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The Ultimate Guide to Writing a CV in 2026 (UK Format, With Examples)

Your CV is the single most important document in your career. It’s not just a history of your jobs; it's your personal marketing brochure.

In 2026, your CV has two audiences: the ATS robot that scans it first and the human recruiter who (you hope) reads it second. This guide will show you how to write a CV that satisfies both, tailored specifically for the UK market.

UK CV Format: The 2026 Basics

  • Length: Two pages is ideal. One page is fine if you're early in your career. Three pages is almost always too long.
  • Format: PDF. Always send a PDF unless explicitly asked for a Word document.
  • Font: Stick to professional, readable fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Garamond. Use 10-12pt for body text and 14-18pt for headings.
  • Layout: Use clear headings, bullet points, and white space. Do not use tables or columns, as these can confuse an ATS.

Section 1: Contact Information

This should be at the very top.

Include: Your Name, Phone Number, Email Address, and LinkedIn Profile URL (make sure it's customised).

Leave Out: Your date of birth, marital status, photo, and full home address. Your general location (e.g., "London" or "Manchester") is all that's needed.

Section 2: The Personal Statement

This is a 3-5 line "executive summary" of your career. It's your 6-second pitch to hook the recruiter. It must be tailored to the job you're applying for.

Bad Example: "A hardworking and motivated professional looking for a challenging new role in a dynamic company." (This is generic and says nothing).

Good Example: "An award-winning Digital Marketing Manager with 5+ years of experience in the B2B SaaS sector. Proven track record in doubling lead generation via organic SEO and managing a £250k+ annual PPC budget." (This is specific, quantified, and targeted).

Section 3: Work Experience

This is the most important section. List it in reverse chronological order (most recent job first).

Format: Job Title | Company Name | Location | Dates (e.g., May 2021 – Present)

The Golden Rule: Show Achievements, Not Responsibilities. Don't just list what you did; show what you achieved. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to build your bullet points.

Bad Example: "Responsible for managing social media accounts."

Good Example:

  • "Grew Instagram following from 10k to 50k (a 400% increase) in 12 months by launching a new video reel strategy."
  • "Managed a £50k social media budget, delivering a 25% increase in lead conversion rate."

Section 4: Skills

Create a dedicated section for your hard and soft skills. This is vital for the ATS scan.

Hard Skills: These are teachable, technical skills (e.g., Python, Adobe Photoshop, SEO/SEM, Fluent in French).

Soft Skills: These are interpersonal skills (e.g., Leadership, Communication, Stakeholder Management, Problem-Solving).

How to tailor: Read the job description. If it asks for "SEO" and "Google Analytics," make sure those exact phrases are in your skills section.

Section 5: Education & Qualifications

List your most recent and relevant education first.

Format: Degree Type, Subject | University Name | Dates

You don't need to include your A-Levels or GCSEs if you have a university degree, unless the job spec specifically asks for them.

Final 5-Point Checklist

  1. Is it PDF? (Yes)
  2. Is it two pages or less? (Yes)
  3. Is it ATS-friendly? (No tables, no columns)
  4. Is it tailored? (Does your Personal Statement and Skills section match the job spec?)
  5. Is it proofread? (Read it backwards, word by word, to catch typos).