How do you build a CV or resume?

Building a CV or resume is easy. Just use a high-quality CV maker . Despite the name, if you don’t add enough content to create a 2+ page CV, you’ll end up with a one-page resume. Cover letters are standard in the UK, so you’ll also need to make your own cover letter online — don’t worry, it’ll be done in a few minutes.

What is a CV or resume sample?

A CV sample is an example of a CV targeting a specific job. For example, if you’re applying to be a customer service advisor, taking a look at a sample customer service advisor CV is helpful. You can see the kinds of work experience employers are expecting, as well as the types of qualifications and skills you’ll need. A resume sample is the same idea but for a one-page resume. You can download samples to your computer in .docx format so you can edit them to fit your own background (doing this will be a bit slower than using a CV builder though).

3. How do you turn a CV into a resume?

If an employer asks for a resume instead of a CV, it’s straightforward: 1. Remove any irrelevant jobs from the document. On a CV, you usually include every single job you’ve had. On a resume, you just include jobs relevant to the position you’re applying for. For example, if you’ve worked as a graphic designer, and are applying for a senior graphic design role, cut out those Asda customer service or Uber Eats delivery roles you had back in uni. Tip: You should also remove any jobs that you held 15+ years ago. As well as helping you cut your CV down to resume size, it’ll also help protect you against age discrimination. 2. Remove certain sections that are standard on a CV but just take up space on a resume — for example, your hobbies and interests section 3. Try using a smaller resume/CV font size; but 10 should be the minimum font size on CVs and resumes. Other formatting hacks include —(i) reducing your margins down to a max of 1.25 cm, (ii) removing personal details like your full postal address, marital status, nationality, date of birth, National Insurance Number etc. (you shouldn’t list these anyway), and (iii) using a narrower font like Arial Narrow (you’ll be able to fit more text on your page).

A CV is a job application document that shows employers why you deserve an interview. A good CV highlights your educational and professional background, including your: key skills work experience qualifications and certifications ‘CV’ stands for ‘ curriculum vitae ’, Latin for ‘the path of your life’, which makes sense because a CV walks employers through the path of your career and education and lets them know whether you’d be a good fit for their company.

5. Do I need both a resume and a CV?

No, usually you don't need both a resume and a CV. The only case where you would need both is if you're applying to jobs in both the US and the UK. In that case, you'll need the shorter resume for the US and the more in-depth CV for the UK.

6. If an employer asks for either a CV or a resume, should I submit both?

No, in this case, the employer is letting you choose which document to send. If you already have a CV prepared, send it to the employer. If the job opening is in the UK or Commonwealth , use British English; if the job is in the US, use American English.

3. Why do Americans call a ‘CV’ a ‘resume’?

The word 'resume' comes from the French verb ' résumer ', which means 'to summarise', but it's unclear why Americans started using the word 'resume' instead of 'CV'.

Resume vs CV: What’s the Difference in the UK?

Table of Contents

In the UK, the terms ‘CV’ and ‘resume’ mean the same thing. Both refer to the standard job application document that summarises your work experience, skills, and education.

Most UK employers use the term ‘CV’.

In the US, resumes and CVs are different. A resume is a job application document you submit for non-academic jobs. Meanwhile, a CV is a much longer document used to apply for roles in academia (e.g., university professor jobs). In the UK, this kind of document is called an academic CV.

Main differences between resumes and CVs

Although both documents have the same purpose, resumes have a slightly different structure and appearance to the CV format preferred in the UK.

An example of what the differences between a resume vs a CV are, with the resume portion shown on a tan background and the CV portion shown on a blue background

CV vs resume: formatting and content differences

While CVs and resumes are similar in format and content, here are the key differences to keep in mind:

Spelling: Be aware of the spelling differences between British English and American English, and use US English for jobs based there
Length: US resumes are strictly one page long. In the UK, CVs can be up to two pages. There are a few ways to shorten your CV if you’re concerned about its length
Page size: The UK uses A4 size paper, whereas the US uses ‘US Letter’ size paper
Dates: If you’re specifying exact dates on a resume, remember to use US mm/dd/yyyy format like 8/31/2025 for 31 August 2025
University results: Convert your degree classification into a US GPA so employers understand your academic achievements
Contact details: Your UK phone number will need a country dialling code if you expect US hiring managers to reach you. If your number is 07123 456 789, it should be written as +44 7123 456 789 on a US resume for job applications in the States

Whether you’re applying for a job in the UK or US, using an online CV maker can speed up the creation process so that your document is ready in just minutes.

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Skip the writer’s block and make a CV in minutes with our AI software.

Resume vs CV: examples

Here’s what a US resume looks like:

A resume example to use when comparing a resume to a CV. — Download this example.

And here is what a CV for the UK looks like:

A CV example to use when comparing a resume to a CV. — Download this example.

Academic CVs vs non-academic CVs

In the UK, academic CVs are used when applying for university research or teaching roles, or for postgraduate courses. They follow a different format from standard CVs:

First, they can be significantly longer than a standard CV, especially if you have a lengthy academic career. There is no page limit on academic CVs.

Additionally, academic CVs include sections not typically found in a standard job CV. They feature a more detailed education section, along with additional sections such as publications, research and teaching experience, conference attendance, professional affiliations, and grant history.

Universities favour this structure because your research and publishing experience is more important than traditional work experience.

Example academic CV

Here’s an image example of the first page of an academic CV:

An example of the first page of an academic CV. — Download this example.

When writing an academic CV, keep these formatting tips in mind:

Ignore page limits — academic CVs are often several pages long, providing detailed accounts of your academic career and educational background
Include full citation details for all publications, using the referencing style relevant to your field or required by your institution
Avoid unnecessary design elements — academic CVs should prioritise clarity and structure over visual flair, and universities often prefer simple CV designs that reflect the formal nature of academic hiring

Frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about CVs and resumes, along with their answers:

1. Can I use my CV instead of a resume?

Yes, you can use your CV instead of a resume if you’re applying for a job in the US and the deadline for applying doesn’t give you time to convert your document.

2. How can I quickly adapt my CV for a US job?

Here are some ways you can quickly adapt your CV for a US job:

Avoid listing UK-specific qualifications like GCSEs or A-Levels. You can mention you graduated from high school and hold the UK equivalent of a high school diploma
If you are a recent grad, work out what your GPA should be based on your degree classification and add that information to your CV
Change spellings from British to American English (set your word processor language to American English)
Change your job title to the American version. For example, change ‘estate agent’ to ‘realtor’
Convert metric to Imperial and pounds (£) to dollars ($) in number-based accomplishments on your CV

Just like British employers, American hiring managers don’t expect to see a photo on your CV so don’t add one unless applying for roles like modelling or acting.

3. What is the difference between a CV and a portfolio?

CVs and portfolios differ in purpose and structure.

CVs are job application documents that summarise your relevant skills and work experience.

Portfolios serve a different purpose: to show tangible examples of your work.

Portfolios are common in creative and technical fields, and may feature visuals, projects, or case studies to demonstrate relevant skills.

4. How do I improve my resume for UK job opportunities?

You can quickly adapt your resume for the UK by using a CV maker.

These tools allow you to quickly tweak your document’s contents and formatting with a couple of clicks, so you can fine-tune your resume for job opportunities in the UK and Europe.

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Written by

Samuel Johns

Samuel Johns is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Senior Editor on the CV Genius team, with 6+ years of experience in the careers space. He has helped countless job hunters craft high-quality CVs and cover letters, exceed expectations at interviews, and obtain their dream jobs. Born and raised in County Durham in the beautiful North East of England, he graduated with a BA (Hons) in French Language and Literature from the University of Bristol in 2013 and has worked in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, London, Paris, and Taipei as a French–English translator. He’s determined to use his native English and fluent French skills to help UK and French candidates get the jobs they deserve. In addition to the British and French versions of CV Genius, Samuel’s job-hunt advice has been published on numerous websites, including Careers.org, the University of Warwick, the Enterprisers Project, and HR.com. If you’d like to collaborate, please reach out to Samuel through LinkedIn. Please note, we don’t accept guest posts and won’t reply to such requests.