Free CV templates you can fill in and download today

What makes a CV template good?

Recruiters in Nairobi, Lagos, Accra and Johannesburg receive hundreds of applications for popular roles. Most spend well under a minute on a first read, so the template you choose has one job: help them find the right information quickly. A good template is not the most colourful one. It is the one with the clearest structure.

Look for these qualities before you choose a free CV template, whether you download it from us or from anywhere else:

• A clear hierarchy. Your name is the largest text, section headings stand out, and job titles are bold. A reader should understand the page in five seconds.
• Standard section headings. “Work Experience”, “Education” and “Skills” are what both people and ATS software look for. Creative headings such as “My Journey” confuse them.
• Dates in one consistent place. Either aligned to the right or in a left-hand column, never scattered.
• Real, selectable text. Templates made as one big image or with text inside graphics cannot be read by applicant tracking systems.
• Enough white space. Cramming two pages of content onto one page with tiny margins makes your CV harder, not easier, to read.
• No photo, ID number or personal details such as marital status, religion or tribe. Most employers do not need them, and some are not allowed to consider them.

How to use a free CV template (step by step)

1. 1

   Pick a design that fits your industry

   Conservative sectors such as banking, law, government and audit suit single-column templates like Classic, Harvard or Corporate. Creative, tech and sales roles can use a two-column design such as Modern or Nairobi. If you are unsure, choose a single-column template; it works everywhere.

2. 2

   Fill in your contact details

   Use a professional email address (firstname.lastname@…), one phone number with the country code, and your town and country. Add a LinkedIn link if your profile is up to date. Leave out your postal address, ID number and date of birth.

3. 3

   Write a short professional summary

   Three or four sentences that say who you are, how many years of experience you have, your strongest skills and the kind of role you want. Tailor it to each job advert; this is the first thing a recruiter reads.

4. 4

   List your experience, most recent first

   For each job give the title, employer, location and dates, then three to six lines that start with an action verb and show results. “Reduced stock losses by 15%” is stronger than “Responsible for stock”.

5. 5

   Add education, skills, certifications and referees

   Education goes after experience unless you are a student or recent graduate. List 8–14 skills that match the advert. Add professional certificates with the year, and two or three referees who have agreed to speak for you.

6. 6

   Download as PDF (or Word) and check it

   Open the file on your phone and on a computer. Check spelling, dates and phone numbers. Save it with a clear name such as Grace_Kamau_CV.pdf before you send it.

Which free CV template should you choose?

All our templates share the same sections, so you can switch between them in one click without retyping anything. That means you can try three or four designs and keep the one that looks best with your content. Here is a quick guide based on what recruiters in different sectors expect.

PDF or Word: which format should you download?

Send a PDF unless the employer asks for something else. A PDF looks exactly the same on every phone and computer, the fonts never change, and it cannot be edited by accident. Most online application systems accept PDF files and read them well.

Download a Word (.docx) file when an employer or recruitment agency specifically asks for Word, or when you want to make your own changes in Microsoft Word or Google Docs later. Our Word export keeps your headings, bullet points and order so the file stays ATS-friendly.

Common mistakes people make with free CV templates

• Leaving template text in place. Placeholder words such as “Lorem ipsum” or “Your Job Title” tell the recruiter you rushed. Read every line before sending.
• Using the same CV for every job. Change your summary and skills to match each advert. Our AI can tailor your CV to a job advert in about a minute.
• Adding a photo by default. Unless the advert asks for one, leave it out. It takes space and can invite bias.
• Going over two pages. Most people need one or two pages. Senior professionals and academics may need more, but every line should earn its place.
• Fancy fonts and icons. Decorative fonts, skill-level bars and star ratings look modern but say nothing measurable and can confuse ATS software.

Why our free CV templates cost less than other CV sites

Many CV websites charge by the hour or by the day, so you pay again every time you want to update your CV. With our builder, designing is free, you pay once only when you download, and every unlocked CV stays yours forever, with unlimited edits and re-downloads. Prices are shown in your local currency for Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa, and the design tools (moving sections, renaming headings, changing fonts and colours) are free for everyone.

Frequently asked questions