A strong UK CV is two pages, reverse-chronological, and built to clear an applicant tracking system before a human ever reads it. Here's the exact structure, section by section.
1. Contact details
Name, phone number, email, and city/region (full postal address isn't necessary) — keep it to one line at the top. Add your LinkedIn URL if it's up to date and relevant.
2. Personal profile
Three to four lines directly under your contact details: who you are professionally, your specialism, and what you're looking for. This is the first thing a recruiter reads — and often the only thing they read if it doesn't land. Write it last, after you've drafted the rest of the CV, so it actually reflects what's below it.
3. Key skills
A short, scannable list — 6 to 10 skills — mixing technical/role-specific skills with the exact keywords used in the job description you're applying to. This section does a lot of the work for ATS keyword matching.
4. Work experience
Reverse-chronological — most recent role first. For each role:
- Job title, employer, and dates (month/year is enough)
- 2-4 bullet points focused on outcomes and impact, not just duties
- Numbers where you have them — team size, budget, percentage improvement, time saved
Older or less relevant roles can be compressed to a single line each once you're a few jobs into your career — you don't need equal detail on everything.
5. Education
Degree, institution, and grade if strong — most recent first. Once you have a few years of work experience, this section moves below work history and shrinks; it's the lead section only for graduates and early-career applicants.
6. References
Standard UK practice is a single line — “References available upon request” — rather than listing referee names and contact details on the CV itself.
Formatting checklist
Two pages max, PDF unless told otherwise, standard font at 10-12pt, no photo, no date of birth, no marital status, no tables or text boxes (they can break ATS parsing), and reverse-chronological order throughout.
What we cover in this article, we cover in every CV we write
If you'd rather have this done for you — properly tailored to your target roles, not just formatted correctly — see our CV Writing service, or read more about CV vs resume terminology if you're applying across both UK and US employers.
Frequently asked questions
What sections should a UK CV include?
Contact details, a personal profile, key skills, work experience (reverse-chronological), education, and optionally certifications or a short 'interests' line. References are typically listed as 'available upon request' rather than included in full.
Should I list references on my CV?
No — UK convention is to write "References available upon request" rather than listing them in full. Employers will ask separately, later in the process, if they need them.
What font and format should I use?
A clean, standard font (Calibri, Arial, or similar) at 10-12pt, saved as a PDF unless the employer's application system specifically asks for Word format. Avoid tables, text boxes, and columns — they often break when parsed by ATS software.
How do I write a CV with limited work experience?
Lead with education, relevant coursework, and any placements, volunteering, or projects that demonstrate transferable skills. Your personal profile should focus on potential and specific strengths rather than years of experience you don't have yet.
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