CV writing guides
Straight answers to the questions people ask while writing a CV in the UK, with worked examples. Want to start from a finished CV instead? See our CV examples by role and CV templates by industry.
CV guides
- ATS CV guide: how to make an ATS-friendly CVHow to write an ATS CV for UK jobs: how applicant tracking systems read a CV, the formatting rules and why they matter, a checklist and a free checker.
- UK CV format: layout, sections and orderThe standard UK CV format: the sections in order, fonts and spacing, what to leave off, PDF or Word, and how to lay it out for screening software.
- How long should a CV be?How long a CV should be in the UK: two pages of A4 for most people, one page for students and school leavers, and longer only for academic and medical CVs.
- CV vs resume: what is the difference?CV vs resume: in the UK a CV is the standard job application document and a resume is the US word for it. When the two differ, and how to convert one.
- How to write a CV with no experienceHow to write a CV with no experience at any age: what to put instead of jobs, which layout to use, how to write the profile, and what to leave out.
- CV personal statement examples and how to write oneCV personal statement examples for graduates, career changers, parents returning to work, experienced staff and school leavers, with a structure to copy.
- References for a CV: do you need them?References for a CV in the UK: why most CVs leave referees off, when to list them, who to ask, how to brief them, and what a former employer can say.
- Skills for a CV: what to list and how to prove itWhich skills to put on a CV, with lists for common jobs, IT skills, where each skill belongs on the page and how to prove it with evidence employers trust.
More guides and tools
Resume Tips
Complete guide to writing a professional resume. Formatting, bullets, and common mistakes.
Read guide →ATS Guide
How to optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems. Checklist and best practices.
Read guide →CV Examples
Complete UK CV examples by role, each with a guide to how it was written.
Read guide →Blog
Latest articles on job search, career advice, and resume building.
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