How to Write a UK-Style CV That Gets Interviews (2026 Guide)

You’ve spent hours perfecting your CV, hit submit on that dream job application, and then… nothing. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. The truth is, your CV might never reach human eyes if it doesn’t speak the right language. In 2026, landing interviews in the UK job market isn’t just about having the right experience. It’s about presenting that experience in a way that both software systems and recruiters can understand and appreciate.

Whether you’re a recent graduate, an experienced professional, or someone returning to work after a break, this guide will show you exactly how to write a UK-style CV that actually gets results. We’ll cover everything from formatting and structure to the keywords that help you pass those dreaded Applicant Tracking Systems. Let’s get started.

Understanding the UK CV Format in 2026

Before we dive into the details, let’s clear up what makes a UK CV different from resumes in other countries. In the UK, we call it a CV (curriculum vitae), not a resume. While the terms are often used interchangeably, UK employers have specific expectations when it comes to format and content.

Key Characteristics of a UK CV

Length matters, but not how you think. Your UK CV should typically be one to two pages long. If you’re early in your career or have limited experience, one page works perfectly. However, don’t be afraid to stretch to one and a half or two full pages if you have substantial relevant experience to showcase. According to Indeed’s CV format guide, experienced professionals often need two pages to properly demonstrate their career progression and achievements.

No photos, please. Unlike CVs in many European countries, UK employers prefer CVs without photographs. This helps reduce unconscious bias and keeps the focus squarely on your skills and experience.

British English is essential. Make sure you’re using proper British spelling throughout. Write “organised” not “organized,” “labour” not “labor,” and “analyse” not “analyze.” These small details matter and show attention to cultural expectations.

Personal details stay minimal. You don’t need to include your age, date of birth, marital status, or nationality. Stick to your name, phone number, email address, location (city and country), and optionally your LinkedIn profile.

Essential UK CV Tips: What to Include

Now that we understand the basics, let’s break down exactly what should appear on your CV and in what order.

Contact Information

Your contact section should sit at the very top of your CV. Keep it clean and professional:

• Full name (in a slightly larger font, around 14-16 points)
• Phone number (mobile is best)
• Professional email address (firstname.lastname@email.com works well)
• Location (city and country, no need for full address)
• LinkedIn profile (optional but recommended)
• Portfolio or personal website (if relevant to your field)

What to leave out: Your home address, age, date of birth, marital status, nationality, and definitely no photo unless you’re in acting or modelling.

Professional Profile or Personal Statement

This is your elevator pitch, a brief 3-5 line summary that sits just below your contact details. Think of it as your chance to grab attention immediately. Oxford University’s Careers Service notes that employers may spend as little as a few seconds initially scanning your CV, so this section needs to work hard.

Example of a strong professional profile:

“Results-driven Digital Marketing Manager with over 6 years of experience developing data-led campaigns for e-commerce brands across the UK and Europe. Proven track record in increasing conversion rates by up to 30% and managing multi-channel strategies. Now seeking to bring expertise in SEO, content marketing, and analytics to a fast-growing retail tech company.”

UK CV tips for writing your profile:

• Tailor it to each specific job
• Include your years of experience
• Mention 2-3 key skills or achievements
• State what you’re looking for
• Avoid generic phrases like “hardworking team player”
• Use numbers and percentages where possible

Work Experience: The Heart of Your CV

Your work experience section should follow the reverse chronological format, meaning your most recent role comes first. This is the standard format for UK CVs and what recruiters expect to see.

For each role, include:

• Job title
• Company name and location
• Employment dates (month and year)
• 4-6 bullet points highlighting responsibilities and achievements

UK CV tips for describing your experience:

• Start bullet points with strong action verbs (managed, developed, led, delivered, created)
• Focus on achievements, not just duties
• Quantify your impact with numbers, percentages, and values
• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your points
• Match the language used in the job description
• Keep each bullet point to 1-2 lines maximum

Example work experience entry:

Digital Marketing Executive
BrightAgency, London | January 2021 to Present

• Developed and managed paid social campaigns that increased conversions by 22% year-on-year
• Led SEO strategy, improving organic traffic by 45% within 12 months through keyword optimisation and content planning
• Coordinated with external agencies and in-house designers on multi-channel projects reaching audiences of 500,000+
• Monitored campaign performance using Google Analytics and Data Studio, presenting monthly KPIs to senior leadership
• Implemented A/B testing protocols that improved email open rates from 18% to 28%

Education and Qualifications

List your education in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent qualification. For most professionals, this section comes after work experience. However, if you’re a recent graduate or have limited work history, place education before your experience section.

Include:

• Degree or qualification title (e.g., BA Hons Business Management)
• Institution name
• Dates attended or graduation year
• Grade or classification (e.g., 2:1 Honours, First Class)
• Relevant modules or coursework (optional, useful for entry-level roles)

UK CV tips for education:

• If you have a university degree, you don’t need to list all your GCSEs in detail
• Include A-levels with grades if you’re a recent graduate
• Add any relevant certifications or professional qualifications
• Mention academic achievements, scholarships, or awards

Skills Section

Your skills section is prime real estate for including CV keywords for UK jobs. This is where you can showcase both hard and soft skills that match the job requirements.

Structure your skills section with:

• 6-10 relevant skills that match the job description
• A mix of technical skills and soft skills
• Industry-specific tools, software, or methodologies
• Language proficiencies (if relevant)

Example skills section:

Core Skills

• Project Management (PRINCE2 certified)
• Data Analysis (Excel, SQL, Tableau)
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Budget Management
• Risk Assessment
• Team Leadership
• Microsoft Office Suite (Advanced)
• Presentation and Communication

UK CV tips for skills:

• Mirror the exact terminology from the job advert
• Include both the acronym and full name for qualifications (e.g., “CIPD – Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development”)
• Don’t list basic skills everyone has (like “using the internet”)
• Focus on skills you can actually demonstrate if asked

Additional Sections (Optional)

Depending on your background and the role you’re applying for, you might include:

• Certifications and Professional Development: Relevant courses, licences, or industry certifications
• Volunteer Experience: Especially valuable if it demonstrates relevant skills
• Publications or Research: For academic or research roles
• Languages: If you’re fluent in multiple languages
• Interests and Hobbies: Only if they’re relevant to the role or demonstrate valuable skills (e.g., team captain of a sports club shows leadership)

Mastering ATS: UK CV Tips for 2026

Here’s something that might surprise you: up to 80% of CVs don’t make it past the first screening round. Why? Because they’re being filtered out by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) before a human ever sees them.

What is an ATS and Why Should You Care?

An Applicant Tracking System is software that employers use to manage job applications. It scans your CV for specific keywords, ranks candidates based on how well they match the job requirements, and presents the top matches to recruiters. Around 70% of larger UK employers and 20% of SMEs now use ATS systems, and that number is only growing.

The UK ATS market is projected to grow from USD 355 million in 2023 to USD 586 million by 2029. Translation? More companies are using these systems, which means your CV needs to be ATS-friendly to stand a chance.

UK CV Tips for Beating ATS Systems

Use the right keywords. This is the most important ATS strategy. Carefully read the job description and identify key skills, qualifications, and responsibilities. Use these exact phrases throughout your CV, especially in your professional profile, skills section, and work experience.

Match the job description language. If the job ad asks for “project coordination,” don’t write “project management.” If they want “customer relationship management,” use that exact phrase. ATS systems look for specific terminology, and close matches score higher.

Keep formatting simple. Fancy designs might look impressive, but they confuse ATS software. Stick to:

• Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
• Clear section headings (“Work Experience,” “Education,” “Skills”)
• Bullet points instead of paragraphs
• No tables, text boxes, headers, or footers
• No graphics, images, or symbols

Save in the right format. Unless specifically requested otherwise, save your CV as a .docx file. While PDFs preserve formatting nicely, some older ATS systems struggle to read them. Word documents are generally the safest choice.

Spell out acronyms. The first time you mention a qualification or certification, write it out in full followed by the acronym in brackets. For example: “Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).” After that, you can use just the acronym. This ensures the ATS picks up the keyword regardless of which version it’s searching for.

Place keywords strategically. Don’t just stuff keywords randomly into your CV. Place them naturally in these key sections:

• Professional profile/personal statement
• Skills section
• Work experience bullet points
• Job titles (where accurate)
• Education and qualifications

Common ATS Keywords by Industry

Different industries look for different keywords. Here are some examples of strong CV keywords for UK jobs across various sectors:

UK CV Format: Structure and Layout

Now let’s talk about the visual presentation of your CV. Even with perfect content, poor formatting can land you in the rejection pile.

Formatting Best Practices

Font and size:

• Use professional, easy-to-read fonts
• Arial, Calibri, or Verdana work well (Times New Roman is a bit outdated)
• Body text: 10-12 points
• Your name: 14-16 points
• Section headings: 12-14 points, bold

Spacing and margins:

• Margins: 2.5cm all around
• Line spacing: 1.15 or 1.5
• Leave white space between sections
• Don’t cram too much onto the page

Consistency is key:

• Use the same date format throughout (e.g., “January 2021 – Present” or “01/2021 – Present”)
• Keep bullet point style consistent
• Maintain the same heading format for all sections
• Align text consistently (usually left-aligned)

Section order for most UK CVs:

1. Contact Information
2. Professional Profile
3. Work Experience
4. Education
5. Skills
6. Additional Sections (if relevant)

When to adjust the order: If you’re a recent graduate or career changer with limited relevant work experience, place Education before Work Experience. This puts your strongest qualification first.

Tailoring Your CV: The Secret to Success

Here’s a truth that many job seekers miss: one generic CV won’t work for every application. Tailoring your CV to each specific role dramatically increases your chances of getting an interview.

How to Tailor Your CV Effectively

Analyse the job description carefully. Read it multiple times and highlight:

• Required skills and qualifications
• Preferred experience
• Key responsibilities
• Repeated phrases or terms
• Company values or culture indicators

Match your language to theirs. Use the same terminology the employer uses. If they say “stakeholder management,” use that exact phrase rather than “client relations” or “partner engagement.”

Prioritise relevant experience. You don’t need to include every job you’ve ever had. Focus on roles and achievements that directly relate to the position you’re applying for. If you’ve had a long career, it’s fine to summarise older or less relevant positions briefly.

Adjust your professional profile. Rewrite your opening statement for each application to reflect the specific role and company. Mention the job title, key skills they’re looking for, and how your background aligns.

Highlight transferable skills. If you’re changing careers or industries, emphasise skills that transfer across contexts, such as leadership, communication, problem-solving, and project management.

Common UK CV Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced professionals make these errors. Here’s what to watch out for:

Spelling and grammar mistakes. This is the fastest way to get rejected. Proofread multiple times, use spell-check (set to British English), and ask someone else to review your CV.

Using an unprofessional email address. Create a simple, professional email for job applications. firstname.lastname@gmail.com works perfectly. Avoid anything casual or humorous.

Including irrelevant information. Your CV isn’t your life story. Leave out jobs from 15+ years ago unless they’re highly relevant, and skip hobbies that don’t add value.

Making it too long or too short. One page can work, but don’t sacrifice important information just to fit everything on one page. Two pages is perfectly acceptable for experienced professionals.

Using passive language. Instead of “Was responsible for managing a team,” write “Managed a team of 8 staff members, improving productivity by 15%.”

Forgetting to update. Keep your CV current. Add new skills, qualifications, and achievements as you gain them.

Ignoring the job description. If you’re sending the same CV to every employer, you’re doing it wrong. Customisation is essential.

UK CV Tips for Different Career Stages

Your CV strategy should evolve as your career progresses. Here’s how to adapt your approach:

For Recent Graduates and Entry-Level Candidates

• Place Education before Work Experience
• Include relevant coursework, projects, and academic achievements
• Highlight internships, work placements, and volunteer experience
• Emphasise transferable skills from university activities, societies, and part-time work
• Keep it to one page if possible
• Focus on potential and enthusiasm rather than extensive experience

For Mid-Career Professionals

• Lead with Work Experience
• Focus on achievements and measurable results
• Show clear career progression
• Include professional development and certifications
• Two pages is appropriate
• Demonstrate leadership and strategic thinking

For Senior-Level and Executive Candidates

• Emphasise strategic impact and business results
• Include board positions, advisory roles, or speaking engagements
• Highlight leadership of large teams or significant budgets
• Show industry influence and thought leadership
• Two pages is standard (occasionally more for academic CVs)
• Focus on high-level achievements rather than day-to-day tasks

For Career Changers

• Use a combination or functional CV format
• Emphasise transferable skills
• Include a strong professional profile explaining your transition
• Highlight relevant training, courses, or certifications
• Show how your previous experience applies to the new field
• Consider including a “Relevant Projects” section

Final UK CV Tips: Putting It All Together

Writing a UK-style CV that gets interviews isn’t about tricks or gimmicks. It’s about presenting your experience clearly, using the right language, and making it easy for both ATS systems and human recruiters to see why you’re the perfect fit.

Your action plan:

1. Research the role thoroughly. Understand what the employer is looking for and what keywords matter in your industry.
2. Choose the right format. For most UK applications, reverse chronological works best.
3. Write for humans and machines. Use keywords naturally while keeping your CV readable and engaging.
4. Tailor every application. Spend time customising your CV for each role, especially your professional profile and skills section.
5. Keep it simple and clean. Professional formatting beats fancy design every time.
6. Proofread ruthlessly. Errors undermine even the strongest experience.
7. Save correctly. Use .docx format unless told otherwise, and name your file professionally (e.g., “John_Smith_CV.docx”).
8. Update regularly. Don’t wait until you’re job hunting to refresh your CV.

The UK job market in 2026 is competitive, but with these UK CV tips, you’re now equipped to create an application that stands out for all the right reasons. Remember, your CV’s job isn’t to get you the position, it’s to get you the interview. Once you’re in the room (or on the video call), your personality, enthusiasm, and expertise will do the rest.

Now it’s time to put these strategies into action. Open up that CV, apply what you’ve learned, and start landing those interviews. Your next career opportunity is waiting, and with a properly crafted UK-style CV, you’re ready to seize it.

Read also: UK Remote Work Laws & Employee Rights You Should Know in 2026 and Beyond