Resume Star › CV builder for the UK

Free CV maker for UK job seekers

A ready-written CV for your job, laid out the way UK employers expect, as an A4 PDF.

UK employers ask for a CV, not a resume, and they expect it to follow British conventions: a short personal profile at the top, your work history in reverse order, and no photo or personal details such as your date of birth.

Resume Star starts you with a CV already written for your job. Swap in your own details, pick a design, and download a clean A4 PDF that prints and uploads correctly.

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How to write a CV for the UK

  1. Keep it to two A4 pages. Two pages is standard in the UK. One page is fine if you are a school leaver or graduate.
  2. Open with a personal profile. Three or four lines on who you are, your experience and the job you want. UK CVs rarely use an "objective".
  3. Leave out your photo, date of birth and marital status. UK employers don't expect them, and under the Equality Act 2010 most avoid asking. Nationality isn't needed either. If you need a visa, say whether you have the right to work in the UK.
  4. Give your town and postcode area, not your full address. For example "Leeds, LS6". Add a UK mobile number and a professional email address.
  5. List qualifications the UK way. Degree with classification (for example BA (Hons) Business, 2:1), then A levels or BTECs, then GCSEs summarised in one line ("9 GCSEs, grades 9–4, including English and Maths").
  6. Use British spelling. Organised, analysed, programme, colour. Recruiters notice "organized" on a UK CV.
  7. References can wait. You don't need to list referees or write "References available on request". Employers ask for them after an offer.

What to include and what to leave out

Include
  • Personal profile
  • Work experience, most recent first
  • Education and qualifications
  • Key skills
  • Right to work in the UK, if you need a visa
Leave out
  • Photo
  • Date of birth or age
  • Marital status or children
  • National Insurance number
  • Full home address

Start from a CV written for your job

Each template comes with sample wording for the role. Replace it with your own details, and rename, reorder or remove any section.

Over 50 more templates to pick from after you sign up.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a CV and a resume?

In the UK they mean the same thing: the document you send with a job application. "CV" is the word UK employers use. In the US the same document is called a resume, and an academic CV is a longer document that lists publications and research.

Should a UK CV be one page or two?

Two A4 pages is the norm for anyone with a few years of experience. School leavers and new graduates can use one page.

Do I need a photo on my CV?

No. UK employers don't expect a photo, and many recruiters prefer CVs without one to avoid bias.

Is Resume Star free to use in the UK?

Yes. You can build your CV and download unlimited PDFs for free. If it helps you get the job, we ask you to pay a one-time fee on the honour system. There's no subscription.

Will the PDF be A4?

Yes. Visitors from the UK get A4 by default, and you can switch between A4 and US Letter on the Adjust page.

Hiring practices vary between employers and industries. When a job advert asks for something specific, follow the advert.

Build your CV with Resume Star

Start from a sample written for your job, replace the details with your own, and download a polished PDF in minutes.

Create my CV →

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