So you're applying for a job across the pond.
Maybe you're an American eyeing a London tech role. Maybe you're a Brit looking at Silicon Valley opportunities. Maybe you're just curious about how the other side does things.
Here's what you need to know: a CV is not just a resume with a fancier name.
There are real differences in format, content, length, and expectations. Get them right, and you look globally competent. Get them wrong, and you look like you didn't bother to research.
TL;DR
- UK uses "CV" for all applications; US uses "resume"
- Paper size: UK = A4 (210 x 297mm); US = Letter (8.5 x 11")
- Length: UK = 2 pages standard; US = 1 page preferred for juniors
- Dates: UK = DD/MM/YYYY; US = MM/YYYY
- Both: No photos, no personal data, achievement-focused content
Quick Comparison Table
| Element | UK CV 🇬🇧 | US Resume 🇺🇸 |
|---|---|---|
| Terminology | CV (Curriculum Vitae) | Resume |
| Paper Size | A4 (210 x 297mm) | Letter (8.5 x 11") |
| Standard Length | 2 pages | 1 page (junior); 2 pages (senior) |
| Date Format | DD/MM/YYYY or Month YYYY | Month YYYY |
| Spelling | British English | American English |
| Photo | ❌ Never | ❌ Never |
| DOB/Age | ❌ Never (now) | ❌ Never |
| Personal Statement | Common at top | Summary (optional) |
| References | "Available on request" or omit | Usually omit |
The Terminology Confusion
Let's clear this up once and for all:
In the UK
CV (Curriculum Vitae) = The standard document for all job applications—corporate, retail, executive, everything.
There's no distinction between "CV" and "resume" in British English. They just call it a CV.
In the US
Resume = The standard 1-2 page document for most jobs.
CV = A longer, detailed document used specifically for academic, medical, and scientific research positions. Can be 5-10+ pages.
Important Distinction
If an American employer asks for a "CV," they usually want an academic-style long document. If a UK employer asks for a "CV," they want the equivalent of a US resume.
Context matters. When in doubt, ask or look at typical job postings in that market.
Paper Size (This Actually Matters)
UK standard paper size
210 x 297mm — slightly taller and narrower than US Letter
US standard paper size
8.5 x 11 inches — shorter and wider than A4
Why does this matter?
- Margins and formatting look different between A4 and Letter
- If you print a Letter-formatted resume on A4 paper, you get weird spacing
- Digital PDFs mostly solve this, but if an employer prints your CV, formatting may shift
Best practice: Set your document to the paper size of the country you're applying in.
Length Expectations
UK: Two Pages is Standard
Most UK employers expect a 2-page CV. One page can look sparse for experienced candidates.
- Graduate/Entry-level: 1-2 pages
- Mid-career: 2 pages
- Senior/Executive: 2-3 pages
- Academic: As long as needed
US: One Page is Preferred (But Not Mandatory)
The "one-page rule" is stronger in the US, especially for early-career candidates.
- Entry-level/New grad: 1 page strongly preferred
- 5-10 years: 1-2 pages
- Senior/Executive: 2 pages
- Academic CV: As long as needed
Pro Tip for Cross-Border Applications
If you're applying from the US to the UK, don't artificially condense everything to one page. UK recruiters may think you're underexperienced.
If you're applying from the UK to the US (entry-level), try to fit key content on one page. Two pages for a new grad may look padded.
Date Formatting
This is a subtle but important difference.
UK Format
September 2022 – Present 15/09/2022 (if specific dates needed)
Day comes first: DD/MM/YYYY
US Format
September 2022 – Present 09/2022 (if abbreviated)
Month comes first: MM/YYYY
On resumes/CVs, you typically just use Month Year format in both countries, so this rarely causes confusion. But avoid ambiguous formats like "09/12/2022" which means September 12 in the US but December 9 in the UK.
British vs American English
Spelling differences are real. Use the appropriate version:
| British English 🇬🇧 | American English 🇺🇸 |
|---|---|
| organised | organized |
| behaviour | behavior |
| colour | color |
| centre | center |
| programme | program |
| specialise | specialize |
| favour | favor |
| analyse | analyze |
| travelling | traveling |
| licence (noun) | license (noun & verb) |
Set your spell-check to the correct locale and be consistent throughout.
Content Differences
Personal Statement (UK) vs Summary (US)
UK CVs often start with a "Personal Statement" or "Profile"—a brief paragraph about who you are and what you're looking for.
"A motivated marketing professional with 5 years' experience in B2B SaaS. Skilled in content strategy, performance marketing, and team leadership. Seeking a senior role in a fast-growing tech company."
US resumes may include a "Professional Summary" (optional) or jump straight to experience. When included, it's typically more achievement-focused:
"Results-driven marketing leader with 5 years building high-performing content teams. Increased organic traffic by 180% and generated $2M in attributed pipeline at Series B startup."
Both are acceptable in either market, but UK personal statements tend to be slightly more personal, while US summaries emphasize measurable accomplishments.
References
UK: "References available upon request" is sometimes included at the bottom. Often omitted entirely (assumed available).
US: References are almost never included on the resume. Provide separately only when requested.
What to Include (and Exclude)
✅ Include in Both
- Contact information (name, phone, email, LinkedIn)
- Professional summary or personal statement
- Work experience with achievements
- Education and qualifications
- Skills (technical and relevant soft skills)
❌ Exclude from Both (in 2026)
| Don't Include | Why |
|---|---|
| Photo | Discrimination prevention |
| Date of birth/Age | Age discrimination laws |
| Marital status | Irrelevant and potentially discriminatory |
| Nationality/Visa status | Disclose only if specifically relevant |
| Religion | Not relevant |
| Full address | City/region is sufficient |
Historical Note
UK CVs historically included date of birth and sometimes nationality. This is now outdated. Modern UK CVs follow the same anti-discrimination principles as US resumes.
Formatting Differences
UK CV Structure
┌────────────────────────────────────┐ │ NAME │ │ Contact Details │ ├────────────────────────────────────┤ │ PERSONAL STATEMENT / PROFILE │ │ (3-4 sentences) │ ├────────────────────────────────────┤ │ KEY SKILLS │ │ (Bullet list) │ ├────────────────────────────────────┤ │ WORK EXPERIENCE │ │ (Reverse chronological) │ ├────────────────────────────────────┤ │ EDUCATION │ ├────────────────────────────────────┤ │ ADDITIONAL INFO │ │ (Languages, interests, etc.) │ └────────────────────────────────────┘
US Resume Structure
┌────────────────────────────────────┐ │ NAME & CONTACT │ ├────────────────────────────────────┤ │ PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY (optional) │ ├────────────────────────────────────┤ │ WORK EXPERIENCE │ │ (Reverse chronological) │ ├────────────────────────────────────┤ │ SKILLS │ ├────────────────────────────────────┤ │ EDUCATION │ └────────────────────────────────────┘
Both are valid; the UK format often gives more up-front prominence to the personal statement and skills summary.
Converting Your CV for the Other Market
US → UK Conversion Checklist
Adapting for UK Applications
- Change document size to A4
- Switch spell-check to British English
- Expand to 2 pages if content warrants
- Add a 'Personal Statement' at the top
- Use DD/MM/YYYY date format if specific dates needed
- Remove any 'references available' line (optional to add back)
- Ensure consistent British terminology
UK → US Conversion Checklist
Adapting for US Applications
- Change document size to Letter (8.5 x 11)
- Switch spell-check to American English
- Condense to 1 page if early-career (2 OK for senior)
- Make summary more achievement-focused
- Use Month YYYY date format
- Remove 'references available' line
- Quantify achievements more aggressively
Industry-Specific Notes
Finance/Legal
Both UK and US tend toward conservative, traditional formatting. The UK may expect more formal language.
Tech/Startups
Both markets are fairly similar—achievements and skills trump formality. UK tech is heavily influenced by US norms.
Academic
In both countries, academic CVs are longer and more detailed. The UK uses "CV" for this naturally; the US distinguishes between "CV" (academic) and "resume" (industry).
Creative Industries
Portfolio links matter more than CV format in both markets. UK may be slightly more open to creative formatting.
International Application Strategy
Applying to both UK and US jobs simultaneously? Consider these approaches:
- 1
Maintain two versions
Keep a UK CV and a US resume as separate files
- 2
Use a base template
Start with one master document and adapt for each market
- 3
Tailor for each application
Customize content regardless of format
- 4
Note work authorization
If applying from another country, address visa/sponsorship
Bottom Line
The differences between UK CVs and US resumes are real—but not dramatic.
If you nail the core principles:
- Achievement-focused bullet points
- Clean, ATS-friendly formatting
- No photos or personal data
- Tailored content for each role
...you'll be competitive in either market. The details (paper size, spelling, length) are polish. The substance matters most.
Build your international-ready CV/Resume
Our AI Resume Builder works for both UK and US applications. ATS-optimized and easy to customize for any market.
Build My ResumeRelated Resources
- Canadian Resume Format — Another Commonwealth comparison
- Bilingual Resume Tips — For multilingual professionals
- Resume Summary Generator — Create market-appropriate summaries
- Resume Examples — See various formatting styles
- Resume Templates — Format for UK or US markets
- Job Matcher Tool — Tailor for specific roles
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between a UK CV and a US resume?
Terminology: 'CV' is standard in the UK for all jobs; 'resume' is the US term. UK CVs are typically 2 A4 pages, while US resumes favor 1 page for junior roles. UK uses day/month/year dates; US uses month/year.
Should I include a photo on a UK CV?
No. Like the US, UK CVs should not include photos. This helps prevent discrimination and is standard practice across most industries.
What paper size should I use for a UK CV?
A4 (210 x 297 mm). In contrast, US resumes use Letter size (8.5 x 11 inches). If submitting digitally as PDF, this rarely matters, but it affects formatting and margins.
Do I need to include my date of birth on a UK CV?
No. While UK CVs historically included DOB, this is now discouraged due to age discrimination laws. Modern UK CVs should not include age, DOB, marital status, or nationality.
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