Hiring customs differ by country, and employers within a country differ too. Use this as general guidance and follow the advert if it says otherwise.
| Region | Common document name | Paper | Typical length | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Resume | US Letter | One page early career, up to two with long experience | Usually not included |
| Canada | Resume | US Letter | One to two pages | Usually not included |
| United Kingdom | CV | A4 | Often two pages | Usually not included |
| Europe (many countries) | CV, sometimes Europass | A4 | One to two pages; varies | Varies by country |
| Australia | Resume or CV | A4 | Often two to three pages | Usually not included |
| India | Resume or CV | A4 | One to two pages | Varies by employer |
Based on commonly seen practice. Not legal or employment advice, and not a guarantee of what any employer expects.
Personal details
In the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, employers are generally cautious about receiving details such as age, marital status or photos, and many applicants leave them out. In some other countries these are more common. When unsure, include contact details and relevant experience, and add other details only if the advert asks.
Dates, spelling and phone numbers
- Use the spelling of the country you apply to (for example “organisation” in the UK and Australia, “organization” in the US).
- Write phone numbers with the country code, such as +44, +1 or +91, so they work for international recruiters.
- Keep one date format throughout.
Set paper size in the builder
- Open the builder and the Design tab.
- Choose A4 or US Letter. The preview updates immediately.
- Check page breaks in the preview before you download.
Common questions
Is a resume longer than one page acceptable?
Yes, when the content earns the space. Recent, relevant experience matters more than a strict page count.
What is Europass?
Europass is a European framework for CVs and skills documents. Some employers accept or request it, but a clear standard CV is usually fine unless the advert says otherwise.