Global resume guide · 2026

UK CV Format (2026)

Short answer: A UK CV is typically two pages, reverse-chronological, with no photo, date of birth or marital status (Equality Act). Lead with a 3–4 line personal profile, then core skills, career history with quantified bullets, and education. Use 'CV' not 'resume' in UK job applications. Single-column layout for Workday, Taleo and Oleeo parsers.

UK recruiters expect more depth than a US one-pager but the same anti-discrimination rules: no photos, no age signals. Two pages is the norm — not a sign of padding.

Build UK CV free Score my resume free

India and the World Your resume is never stored No credit card

UK CV length and structure

**Length:** two pages for most professionals; one page for graduates and career changers with limited history. **Order:** Contact details → Personal profile (3–4 lines) → Key skills → Career history → Education → Optional: certifications, volunteering. **Spelling:** British English (organise, colour, programme). Match the employer's dialect if they are US-headquartered.

Protected characteristics — never include

Under the Equality Act 2010, employers must not discriminate on age, gender, race, religion, disability or marital status. Do not include: photo, date of birth, nationality (unless work-authorisation relevant), gender, marital status, number of children. Recruiters will discard CVs that include photos — it signals you do not know UK norms.

Personal profile vs US summary

The UK personal profile sits at the top and reads like a short bio: who you are, years of experience, domain strength, and target role. Example: "Chartered accountant with 6 years in Big Four audit and FP&A. Led three statutory audits for FTSE 250 clients. Seeking senior finance roles in London fintech."

References and GDPR

Do not write "references available on request" — it wastes space. Do not list referee contact details on the CV; provide them when asked. Keep the document GDPR-clean: no unnecessary personal data.

Do vs don't

Do: Two pages with quantified career history

Don't: US-style one-page cram for senior roles

Do: British English spelling

Don't: Photo, DOB or marital status

Do: Personal profile + key skills section

Don't: Generic career objective paragraph

Do: Month/year dates (Jan 2022 – Mar 2024)

Don't: Vague "Present" without context

UK CV Format — FAQ

CV or resume in the UK?+

Use 'CV' in the UK job market. 'Resume' is understood but reads American. Academic and medical roles may use an extended CV listing publications — corporate hiring wants a two-page CV.

Should a UK CV include a photo?+

No — unlike some European countries. UK employers and ATS systems expect no photo. Including one can get your application rejected at HR screening.

How long should a UK CV be?+

Two pages is standard for mid-career professionals. Graduates: one page. Senior executives: two pages still — add a board/advisory section rather than a third page.

Do I need a National Insurance number on my CV?+

No. Never put NI number, passport number or bank details on a CV. Work-authorisation status belongs in a cover letter only when directly relevant.

AI CV builder UK →US resume format →Resume length guide →ATS resume checker →