How to Write a CV for UK Jobs in 2026 (Format, Examples and ATS Tips)

Last reviewed: 17 October 2026

Short answer: if you're working out how to write a CV for UK jobs in 2026, aim for two pages in reverse-chronological order, with a short personal statement, your work history written as achievements rather than duties, and the keywords from the job advert. Leave out your photo, date of birth and marital status: UK employers don't expect them. It matters more than usual this year. UK vacancies fell to 702,000 in June to August 2026, the lowest outside the pandemic since 2014 (ONS), and Adzuna counted 2.14 jobseekers per advertised vacancy in July 2026.

Here's exactly how to write each section, with examples you can adapt.

What should a UK CV include?

Use these sections, in this order:

1. Name and contact details: name, phone number, email, town or city, and a LinkedIn link if it's up to date. You don't need your full home address.
2. Personal statement: three or four lines on who you are, what you offer and what you're looking for.
3. Key skills: six to ten skills matched to the job advert.
4. Work experience: most recent job first, with achievements.
5. Education and qualifications: most recent first. Include GCSEs and A-levels only if you're early in your career.
6. Additional information (optional): professional memberships, languages, driving licence if relevant, and your right to work in the UK if you think an employer might wonder.

How long should a CV be in the UK?

Two sides of A4 is the standard. Recruiters skim, and anything longer usually means you've included detail that doesn't help. Graduates and school leavers can often fit everything on one page. Very senior candidates and academics are the main exceptions, as academic CVs list publications and can run much longer.

What should you leave off a UK CV?

Many international CV formats include personal details that UK employers don't want, and some of which could expose them to discrimination claims under the Equality Act 2010. Leave out:

• a photo
• your date of birth or age
• marital status, children, religion or nationality (unless you're confirming your right to work)
• your full postal address (your town is enough)
• "references available on request" (it's assumed)
• your current salary

How to write a personal statement that gets read

Your personal statement is the first thing a recruiter reads, so make it specific. Avoid lines that could describe anyone, such as "hard-working team player with excellent communication skills".

Weak:

"Motivated and hard-working professional seeking a challenging role where I can use my skills."

Strong:

"Accounts assistant with four years' experience in purchase ledger and month-end close for a 200-person manufacturer. Cut supplier payment errors by 40% by introducing automated invoice matching in Xero. Now looking for an assistant management accountant role in the Birmingham area while I complete my CIMA qualification."

The strong version has a job title, experience, a measurable result, a tool, a location and a clear goal, all in three sentences.

How to describe your work experience

For each job, list your title, employer, location and dates (month and year), then three to six bullet points. Lead each bullet with an action verb and, wherever you can, a result:

• ❌ "Responsible for handling customer complaints."
• ✅ "Resolved around 40 customer complaints a week, raising the team's satisfaction score from 72% to 89% in six months."

Numbers make claims believable: money saved, time cut, targets hit, people managed, customers served. If you don't know an exact figure, a fair estimate is fine, but be ready to explain it in an interview.

How do you get a CV past an applicant tracking system?

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is software that employers and recruiters use to collect, store and filter job applications. Most medium and large UK employers use one, so your CV may be read by software before a person sees it.

• Use the job advert's wording. If it asks for "stakeholder management", use that phrase where it truthfully describes your experience.
• Keep the layout simple: a single column, standard headings ("Work experience", "Education"), and no tables, text boxes or text inside images.
• Use a standard font such as Arial or Calibri, size 10 to 12.
• Save as Word or PDF, whichever the advert asks for.
• Don't hide keywords in white text. Recruiters and newer systems spot it, and it gets applications rejected.

Should you mention AI skills on your CV in 2026?

Yes, if you have them, and show what you did with them. UK workers with AI skills earned a 34.2% wage premium in 2025 (PwC 2026 UK AI Jobs Barometer). "Used Microsoft Copilot to cut weekly report preparation from six hours to two" is far stronger than a skills list saying "AI". See our guide to AI-proofing your career for ideas.

Using AI to help write your CV is fine too, but rewrite the result in your own words and check every claim. Generic AI phrasing is easy for recruiters to spot.

CV vs résumé: what's the difference?

In the UK, "CV" (curriculum vitae) is the standard term for the document you send with a job application, and it's usually two pages. In the US, the equivalent is a "résumé", typically one page. If you're applying for UK jobs, call it a CV and follow UK conventions, including British spelling.

Common CV mistakes that get you rejected

• Sending the same CV to every job without tailoring it.
• Spelling and grammar mistakes. Read it out loud, then ask someone else to check.
• Unexplained gaps. A short line ("Career break to care for a family member, 2024") is enough.
• Listing duties instead of achievements.
• An unprofessional email address. Use your name.

What to do next

Once your CV is ready, tailor it for each application and pair it with a short cover letter that explains why you want that job. Then create a free GetUKJobs account, upload your CV, and browse the latest jobs in the UK. If you're weighing up offers, check our guide to the average UK salary in 2026 to see how they compare.

Sources

• ONS, Labour market overview, UK: September 2026
• Adzuna UK Job Market Report, July 2026
• PwC, 2026 UK AI Jobs Barometer, June 2026
• Equality Act 2010 (GOV.UK guidance for employers on recruitment)