Why UK CVs leave out personal details
The Equality Act 2010 protects candidates from discrimination on grounds such as age, sex, race, religion and marital status. UK employers don't want information that could expose them to a claim, so a photo, date of birth and marital status are left off. Recruiters are used to this and won't think anything is missing.
The personal profile
UK CVs open with a short profile (sometimes called a personal statement): three to five lines saying who you are professionally, what you're known for and what you're looking for. Write it in a neutral, implied first person ("Chartered accountant with eight years in audit…"), not "I am" or third person.
Education and qualifications
Most recent first. Graduates can include degree classification (for example 2:1) and relevant modules. Experienced candidates can shorten school results to one line, such as "A levels: Maths, Economics, History". Professional qualifications and memberships often matter more than your degree for mid-career roles, so give them their own section.
Applying from abroad
If you'll need sponsorship, say so honestly rather than leaving recruiters to guess. If you already have the right to work (for example settled status or a Graduate visa), a single line near your contact details, such as "Full right to work in the UK", removes a common reason for rejection.
Where to apply
The job boards and sites most used by employers in United Kingdom:
- Indeed UK
- Reed
- Totaljobs
- CV-Library
- Guardian Jobs
- Civil Service Jobs (public sector)
- NHS Jobs (healthcare)
Reviewed by the PenworthCV writing team, October 2026. Conventions change: always follow the instructions in the job ad.