How to write a CV for the United Kingdom

Employers in the United Kingdom usually expect a CV on A4 paper, most recent experience first. Length: 2 pages (longer for academic and senior medical CVs). Employers there usually leave out a photo, date of birth and marital status. If you are not a citizen, your right to work or visa status is usually stated.

Build a CV for the United KingdomYour first CV is free. The builder applies these rules and checks your CV before you download it.

At a glance

CV conventions in the United Kingdom
What it is called	Curriculum Vitae
Length	2 pages (longer for academic and senior medical CVs)
Paper size	A4
Layout	Single column
Order	Most recent first
Dates	Month and year (e.g. Mar 2023)
Photo	Usually left out
Date of birth	Usually left out
Nationality	Usually left out
Marital status	Usually left out
Right to work / visa status	Usually included
References	“References available on request” is fine
Explain gaps longer than	6 months

Key facts

In the United Kingdom, the Equality Act 2010 lists age, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation among its protected characteristics. Source: legislation.gov.uk
UK employers must check that a new employee has the right to work in the UK before the job starts. Source: gov.uk
In the United Kingdom, Acas guidance on age discrimination covers recruitment, including how job applications are assessed. Source: acas.org.uk
In the United Kingdom, work with children or vulnerable adults usually needs a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS); Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own schemes. Source: gov.uk

Facts checked 2026-10-15.

How the United Kingdom compares with nearby countries

Unlike Belgium and the Netherlands, CVs in the United Kingdom leave the photo out, leave out the date of birth and are written in English.

Unlike France, CVs in the United Kingdom leave the photo out, leave out the date of birth and say references are available on request.

CV conventions in the United Kingdom compared with nearby countries
Country	Called	Photo	Date of birth	Length	Paper	Usual language
United Kingdom	Curriculum Vitae	Usually left out	Usually left out	2 pages	A4	English
Belgium	Curriculum Vitae	Optional	Optional	1–2 pages	A4	French
France	CV	Optional	Optional	1–2 pages	A4	French
Netherlands	Curriculum Vitae	Optional	Optional	1–2 pages	A4	Dutch
Ireland	Curriculum Vitae	Usually left out	Usually left out	2–3 pages	A4	English
Germany	Lebenslauf	Usually included	Usually included	2 pages	A4	German

Tips for the United Kingdom

No photo, date of birth or marital status: age, sex and marriage are protected under the Equality Act 2010, so employers generally prefer CVs without them.
Open with a short personal profile (3–4 lines) aimed at the role.
If you are not a UK or Irish citizen, state your right to work (e.g. Skilled Worker visa, settled status).
Two referees are normal; “references available on request” is fine on the CV itself.

The United Kingdom follows the conventions in the United Kingdom guide.

Regulated jobs in the United Kingdom

For these jobs, put your registration or licence near the top of the CV, or say that your application is in progress.

Profession	Registration or licence
Doctors	GMC registration with a licence to practise
Physician associates	GMC registration (physician associate; regulated since 13 December 2024, compulsory from December 2026)
Nurses	NMC registration (PIN)
Midwives	NMC registration (midwife)
Dentists	GDC registration
Dental care professionals	GDC registration
Pharmacists	GPhC registration
Pharmacy technicians	GPhC registration (pharmacy technician)
Allied health professionals	HCPC registration
Paramedics	HCPC registration (paramedic)
Psychologists	HCPC registration (practitioner psychologist)
Optometrists	GOC registration
Veterinarians	RCVS registration
Veterinary nurses	RCVS register of veterinary nurses
Care workers	Enhanced DBS check (PVG in Scotland, Access NI in Northern Ireland) and Care Certificate; registration is compulsory with the SSSC (Scotland), Social Care Wales or NISCC (Northern Ireland)
Childcare workers	Enhanced DBS check (PVG in Scotland); paediatric first aid
Teachers	Qualified teacher status (QTS) or registration with GTCS / EWC / GTCNI; enhanced DBS
Engineers	Engineering Council registration (CEng / IEng / EngTech) via a professional institution
Architects	ARB registration (RIBA membership optional)
Electricians	Level 3 qualification, 18th Edition (BS 7671) and ECS card
Plumbers	NVQ Level 2/3 plumbing; WRAS approval
Gas engineers	Gas Safe registration
HVAC technicians	F-Gas certificate
Professional drivers	Category C / C+E or D licence, Driver CPC and tachograph card
Forklift operators	RTITB / ITSSAR / AITT forklift certificate
Pilots	UK CAA licence (ATPL/CPL), type ratings, Class 1 medical
Seafarers	MCA Certificate of Competency and STCW
Accountants	ICAEW / ACCA / CIMA / ICAS membership
Financial advisers	FCA approval and Level 4 diploma (e.g. CII)
Lawyers	SRA admission as a solicitor or call to the Bar (BSB)
Social workers	Social Work England / SSSC / Social Care Wales / NISCC registration
Security officers	SIA licence

Guides by job

Regulated in the United Kingdom: Veterinary & animal care, Architecture, construction & property, Transport, logistics & supply chain, Aviation & maritime, Police, defence, security & emergency.

Guides for every other field, from hospitality to aviation, are in the jobs index.

Questions

Do I put a photo on my CV in the United Kingdom?

No. Leave the photo off a CV for the United Kingdom. Employers there don’t expect one and generally prefer CVs without it, and the CV Atlas readiness check flags a photo if you add one. Use the space for your experience and qualifications, and include a photo only if a job advert asks for one. No photo, date of birth or marital status: age, sex and marriage are protected under the Equality Act 2010, so employers generally prefer CVs without them.

How long should a CV be in the United Kingdom?

For a CV in the United Kingdom, aim for 2 pages. Describe recent roles in detail and summarise older ones in a line or two, so the whole CV is quick to scan. Set the document to A4 (210 × 297 mm) paper, the standard size in the United Kingdom. Academic and senior clinical CVs are the exception: they list publications, research, teaching and courses in full and can run longer.

Should I put my date of birth on my CV in the United Kingdom?

No. Leave your date of birth and age off a CV for the United Kingdom. The same goes for your nationality and marital status. Employers there judge applicants on experience and qualifications, and personal details like these are best left out unless an application form asks for them. CV Atlas sets these details on or off to match the usual practice in the United Kingdom, and you can switch each one yourself.

Do I need references on my CV in the United Kingdom?

Not in full. On a CV for the United Kingdom it is normal to write “References available on request” and keep a separate list of two referees, usually recent managers, with their contact details. Send that list when an employer asks, which is usually after an interview. Two referees are normal; “references available on request” is fine on the CV itself.

Should I put my visa status on my CV in the United Kingdom?

Yes, if you are not a citizen of the United Kingdom. State your right to work or visa status near the top of the CV, for example under your contact details, in a few words such as “Permanent resident” or “Requires visa sponsorship”. Recruiters there check this early, so saying it upfront saves a round of questions. If you are not a UK or Irish citizen, state your right to work (e.g. Skilled Worker visa, settled status).

What language should my CV be in for the United Kingdom?

English. CVs for the United Kingdom are normally written in English. Follow the language of the job advert if it differs, and keep one language throughout: headings, dates and descriptions should all match. Have a native speaker check the final version if English is not your first language. CV Atlas writes the section headings in the language you choose, so switch it to match the advert.

What should a CV for the United Kingdom include?

A CV for the United Kingdom is usually 2 pages on A4 paper, written in English unless the advert says otherwise, with your most recent role first. Expect no photo, no date of birth, and “References available on request” at the end. Start with a short profile, then experience, education, skills and languages. CV Atlas applies these rules when you choose the United Kingdom, and the questions below explain each one.

What paper size should my CV be for the United Kingdom?

A4 (210 × 297 mm). A4 is the standard paper size in the United Kingdom, so set your CV to A4 before you export it. US Letter is slightly shorter and wider, and a Letter-sized PDF printed on A4 leaves an uneven gap at the bottom of each page, which looks careless on paper. CV Atlas sets A4 automatically for this country, and you can change the paper size in the design options.

Should I put my nationality on my CV in the United Kingdom?

No. Leave your nationality off a CV for the United Kingdom. CVs there normally leave out personal details such as nationality, age and family status, and employers judge applicants on skills and experience. If the job needs a particular right to work, say that you have it instead. An application form may still ask about your right to work, so answer it there.

Should I put my marital status on my CV in the United Kingdom?

No. Leave your marital status off a CV for the United Kingdom. Family details say nothing about how you do the job, and CVs there normally leave them out. Keep the personal details to your name, contact details and, where it matters, your right to work. The same applies to children and other dependants.

Should I put my gender on my CV in the United Kingdom?

No. Don’t state your gender on a CV for the United Kingdom. It is not relevant to the job, and CVs there normally leave it out. Your name, job title and contact details are enough at the top of the CV, followed straight away by your profile and experience. If an application form asks for it, answer there rather than on the CV.

Do I need my full address on my CV in the United Kingdom?

Just your city and country. A CV for the United Kingdom needs only your city, country, phone number and email, not your full street address. That is enough for recruiters to see where you are based and whether you would need to relocate, and it keeps your home address off a document that may be shared widely. Employers ask for your full address later, when they make an offer or prepare a contract.

Should I put my driving licence on my CV in the United Kingdom?

Only if the job needs it. On a CV for the United Kingdom, mention a driving licence when the role involves driving, travel between sites or field work, or when the job advert asks for one. For office jobs it is optional, and one short line in your skills or personal details is enough. For driving jobs, give the licence category and any professional qualifications that go with it.

How should I write dates on a CV in the United Kingdom?

Use month and year, newest first. On a CV for the United Kingdom, write each role’s dates as month and year, for example “March 2021 to present”, and list your most recent job first. Keep the same format throughout, and avoid giving years only, which can hide gaps and makes recruiters ask questions. Exact days are not needed for jobs or studies.

How do I explain a gap on my CV in the United Kingdom?

Explain any gap longer than six months. Recruiters in the United Kingdom usually expect a longer break to be accounted for, so add a short line in your timeline, such as “Career break: caring for a family member” or “Relocation and language study”. Be brief and honest, and keep the details for the interview. The CV Atlas readiness check points out gaps of more than six months in your work history, so you can add a line before you send the CV.

Do I sign my CV in the United Kingdom?

No. CVs in the United Kingdom are not signed. End the CV with your last section, such as skills, languages or references, with no signature, date or place line. A signature adds nothing to a document that is sent online, and recruiters there don’t expect to see one. If an application form asks you to sign a declaration, do it on the form itself.

Should I put hobbies and interests on my CV in the United Kingdom?

Only if they add something. Interests are optional on a CV in the United Kingdom, and many recruiters skip them. Include one short line only when an interest shows a skill or commitment that fits the job, such as volunteering, coaching or a relevant club, and leave out generic ones like reading or travel. If space is tight, interests are the first section to cut.

Start your CV for the United KingdomYour first CV is free. The builder applies these rules and checks your CV before you download it.

Guidance checked October 2026; facts checked 2026-10-15. General information for most employers, not legal or immigration advice. A job advert’s own instructions always come first. CV Atlas is not affiliated with any regulator or professional body named.