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Free CV maker for the UK, Europe, Africa and India

Make a CV that follows the conventions of the country you are applying to, then download it as an A4 PDF for free. CompleteCV has free templates with and without photos, optional personal details and translated headings. No watermark; download with a free account.

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CV rules change from country to country

A CV that works in London can look odd in Lagos or Munich. Length, photos, personal details and references all follow local habits. Here is what employers in each region usually expect. These are common practices, not fixed rules: if a job ad asks for something specific, follow the ad.

UK and Ireland

  • Two A4 pages is normal for experienced candidates; one page is fine for school leavers and graduates.
  • No photo, date of birth or marital status. UK equality law makes employers wary of them.
  • A short personal statement at the top, then experience and education.
  • You can leave references off or write "References available on request".

Europe

  • Conventions vary: a photo is still common in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and parts of Eastern Europe, and rare in the Netherlands and Nordic countries.
  • List languages with a level, often using the CEFR scale (A1 to C2).
  • Many employers accept a clear modern CV in place of the Europass format, but some public bodies and EU institutions ask for Europass.
  • Write section headings in the language of the job ad.

Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa

  • Two to three pages is usual, with a career objective or profile at the top.
  • Personal details such as nationality, state of origin or date of birth are still requested by some employers. Add them only when asked.
  • Include NYSC status (Nigeria) or professional registrations where relevant.
  • Two or three referees with contact details are often expected.

India

  • A one- to two-page CV for private-sector roles; freshers usually stay on one page.
  • List academic results (percentage or CGPA) for recent graduates.
  • Many employers still expect a short signed declaration at the end ("I hereby declare...").
  • Personal details such as date of birth and languages known are common but optional.

How to make your CV for free

  1. 1

    Pick a free CV template

    Choose a two-column design with a photo for markets that expect one, or a plain single column for UK and Irish applications. Switch at any time.

  2. 2

    Add the sections your country expects

    Turn on optional details such as nationality, date of birth, driving licence or visa status only when you need them. Add a declaration, references or languages in a click.

  3. 3

    Download a free A4 PDF

    Download your CV as a PDF with no watermark, and you just need a free account to download. Section headings can be set to French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and other languages.

Free CV templates, with or without a photo

Pick a photo-ready layout where photos are expected, or a clean text-only design for the UK and Ireland. Your content moves with you when you switch.

All free CV templates
  • Bale CV template with a navy left sidebar with a round photo, contact details, languages and skill ratings, gold accents and a white career column

    Bale

    Sidebar with a circular photo. Popular across Europe and Africa.

  • Atlas CV template with a centred spaced-capital name, thin rules under each heading and a single text column

    Atlas

    Classic single column. A safe choice for UK and Irish employers.

  • Quill CV template with serif type, a centred name and centred small-capital section headings in a single column

    Quill

    Elegant serif design for academic, legal and public-sector roles.

  • Modern CV template with a solid colour left sidebar for contact details, skills and languages beside a light main column

    Modern

    Coloured sidebar for skills and languages.

  • Terra CV template with a warm tinted left sidebar with contact details, skill ratings and languages beside the career column

    Terra

    Warm two-column layout with room for a profile photo.

  • Campus CV template with a single column with an accent line at the top, square-bullet headings, education first and skill tags

    Campus

    Education first, ideal for graduates and freshers.

Writing a CV that gets read

Recruiters often decide in under a minute whether to keep reading. Whatever country you apply in, the same habits help.

Lead with a short profile

Three or four lines that say who you are, what you are good at and what you want next. Mention the job title you are applying for and one achievement you are proud of.

Show what changed because of you

Under each job, list what you achieved rather than every duty. Numbers help: customers served, money saved, projects delivered, people trained.

Match the language of the job ad

If the ad is in French, write the CV in French and switch the section headings to French in the Customize tab. If it is in English, use the employer's spelling: British English for the UK, Ireland, Africa and India; American English for US companies.

Check it before you send it

Use the free review in the builder's Review tab (with a free account) for a score and specific fixes, then read the PDF once more yourself. Spelling mistakes still cost interviews.

Free from start to finish

A lot of CV makers are only free until you click download. CompleteCV never asks for payment at the download: every template, the PDF download and a daily CV review are free, and your CV never carries a watermark.

No sign-up is needed to start. Open the CV maker and write your CV, then create a free account to download it.

Make your CV free

Frequently asked questions

Is the CV maker completely free?

Yes. All templates, the live preview, the PDF download and a daily CV review are free. There is no watermark, no trial and no payment at the download button: downloading just needs a free account. An optional Pro plan adds extras such as unlimited saved CVs and version history.

Do I have to create an account?

No sign-up is needed to build and preview your CV. It is saved in your own browser while you work, and you can export a backup file to move it to another device. To download the PDF, create a free account (no payment details): it also saves a CV and a letter online and gives you a free CV review every day.

How long should my CV be?

In the UK and Ireland, two A4 pages is standard for experienced candidates and one page for graduates. In much of Africa two to three pages is common. In India, aim for one to two pages. Whatever the country, cut anything that does not help the reader decide whether to interview you.

Should I put a photo on my CV?

It depends on the country. Leave it off for the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries. A professional photo is still common in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and parts of Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. Several CompleteCV templates support a photo, and you can hide it at any time.

Do I need a Europass CV to apply in Europe?

Usually not. Most private employers in Europe accept any clear, well-structured CV. Use the official Europass format only when an employer, university or EU institution asks for it specifically.

Should I include my date of birth or nationality?

Only if the employer asks or it is normal in that market. UK and Irish employers do not want them. Some employers in Africa, the Middle East and Asia still request them. CompleteCV keeps these as optional fields you can add or remove.

Can I write my CV headings in another language?

Yes. In the Customize tab you can set section headings to English (UK or US), French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Polish and other languages. You still write your own content in the language you choose.

Is a CV the same as a resume?

Outside North America, yes: "CV" is the everyday word for the document you send with a job application. In the US and Canada, a resume is the shorter version and a CV is an academic document. If you are applying in North America, see our free resume builder page.

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