🇬🇧 Updated: 2026-10-20
How to write a UK CV
A UK CV is a two-page summary of what you have achieved. It leaves out personal details that could lead to discrimination and puts a short profile and your results first.
At a glance
| Length | 2 pages of A4 |
|---|---|
| Photo | No photo |
| Personal details | Name, phone, e-mail, town; no date of birth, marital status or nationality |
| Language | British English |
The rules that matter
Start with a personal profile
Three or four lines under your name: who you are, your strongest experience and what kind of role you want.
No photo, no age
Because of equality law, UK employers do not expect a photo, date of birth, marital status or religion. Leaving them out is normal.
Achievements, not duties
Use bullet points that start with a verb and show results: “Reduced waiting times by 20%”, not “Responsible for patients”.
State your right to work
If you need a visa or already have one, say it in one line (e.g. “Right to work in the UK: Skilled Worker visa” or “Eligible: EU Settled Status”).
British spelling and terms
Write “CV”, “organised”, “programme”. Convert foreign qualifications to a short description of their level, e.g. “Bachelor's degree (UK equivalent: BSc)”.
References
“References available on request” is enough. Do not list referees' details unless asked.
Always send a cover letter
A short, tailored cover letter is expected for most UK jobs, even when it is marked as optional.
Section order
- Name and contact details
- Personal profile
- Key skills
- Work experience
- Education and qualifications
- Languages and certifications
- References (on request)
Common mistakes
- Adding a photo or date of birth
- More than two pages
- A list of duties with no results
- American spelling or the word “resume”
- Not mentioning your right to work
Tell it in your language, get a UK CV
Describe your experience in your own language, by typing or speaking. CV Fennec writes the CV in the format this country expects and shows you every line in your language. Free preview.
Create my CV →Questions
Is a CV the same as a resume in the UK?
In the UK the document is called a CV. It is usually two pages, longer than a one-page US resume.
Should I include my nationality?
Not as personal data. Instead, state your right to work in the UK, which is what employers actually need to know.
How far back should my experience go?
Usually the last 10–15 years in detail. Older jobs can be summarised in one line.
Other country guides
This guide in other languages
This guide describes common practice, not legal requirements. Always follow the instructions in the job ad if they differ.