Essential CV template (ATS-friendly)

Large employers run applications through an applicant tracking system (ATS) before a person reads them. Essential is built for that first reader: one column, standard section headings, dates aligned on the right and no icons. Your text is read in the right order and nothing gets lost.

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6 colours to choose from

  • Free preview, PDF at €2.99 at most, no subscription.
  • Your data stays in your browser

No account needed. What you type stays in your browser. Free preview, PDF at €2.99 at most, no subscription.

The Essential (ATS) template in another colour
Essential (ATS) CV template filled in with a sample
no photo
Sample filled in with the Essential (ATS) template. All details are fictitious.

At a glance

  • PhotoNo
  • LayoutSingle column
  • Colours6 colours to choose from
  • Paper sizeA4 or US Letter, depending on the country
  • CV languageAny of 12 languages

What makes it different

  • No sidebar and no tables, so the software reads your jobs in the order you wrote them.
  • Section headings stay standard (Experience, Education, Skills), the ones screening software recognises.
  • One colour, kept for headings, so the CV still looks crisp printed in black and white.

Who it suits

Online applications through job boards and company career portals, especially in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Where it works best

You can use it anywhere, but it’s a particularly good fit for CVs aimed at:

How it works

  1. Open the template and choose the country you’re applying in. Paper size and sections adjust automatically.
  2. Fill in the fields. The preview updates as you type.
  3. Try another colour or template if you like, then download your CV as a PDF.
Change the template and color in the CVflash editor
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