If you have been reading US-focused careers advice, you may be optimising for the wrong document. In the UK, most jobs ask for a 'CV', which is broadly the equivalent of what Americans call a 'resume'. The terms overlap, but the conventions differ in a few ways that matter — and following US rules on a UK application can quietly work against you.
The terminology
For the vast majority of UK jobs, 'CV' simply means the concise, targeted document you send with an application — the same purpose a resume serves in the US. Confusingly, the word 'CV' also has a second, traditional meaning: the long, comprehensive academic record used in research and higher education. For an ordinary job application, it is the first sense that applies, so do not send a sprawling academic-style document unless the role specifically calls for one.
Key UK conventions
A standard UK CV follows a few settled expectations:
- Length is typically two pages
- No photo — UK employers generally do not expect or want one
- No date of birth, age, marital status or nationality beyond right-to-work
- A short personal statement or profile at the top is common
- Reverse-chronological work history is the norm
- 'References available on request' is optional and often dropped to save space
What to drop from US advice
Several habits common in US resumes do not fit UK expectations. Photos and headshots are standard in some countries but generally avoided here, partly for fair-hiring reasons. The strict one-page rule is a US convention; two pages is fine and often expected in the UK. Heavy emphasis on GPA-style academic scores matters less; and an American-style 'objective' statement is usually better replaced with a concise professional profile focused on what you offer.
The academic CV is a different thing
If you are applying for a research, academic or some medical posts, the traditional long-form CV is expected — listing publications, funding, teaching and the full record. That is the exception, not the rule. For everything else, keep to the concise, tailored two-page format.
Small details that signal you know the market
Write in UK English — 'organised', not 'organized'; 'CV', not 'resume' — and use UK date and phone formats. These are small things, but to a UK employer they quietly signal that you understand the market you are applying into. Getting the conventions right lets your actual experience do the talking.
Common questions
Is a CV the same as a resume in the UK?
For most UK jobs, yes — a 'CV' is the concise, targeted application document that a US resume equivalently serves. 'CV' also has a second meaning: the long academic record used in research, which is only expected for academic and some medical roles.
Should a UK CV include a photo?
No. UK employers generally do not expect or want a photo, and leaving it off is the safer, more conventional choice.
How is a UK CV different from a US resume?
UK CVs are typically two pages, omit photos and personal details like age, use UK English, and open with a professional profile rather than an American-style objective. The strict one-page rule is a US convention that doesn't apply.