In the UK the document is called a CV, it is printed on A4, and it usually leaves out personal details such as your age and nationality. This page explains what a UK CV contains and how to make one with ResumeBuilder.ae. Editing is free; downloading the PDF costs US$1.
What UK employers expect
- Contact details: name, phone number, email address and, if you have one, a link to a professional profile such as LinkedIn.
- A short personal statement (also called a profile) under your name: two to four lines on who you are and what you are looking for.
- Work history, most recent first, with employer, job title, dates and what you did.
- Education and qualifications, for example “BSc (Hons) Economics, 2:1” or your A levels and GCSEs if you are early in your career.
- Skills, and optionally a line about references.
The UK government’s National Careers Service lists these sections and advises: “You should not include your age, your date of birth, whether you’re married or your nationality.” (National Careers Service: CV sections.) Photos are also not normally included in UK CVs.
Length and layout
Two pages of A4 is common for experienced candidates; one page is fine if you are a student or recent graduate. Use UK spelling (“organised”, “programme”), write dates as “Mar 2024” rather than numbers, and keep a single-column layout so applicant tracking systems can read it.
Right to work
Employers must check that you are allowed to work in the UK, but they do this with documents, not with your CV. British and Irish citizens can use a passport (current or expired); most other people prove their status online with a share code. (GOV.UK: Prove your right to work.)
If you already have the right to work, a short line can reassure recruiters, especially if your experience is from abroad, for example “Right to work in the UK: yes”. Do not state a status you do not have. If you will need visa sponsorship, follow the employer’s instructions.
References
You do not need to put referees’ names and contact details on your CV. The National Careers Service suggests writing that references are available on request, and only naming people who have agreed to act as referees.
How to make a UK CV with this builder
- Choose A4. Select A4 in the Design tab before you download.
- Pick a simple template. ATS Classic or ATS Professional are single-column and easy to read.
- Leave the optional personal details empty. Nationality, date of birth and similar fields are optional and empty by default; for UK applications you can leave them out.
- Write a two-to-four-line personal statement and achievement-focused bullets for each job.
- Run the ATS check and compare with the job advert, then download the PDF.
A personal statement (fictional example)
“Customer service team leader with five years’ experience in retail banking, used to coaching new staff and handling complex complaints. Looking for a supervisory role in a contact centre where clear communication and calm problem-solving matter.”
Common questions
Is a CV the same as a resume in the UK?
For most jobs, yes: a UK CV is a one- or two-page summary like a US resume. Academic CVs are longer. See CV vs resume.
Should I include my address?
Your town or city is enough. A full postal address is not needed on a CV.
Should I include my GCSE results?
If you are a school leaver or graduate, a short line such as “9 GCSEs including English and Maths” is useful. With several years of work experience you can shorten or remove it.
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