Welcome to CVStart! Our platform makes it easy to create professional CVs – quickly and intuitively. You can use 5 CV templates completely free of charge and download them as PDF files. Premium (a one-time 5.99 €) is only required for additional designs and features. This guide walks you through the entire process step by step, from sign-up to your finished PDF download.
Create your CVWith CVStart you can create your CV in minutes: open the editor, choose one of 55 templates, enter your details and check the result in the live preview. 5 CV templates, including PDF download, are completely free. Additional designs are optionally available with Premium (a one-time 5.99 €).
Create and preview without signing up
55 templates following DIN 5008, 5 of them completely free
Live preview shows every change instantly
Free PDF download with 5 templates; Premium is optional
You can get started right away, no account required! Simply click "Start now" and begin building your CV straight away.
Save multiple CVs
Edit your CVs anytime
Access them from any device
Never lose your data
How to sign up:
1. Click "Sign Up" in the top right
2. Enter your name, email and password
3. Done! You are logged in and ready to go
After signing in (or without signing in), you reach the CV editor – the heart of our platform. Edit content and design on the left and see the result immediately in the live preview on the right. Open each section in turn and start with your personal details.
Enter your personal details, work experience, education, skills and other content here. Use “Add” to create multiple entries, the bin icon to remove them and the arrow handles to reorder them by drag and drop.
Every entry appears immediately in the finished layout. Check page breaks, spacing and text length here. On smaller screens, use “Preview” to switch between the form and document view.
Pick the right template for your application from 44 professional designs. All 55 CV templates are completely free; additional designs are optionally available with Premium. Each design is optimized for different industries and positions.
IT, consulting, start-ups
Banking, law, public institutions
Design, marketing, media
Tip: Open “Choose template” in the editor to compare designs directly. You can also adjust the primary colour and font. Your entries remain intact when you switch templates and automatically appear in the new design.
Fill in the individual sections step by step. All sections are optional – you decide what goes into your CV. Entries can be added, deleted and reordered by drag and drop. You can also use the handles to change the order of the main sections.
Required fields:
First and last name
Email address
Phone number
Optional:
Upload a photo
Address
Date of birth
Nationality
Add your work history with the most recent position first. You can create or delete as many positions as you need and drag them into the preferred order.
For each position:
Company name and position
Time period (from - to or "Present")
Location
Tasks & responsibilities (one per line)
School, university, vocational training – list all relevant qualifications.
Add languages, IT skills, soft skills and certificates. Use ratings only where they provide useful information and check the result directly in the preview.
Rating your skills:
Basic
Good
Very good
Fluent
Native
A professional photo can enhance your application. Our platform offers a built-in photo editor that lets you crop your image perfectly.
How the photo upload works:
1. Click "Upload photo"
2. Select your image (max. 5MB)
3. Use the cropper to trim it
4. Click "Apply"
Once you are happy with your CV, you can save it and download it as a high-quality PDF.
Click "PDF" at the top of the editor
Download your PDF free with any of the 44 free CV templates; Premium (a one-time 5.99 €) unlocks additional designs
The finished PDF is downloaded automatically – ready to send
Your CVs are saved automatically. You can edit and download them anytime.
You can create and preview your CV without an account. An account is required to save and download the PDF; 5 CV templates remain free.
Create different versions for different applications. Tailor your CV to each specific role.
Keep your CV up to date at all times. Add new qualifications and experience promptly.
Experiment with different templates. Your data is preserved and transferred automatically.
Download your PDF and have friends or family proofread it.
Follow this guide and create a convincing, professional CV in just a few minutes!
Create your CV