Copy-and-paste CV templates (text format)

Need help writing your CV using a specific layout? Paste one of these templates into your word processor to format your skills and experiences exactly as employers want.

Chronological CV template

The chronological CV is the standard format for job applications in the UK, US, and Europe. Emphasising work experience, this CV is ideal for all applicants with at least one relevant previous job.

This template places your work experience section right after the personal statement, starting with the most recent job and working backwards. This allows employers to see your career progression over time.

[YOUR FULL NAME]

[ADDRESS] [EMAIL] [PHONE] [LINKEDIN]

 

PERSONAL STATEMENT

[Briefly introduce yourself, your professional background, and key skills. Focus on your years of experience and the value you bring.]

 

Example:

‘Enthusiastic and driven retail-industry professional with [X]+ years of experience providing exceptional customer service and consistently exceeding sales targets. Adept at building strong client relationships, resolving issues swiftly, and fostering team collaboration.’

WORK EXPERIENCE

[List your previous jobs, starting with your most recent position. You should include the job title, employer name, and the dates you worked there. Then detail your relevant responsibilities and accomplishments in 3–6 bullet points.]

 

Example:

Customer Service Associate
BURTON’S, Glasgow, May 20XX–May 20XX

  • Played a key role as part of an 11-member team in maintaining an organised, clean, and customer-friendly store
  • Met and exceeded all assigned sales goals, increasing sales growth by 7.4%
  • Achieved Customer Service Associate of the Year Award 2 years in a row

EDUCATION

[Start with your highest level of education (e.g., your university degree). Include the qualification title, university or learning centre, and the year you completed the course. You can also give your thesis topic, relevant courses, or student societies if you need to make up for a lack of work experience.]

 

Example:

University of Kent
BA (Hons) Business Management — upper second-class honours (2:1)
20XX–20XX
Dissertation Topic: Implementation of Effective Sales Strategies

SKILLS

[Summarise your technical and transferable skills in a short, bulleted list.]

 

Example:

  • Point-of-sale (POS) systems
  • Inventory management
  • Fluent in French
  • Customer service skills

CERTIFICATIONS (OPTIONAL)

[Include each certifiation name, the organisation who awarded it, and when you were certified.]

 

Example:

First Aid at Work, Red Cross (20XX)

Skills-based CV template

A skills-based CV helps you showcase your transferable skills and other strengths when you lack relevant work experience.

List your skills after your personal statement, followed by concrete examples of how you’ve used your skills at work or at school. This makes it easier for the employer to see how these skills relate to the desired role.

[YOUR FULL NAME]

[ADDRESS] [EMAIL] | [PHONE] [LINKEDIN]

 

PERSONAL STATEMENT

[Write a brief introduction that outlines your relevant degree, key skills, and work or volunteer experience. Highlight any unique attributes that will help you in the role you’re applying for.]

 

Example:

‘Recent French Studies graduate with international experience and a passion for digital marketing. Through study abroad and part-time roles in retail and hospitality, I developed a solid foundation in customer engagement, social media marketing, and content creation. Looking to bring my unique skill set to an entry-level Digital Marketing Specialist position in the UK.’

KEY SKILLS

[List 2–3 highly relevant skills followed by bullet points giving specific examples of how you’ve applied each, using quantifiable metrics where possible.]

 

Example:

Content Creation

  • Managed personal travel blog during my study abroad year in France, increasing follower count by 40% through targeted content and engagement strategies
  • Created Instagram and Facebook campaigns for a local café during my part-time role, increasing their weekly footfall by 15%
  • Developed digital content for a university society’s social media pages, including designing digital flyers and promotional videos for Instagram

EDUCATION

[List your education in reverse, starting with your highest degree or certificate. Include the qualification title, university or learning centre, and the year you completed the course.]

 

Example:

University of Leeds, Leeds
BA (Hons) French Studies — upper second-class honours (2:1)
September 20XX – June 20XX

WORK EXPERIENCE

[Write a simplified overview of your work experience. Include the job title, company name, location, and dates you worked there.]

 

Example:

Sales Assistant, Waterstones, Leeds
June 20XX – May 20XX

No-experience CV template

Need help writing a CV with no experience? Use this template to highlight the strengths you’ve developed in school, uni, and your personal life.

[YOUR FULL NAME]

[ADDRESS] [EMAIL] | [PHONE] [LINKEDIN]

 

PERSONAL STATEMENT

[Write a short summary that highlights your education, any relevant volunteer work, and key skills. Focus on what you can bring to the role despite having no formal work experience.]

 

Example:

‘A dedicated and hardworking first-year Pharmacology student with a T Level in Healthcare Science (Distinction). Possesses strong care and communication skills developed through volunteer work and academic training. Eager to apply my customer care expertise, attention to detail, and teamwork skills in a retail environment while enhancing my abilities at Boots.’

EDUCATION

[Write your education section next, starting with your highest level of education. While optional, you can also include your thesis topic, relevant coursework, student societies, or awards to highlight relevant skills and interests.]

 

Example:

University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth
BSc (Hons) Pharmacology
20XX – Present

Relevant Courses: Human Physiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Principles of Drug Action, Cell Biology, Scientific and Laboratory Skills

SKILLS

[List key skills that align with the job requirements. Even without formal work experience, focus on transferable skills gained through education, volunteering, or other experiences.]

 

Example:

  • Excellent verbal and written communication
  • Strong customer service focus and people skills
  • Conversational German

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

[Give a timeline of your previous part-time jobs, volunteer roles, projects, and extracurricular activities. Use bullet points to highlight your transferable skills and accomplishments.]

 

Example:

Course Rep, University of Portsmouth Student Union
20XX – Present

  • Act as the voice of students by representing their concerns and feedback to university faculty
  • Work in a team to resolve student issues and improve the student experience
  • Address student queries and find appropriate solutions, helping me to develop strong problem-solving skills