on my CV?

It depends on the country. In the UAE, Middle East, and parts of Europe, a photo is standard. In the US, UK, and Canada, photos are usually not included. This template focuses on text sections, but you can add a photo by editing the source or using our other templates that include a photo upload.

How many pages should a CV be?

For freshers, 1 page is ideal. For professionals with 5–10 years of experience, 2 pages are standard. Senior managers and executives may use 2–3 pages if all content is relevant to the target role.

Can I add more sections to this CV template?

Yes. You can add more experience and education entries using the '+ New Experience' and '+ Education' buttons. The template scales to 2 pages or more if needed.

Ready to Build Your CV?

Scroll up, fill in your details, and click Print / Save as PDF — your professional CV will be ready in minutes.

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