🇬🇧How to Write a CV for the United Kingdom

Quick facts: CVs in the United Kingdom

These are common practices; they vary by employer and industry. If a job ad asks for something specific, follow the ad.

What to include

What to leave off

• A photo — Not expected in the UK; many employers prefer CVs without one.
• Date of birth or age — Not required, and employers try to avoid age bias.
• Marital status — Unrelated to the job in the UK.
• American spelling — "Organized" instead of "organised" suggests the CV was not written for the UK market.
• More than two pages — Rarely read in full, except for academic or medical CVs.

ATS and CVs in the United Kingdom

Many large UK employers and most recruitment agencies use applicant tracking systems to sort applications. Agencies also search their CV databases by keyword, so a CV that software cannot read properly may never come up in a search at all. That makes a clean structure and clear wording worth the effort.

• Use a single-column template such as Executive, Modern or Minimal.
• Write job titles the way UK employers phrase them.
• Reflect the job ad's key terms in your personal statement and skills, honestly.
• Avoid tables, sidebars and icons for important information.
• Name the file clearly, for example Ahmed-Hassan-CV.pdf.

Test your CV with the CV checker and compare it against the advert with the job-description matcher.

Agencies often prefer a Word version too, so keep both formats ready.

Check my CV for ATS →

CV example

Examples by job

Applying for jobs in the United Kingdom

UK job hunting relies on sites such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Reed and Totaljobs, and recruitment agencies play a big role, particularly in accounting, IT and temporary work. Public-sector and NHS roles have their own job sites and application forms.

• References: employers often ask for two, usually including your most recent manager, and commonly contact them after a conditional offer.
• Notice period: it depends on your contract, ranging from a week to several weeks or more for senior roles.
• Right to work: employers must check that you have the legal right to work. If you need a visa, the rules change, so check the official UK government website and the employer.
• Qualifications: some regulated professions require overseas qualifications to be recognised, so check with the relevant professional body.

Browse the accountant CV example and the rest of our CV examples to get started quickly.

Many public-sector roles use competency-based applications, so prepare examples in the STAR format.

CV language

UK CVs are written in British English: organised, colour, programme. It is a small detail, but recruiters notice, especially in admin, marketing and communications roles. Another language is only needed if the job asks for it, for example Arabic at firms working with the Middle East; list it under Languages with an honest level.

Our builder produces English CVs and translates details typed in Arabic automatically. Afterwards, check the spelling yourself and switch any American forms to British ones before downloading.

CV or resume?

In the UK the standard term is CV (curriculum vitae); "resume" is rarely used. A UK CV is usually two pages and opens with a personal statement, which makes it a little longer than a typical one-page US resume. If you are applying in both countries, keep two versions: a two-page British-spelling CV on A4, and a shorter American resume on Letter paper. See the US guide for comparison.

Cover letters in the United Kingdom

A cover letter is expected for many UK roles, especially when you apply directly to an employer. Some organisations, including many public-sector employers, ask for a supporting statement instead, which answers the person specification point by point. Keep a cover letter to one page, polite and professional, and say why you want this particular organisation. The cover letter generator gives you a draft to start from.

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