
Shown with sample content. Every colour can be changed.
Creative template
Rook CV Template — Free Download
Rook is monochrome and high contrast: a black header, black heading bars and square skill tags. It prints well in black and white and suits bold applicants in creative, tech and sales roles.
- Free PDF download
- No watermark
- Free account to download
- Style
- Creative
- Layout
- One column
- Photo
- No (can be added)
- ATS-friendly
- Yes
- Best for
- Early and mid-career
- Paper
- A4 and US Letter
Who the Rook template suits
Rook is a good fit for early and mid-career. At a glance: black and white styling, a full-width black header and black section heading bars.
- Creative
- Tech
- Sales
Built without a photo, which suits the US, Canada, the UK and Ireland, where photos are usually left off. If an employer expects one, you can add a photo in the builder.
Is Rook ATS-friendly?
Yes. Rook keeps your content in one text column with standard section headings and no tables, so applicant tracking systems read it in order. Skill ratings are drawn shapes, but the skill names next to them are plain text.
Whichever template you pick, download your PDF and run it through our free ATS checker to see the text a tracking system extracts.
How to use the Rook template
- 1. Open it in the builder. Click "Use this free template". If you already have a CV in the builder, it switches to Rook and keeps your content.
- 2. Fill in each section. The live preview shows page breaks exactly as they will appear in the PDF.
- 3. Adjust the design. Change the accent colour, font size and spacing, or rename and reorder sections.
- 4. Download the PDF. Free, with no watermark, and you just need a free account to download.
Similar templates
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Orbit
Very large name, contact list on the right and a quarter-circle corner motif.

Canvas
Portfolio-style CV with a monogram of your initials and an accent column of links.

Jasper
Editorial CV with large numbered sections beside bold headings.

Mosaic
A strip of triangle mosaic tiles down the left edge of every page beside a single column.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rook template free?
Yes. You can edit the Rook template and download it as a PDF for free, as many times as you like. There is no watermark, and you just need a free account to download.
Is Rook ATS-friendly?
Yes. Rook keeps your content in one text column with standard section headings and no tables, so applicant tracking systems read it in order. Skill ratings are drawn shapes, but the skill names next to them are plain text.
Can I add a photo to Rook?
Yes. Rook is designed without a photo, but you can upload one in the builder and choose its shape. Only add it where photos are expected, such as many employers in mainland Europe and the Middle East.
Who is the Rook template best for?
Early and mid-career, especially in creative, tech, sales. It works for other fields too: the content matters more than the design.
Can I change the colours and fonts in Rook?
You can change the accent colour, font size, line spacing, date format and page size (A4 or US Letter), and rename, hide or reorder sections. Your content stays the same if you switch to another template later.
Examples and tools
- Teacher resume example Licences up front and classroom results.
- Resume summary examples Summaries by field and experience level.
- Skills for your CV Hard and soft skills by field, ready to add.
- Free ATS checker Check how a tracking system reads your finished PDF.
- All free CV templates Filter by photo, layout and style.