Best UK CV Tips for 2025

A modern British CV should be clear, concise and tailored to the role. According to the National Careers Service, employers skim CVs quickly, so using a legible font (e.g. Arial, Times New Roman or Calibri) in size 11+, consistent headings and bullet points makes the document easy to scan (nationalcareers.service.gov.uk).

Key principles:

• Length:

  For most professions, keep the CV to 1–2 A4 pages (standout-cv.com). Graduates and junior roles can usually get away with a single page, while high‑level academic or medical CVs may run slightly longer (www.prospects.ac.uk).

• Format:

  Use reverse‑chronological order for employment history, placing the most recent role first and limiting entries to the last 10–15 years (topcv.co.uk).

• Sections:

  Include contact details, a brief professional summary, education, work history and references (nationalcareers.service.gov.uk). Tailor the order depending on your experience level; if you’re early in your career, lead with education, whereas experienced applicants should emphasise work history (nationalcareers.service.gov.uk).

• Fonts and visuals:

  Avoid graphics, photos or decorative fonts. Use white space and consistent formatting so the CV is ATS‑friendly.

• Tailoring:

  Always customise your CV for each job by mirroring the job description’s keywords. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan for relevant terms, so tailoring content improves your chances of passing initial screens.

Avoiding common pitfalls can make the difference between landing an interview and ending up in the rejection pile. Here’s a checklist of mistakes to steer clear of:

Overly long CVs

Don’t exceed two pages unless you’re applying for a senior or academic role (standout-cv.com).

Irrelevant history

Listing roles older than 10–15 years distracts recruiters and may invite age discrimination (topcv.co.uk).

Poor formatting

Inconsistent fonts, tiny text or dense paragraphs make your CV hard to read. Use bullet points and clear headings (nationalcareers.service.gov.uk).

Typos and grammar errors

Always proofread; ask someone else to review for errors.

Generic summaries

Avoid vague personal statements. Instead, highlight specific accomplishments and skills relevant to the target role.

Ignoring keywords

Failing to incorporate keywords from the job description can cause ATSs to reject your application.

Lying or embellishing

Falsifying qualifications can result in offers being rescinded. The Guardian highlights that almost 20 % of candidates admit to lying on CVs and employers are increasing AI‑based screening to catch discrepancies (CVs – Oxford University Careers Service).

Relying entirely on AI

AI tools can help draft content, but recruiters are wary of AI‑generated CVs. Ensure your CV reflects your authentic voice and edit AI suggestions to sound human.

The general rule is to cover the last 10–15 years of your career or your last five to six roles (uk.indeed.com, topcv.co.uk). This keeps your CV relevant and concise. Beyond that, summarise older positions or create an ‘Early Career Summary’.

Guidance by situation:

• Returners or career changers:

  If your relevant experience lies outside the 10–15‑year window, include those roles and summarise the intervening period. Employers are more interested in relevance than strict chronology (uk.indeed.com).

• Senior roles:

  Director‑level applicants may need to show a longer track record (up to 20 years) to demonstrate breadth of experience (uk.indeed.com).

• Continuous service at one employer:

  If you’ve been with one company for over a decade, you may include earlier experience to show adaptability (uk.indeed.com).

• Government or regulated roles:

  Some public‑sector positions require a complete employment history (uk.indeed.com).

Use judgement: if earlier roles showcase skills that are still relevant (for example, technical certifications or management achievements), include a brief summary under a separate heading. Otherwise, focus on your most recent and relevant work.

For most UK job seekers, the hybrid format is the safest choice. A hybrid CV combines both the chronological & the skills-based CV : it highlights your key skills at the top (use a ‘Key Skills- section with 6–8 bullet points) and then lists your work history in reverse order, focusing on achievements and quantifiable results.

Tips for implementation:

1. Start with a concise professional profile tailored to the role.
2. Create a ‘Key Skills’ section using bullet points (include technical and soft skills).
3. List your work experience in reverse‑chronological order, emphasising results and outcomes.
4. Keep education and training succinct; include only highest or most relevant qualifications.
5. Avoid graphics; stick to clean formatting.
6. Use headings (Heading 2 / Heading 3) for each section for readability.

Artificial‑intelligence tools can accelerate CV writing, but they should augment, not replace, your own input. Some useful tools include:

• ChatGPT or other generative AI

  Use them to brainstorm bullet points or rephrase achievements. Always edit the output to ensure it reflects your voice and the role requirements.

• Grammarly or Microsoft Editor

  Helpful for catching grammar and spelling errors.

• ATS‑checking tools (e.g. Jobscan, CV Checker)

  Scan your CV against a job description and identify missing keywords.

• Free CV reviewers

  ivee has an entirely free AI CV review service, trained on real data & recruiter conversations.

Caution: Recruiters are increasingly wary of AI‑generated CVs and are using AI-driven psychometric tests and verification processes to detect fabricated content (How to Write a CV for the UK market in 2025). Always ensure your CV is authentic, factually correct and personalised. AI should help you polish your CV, but the core content must be your own story.

Professional CV writing services can save time and offer expert insights, but they’re not essential for everyone.

Pros:

• Access to experienced writers who understand current recruitment trends.
• Professionally polished CVs that highlight your strengths and use ATS-friendly formatting.
• Useful if English isn’t your first language or if you’re changing careers and need guidance.

Cons:

• Can be expensive and may not reflect your authentic voice.
• Writers may use generic templates that don’t fully represent your unique skills.
• No guarantee of results; recruiters care more about content than polish.

Free alternatives:

• ivee’s resources and templates, which are designed to get you an interview.
• Use ivee’s free CV review service.
• Peer review: ask colleagues or mentors to critique your CV.

Ultimately, paying for a CV is a personal choice. If you do, ensure the service understands UK recruitment norms and is willing to work collaboratively so that your CV remains authentic. Otherwise, use free tools and guidance to craft a strong CV yourself.

Recruiters often spend only a few seconds scanning each CV (topcv.co.uk), so you need to hook them quickly. Here are actionable tips:

Start with a compelling professional summary

In 2–3 sentences, summarise your experience, key skills and career goals. Tailor it to the job description.

Quantify achievements 

Use numbers and percentages to show impact (e.g. ‘Increased sales by 30 % in six months’).

Highlight human skills

Emphasise soft skills like communication, problem‑solving, adaptability and leadership.

Include relevant keywords

Mirror the language of the job advert to get past ATS filters.

Demonstrate outcomes

Rather than listing duties, focus on results and contributions.

Keep design simple 

Use clear headings, bullet points and white space. Avoid graphics that confuse ATS systems.

Add a touch of personality

Mention relevant interests or voluntary work that showcase additional skills (e.g. running a local club demonstrates leadership).

Keep it honest

Recruiters are vigilant against CV inflation and AI‑generated content (How to Write a CV for the UK market in 2025) – honesty builds trust.

By combining these elements, your CV will stand out for the right reasons while remaining professional and readable.