A framework class, vita, for Curricula Vitae is provided by Andrej Brodnik.
The class can be customised both for subject (example class option files are offered for both computer scientists and singers), and for language (both the options provided are available for both English and Slovene). Extensions may be written by creating new class option files, or by using macros defined in the class to define new entry types, etc.
Didier Verna's class, curve, is based on a model in which the CV is made of a set of rubrics (each one dealing with a major item that you want to discuss, such as 'education', 'work experience', etc. The class's documentation is supported by a couple of example files, and an emacs mode is provided.
The alternative to using a separate class is to impose a package on one of the standard classes. An example, Axel Reichert's currvita package, has been recommended to the FAQ team. Its output certainly looks good.
There is also a LaTeX 2.09 package resume, which comes with little but advice against trying to use it.