Sample content. Your own details replace it when you open the editor.

Classic CV template

Timeless serif headings, clean sans body.

Best for: UK, public sector, most roles
Layout: One column
ATS rating: 5/5 — Excellent
Photo: Optional photo slot
Fonts: Merriweather + Source Sans 3
Length: One to two pages
Downloads: Word (.docx), PDF, plain text

About the Classic template

Classic is an ATS-friendly, professional, corporate CV template with one column. Timeless serif headings, clean sans body. It was designed for UK, public sector, most roles.

Typography: Merriweather for headings and Source Sans 3 for body text, at 10.5 pt with 16 mm margins. It has a place for a profile photo, which you can switch off. Change the accent colour, fonts, spacing and section order in the editor without losing your content.

ATS rating 5/5 (excellent). Single reading order, standard headings and plain text in the right sequence. Text extraction reads the page in the order a person would. This is M2Toolkit's own rating from reading exported PDFs back as text; it is not a guarantee about any employer's system.

Who it suits

People applying for UK, public sector, most roles.
Applications in UK & Ireland, where this style is common.
Online application forms that parse your CV into fields.
Candidates with two to ten years of experience.

Things to know before you choose it

Photos are expected in some regions (the Gulf, much of Europe) and discouraged in others (the US, UK, Canada). Turn the photo off where it isn't customary.

Tips for filling it in

Lead with your most relevant role; the single column reads top to bottom, so order matters.
Two pages are fine with ten or more years of experience; trim older roles to one or two lines.
Start each bullet with what you did, add how, and finish with the result. Only include numbers you can back up.
Run the finished CV through the ATS Resume Checker against the job advert before you send it.

Classic template FAQ

Is the Classic template ATS-friendly?

It scores 5 out of 5 in our checks (excellent). Safe for any online application. The score comes from reading exported PDFs back as text, and it doesn't predict any specific employer's software.

What jobs suit the Classic template?

It was designed for UK, public sector, most roles. It works for other fields too; the layout, not the job title, decides whether it suits you.

Can I change the colours and fonts?

Yes. Colour, fonts, font size, margins, spacing and section order are all adjustable in the editor, and you can switch to a different template at any time without losing your text.

Can I download it as Word or PDF?

Yes. Download an editable Word (.docx) file, a PDF (through your browser's print dialog, with selectable text) or plain text. Word files use a clean single-column layout so they stay easy to edit, rather than copying this exact design.

Is it free?

Yes. There is no watermark and no sign-up needed to build and download.

Is my CV uploaded anywhere?

No. Everything runs in your browser and is saved on your device only.

Also useful: ATS Resume Checker, Cover Letter Generator, Interview Practice.