UK CV Format: The 2026 Standard British Recruiters Expect

By Eleanor Hartley · Updated 08 June 2026 · 12 min read

Quick answer

A UK CV is two sides of A4, written in British English, with a personal statement at the top, reverse-chronological work history, education, skills and (optionally) references on request. No photo, no date of birth, no marital status.

The UK CV format differs from the American resume in length, layout and conventions. British recruiters expect two pages of A4, a personal statement (not a 'summary'), reverse-chronological work history with quantified achievements, and zero personal data beyond name and contact details. This guide covers the standard British recruiters and ATS systems expect in 2026.

Paper size and length

Use A4 (210 × 297mm), not US Letter. Two pages is the UK standard, 91% of UK recruiters surveyed by Reed prefer two pages. One page is acceptable for school leavers and apprentices; three is acceptable at senior executive level.

Section order

Use this order, top to bottom:

Name and contact details (email, mobile, LinkedIn, town)
Personal statement (3–5 lines)
Key skills (6–10 keywords)
Work experience (reverse-chronological)
Education (reverse-chronological)
Qualifications and training
References, 'available on request' or omit entirely

Fonts and spacing

Stick to Calibri, Arial, Helvetica or Georgia at 10.5–11.5pt body and 13–14pt headings. Margins 1.5–2cm. Single-column only, no tables, columns or text boxes (UK ATS systems struggle to parse them).

Date format

Use British date format: 'DD Month YYYY' (e.g. 08 June 2026) or month and year (e.g. Mar 2023 – Present). Never use US 'MM/DD/YYYY'.

What to leave off

Under the UK Equality Act 2010, do not include:

Photograph
Date of birth or age
Marital status
Nationality (unless visa-relevant)
Religion or political affiliation

Frequently asked questions

How long should a UK CV be?

Two pages of A4 is the British standard. One page is acceptable for school leavers, apprentices and first-jobbers. Three pages is acceptable only at senior executive or academic level.

Do I need a photo on a UK CV?

No. UK recruiters expect no photo. Including one can flag unconscious-bias concerns and is sometimes rejected outright by NHS, Civil Service and large corporate employers.

Personal statement or summary?

Use 'Personal Statement' on a UK CV. 'Summary' or 'Objective' are American conventions. Keep it to 3–5 lines and front-load the role you're applying for.

Should I put references on my UK CV?

No. 'References available on request' is acceptable but increasingly omitted entirely to save space. UK recruiters request references at offer stage.

Is a 2-page CV better than 1 page in the UK?

Yes, for anyone with more than 18 months of work experience. UK recruiters perceive 1-page CVs as thin unless the candidate is a school leaver or apprentice.