Writing a CV for the UK: conventions that matter

Every country reads a CV a little differently. If you are applying in the United Kingdom, a document that ignores local convention can cost you an interview before your experience is ever read. This guide collects the conventions that matter most, checked against the National Careers Service and Prospects, the careers service used by UK universities. Where conventions vary by employer, we say so.

What UK employers expect, in short

A UK CV is usually two pages at most, reverse-chronological, and built around evidence. It opens with a short personal profile, lists work experience with outcomes rather than duties, and keeps personal details minimal. It does not include a photograph, your date of birth, your marital status or your full home address. Recruiters expect to scan it in under a minute, so the first half page carries the most weight.

Length and structure

Two pages is the convention for most candidates. One page is better if you are early in your career or your experience is short. Three pages is acceptable only for senior academic or technical roles where publications or project lists are expected. Structure is predictable and that is a strength: profile, work experience, education, skills, then anything additional such as volunteering or certifications. UK employers read reverse-chronological CVs by default, so a purely skills-based format is usually reserved for career changers, and even then it works best when each skill is tied to a concrete example.

The personal profile

The profile sits at the top, under your name and contact details. Three or four lines are enough. It should name the kind of role you are targeting and the strongest evidence you bring: years of experience, a sector, one or two results with numbers. Avoid empty claims such as "dynamic team player". A UK recruiter reads the profile as a filter, not as a summary of your life, so keep it specific to the advert you are answering.

What to leave off

UK convention removes most personal data. Do not include a photograph, your age or date of birth, your marital status, or your nationality unless a right-to-work check makes it relevant. Give your town or city and the first part of your postcode rather than a full street address. An email address, a phone number and optionally a LinkedIn profile are enough contact detail. These habits exist partly because UK equality legislation makes employers wary of information that could introduce bias.

References

You do not need to list referees on a UK CV. "References available on request" is still common but optional; many recruiters now treat the line as assumed. What matters is that you have two referees ready, usually a current or recent manager, and that they know you may share their details. Employers normally ask for references after they decide to offer, not before.

Language and tone

Use British spelling (organisation, programme, licence as a noun) and plain, confident sentences. UK style favours understatement backed by evidence: "reduced order errors by 18% over six months" reads better than "world-class attention to detail". Write experience lines as action plus outcome, and keep tenses simple: past tense for previous roles, present tense for your current one.

CV or resume?

In the UK the document is almost always called a CV, whatever the role. "Resume" is understood but reads as American. Some graduate employers and job boards use the words interchangeably in their instructions, so follow the wording of the advert itself when you name your file or write your covering email.

Applying elsewhere? The conventions differ: see writing a resume for the US, writing a CV for Germany and writing a resume for Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Should I include a photo on a UK CV?

No. Photos are not expected and many employers prefer CVs without them, to reduce the risk of bias. The exception is modelling or acting work, which follows its own conventions.

How long should a UK CV be?

Two pages is the standard convention, one if your experience is short. Recruiters spend seconds on the first read, so a tight two pages beats a padded three.

Do I need to mention my right to work in the UK?

You are not required to, but if your right to work is straightforward (for example citizenship or settled status) one short line can save an employer a question. Do not include passport numbers or document details on the CV itself.