Country guides / United Kingdom
UK CV Format Guide 2026
What does a United Kingdom cv look like in 2026?
In 2026, a United Kingdom cv is 2 A4 pages is the standard. Photo: Not expected; it invites bias questions. Personal details: City + postcode only; no DOB, no full address. Dates: Mar 2020 – Present. Language: British English (organisation, analyse).
The British CV is two crisp A4 pages opening with a personal statement. Like the US it bans photos and personal data (Equality Act 2010), but two pages are the norm rather than one.
This guide covers exactly how a United Kingdom cv should look in 2026: the right length, whether to include a photo, which personal details belong on it, the date format, and the mistakes that get applications rejected. When you are ready, the free GlobeResume United Kingdom resume builder applies every one of these rules for you.
United Kingdom CV rules at a glance
| Rule | United Kingdom convention |
|---|---|
| Length | 2 A4 pages is the standard |
| Photo | Not expected; it invites bias questions |
| Personal details | City + postcode only; no DOB, no full address |
| Dates | Mar 2020 – Present |
| Language | British English (organisation, analyse) |
| Opening | Personal statement: 3–4 lines, who you are + what you offer |
How to write a United Kingdom CV: 5 steps
- Set up the United Kingdom layout. Start from a United Kingdom-correct layout (2 a4 pages is the standard). The free GlobeResume builder loads it automatically when you pick United Kingdom.
- Add the expected personal details. Include exactly what United Kingdom recruiters expect. The convention: City + postcode only; no DOB, no full address. Leave the photo off.
- Write your experience with local date formats. List roles in reverse-chronological order and write dates as "Mar 2020 – Present".
- Order the sections the United Kingdom way. Follow the section order shown below, so the document reads the way local hiring teams expect.
- Check the do's and don'ts, then export. Review your cv against the checklist on this page and download it as a clean PDF.
What to put in a United Kingdom CV
A United Kingdom cv is typically built from these sections, in this order:
- Personal Statement
- Work Experience
- Education
- Key Skills
- Certifications
- Languages
- Interests
What makes it specifically United Kingdom:
- No photo — including one can get your application filtered out here.
- A closing references line.
✓ Do
- Open with a sharp personal statement tailored to the role
- Two pages, A4; use the space for evidence
- British spelling everywhere
- Include interests if they add character or relevance
- "References available on request" is still acceptable here
✕ Don't
- Photo, date of birth, marital status or nationality
- Full street address; city and postcode suffice
- US letter paper size or US spelling
- Overly designed templates for corporate roles
- Padding page two with filler; cut instead
💡 UK employers process applications under UK GDPR; they neither need nor want personal data beyond contact details.
United Kingdom CV FAQ
- How long should a United Kingdom cv be?
- 2 A4 pages is the standard
- Should a United Kingdom cv include a photo?
- Not expected; it invites bias questions
- What personal details go on a United Kingdom cv?
- City + postcode only; no DOB, no full address
- What date format should a United Kingdom cv use?
- Mar 2020 – Present
- Which language should I write my United Kingdom cv in?
- British English (organisation, analyse)
- Can I build a United Kingdom cv for free?
- Yes. The free GlobeResume builder applies every rule on this page automatically, previews your cv live, and exports to PDF. No login or signup is required, and everything runs in your browser, so your data never leaves your device. Paid plans add watermark-free downloads and editable Word (.docx) export.
Build your United Kingdom CV
GlobeResume's free United Kingdom resume builder does the formatting for you. Pick United Kingdom, fill in one form, and it lays out your cv with the correct length, sections, date format and details, previewed live and ready to download as PDF or Word. It runs entirely in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.
No sign-up. The builder pre-loads every United Kingdom convention from this guide.