UK CV Writing Guide: How to Write a CV UK

Use British English spelling and the term “CV” (not “résumé”).

Length: Maximum of 2 pages for optimal readability.

Font: Select a clear, professional typeface such as Arial or Calibri.

Header: Include your full name, city location and email address. Omit photos, date of birth and personal details.

Personal Profile: 2–5 lines summing up your career objectives and key skills.
- Example: “Project manager with 5 years’ experience delivering on-time solutions.”

Entry-Level CV

• Emphasise education, internships, projects and transferable skills.

• Mention part-time work or volunteering to show responsibility and soft skills.

Mid-Career CV

• Highlight promotions, major projects and quantifiable results (e.g. reduced costs by 15%).

Senior-Level CV

• Focus on leadership, strategic planning and team management (e.g. led a team of 20).

Chronological Order: List experience and education in reverse date order (most recent first). Remove very old or irrelevant roles for a concise CV.

Action Verbs: Start bullet points with strong verbs like “Developed”, “Implemented” or “Led”.

Quantify Achievements: Use numbers, percentages or currency to demonstrate impact.

Keyword Optimisation: Incorporate terms from the job description for ATS compatibility and CV keyword optimisation.

Bullet Point Style: Keep points concise and impactful, recruiters and employers often skim for less than 30 seconds.

Personal Details: Exclude photos, date of birth, marital status and unrelated hobbies.

Exaggeration: Only list verifiable achievements.

Generic CVs: Tailor every CV to each role to avoid a “dumped CV” look.

Formatting Pitfalls: Avoid tables, graphics, logos or text boxes that confuse ATS software.

Preferred Formats: Save your CV as a PDF for locked formatting and as a .docx for ATS uploads.

Simple Layout: Use plain text, standard bullets and avoid embedded images or charts.

File Naming: Clear labels like Jane_Doe_CV.pdf help recruiters locate your application.