How to Write a UK CV: A Complete Guide for Expats (2026)

If you're moving to the UK for work, your existing CV almost certainly needs updating before you submit it. UK employers have specific conventions around length, layout, and personal information that differ significantly from CVs in France, the USA, Germany, and most other countries. Get it right and a recruiter can scan your career in seconds. Get it wrong and an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) may reject you before a human ever reads your application. In this guide, we explain exactly how to write a UK-standard CV that gets interviews in 2026.

CV vs Résumé: What's the Difference in the UK?

In the UK, the document is always called a CV (curriculum vitae) — not a résumé. The terms are used interchangeably in everyday speech, but the document follows UK conventions that differ from a US-style résumé:

• Length: A UK CV is typically 2 pages — not 1 page like a US résumé. One page is appropriate only for graduates or those with under 3 years of experience
• Photo: Do NOT include a photo on a UK CV — unlike in France, Germany, or Spain, photos are not standard and may lead to unconscious bias concerns
• Personal information: Do NOT include your date of birth, nationality, marital status, or religion — this is illegal to ask for in UK recruitment
• Format: Single column, A4 size, saved as PDF unless the employer requests DOCX

The Standard UK CV Structure (2026)

A well-structured UK CV follows this order:

1. Contact details
2. Personal profile / Professional summary
3. Work experience (reverse chronological — most recent first)
4. Education
5. Skills
6. Optional: Languages, certifications, volunteering, interests

Section 1: Contact Details

At the top of your CV, include:

• Your full name (large, bold)
• City and postcode (full street address optional)
• Phone number — use a UK number if you have one
• Professional email address — firstname.lastname@gmail.com is fine
• LinkedIn URL (optional but recommended)

⚠️ Do NOT include: date of birth, photo, nationality, marital status

💡 Expat tip: If you're applying from abroad, either omit your address or write the UK city you're moving to with a note such as "Relocating to London, September 2026." This removes ambiguity for hiring managers.

Section 2: Personal Profile

This is the most important section — and the one most candidates write badly. It sits at the top of your CV beneath your contact details and is the first thing a hiring manager reads. Keep it to 3-5 sentences that clearly state:

• Who you are professionally
• Your key strengths and experience
• The type of role you're looking for
• For expats: a brief mention of your relocation and right to work status

❌ Weak profile:

"Experienced and dedicated professional with a passion for delivering results. A motivated team player with excellent communication skills looking for an exciting new challenge in the UK."

✅ Strong profile:

"Financial analyst with seven years of experience in the energy sector, specialising in regulatory reporting and IFRS compliance. Relocating to London from Paris on a Skilled Worker Visa, available from September 2026. Track record of reducing month-end close time by 30% through process automation. Seeking a senior analyst role in a regulated UK business."

The difference is specificity — facts, numbers, and a clear statement of what you offer.

Section 3: Work Experience

List your work experience in reverse chronological order — most recent job first. For each role, include:

• Job title
• Employer name and location
• Dates of employment (use MM/YYYY format — e.g. 06/2022 – 03/2025)
• 3-5 bullet points focusing on achievements, not just duties

💡 Achievements vs duties: Don't just list what your job was — explain what you achieved.

❌ Duty: "Responsible for managing social media accounts"

✅ Achievement: "Grew Instagram following from 5,000 to 45,000 in 12 months, increasing website traffic from social by 180%"

Where possible, use numbers and percentages — they make your achievements concrete and memorable.

Section 4: Education

List your education in reverse chronological order:

• Degree title, institution, year of graduation, grade (if strong)
• A-Levels or equivalent — include if relevant or if you're a recent graduate
• Professional qualifications and certifications (ACCA, PMP, PRINCE2, etc.)

💡 International qualifications: If your degree is from outside the UK, include it exactly as it is — UK employers are familiar with international qualifications. You can add a brief note if the equivalent isn't obvious (e.g. "Licence in Business Administration — equivalent to UK BSc").

Section 5: Skills

Include a dedicated skills section divided into two categories:

• Technical skills — software, tools, systems, programming languages
• Languages — list all languages with proficiency level (native, fluent, professional, conversational)

💡 ATS tip: Most large UK employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter applications automatically. Include keywords from the job description naturally throughout your CV — especially in your skills section and work experience.

What NOT to Include on a UK CV

Special Tips for Expats Writing a UK CV

• Mention your right to work status — in your personal profile or cover letter, clearly state whether you have the right to work in the UK and from what date. "Currently relocating to Manchester on a Skilled Worker Visa, available from October 2026" removes all ambiguity for hiring managers
• Don't hide your international experience — UK employers often value international backgrounds. Present your overseas experience positively as a strength
• Use British English — not American English. "Organisation" not "organization", "colour" not "color", "programme" not "program"
• Convert your qualifications — briefly note the UK equivalent of non-UK degrees if it's not obvious
• Address gaps honestly — if you took time out between jobs (for relocation, family, or study), acknowledge it briefly and positively. Don't try to hide gaps
• Tailor for every application — a generic CV sends the wrong message. Spend 10-15 minutes adjusting your personal profile and key skills for each role

UK CV Format Checklist

• ✅ 2 pages (1 page for graduates, 3 pages for very senior roles only)
• ✅ Single column layout — no tables, graphics, or columns
• ✅ Clean professional font — Arial or Calibri, size 10-12
• ✅ A4 size, saved as PDF
• ✅ Reverse chronological work experience
• ✅ No photo, date of birth, or marital status
• ✅ Strong personal profile at the top
• ✅ Achievements not just duties in work experience
• ✅ UK contact number and UK address (or relocation note)
• ✅ British English spelling throughout
• ✅ ATS-friendly — standard headings, no tables or graphics in main content
• ✅ Right to work status mentioned (if relevant)
• ✅ Proofread carefully — one typo can cost you an interview

Where to Find UK Jobs as an Expat

Once your CV is ready, the main job search platforms in the UK are:

• Indeed UK (uk.indeed.com) — the largest job board, covering all sectors
• Reed (reed.co.uk) — particularly strong for office and professional roles
• LinkedIn — essential for professional networking and senior roles
• Totaljobs — good for a wide range of roles
• CV-Library — large database across all sectors
• Guardian Jobs — strong for media, charity, and public sector roles

💡 Networking tip: A significant proportion of UK jobs are filled through networking before they're advertised. Connect with people in your industry on LinkedIn and join relevant professional groups as soon as you arrive.