How to write a CV for UK jobs
UK CVs follow different conventions from a US resume — length, structure, even the name of the document itself. Here's what UK employers and their ATS software actually expect to see.
What UK employers expect
Two pages, not one
UK CVs run longer than US resumes — two pages is standard for most candidates. Cramming everything onto one page reads as under-experienced, not concise.
A personal statement up top
A short 3-4 sentence profile summarizing your background and what you're looking for, right below your contact details — a UK convention with no direct US equivalent.
British spelling and terminology
"Organise" not "organize", "CV" not "resume", "programme" not "program" where relevant. Small, but it signals attention to detail — or the lack of it.
No photo, no personal details
No photo, age, or marital status. UK equality guidance discourages hiring decisions influenced by appearance or protected characteristics.
ATS-parseable formatting
Standard section headers, no tables or graphics-dependent layouts — most UK employers, especially larger ones, run CVs through applicant-tracking software before a human sees them.
Get it UK-ready without starting from scratch
Paste your CV into our free checker for an instant score and the specific issues holding it back — or let the AI rewrite it, ATS-optimized and targeted at your role, for ₹199, ready in about 15 seconds. Want a person to write it from scratch instead? Our done-for-you plans start at ₹799.
Frequently asked questions
Is it called a CV or a resume in the UK?
CV — the UK (and most of Europe) uses "CV" for the standard job-application document, unlike the US where "resume" is standard and "CV" means something longer and academic. Using the wrong term on the document itself is a small but noticeable tell.
How long should a UK CV be?
Two pages is the norm for most candidates — longer than the US one-page convention, but still tight and relevant. Early-career candidates can go shorter; senior candidates rarely need more than two.
Do UK CVs need a personal statement?
Yes, typically a short 3-4 sentence profile at the top summarizing who you are professionally and what you're looking for — a UK-specific convention that doesn't usually appear on US resumes.
Should I include a photo on a UK CV?
No — increasingly discouraged. UK equality law discourages hiring decisions influenced by appearance, so most guidance recommends leaving photos off entirely.
Other resume format guides
Professionally written resumes, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles — crafted for the role you want.
© 2026 PixelDock Apps. All rights reserved. Payments secured by Razorpay.
PixelDock Apps is operated by Harsh Makhija (Sole Proprietor), Delhi, India. Support: contact@pixeldockapps.com