Free to export
No subscription gate or watermark when you print or save your CV as a PDF.
Private by design
Your working CV stays in your browser rather than being uploaded to a FreeShelf account.
Switch without rewriting
Add your content once, then compare the same CV across different visual structures.
See the difference before you commit
These are examples from the FreeShelf design library. The same career information can be previewed across all 250 designs, so you can compare readability and tone before exporting.
Template 02Open this style in the free Studio
Template 06Open this style in the free Studio
Template 10Open this style in the free Studio
Template 15Open this style in the free StudioWhy simple CVs often perform well
Recruiters commonly skim before they read. A simple structure makes dates, job titles, employers and achievements easier to locate. It also reduces the chance that decorative elements compete with the content you actually want remembered.
A strong default for ATS-heavy applications
When you do not know what recruitment software sits between you and a human reader, a conventional single-column layout is a sensible default. Avoid text boxes for essential information, keep your contact details as real text and use predictable section labels.
Who should use a simple template?
Almost anyone can. Simple layouts work particularly well for administration, finance, healthcare, engineering, logistics, education, public-sector and early-career applications where credibility and readability matter more than visual novelty.
Build it once. Test the presentation.
Open the FreeShelf Studio, add your details and compare multiple templates with the same content. Use the ATS tools when automated screening is likely, then print or save the version that fits the vacancy.
Open the free CV StudioQuestions about simple cv templates
Is a simple CV boring?
Not if the content is strong. Good spacing, typography and hierarchy can look polished without adding visual clutter.
How many pages should a simple CV be?
For many UK applicants, one or two pages is appropriate. Relevance matters more than forcing a fixed length.
Can I export for free?
Yes. FreeShelf lets you print or save the finished CV as a PDF without creating an account.