How to write a CV for jobs in the UK

The UK CV at a glance

• Call it a CV. Most UK employers use the word, though some job sites say “résumé”.
• Aim for two pages. One page is fine early in your career.
• Start with a short personal profile: three or four lines on who you are, what you offer and the kind of role you want. (A “personal statement” is different: it’s for university applications or answering a job’s criteria.)
• Then work experience in reverse-chronological order, followed by education. Early in your career, education can come first and can include A levels or GCSEs.
• Contact details: name, phone number, email, town or city, and a LinkedIn link if you have one.
• Use British spelling and a simple layout that applicant tracking systems (ATS) can read.

What to leave out

UK equality law means employers shouldn’t base decisions on personal characteristics, so most prefer not to see them. Leave these off:

• A photo.
• Your date of birth or age.
• Marital status, religion or other personal characteristics.
• Your National Insurance number.
• Your full home address. Your town or city is enough.
• “References available on request”. It takes space and employers will ask.

Right to work

Employers in the UK have to check that you’re allowed to work here. If you’re moving from abroad or already have the right to work, a short line such as “Full right to work in the UK” or your visa status can save time. Only state what’s true; employers will check the documents.

Tailor it to each job

• Work through the job description and person specification line by line.
• For Civil Service jobs, follow the format they ask for, such as behaviour examples or a personal statement, rather than relying on your CV.
• Use the job’s own wording for skills you genuinely have; many UK employers use ATS software.
• Put achievements with numbers first under each role.

Cover letter

Many UK applications ask for a cover letter or supporting statement. Keep a cover letter to one page; for a supporting statement, answer each criterion in the person specification in order, with an example.

Common mistakes

• A CV that runs to three or more pages.
• A generic personal profile that could describe anyone.
• Gaps with no explanation. A one-line note (study, caring, travel) is enough.
• American spelling or date formats.

Sample CV

A fictional example in the local format. Use it as a pattern, not a script.

Why it works

• A three-line personal profile aimed at the role.
• A short, true right-to-work line.
• Achievements with numbers first under each role.
• British spelling, under two pages, and no photo, date of birth or full address.

Example: turning a duty into a result

Retail assistant

The second version shows scale, accuracy and responsibility, which a retail job description will ask for.

By career stage

Graduate or first job

One page is fine. Put education first, with your degree classification and relevant modules, then part-time jobs, placements and societies, each with what you achieved.

Changing careers

Use the personal profile to name the role you’re moving into, then lead with transferable skills and any courses or qualifications for the new field.

Experienced

Two pages. Cover the last ten years in detail and summarise earlier roles in a line or two each.

CV keywords for ATS

Applicant tracking systems and recruiters search for the skills a posting names. Examples for common roles; use only the ones that are true for you, in the posting’s own words.

Customer service team leader

coaching, KPIs, customer satisfaction (CSAT), complaint handling, workforce management

Marketing assistant

social media, content creation, Google Analytics, email campaigns, CRM

Software developer

C#, .NET, JavaScript, SQL, Azure, Agile, unit testing

Questions