Create a UK CV That Follows British Hiring Conventions
Build a professional UK CV with proper formatting, British conventions, and recruiter-approved structure. Free ATS-friendly templates for the UK job market.
United Kingdom CV conventions
| Document type | CV (2 pages standard) |
| Photo | Not recommended — not standard practice |
| Date of birth | Not recommended (Equality Act 2010) |
| Date format | Month Year (Jan 2024 or January 2024) |
| Paper size | A4 (210 x 297 mm) |
| Language | British English (organise, customise, colour) |
| National Insurance number | Never include |
What you need to know
In the UK, the standard document is called a CV (Curriculum Vitae), regardless of length — the American distinction between resume and CV does not apply. Two A4 pages is the standard length. Photos are not expected and including one may signal unfamiliarity with UK norms. Since the Equality Act 2010, employers avoid requesting personal information that could lead to discrimination. The UK job market uses ATS extensively, so clean formatting matters.
Do
- Call it a CV, not a resume
- Target 2 A4 pages
- Use British English spellings
- Include a personal profile (summary) at the top
- List education with module grades if recent graduate
- Include relevant hobbies/interests if they add value
Don't
- Include a photo
- Include date of birth, age, or marital status
- Include National Insurance number
- Write 'Curriculum Vitae' as a heading (waste of space)
- Use American spellings
- Include references (just note 'Available on request' if needed)
Frequently asked questions
In the UK, 'CV' is used for all job applications regardless of length. In the US, 'resume' is for corporate roles (1-2 pages) and 'CV' is only for academic applications. A UK CV is typically 2 A4 pages.
Optional but can help, especially for graduates. Include hobbies that demonstrate relevant skills (team captain, marathon runner, coding projects). Avoid generic hobbies like 'socialising' or 'reading'.
A4. UK employers and printers use A4 paper (210 x 297 mm). US Letter is slightly shorter and wider — using it will look off when printed in the UK.