Should I include a photo on a UK CV?

No. British employers do not expect a photo. This is a strong UK convention to avoid any discrimination bias.

What is the ideal length for a British CV?

1 page for junior profiles, 2 pages maximum for experienced profiles.

What is a Personal Statement on a UK CV?

A professional summary of 3 to 5 lines at the top of the CV summarising your profile, key achievements and objective.

🇬🇧 UK CV

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UK standard respected, ATS-optimised, no photo required. The complete guide + free generator.

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The UK job market in 2026

The British job market is one of the most competitive in Europe. UK recruiters receive an average of 250 applications per role and spend only 7 seconds on each CV. Your CV must be impeccable at first glance.

6 essential rules for the perfect UK CV

No photo

Unlike France, including a photo on a British CV is considered inappropriate and could even expose the employer to discrimination claims.

No sensitive personal details

Age, marital status, nationality, religion: never mention them. UK employers are very strict on equal opportunities.

2 pages maximum

The standard UK format is 2 A4 pages. Never exceed 2 pages, even with 20 years of experience. 1 page for junior profiles.

Personal Statement at the top

Always start with a 'Personal Statement' of 3–4 lines summarising who you are and what you bring. This is the first text read.

Action verbs + numbers

Each experience must start with a strong verb (Managed, Led, Delivered, Grew) and include quantified results.

ATS format is essential

85% of large UK companies use ATS. Use standard fonts, avoid complex columns and tables.

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UK job market — Key figures 2026

Indicator	Value	Note
Unemployment rate	4.1%	Tight market, strong competition
Median salary	£35,000/year	Varies significantly by region
Hiring sectors	Tech, Finance, NHS	London, Manchester, Edinburgh
CVs screened by ATS	85%	Clean format mandatory
CV reading time	7 seconds	Personal Statement crucial
Required language	British English	US English not recommended

To go further, see our guide on how to write a CV, our CV examples by sector, and our comparison of the CV format 2026. Also targeting Europe? See Germany CV, Netherlands CV.

FAQ — UK CV: your questions

No. British employers do not expect a photo and some may even discard a CV with a photo to avoid any unconscious bias. This is a strong cultural convention in the UK.

1 page for junior profiles (less than 3 years of experience), 2 pages maximum for experienced profiles. Beyond 2 pages, the CV risks being discarded before even being read.

Always in British English (organisation, colour, programme). American English may signal that you are not familiar with the UK market.

It is a professional summary of 3 to 5 lines at the top of the CV. It answers: who I am, what I have achieved, and what I am looking for. It is the most-read section by recruiters.

No. Simply write 'References available on request' (or omit this, as UK recruiters know you have them). Including your referees' contact details upfront is outdated.

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