CV guide · Updated 15 October 2026
UK CV format: the layout UK employers expect
A UK CV is short, factual and reverse-chronological. Recruiters skim it in seconds, and many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) that read plain layouts best. Here's the format that works for most UK jobs.
The standard section order
- Name and contact details: phone, email, town or city, and LinkedIn if it's up to date. No full address needed.
- Personal profile: three or four lines saying who you are, what you offer and what you're looking for. See CV personal statement examples.
- Work experience: most recent first, with job title, employer, location and dates (month and year).
- Education and qualifications: most recent first. Put this above experience if you're a student or recent graduate.
- Skills: a short list of skills that match the job, ideally ones you also prove in your experience.
- Optional extras: volunteering, languages, professional memberships, driving licence.
Tip: Use the job advert's own headings and words where they're true for you. That helps both the shortlister and the ATS.
What to leave out of a UK CV
UK employers generally don't expect personal details that could lead to unfair treatment. The Equality Act 2010 protects characteristics such as age, race, religion and disability, so leave out anything that reveals them unless it's relevant to the job.
- Photo
- Date of birth or age
- Marital status, children or nationality
- Full home address (town is enough)
- Salary history
- "References available on request" (optional — it's assumed)
If the job requires a right to work in the UK, you can add a short line such as "Full right to work in the UK". Employers must check this anyway; see GOV.UK guidance.
Length, layout and fonts
- Two A4 pages for most people. One page is fine for school leavers and graduates. See how long a CV should be.
- A simple, single-column layout. Avoid text boxes, tables for layout, icons for contact details and graphics — some ATS can't read them.
- A clean font such as Arial, Calibri or similar at 10–12pt, with clear headings.
- Bullet points for achievements, each starting with an action verb (managed, built, trained).
File type and file name
Send the file type the advert asks for. If it doesn't say, a Word document (.docx) is the safest for ATS and a PDF keeps the layout fixed. Name the file clearly, such as Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf.
A copy-ready UK CV structure
| Section | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| Header | Name, phone, email, town, LinkedIn |
| Profile | 3–4 lines aimed at this job |
| Experience | Job title – Employer, Town | Mar 2023 – Present, then 3–6 bullets |
| Education | Qualification – Institution | Year |
| Skills | 6–10 relevant skills |
| Extras | Languages, licence, volunteering, memberships |
You can build this in minutes with the free CV builder, which uses UK format by default, then run it through the free CV checker.
FAQs
Should I put a photo on my CV in the UK?
No. UK employers don't expect a photo, and leaving it out reduces the risk of bias. The exception is acting or modelling, where a headshot is standard.
Is a CV the same as a resume in the UK?
In the UK, 'CV' is the normal word for the document you send with a job application. A US-style résumé is similar but usually shorter. See our CV vs resume guide.
Do I need a cover letter as well?
If the advert asks for one, yes. Even when it doesn't, a short tailored cover letter can help for jobs you really want.
Sources
- National Careers Service: How to write a CV
- GOV.UK: Check a job applicant's right to work
- GOV.UK: Discrimination — your rights
Links checked 15 October 2026.