How to Write a CV in the UK: Format, Length and What Recruiters Actually Expect

CV advice online is overwhelmingly American. Most of what you will find if you search for CV writing tips reflects US resume conventions, not UK hiring expectations. The two are similar in many ways but differ in ways that matter. Getting the format, length, and content right for a UK application is straightforward once you know what recruiters here are actually looking for.

Length: Two Pages Is the Standard

In the UK, a CV should be two pages. Not one page as many US-influenced guides suggest, and not three or four pages unless you are applying for an academic or research position where a full publication history is expected.

Two pages is the standard because it gives you enough space to cover your experience with appropriate detail while remaining scannable. A one-page CV for someone with more than three years of experience reads as thin. A three-page CV for a non-academic role reads as undisciplined.

If your CV is currently running to three pages, the solution is almost never to use a smaller font. It is to be more selective about what you include. Roles from more than fifteen years ago generally do not need bullet points. Roles from more than twenty years ago may not need to appear at all beyond a brief mention.

Personal Statement vs Professional Summary

UK CVs typically open with a short personal statement or professional summary, usually three to five sentences. The UK convention is to write it in the third person or as a series of statements rather than as a first-person narrative. "Experienced marketing director with a track record in B2B technology" rather than "I am an experienced marketing director."

It should answer three questions: what you do, what you are good at, and what you are looking for.

The Sections UK Recruiters Expect

In order, a standard UK CV includes:

Contact details at the top. Name, phone number, email address, LinkedIn URL, and location (city is sufficient). Do not include a photo, date of birth, or marital status. These are not expected and including them is a red flag to experienced recruiters.

Personal statement or professional summary.

Professional experience in reverse chronological order, with company name, job title, dates, and bullet points covering your key responsibilities and achievements. Lead with impact where possible.

Education. For candidates with more than five years of experience, education moves below professional experience.

Skills. A brief section covering relevant technical skills, tools, and languages. Do not pad this section with generic skills like "Microsoft Office" unless they are genuinely relevant to the role.

What UK Recruiters Are Actually Scanning For

The first thing a UK recruiter looks at is your most recent role. Job title, company name, and dates. This tells them immediately whether you are roughly the right level and from the right kind of background.

The second thing they look at is the progression of your career. Are you moving forward? Have your roles increased in seniority and scope? Gaps in employment are noticed but are not automatically disqualifying. A brief explanation in the CV itself is better than leaving the reader to wonder.

What to Leave Out

References available on request. This phrase adds nothing and takes up space.

A photograph. Not expected and in some sectors actively discouraged.

Your full home address. City is sufficient.

Hobbies and interests unless they are genuinely relevant or distinctive. "Reading and travelling" adds nothing. "Competitive sailing" or "volunteer youth coaching" tells a recruiter something real about you.

ATS and UK Job Applications

Most medium and large UK employers use ATS systems. Standard formatting, keyword matching, no tables or graphics. The difference is that UK employers are slightly more tolerant of creative formatting than US ATS systems, but only slightly. When in doubt, keep it simple.