🎯 What UK Employers Expect in a CV

In the United Kingdom, CVs are expected to be concise (1–2 pages), professional, and tailored to the job role. British employers value clarity, quantifiable achievements, and UK spelling and grammar. Your CV should not include a photo or personal details like age or marital status—elements still common in other countries.

Companies like HSBC, Deloitte UK, Unilever, and the NHS use ATS platforms to shortlist candidates based on structure, keywords, and relevance to the job spec. If your CV is not ATS-friendly, it may never be seen by a human.

Here are critical areas UK job seekers should focus on for a successful application:

• 📝 Use a UK-Style CV Format

  Stick to reverse-chronological order, use UK English (e.g., “organise” not “organize”), and omit photos or personal pronouns.

• 🔑 Tailor Your Keywords

  Align your language with the job advert—especially industry-specific terms like “stakeholder engagement,” “compliance,” or “project delivery.”

• 📏 Keep it Concise

  Most UK employers expect 1–2 pages. Focus on achievements, not long descriptions of duties. Bullet points work best.

• 📍 Highlight UK Experience

  If you have worked or studied in the UK, be sure to mention it. Recruiters often prioritise locally experienced candidates.

• ✅ Use Job Titles that Align with UK Norms

  Adjust titles like “Sales Executive” or “Operations Manager” to reflect local naming conventions, if needed.

🔎 Explore Role-Based CV Guides for UK Job Seekers

Tailoring your CV to your specific job role is essential in the UK market. A software developer’s CV in Bristol will differ from that of a marketing lead in Edinburgh or a project manager in London.

Explore our collection of role-specific CV guides that show how to match your experience, terminology, and achievements with job ads in your field. Each guide is structured to meet ATS parsing standards and recruiter expectations within the UK context.