How to Write a UK-Style CV for Students and Graduates

4 min read

A UK CV follows conventions that can differ from CVs in other countries. Getting the format right helps a recruiter find the information they need in the few seconds they spend on a first read.

Length and layout

Keep it to one or two pages. One page is usually enough for a student or recent graduate
Use a clean, single-column layout with a plain, readable font
List experience and education in reverse chronological order, with the most recent first
Use UK spelling and date formats, for example "organised" and "March 2026"

What to include

Contact details: name, phone number, professional email address and city. A LinkedIn link is optional
A short personal profile of two to four lines: who you are, what you are studying or looking for
Education: course, institution and dates, plus relevant modules or grades
Work experience, including part-time jobs, internships and volunteering, with results where you can show them
Skills: languages, software and any certificates that are relevant to the role

What to leave out

In the UK it is normal to leave out a photograph, your date of birth, marital status and national ID details. Employers are encouraged to focus on skills and experience, and this information is not needed at the CV stage. You do not need to write references on the CV; you can say they are available on request.

Write achievements, not duties

Instead of "responsible for customer service", write what you did and what happened: "Handled 40+ customer enquiries per shift and received positive feedback from the manager". Numbers and specific results make a CV more convincing.

Common mistakes

Sending the same CV to every employer instead of matching it to the job description
Spelling or grammar errors, which are often a reason for rejection
Long paragraphs instead of short bullet points
Gaps in dates that are not explained

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