This template is built specifically for UK employers. It uses UK conventions (2-page standard, British English, personal statement structure) and is optimised for the ATS systems used by UK companies. For US resume templates, see our resume writing guide.
The UK CV structure — with examples
Each section below includes an annotated example you can copy directly.
Header
RequiredExample
James Taylor London, UK · james.taylor@email.co.uk · +44 7700 900123 · linkedin.com/in/jamestaylor
Notes: Name on one line (large, bold). Below: city, email, phone, LinkedIn URL. No street address, no date of birth, no photo.
Personal Statement
RequiredExample
A results-driven Senior Product Manager with 8 years' experience in B2B SaaS across fintech and HR tech. Specialises in 0-to-1 product development, with two product launches reaching £10M ARR within 18 months. Seeking a lead PM role at a Series B–D company with full product line ownership.
Notes: 2–4 sentences. Written in third person. Lead with level + specialism, include one proof point, state what you're looking for.
Work Experience
RequiredExample
Senior Product Manager | Fintech Startup | March 2021 – Present • Led 0-to-1 development of a payment reconciliation product, generating £8M ARR in 12 months • Managed a cross-functional team of 11 (3 engineers, 2 designers, 1 data analyst) across 2 time zones • Reduced customer onboarding time by 40% through a redesigned onboarding flow (NPS +18 points)
Notes: Reverse chronological. Job title | Company | Dates (Month Year – Month Year). 3–5 bullets per role. Start each bullet with an action verb. Include numbers wherever possible.
Education
RequiredExample
BSc Computer Science | University of Edinburgh | 2013–2016 Classification: 2:1 (Upper Second-Class Honours) Dissertation: Machine Learning Applications in Financial Fraud Detection (78% mark)
Notes: Degree, institution, years. Include classification (1st / 2:1 / 2:2). Include dissertation or relevant modules only if recent grad or highly relevant.
Skills
OptionalExample
Technical: SQL, Tableau, JIRA, Figma, Mixpanel, Amplitude Methodologies: Agile, Scrum, OKRs, Jobs-to-be-Done Languages: English (native), French (working proficiency)
Notes: Keep it relevant to the role. Remove soft skills (they're assumed). Add languages and certifications here.
What not to include on a UK CV
Photo
Not standard in UK hiring — can trigger bias concerns
Date of birth / age
Age discrimination law — never required or appropriate
Marital status / nationality
Not required; potentially disadvantageous
References
Omit 'references available on request' — it's outdated
Hobbies (generic)
'Reading, cooking, socialising' — says nothing. Only include if genuinely relevant
Objective statement
This is an American convention — UK CVs use personal statements instead
CV frequently asked questions
What is the best CV format for UK jobs?
The reverse chronological format is the standard for UK CVs and works for 90% of job seekers. It lists your most recent experience first. The functional CV format (skills-led) is not recommended for most UK roles — many UK recruiters and ATS systems view it negatively, as it can appear to be hiding a career gap or lack of experience.
Should my UK CV have colour?
Subtle colour is fine for most roles — a coloured header or accent colour is widely used. Avoid heavy use of colour, complex graphics, or coloured backgrounds for the body text. For conservative industries (law, finance, NHS, Civil Service), stick to black and white. For creative roles (marketing, design), more colour is acceptable.
How do I write a CV with no experience UK?
For a UK CV with no experience: lead with a strong personal statement focused on skills and what you're looking for; include a skills section highlighting transferable skills; replace work experience with part-time jobs, volunteering, university projects, or extracurricular activities; put education near the top if you're a recent graduate. Quantify every contribution, even small ones.
What font should I use for a UK CV?
The most professional and ATS-safe fonts for UK CVs are: Calibri (size 11), Arial (size 11), Garamond (size 12), or Georgia (size 11.5). Avoid Times New Roman (dated), Comic Sans (unprofessional), or any decorative fonts. Consistency matters more than font choice — pick one and use it throughout.
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