Modern CV template

What's included

• A matching cover letter in the same design
• A4, laid out for UK applications
• Real, selectable text that online application systems can read
• Switch template any time without losing a word
• AI writing help for your profile, achievements and letter (up to 60 AI actions)
• PDF and Word downloads of your CV and letter
• Edit and download again any time, no subscription

What to put on a modern CV

A modern CV should feel current without getting in the way of what you have done. This modern CV template has a photo corner, a big name in capitals and two columns, with your dates on colour tags so each role is easy to place. It suits people starting out or changing career, and works well for tech, retail, events, marketing and other fast-moving workplaces.

The photo is optional, and you can choose yellow, coral or lime tags. Fill it in and preview every page for free, with no account needed. Pay £4.99 once to download it as PDF and Word, with a matching cover letter included. It is A4, laid out for UK applications, and the text is real and selectable, so it pastes cleanly into online forms. There is no subscription.

Use colour sparingly

The colour tags already give the page its energy, so keep the rest of your formatting plain. Avoid adding extra colours, bold text on every line or icons, which can make a modern layout look busy.

Split the columns sensibly

Put your experience and education in the main column, where readers spend most of their time. Use the narrower column for skills, languages, tools and links. If one column runs much longer than the other, move a section across.

Keep the dates accurate

Because each date sits on its own tag, readers notice them. Give months and years, list your newest role first and explain any long gap in a short line, such as travel, study or caring for family.

Tailor every application

A modern look gets attention, but the words win interviews. Change your profile and top bullets for each job, using the skills the advert mentions where they are true for you.

Know when to go plainer

This style suits most private sector roles. For a traditional law firm, bank or government job, a quieter layout may fit better, and you can switch to any other template without losing a word. Keep it to two sides of A4 either way.

Questions

What is a modern CV?

A modern CV uses a clean, current layout, often with two columns, a bold name and a little colour, while keeping the content short and easy to scan. It still follows the usual UK order of contact details, profile, experience, skills and education, and leaves out your age and date of birth.

Is a two-column CV a good idea?

For most jobs it works well. It keeps your skills and links to one side and gives your experience more room in the main column. If an employer asks for a plainer format, you can switch to a simpler template at any time without retyping anything.

Should I put a photo on a modern CV?

Only if it suits the role or the country you are applying to. Most UK employers do not expect a photo, though it is more common in customer-facing roles and for jobs in mainland Europe. The photo on this template is optional, so you can leave it out.

Will a modern CV suit a career change?

Yes, it can. The two columns let you put transferable skills near the top, beside a profile that explains your move in a couple of lines. Then list your past roles with the parts that connect to the new job, such as managing projects, training people or working with customers.

More templates like this

• Poster CV template - A poster-sized name, a portrait on a colour block and a soft side panel.
• Tide CV template - A header in two colour blocks: your name on one, your contact details on the other.
• Midnight CV template - A colour banner with your portrait set into its edge and a centred name.
• Zürich CV template - A big grotesque name, numbered sections and one bold accent. No photo.

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