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UK CV format and CV template

A UK CV template follows one format: two pages at most (one or two for graduates), opening with a short personal statement, then experience, education and skills. Leave out your photo, date of birth and marital status: the National Careers Service advises against them, and the Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate on age, marriage, race and other protected characteristics. "References available on request" is enough.

Build my CVCheck my ATS scoreUpdated 28 September 2026

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UK CV format at a glance

Length
Two pages of A4 at most; students and recent graduates with little experience can often fit one.
Personal statement
Up to 150 words at the top (Prospects): who you are, what you offer, what you want.
Leave out
Photo, date of birth, age, marital status, nationality, religion. Age, marriage, race (including nationality) and religion are protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, and the National Careers Service advises leaving these details off.
Right to work
A line such as "Full right to work in the UK" helps if your name or history might raise the question.
References
"References available on request"; no names or numbers on the CV.
Spelling and dates
British English (organised, programme), dates as month and year.
Cover letter
Send one unless the advert says otherwise (Prospects advice).
Where it's read
Indeed, Reed, CV-Library, Totaljobs, LinkedIn, and applicant tracking systems such as Workday and Taleo.

CV sample for the UK

A made-up person, in the layout described on this page. Build yours with any CVEmber template and download it as a PDF.

UK CV example (marketing, 5 years)

Emily Hughes

Digital Marketing Manager

Manchester · 07700 xxxxxx · emily.hughes@example.com

Full right to work in the UK · Full UK driving licence

Personal statement

  • Digital marketing manager with five years in B2C retail, leading paid search and CRM for a £3m annual budget. Grew online revenue 38% in two years; looking to lead a larger team in e-commerce.

Experience

  • Digital Marketing Manager, Northfield Home Ltd, Manchester · Mar 2023–present
  • • Grew online revenue 38% by rebuilding paid search and email journeys.
  • • Manage a team of four and a £3m budget; cut cost per acquisition by 22%.
  • Digital Marketing Executive, Peak & Pine Outdoor, Leeds · 2021–2023

Education

  • BA (Hons) Marketing, University of Leeds · 2:1 · 2021

Skills

  • Google Ads, GA4, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, SQL basics, budget management

References

  • Available on request

Writing the personal statement

Three or four sentences: your role and experience, your strongest result, and the job you want next. Tailor it for each application; it's the part recruiters read first.

Graduate and school-leaver CVs

One page. Put education first with your degree classification (2:1, First), then placements, part-time jobs and volunteering, each with a result. Mention A-levels or equivalent only while they're your highest qualification.

Career gaps

One honest line with dates and what you did: caring, study, travel, health. UK recruiters are used to gaps; unexplained ones raise more questions.

Applicant tracking systems

Larger UK employers and agencies read CVs through software first. A single-column layout, standard headings and no tables or text boxes keep your details readable. Try the free ATS checker.

When you get the job

Your contract sets your notice. The UK resignation letter covers notice, final pay and your P45.

Sources

Checked on 28 September 2026. Employers and portals change what they ask for, so always follow the job advert first.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

How long should a CV be in the UK?

Two pages for most people; one page for students and recent graduates. Only academic and some senior roles go longer.

Should I put a photo on my UK CV?

No. UK employers don't expect one (Prospects says a photo is only needed for acting or modelling), and leaving it off avoids bias on characteristics the Equality Act 2010 protects, such as age, race and sex.

Should I include my date of birth?

No. Age is a protected characteristic, and employers don't need it to shortlist you.

What is a personal statement on a CV?

A short profile of up to 150 words at the top of your CV saying who you are, what you offer and what you're looking for.

Do I need to list references?

No. "References available on request" is standard; share details when an employer asks.

Is a CV the same as a resume?

In the UK, "CV" is the normal word for the two-page document you send employers. "Resume" is the US word for much the same thing.

Still unsure? Send us a message — a real person replies.

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