Download a free UK CV template — then let AI tailor the content to each job in 60 seconds. Correct UK format, ATS-safe, 80+ ATS score guaranteed. No credit card required.
Free · No credit card · 6 UK CV templates included
Every CV template follows UK format conventions and is ATS-tested for UK employers.
Two-page single-column format following UK CV conventions. Personal statement at top, work experience, education. Used by millions of UK job seekers every year.
Conservative UK format with clean headings and quantified achievements. ATS-safe for all UK ATS platforms including Workday, Taleo, and JobsAware.
Education-first format for UK graduate schemes, training contracts, and first professional roles. Correct section order for graduate applications.
Slightly contemporary design while maintaining UK CV format standards. ATS-tested against all major UK employer platforms.
Multi-page format for senior UK professionals. Executive summary, career highlights, and board/advisory positions in correct UK format.
Leads with a skills and competencies section before work history. Useful for UK career changes where transferable skills matter more than job titles.
Using the wrong format for the wrong country is one of the most common job application mistakes. Here's the definitive guide.
| Aspect | UK CV | US Resume |
|---|---|---|
| Name | CV (Curriculum Vitae) | Resume |
| Length | 2 pages standard at all levels | 1 page (entry), 2 pages (senior) |
| Personal statement | Required — 3–5 lines at top | Optional — shorter "Summary" |
| Photo | Not included (discrimination law) | Not included |
| Date of birth | Not included (discrimination law) | Not included |
| Nationality/Visa | Include right to work if relevant | Rare — usually only for visas |
| Hobbies/Interests | Optional section, adds personality | Rare — mostly omitted |
| References | "References available upon request" | Usually omitted entirely |
| Spelling | UK English (optimise, colour, programme) | American English (optimize, color, program) |
The correct section structure for a UK CV in 2026.
Full name (large), phone, email, city, LinkedIn. No photo, no address beyond city/region.
3–5 lines summarising your experience, key skills, and what you're looking for. Tailored to each role — mention the company name when applying direct.
Reverse chronological. Job title, company, dates, location. 3–5 bullet points per role. Lead with achievements, not duties.
Degree, university, dates, classification (1st, 2:1). A-levels and GCSEs for graduates. Drop secondary education after 5+ years of experience.
Hard skills only. Technical tools, software, languages. Mirror keywords from the job description exactly.
Professional qualifications: ACA, ACCA, CIMA, PRINCE2, CIPD, SHL, CFA. These are ATS keywords for UK employers.
Optional — include only if genuinely interesting or relevant. "Reading and socialising" adds nothing. "Ultra-marathon runner" or "mentoring disadvantaged youth" adds character.
UK convention: "References available on request." Don't include actual referee details on your CV.
In the UK, CV (Curriculum Vitae) is the standard term for a job application document. What Americans call a "resume" is called a "CV" in the UK. The key differences are length (UK CVs are 2 pages by convention), the personal statement section at the top, and sometimes a hobbies section at the end.
Two pages is standard for UK CVs at all experience levels. Unlike US resumes where one page is preferred for entry-level, UK CVs are conventionally two pages. Senior professionals may run to three pages if their additional content is genuinely valuable.
A clean single-column UK CV template saved as .docx or PDF. Standard section order: Personal Details → Personal Statement → Work Experience → Education → Skills → Certifications → Hobbies (optional). The Classic UK CV Template above follows this format.
Yes — the majority of UK employers with 50+ employees use ATS platforms. Reed, Totaljobs, CV-Library, and direct employer portals all use ATS. Your CV template needs to be ATS-compatible regardless of UK formatting conventions.
Yes — HireSprint's free CV templates are designed for UK applications. They follow UK format conventions (2-page, personal statement, UK spelling) and are ATS-tested against UK employer platforms. Free for up to 3 CV tailorings.
Use the Graduate CV Template above. Education goes before work experience for UK graduate schemes. Include your degree classification, A-level grades, relevant modules, and any placement or internship experience. Lead with your personal statement targeting the specific scheme.
A CV template gives you the correct structure and formatting — which takes 10% of the effort. The remaining 90% is tailoring your content to each job. HireSprint provides the template AND does the content tailoring automatically.
Download a free UK CV template and let AI tailor it to every job application. Correct UK format, ATS-safe, no watermarks.
Use Free CV Template →Free · No credit card · UK format included
Follow HireSprint for daily job hacks & AI career tools
HireSprint is active on LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Join 10,000+ job seekers following our daily tips.