In the UK, the terms CV and resume are often used interchangeably — but they are not identical documents. Understanding the difference matters if you are applying for international roles, academic positions, or jobs at US-headquartered companies. This guide covers when to use each and what the UK standard requires.
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A CV (Curriculum Vitae) in the UK is a 2-page document (1 page for graduates) covering your work history, education, and skills in reverse chronological order. It includes a professional summary but no career objective. It does not include personal information like date of birth, nationality, or a photo.
A resume is the US equivalent of a UK CV. It is typically 1 page for most candidates (2 pages for senior professionals with 15+ years of experience). It is more condensed and often tailored more aggressively to a single role. US companies operating in the UK may use the term resume, but they generally accept UK-format CVs.
For 95% of UK job applications, a standard 2-page UK CV is correct and expected. The format starts to matter in specific situations:
Should I use the word "CV" or "resume" when applying for UK jobs?
Use "CV" in the UK — it is the standard term. Only switch to "resume" if the employer's job posting specifically uses that term, which usually means they are a US company or international organisation.
Is a 1-page CV acceptable in the UK?
For recent graduates or candidates with under 3 years of experience, a 1-page CV is appropriate and often preferred. For experienced candidates, 2 pages is the UK norm. Do not pad to 2 pages if you do not have the experience to fill it.
Does the UK CV need a photo?
No — and you should not include one. Unlike in some European countries (Germany, France), UK CVs do not include photos. Including one can expose employers to unconscious bias risk, and many UK recruiters will penalise CVs that include photos.
Should I include my date of birth on a UK CV?
No. The Equality Act 2010 means UK employers should not be making decisions based on age, and most UK employers do not want this information included. Leave it off entirely.
JobAgent247 creates perfectly formatted UK CVs tailored to specific roles. Upload your existing CV and we will optimise it for ATS and the UK market.
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