Your CV is the single most important document in your career. Itâs not just a history of your jobs; it's your personal marketing brochure. This guide will show you how to make a CV for a job that satisfies both the ATS robot and the human recruiter, tailored specifically for the UK market.
UK CV Format: The 2026 Basics
- Length: Two pages is ideal for a UK CV. One page is fine if you're early in your career.
- Format: PDF. Always send a PDF unless explicitly asked for a Word document.
- Font: Stick to professional, readable fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Garamond.
- Layout: Use clear headings, bullet points, and white space. Do not use tables or columns.
Section 1: Contact Information
This should be at the very top. Include: Your Name, Phone Number, Email Address, and LinkedIn Profile URL.
Section 2: The Personal Statement
This is your 6-second pitch to hook the recruiter. It must be tailored to the job you're applying for. Focus on specific achievements.
Section 3: Work Experience
This is the most important section. List it in reverse chronological order. Show Achievements, Not Responsibilities. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to build your bullet points.
Section 4: Skills
Create a dedicated section for your hard and soft skills. This is vital for the ATS scan. Read the job description and make sure the keywords it uses are present in your skills section.
Section 5: Education & Qualifications
List your most recent and relevant education first. You don't need to include A-Levels or GCSEs if you have a university degree.
Final 5-Point Checklist
- Is it a PDF?
- Is it two pages or less?
- Is it ATS-friendly (no tables, no columns)?
- Is it tailored to the job spec?
- Is it proofread?
