When creating UK CV format, keep in mind that it is a simple and clear way to show your education, skills, and work experience. It is usually no more than two pages and uses British English. It should have a simple single column layout so ATS tools can read it easily. You should also not add a photo or personal details such as your age or marital status.
Unlike USA resume, which is often kept to one page, UK CV can give more space to show your career history. It usually lists your most recent education and work experience first, followed by older details, so recruiters can quickly see your latest experience.
In this article, you will learn about the best CV format in UK, the main sections to include, different CV types, formatting rules, examples and common mistakes to avoid. You will also learn how to create a CV as a student, fresher, graduate, experienced worker or international applicant.
It's easy to read and understand. You need to give your contact information, a personal overview of who you are, experience, studies and abilities. It is best to use one page for freshers and entry level positions, two pages for everyone else and three or more for senior, academic or specialized roles.
The following are the sections of the format for a CV for UK.
1. Contact Details
It is essential to start your CV with your personal information. It is better to make it short and simple to look at.
You can include:
Full name
Phone number
Professional email address
LinkedIn profile, if useful
City or general location
For example:
Rahul Sharma London, UK +44 XXXXX XXXXX rahul.sharma@email.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rahulsharma
Usually, it is not necessary to include your full home address.
Avoid putting the following information:
Age
Date of birth
Marital status
Nationality
Passport number
National Insurance number
Personal identification numbers
The goal of UK CV format is to show why you are right for the job and extra personal information is generally not needed.
2. Personal Profile
This part of your CV is a short paragraph at the beginning of your CV to tell the employer who you are, what you can do, and what kind of jobs in UK you want in approximately 3-5 lines.
A good personal profile can mention:
Your current role or level
Your main skills
Your experience
Your career goal
What you can offer the employer
For example:
Graduate of Business Management course, excelling in communication and customer service skills. Working experience with customers at part-time positions and at the university. Interested in a first job in a business environment to apply my skills and develop myself in the area.
Do not use the same profile for every job. Read the job advert and change your profile to match the role.
3. Work Experience
Exposure is an important part of UK CV format. Start with your recent job and then move backwards.
For every role, include:
Job title
Employer name
Location
Dates of employment
Main responsibilities
Key achievements
For example:
Marketing Assistant ABC Ltd, Manchester June 2024 - Present
Helped create social media posts and email campaigns.
Worked with the marketing team on weekly campaigns.
Increased social media engagement through new content ideas.
Prepared simple reports using Excel.
Don't just give the answer to the question you've been asked. Show what you got done, if possible.
4. Education
A strong education section can help students and recent graduates stand out when applying for universities, internships, or opportunities connected with study in UK for Indian students.
Include:
Degree or qualification
University, college or school
Location
Dates
Grades, where useful
Relevant modules or projects
For example:
MSc International Business University of Birmingham 2025-2026
BA Business Management University of Delhi 2022-2025
Important projects, research work or academic achievements can also be added by students and graduates.
You do not need to list every subject you studied. Add subjects or projects only when they are useful for the job.
5. Skills
This area should show what you can do.
You can include:
Technical skills
Software skills
Job-specific skills
Language skills
Transferable skills
For example:
Skills
Microsoft Excel
Data analysis
Customer service
Social media management
Project coordination
Written communication
6. Certifications and Training
Add certifications that are useful for the job.
You can include:
Certification name
Issuing organisation
Year of completion
For example:
Google Analytics Certification Google - 2026
Microsoft Excel Certification Microsoft - 2025
Don’t add every online course you have completed. Choose certifications that support your application.
7. Additional Information
You can add extra sections if they help your application.
These may include:
Languages
Projects
Volunteering
Awards
Professional memberships
Hobbies and interests
For example, if you are applying for a job where speaking another language is useful, add your language skills.
8. References
These are people who can tell an employer about your work, skills or character. If the employer asks for them then only provide the details separately.
Looking at samples can make UK CV format easier to understand. A simple CV should be clean, easy to read and focused on the job. They also help you understand the right layout, writing style and level of detail for different types of applicants.
A basic UK CV format template can look like this:
FULL NAME City, Postcode | Phone Number | Professional Email | LinkedIn Profile
Personal Profile
Write 3-4 lines about your current role, education, key skills, experience and career goal. Tailor this section to the job you are applying for.
Key Skills
Skill 1
Skill 2
Skill 3
Skill 4
Skill 5
Skill 6
Work Experience
Job Title - Company Name Location | Month Year - Present
Describe your main responsibility or achievement.
Start bullet points with action words.
Add numbers or percentages where possible.
Focus on experience relevant to the job.
Previous Job Title - Previous Company Location | Month Year - Month Year
Describe your main responsibility or achievement.
Mention relevant skills and results.
Keep older experience brief if it is not relevant.
Education
Degree / Qualification - University or College Location | Year - Year
Grade, if useful
Relevant project or module, if relevant
Previous Qualification - Institution Name Location | Year
Certifications and Training
Certification Name - Issuing Organisation | Year Course Name - Institution | Year
Additional Information
Languages
Volunteering
Awards
Professional memberships
Relevant projects or interests
References
Available on request, or provide references separately if the employer asks for them.
Below are examples for fresh graduates, experienced professionals, and career switchers.
Personal Profile Recent Business Management graduate with strong communication, teamwork and analytical skills. Completed academic projects and an internship in marketing. Looking for an entry-level marketing role to develop professional skills and contribute to a growing company.
Education BA (Hons) Business Management - University of Birmingham 2023-2026 | 2:1
Work Experience Marketing Intern - ABC Solutions, Birmingham June 2025 - August 2025
Supported social media campaigns and marketing activities
Helped prepare customer reports and presentations
Worked with the marketing team on weekly projects
Skills
Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
Digital marketing
Communication
Teamwork
Data analysis
Academic Projects
Created a marketing plan for a university business project
Analysed customer data and presented findings to a team
Professional Summary Marketing professional with 6 years of experience in digital marketing and campaign management. Skilled in developing marketing strategies, managing campaigns and analysing performance. Experienced in working with cross-functional teams and delivering measurable results.
Core Skills
Digital Marketing
SEO and Content Marketing
Campaign Management
Google Analytics
Team Leadership
Data Analysis
Work Experience Senior Marketing Executive - XYZ Ltd, Manchester 2022-Present
Managed digital campaigns across multiple channels
Increased website traffic through SEO and content strategies
Prepared monthly performance reports and presented results to management
Marketing Executive - ABC Ltd, Manchester 2020-2022
Planned social media and email campaigns
Created marketing content and tracked campaign performance
Supported customer research and competitor analysis
Education MSc Marketing - University of Manchester | 2020 BA Business Studies - University of Delhi | 2018
Personal Profile Customer service professional with 5 years of experience in client communication, problem-solving and team coordination. Now looking to move into digital marketing. Recently completed training in SEO and digital marketing and keen to use existing skills in a new career.
Transferable Skills
Communication: Managed customer queries and built strong client relationships.
Project Management: Coordinated daily tasks and supported team projects.
Research: Collected customer feedback and identified customer needs.
Digital Marketing: Completed training in SEO, social media and content marketing.
Problem-Solving: Resolved customer issues and improved service processes.
Work Experience
Customer Service Executive - ABC Ltd, London 2021-Present
Managed customer queries through phone, email and online platforms.
Worked with different teams to resolve customer issues.
Maintained customer records and prepared regular reports.
Helped improve customer satisfaction through better communication.
Education & Training
BA Business Studies - University of Leeds | 2020 Digital Marketing Certificate - Google | 2026 SEO Fundamentals Course | 2026
Types of UK CV Formats
There is no best CV format in UK employers use for all candidates. Everything depends on your experience, skills, and career plans. It also depends on the job offer you are going to apply for.
The right format helps to attract the attention of potential employers and present your skills and qualifications to show that you are a perfect fit for the position.
Below are the kinds of UK CV formats.
Chronological CV
It mainly focuses on your work history. Your most recent role comes first.
This is a good choice if:
You have regular work experience
Your previous jobs are related to the new role
You want to show career growth
It is one of the most common choices for a CV format for UK jobs.
Skills-Based CV
This type of CV focuses more on what you can do than when you worked.
It can be useful for:
Graduates
Career changers
People with employment gaps
People moving into a new industry
For example, a person moving from customer service to sales can focus on communication, customer handling and negotiation skills.
Combination CV
This is used for both skills and work experience. It can be useful when you have good skills as well as relevant experience but want both to stand out.
It should include:
Contact Details
Professional Summary
Core Expertise / Achievements
Work Experience
Education & Qualifications
Academic CV
It is different from a standard job CV. It is mainly used for academic, research or teaching roles.
It may include:
Education
Research
Publications
Conferences
Teaching experience
Academic awards
Research interests
The CV can also be longer than a normal professional CV when the role requires more detail.
UK CV Format for Different Applicants
Depending on the situation, you may need to use a different CV structure. A CV should be appropriate to the position for which you are applying and to your experience. Each applicant should focus on various aspects of their experience.
The following sections will give you an idea of what to keep in mind while writing a CV for freshers, experienced professionals, and career changeers.
UK CV Format For Freshers
A fresher may have little or no full-time work experience. That is okay.
Internships, part-time jobs, placements or volunteering
Key Skills
30-50 words
Technical and job-related skills
Extracurriculars
40-60 words
Societies, sports, volunteering and leadership
Total CV
400-600 words
Keep it within 1-2 pages
For example, a graduate applying for a marketing job can highlight a university marketing project, social media experience and an internship.
UK CV Format for Experienced Professional
An experienced professional should focus more on work history and achievements.
The current CV format in UK for professionals can show:
CV Section
Length
What to Include
Contact Details
3-4 lines
Name, job title, phone, email, LinkedIn, location
Personal Profile
60-90 words
Job title, years of experience, key expertise and career highlight
Core Competencies
30-50 words
6-8 key skills relevant to the target job
Work Experience
300-450 words
Companies, job titles, dates, responsibilities and measurable achievements
Professional Certifications
30-60 words
Relevant certifications, issuing body and year
Education
50-80 words
Degree, university and graduation year
Total CV
500-800 words
Keep it within 2 pages maximum
UK CV Format for Career Changers
If you are thinking about a career switch, a skills based or combination CV may work well. Focus on skills that can move from your old career to your new career.
Here is the table showing what you need to add in the CV.
CV Section
Length
What to Include
Contact Details
3-4 lines
Name, phone, email, LinkedIn and general location
Personal Profile
60-80 words
Future career goal, key strengths and transferable experience
Transferable Skills
150-200 words
2-3 key skill areas with examples from your previous career
Employment History
150-250 words
Previous roles in reverse chronological order with relevant achievements
Education & Training
50-100 words
Degrees, recent certifications, courses and career-related training
Total CV
500-700 words
Keep it within 2 pages maximum
Tip: Use a hybrid CV format to highlight transferable skills while maintaining a clear chronological career history.
UK CV Formatting Rules
Well formatted CVs are more readable and can be correctly scanned by ATS tools. The current CV Format in UK is relatively clean, simple, and professional. It should be well organized, have clear headings and simple font.
The following table includes some of the rules that one should follow while writing.
Rule
What to Follow
Page Length
No more than 1 page for freshers, 2 pages for most professionals, and 3+ pages for senior, academic or specialist roles.
Layout
Use a clean single-column layout. Avoid tables, text boxes, sidebars and heavy graphics.
Font
Use a simple font such as Arial, Calibri, Helvetica or Segoe UI.
Font Size
Use 10-11 pt for body text, 13-14 pt for headings and 16-18 pt for your name.
Margins
Leave a margin of 1-2.5 cm (1-2 inches) around all sides.
Line Spacing
Use 1.15-1.2 spacing to make the CV easy to read.
Language
Use British English, e.g. colour, organisation and modelling.
Writing Style
Avoid I, me and my. Start bullet points with action words such as Managed, Created, Led and Improved.
Work & Education Order
Put your most recent work and education first.
Photo
Do not include a photo unless the employer requests one.
Personal Details
Avoid age, date of birth, marital status, nationality, religion or entire home address.
References
Do not add references or “References available upon request” unless requested.
File Format
Use PDF unless the employer requests a Word document.
File Name
Name the file clearly and consistently, e.g. Firstname_Lastname_CV.pdf.
How to Write UK CV: Step by Step
When composing a CV for a job posted in UK, there are some steps to follow. Whether you're making an analysis of the job description to include the right keywords in your CV, proofreading and grammatical checks, every step is important to help you come across as a qualified, professional applicant.
Use the steps below to help you develop a simple and ATS-friendly CV.
Step 1: Analyse the Job Description
Before writing your CV read the job advert carefully. Pay interest and attention to the skills, experience and qualifications that are being sought.
Highlight important keywords.
Note the required skills and tools.
Use relevant keywords naturally in your CV.
Step 2: Set Up the CV Format
Choose a simple and clean format before adding your information. Use an A4 page with a single-column layout.
You should always:
Use A4 page size.
Keep margins around 2.5 cm.
Use a simple font such as Arial or Calibri.
Keep the font around 10-11 pt.
Avoid tables, text boxes and sidebars.
Step 3: Add Your Contact Details
Add your contact details at the top of your CV so employers can easily contact you.
Take the following into consideration:
Full name
Phone number
Professional email
LinkedIn profile
City and postcode
Step 4: Write Your Personal Profile
Write a short profile that gives employers a quick idea about your background, skills and career goal.
Make sure to:
Keep it to around 3-4 lines.
Mention your job title or degree.
Highlight your main skills.
Connect your experience to the job.
Step 5: Add Your Core Skills
List the skills that are most relevant to the job you are applying for.
When writing your CV, remember to:
Add around 6 key skills.
Include technical and job-related skills.
Use skills mentioned in the job description.
Keep the section short and easy to read.
Step 6: Add Your Work Experience
List your work experience starting with your most recent role. Focus on your main responsibilities and achievements.
Your CV should always:
Add your job title, company and dates.
Use reverse chronological order.
Start bullet points with action words.
Include numbers or percentages where possible.
Focus more on recent and relevant experience.
Step 7: Add Education and Certifications
Add your education and relevant professional certifications after your work experience.
It is important to:
List your highest qualification first.
Add the university or college name.
Include the degree or diploma and graduation year.
Add relevant certifications, issuing body and year.
Step 8: Review and Save Your CV
Check your CV carefully before sending it to an employer. Make sure it is clear, easy to read and free from spelling mistakes.
For a better CV, remember to:
Check your spelling and grammar.
Use British English.
Make sure the CV is ATS-friendly.
Check that important job keywords are included.
Save it as a PDF unless a Word file is requested.
Use a clear file name such as Firstname_Lastname_CV.pdf.
UK CV Format: Do's and Don'ts
It is often the first document an employer sees, so small mistakes can affect how your application is viewed. The format should follow specific rules for page length, personal details, spelling, layout, skills, work history and file format. So, before making UK CV , always check UK CV format template for better understanding.
The following do’s and don’ts explain what to include and what to avoid in UK CV:
Focus Area
The Do's (What to Include)
The Don'ts (What to Avoid)
Page Length
Maximum 2 pages. 1 page is perfectly fine for fresh graduates.
Do not exceed 2 pages. Avoid stretching content into 3+ pages.
Personal Info
City and postcode/region only, plus phone, email and LinkedIn.
No photo, age, date of birth, nationality, gender or full street address.
Spelling & Tone
Use British English spelling (optimise, colour). Write in the third person.
No US spelling (optimize, color). Do not use pronouns like “I”, “me” or “my”.
Layout Design
Use a single-column layout with clean, standard margins of 2.5 cm.
No text boxes, sidebars, tables, multi-column designs or graphic borders.
Bullet Points
Use metrics and quantified results, e.g., Grew sales by 14%.
Do not list generic or passive daily tasks, e.g., Responsible for sales.
Skills Section
Use plain-text keywords that match the job description.
No graphic progress bars, rating sliders or star charts for skills.
Timeline Order
Use reverse chronological order, with the most recent role/degree first.
Avoid disorganised timelines, missing dates or unexplained career gaps.
References
Remove references completely to save valuable space.
Do not include reference details or “References available upon request”.
File Export
Save and send as a clean-text PDF or Word file.
Do not use heavily styled graphic formats such as JPG, PNG or Canva links.
Final Thoughts
The best CV format in UK applicants can use depends on their experience and the job. A graduate may need a different structure from an experienced professional. Similarly, a person applying for a part-time role may need a shorter CV.
If you are using template, make sure you change it to match your own skills and experience. Before making CV format for UK jobs, always read the job description and show the skills the employer is looking for.
For students and recent graduates, UK CV format for freshers can focus on education, projects, internships and transferable skills. If you are applying for side work, use a simple CV format for part time jobs in UK and focus on skills that match the role.
What is the best CV format in UK employers prefer?
The best CV format in UK employers prefer depends on the role and your experience. A chronological format suits a clear work history, while a skills-based or combination format can work well for graduates, career changers and applicants with varied experience.
Should I put a photo on my UK CV?
You generally do not need to include a photo on a standard UK CV. The current CV format in UK focusses on your CV on information that shows your suitability for the role, such as relevant skills, qualifications, achievements and work experience.
Should international students use a different UK CV format?
International students can follow the standard UK CV format when applying for jobs. Highlight relevant education, experience, skills and achievements, and clearly explain qualifications gained outside the UK so employers can understand your background.
Can I use AI to create UK CV?
Yes, you can use AI to help create or improve your UK CV. Use it for ideas, structure, grammar and tailoring, but check every detail yourself. Your CV should accurately represent your real skills, qualifications and experience.
Which app can help me in creating UK CV?
Several CV-building apps and websites can help you create UK CV, including Canva, Microsoft Word and dedicated CV builders. Choose a simple UK CV format template that keeps your information clear and easy to read rather than relying on heavy graphics.
What should I include in a CV format for part time jobs in UK?
A CV format for part time jobs in UK should highlight skills and experience relevant to the role. Include education, previous jobs, volunteering, internships, projects and transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, organisation and customer service.
Should I use the same CV for every UK job?
It is better to tailor your CV for each UK job application. Read the job description carefully and highlight the skills, experience and achievements that match the employer’s requirements. This can improve your chances of being considered for an interview.
How can I improve my chances of getting a job with my CV?
Tailor your CV to every vacancy, use relevant keywords from the job description, highlight achievements and keep your information accurate and easy to read. Update your CV regularly and remove outdated information that does not support your application.
Which method can help me get an interview call after submitting a CV for the UK?
Give the job description (JD) and your details to ChatGPT, Claude or another AI tool and ask it to create a tailored CV. Another method can be, ask AI to generate LaTeX code based on the JD, then add it to Overleaf to create a professional PDF.
Which sites are suitable for finding jobs after making a CV for UK?
You can search for UK jobs through GOV.UK’s Find a Job service, Indeed, Reed, CV-Library, Glassdoor and LinkedIn. You can also check company careers pages directly, as many employers advertise vacancies on their own websites.
Can I apply from India after making a CV for UK?
Yes, you can apply for UK jobs from India. However, whether you can work in the UK depends on the job, employer and your immigration or work-permission status. Always check the vacancy requirements before applying.
upGrad Abroad Editorial Team |4957 articles published
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