How to Write an English CV [Examples & Free Template]

English CV example & free template

Here’s an English CV example that you can download for Microsoft Word and fill in with your own information:

Download English CV Example

In addition to having correct local formatting, this CV’s clean, scannable design makes it perfect for UK job applications.

How to make a CV in English (2 ways)

There are two ways to make a CV (curriculum vitae) in English. You can either:

1. get professional help by creating a CV using an online CV builder
2. learn how to write a good CV yourself from scratch

The best method for you depends on how much time you have, your confidence in your English ability, and whether you know how to format a CV manually.

1. Use a UK CV maker

Using an online CV maker is the most convenient option for making a CV. Good CV makers automatically set up your CV layout based on your chosen CV design and adjust font sizes as necessary.

To fill out your CV, you can pick pre-written bullet points and skills, ensuring your CV is grammatically correct no matter your level of English.

And if you’re short on time, it should take only minutes to create a CV using an online CV maker.

Build My CV Now

2. Write your English CV yourself

If your English is fluent and you have some spare time, you can try writing your CV yourself.

Here are some tips for writing your English CV:

• Use British English for jobs in the UK (ensure your spell checker is set up properly).
• Don’t add a photo to your CV. In English-speaking countries, photos aren’t recommended because employers make hiring decisions based on what you can do, not how you look.
• Add your country’s dialing code to your phone number (e.g., +33 for France) if you don’t have a local number.
• Make your CV 2 pages long, the standard length in the UK (but if you’re a university lecturer or a senior executive, use as many pages as necessary).
• Don’t add your postal address to your CV if you live outside the country. For example, a Munich address when you’re applying for a job in Manchester could harm your chances if the recruiting manager wants to find someone quickly.
• Don’t include too many personal details on an English CV — for instance, your date of birth, nationality, marital status, height, weight, religion, and National Insurance Number. But you can mention if you have the right to work in the UK.
• Get a native speaker to proofread your CV no matter your level of English because there may be typos or small errors.
• Use 2.5 cm margins and a body CV font size between 10.5 and 12.

If you want to dive into the details of writing a CV, we go through how to make each section of a CV below.

How to write an English CV: 6 steps

Here’s a quick guide to writing each section of an English CV:

1. Put your name and contact details in a CV header

Your CV header lets recruiters know who you are, so make the font size for your name slightly larger than in the rest of your CV. Then add your telephone number (with country code if you’re not in the UK), and a professional email (for example, firstname.lastname@gmail.com).

Optionally, list your postal address as well. And if you have a LinkedIn profile or a professional online portfolio, add them here too.

2. Summarise your top details in a CV statement

A CV statement (sometimes called a personal profile or CV ‘about me’) appears at the top of an English CV, and it’s used to highlight the most job-relevant facts about you in the place the recruiting manager reads first.

So add your most relevant skills, qualifications, and achievements here so the hiring manager can see why you’re right for the role.

Do this by reading the job advert and thinking about what the employer wants to see in candidates. Then, write your personal statement with that in mind.

3. Emphasise achievements in a work history section

On an English CV, you don’t need to add all of your previous jobs. Leave off any jobs that aren’t relevant to the one you’re applying for (for example, a barista job if you’re now a graphic designer), especially if you’re running out of space.

Each job entry that you add to your English CV should include:

• the company’s name
• the location (town/city) where you worked (with the country name if it’s in a city British people won’t know)
• your job title
• the dates you worked there

After that, include 3 or 4 bullet points that cover some of your main achievements or duties during your time working there. For example, highlight promotions on your CV and give examples of how you helped your employer achieve their goals.

4. Describe your qualifications in an education section

English CVs have a detailed education section.

Your highest qualification should be at the top of your education section. Depending on your level of education, put any Ph.D. first, followed by Master’s and then Bachelor degrees. Add your grade (with or without British equivalent), and university name and location.

If you don’t have a university degree, add your highest secondary school diploma, and specify that it’s equivalent to A-levels in your country.

5. List your top abilities in a skills section

A CV skills section is a list of your top skills. So list any of the skills you see in the job advert if you have them.

Your skills section should be dedicated to your technical skills — skills you learn that are essential to the job. You need to include them here to show employers you’re capable of doing the job.

6. Show you’re a good fit in a hobbies & interests list

When you write a CV in English, you should describe your hobbies and interests outside of work. But the hobbies and interests you pick should show the recruiting manager that you have the talents they’re looking for.

For example, if you apply for a leisure centre lifeguard role, include hobbies and interests like ‘Swimming’, ‘Keeping fit’, and ‘Reaction games’ to show you focus on developing the skills you need at work in your spare time too.

Common questions about English CVs

Have unanswered questions about writing a CV in English? Here are expert answers to three of the most frequent queries about making a CV for a job in England and the rest of the UK:

1. Is a British CV the same as a resume?

No, a British CV is not the same as a resume. A resume is a one-page CV that’s written for jobs in North American countries.

If you’re applying to work in an English-speaking country that requires a resume instead of a CV, review these resources to learn how to make a job-winning application:

• What is a resume?
• What’s the difference between a CV and a resume?

2. What is an academic CV in the UK?

An academic CV in the UK is a multi-page document used to apply for jobs in academia. Academic CVs don’t follow the standard CV length of two pages, as extra space is needed for information like:

• publications
• classes taught
• conferences attended
• presentations & posters

3. Is there a CV format for the UK?

Unlike the Europass CV format in Europe, there’s no set CV format in English. So you can (and should) fully customise your CV design, layout, and content to best highlight your qualifications and skills, depending on your situation.

For example, if you’re applying to a job in an industry you have no experience in, you can use a skills-based CV that emphasises your abilities over your experience.

But if you have experience related to your target job, ensure your work history is the focus of your CV by placing it right after your personal statement.