If you're applying for jobs across the Atlantic, you need to know that "CV" and "resume" aren't just different words for the same thing—they have different expectations in the UK vs. the US.
Getting this wrong can immediately mark you as unfamiliar with local norms, hurting your chances before a human even reads your application.
The Fundamental Difference
In the United States
Resume = Short (1-2 pages), tailored document for job applications CV = Long academic document (3+ pages) only used for academia, research, or medical positions
In the United Kingdom
CV = Standard job application document (typically 2 pages) Resume = Often used interchangeably with CV, but CV is the preferred term
When British recruiters ask for a CV, they want what Americans would call a resume. When American academics ask for a CV, they want a comprehensive career document.
Format Differences: Side by Side
| Element | UK CV | US Resume |
|---|---|---|
| Term used | CV | Resume |
| Typical length | 2 pages | 1-2 pages |
| Photo | Usually no (but varies) | Never |
| Date of birth | Sometimes included | Never |
| Nationality | Often included | Never |
| Marital status | Sometimes (older norm) | Never |
| Personal statement | Common at top | Optional (Summary) |
| References | "Available upon request" or included | Not included |
| Hobbies/Interests | Often included | Rarely |
What to Include: UK CV
Personal Details
UK CVs traditionally include more personal information:
JOHN SMITH
London, UK | +44 7700 900000 | john.smith@email.com
linkedin.com/in/johnsmith
You may also see (though less common now):
- Nationality/right to work status
- Driving license status
Note: Photo, age, and marital status were once common but are now discouraged due to equality legislation.
Personal Statement/Profile
UK CVs typically open with a personal statement (50-150 words):
"Results-driven marketing professional with 5 years' experience in B2B SaaS companies. Skilled in digital marketing, lead generation, and marketing automation. Proven track record of increasing qualified leads by 40% through targeted campaigns. Seeking a senior marketing role to drive growth in a fast-paced technology company."
Work History
UK format for experience:
Marketing Manager
ABC Technology Ltd, London | January 2022 – Present
• Led digital marketing strategy across paid, organic, and email channels
• Increased marketing-qualified leads by 40% year-on-year
• Managed £500,000 annual marketing budget
• Line managed team of 3 marketing executives
Note: UK uses £, day/month/year dates, and British spelling.
Education
UK education section:
EDUCATION
MA Marketing, University of Manchester, 2020
BA (Hons) Business Studies, 2:1, University of Leeds, 2018
A-Levels: Business Studies (A), Economics (A), English (B),
Sheffield College, 2015
UK grades (2:1, First Class, etc.) should be included.
Hobbies and Interests
Unlike US resumes, UK CVs often include a brief hobbies section:
"Interests include marathon running (completed London Marathon 2023), photography, and volunteering with local literacy charity."
This is especially common for junior candidates.
References
UK CVs often end with:
"References available upon request"
Or include actual references (less common now).
What to Include: US Resume
Contact Information
US resumes include minimal personal details:
John Smith
New York, NY | (555) 123-4567 | john.smith@email.com
linkedin.com/in/johnsmith
Never include: Photo, age, date of birth, nationality, marital status, or Social Security number.
Professional Summary (Optional)
Shorter than UK personal statements:
"Marketing professional with 5+ years in B2B SaaS. Expert in demand generation, marketing automation, and data-driven campaign optimization. Track record of 40%+ lead growth."
Work Experience
US format emphasizes achievements:
Marketing Manager
ABC Technology Inc., New York, NY | Jan 2022 – Present
• Increased marketing-qualified leads 40% YoY through optimized digital campaigns
• Managed $650K annual marketing budget with consistent ROI improvement
• Led team of 3 in executing multi-channel demand generation strategies
Note: US uses $, month/day/year or month/year dates, and American spelling.
Education
US education sections are typically brief:
EDUCATION
MBA, Marketing, New York University, 2020
BS, Business Administration, Boston University, 2018
GPA included only if recent graduate and above 3.0.
No Hobbies Section
US resumes rarely include hobbies unless directly relevant to the role.
No References
Never include references or "References available upon request" on US resumes—it's assumed.
Language Differences
British and American English differ in spelling. Use the appropriate version:
| UK Spelling | US Spelling |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Organization |
| Colour | Color |
| Centre | Center |
| Analyse | Analyze |
| Programme | Program |
| Labour | Labor |
| Focussed | Focused |
Also watch for:
- Dates: UK uses day/month/year; US uses month/day/year
- Currency: £ vs $
- Job titles: May differ (e.g., "Managing Director" vs "CEO")
Adapting Your Document
Moving from UK to US
- Change "CV" to "Resume" in all references
- Remove personal details (DOB, nationality, photo)
- Remove hobbies section (unless highly relevant)
- Remove references section entirely
- Convert to American spelling
- Shorten to 1-2 pages maximum
- Focus more heavily on quantified achievements
- Convert currency and dates to US format
Moving from US to UK
- Change "Resume" to "CV" in all references
- Add a personal statement/profile section
- Consider adding interests section (optional)
- Convert to British spelling
- Two pages is the standard (don't squeeze to one)
- Can add "References available upon request"
- Convert currency and dates to UK format
ATS Considerations
Both countries use ATS systems, but keyword expectations may differ:
- Job titles can vary between countries
- Industry terminology may differ
- Qualifications have different names
Research local job descriptions to find the right keywords for each market.
Common Mistakes
UK Applicants in US
❌ Including photo or date of birth (legal concerns in US) ❌ 3+ page document (too long) ❌ Using £ instead of $ (shows you didn't adapt) ❌ British spelling throughout (looks careless)
US Applicants in UK
❌ One-page resume for senior roles (may look thin) ❌ Missing personal statement (expected in UK) ❌ Calling it a "resume" in UK contexts (shows unfamiliarity) ❌ American spelling (shows you didn't adapt)
Industry-Specific Considerations
Academia
In both countries, academic positions require a true CV—a comprehensive document listing:
- All publications
- Conferences and presentations
- Grants and funding
- Teaching experience
- Committee work
This can run 5-20+ pages.
Creative Industries
Both UK and US may accept:
- Design-forward layouts
- Portfolio links
- Creative formatting
Research the specific company culture.
Key Takeaways
- "CV" means different things in US vs UK
- UK CVs include more personal information and are typically 2 pages
- US resumes never include photos, age, or nationality
- Use appropriate spelling, currency, and date formats
- Adapt your document for each market—don't use a generic version
- Research local terminology and job title conventions
- Both markets use ATS—optimize keywords for your target country
When in doubt, look at local job descriptions and professional examples. Matching local norms shows cultural awareness and attention to detail—both qualities employers value.
