UK CV Format: How to Write a CV for UK Jobs, with a Template

UK CV vs résumé and other countries’ CVs

In the UK, CV usually means a focused document describing your education, experience, skills and suitability for a particular role. It is similar to a résumé used in the United States, although the terms can mean different things elsewhere. A UK CV should normally not include a photograph, date of birth, marital status or nationality. Employers generally need evidence that you can do the work, rather than these personal details.

• Do not add a photograph unless the advert specifically requests one.
• Leave out your date of birth and marital status.
• You do not need to list your nationality.
• Use a professional email address and a UK telephone number if you have one.

UK CV length and layout

Keep your UK CV to no more than two pages, and many recent graduates can present their evidence clearly on one page. Use clear headings, consistent spacing and a plain, readable font such as Arial, Calibri or Aptos. Keep the design simple, with enough white space to make it easy to scan. Save the document as a PDF or Word file according to the format requested in the job advert.

• Put your name and contact details at the top.
• Use a clear font in a readable size and keep formatting consistent.
• Use short paragraphs and bullet points for evidence.
• Name the file clearly, such as Firstname-Surname-CV.pdf.
• Check that links, dates and page breaks work before sending it.

UK CV sections in order

A familiar structure helps a recruiter find important information quickly. Start with your contact details and a short personal statement, then give your education and relevant experience. Follow this with skills and useful extras, such as languages, certifications, volunteering or professional memberships. You can adjust the order slightly when a role places particular emphasis on a qualification or technical skill, but avoid making the reader search for basic information.

• Contact details
• Personal statement
• Education
• Experience
• Skills
• Extras

How to write experience as achievements

Describe what you achieved, not only what you were responsible for. Begin each bullet with a clear action verb, explain what you did, and add evidence such as the scale, outcome, quality or time involved where you can. University projects, part time work, placements, volunteering and society roles can all demonstrate useful experience. Be accurate and do not claim sole responsibility for a result achieved by a team.

• Weak: Responsible for social media.
• Stronger: Planned and scheduled weekly posts for a student society, increasing event enquiries through targeted content.
• Weak: Worked in a busy shop.
• Stronger: Served customers accurately during busy periods and trained two new colleagues on till procedures.

UK CV template for graduates

How applicant tracking systems read a CV

Many employers use applicant tracking systems to organise applications and search for relevant information before a recruiter reviews every CV. Make your document easy for software and people to read by using standard headings such as Education, Experience and Skills. Put important content in ordinary text rather than tables, columns or text boxes, which can be read incorrectly. Use keywords from the advert honestly and show them in relevant evidence.

• Match the advert’s wording where it truthfully describes your experience.
• Use standard section headings rather than creative alternatives.
• Do not put key qualifications, job titles or contact details in images, tables or text boxes.
• Avoid decorative graphics, unusual symbols and complicated layouts.
• Check the extracted text after saving the file in the requested format.

What international students should add or leave out

Explain unfamiliar qualifications briefly by giving the UK equivalent or level where you know it, without overstating the comparison. For example, you could write an international qualification followed by a short description such as equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, if that comparison is accurate. Include relevant language skills and international experience, but do not add a long explanation of your immigration history unless the advert asks for it.

• Write your degree title, university, country and dates clearly.
• Add a brief UK comparison for grades or qualifications when it helps the reader.
• State your right to work simply if it is relevant, for example: Right to work in the UK under current permission.
• If your permission has conditions, explain only what is relevant and accurate.
• For current immigration rules, check GOV.UK rather than relying on general CV advice.

Common UK CV mistakes

The strongest CV can be weakened by small errors or by including information that distracts from your evidence. Read the advert carefully, tailor the document to the role and ask someone to check the final version. Check spelling in both your CV and application form, particularly for company names, qualifications and technical terms. Keep a copy of each tailored version so you can prepare consistently for an interview.

• Using the same untailored CV for every application.
• Including a photograph, date of birth, marital status or nationality without a clear reason.
• Writing duties without showing achievements or evidence.
• Making unsupported claims such as excellent communication skills.
• Using long paragraphs instead of concise bullet points.
• Adding inaccurate UK grade comparisons.
• Including references or the phrase references available on request when the advert does not ask for them.
• Submitting a file with spelling errors, broken links or inconsistent dates.
• Using tables, text boxes or graphics for information an applicant tracking system must read.

Frequently asked questions

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