UK CV Layout: Essential Sections Every CV Must Include

Getting your CV layout UK right means recruiters find information instantly. This guide walks through every essential section — and what to leave out.

1. Contact details (header)

Include: full name, phone, professional email, LinkedIn URL, city/region. Skip: full street address, date of birth, photo (unless required).

2. Personal profile (3–5 lines)

Example: "Chartered Accountant (ACA) with 6 years in Big Four audit and FP&A. Specialist in IFRS reporting and team leadership. Seeking Financial Controller role in Manchester."

3. Key skills

6–12 skills matching the job description. Mix technical (Excel, SAP, Python) and soft (stakeholder management, presentation).

4. Work experience

Reverse chronological. Each role: Job title | Company | Location | Dates. Then 3–5 bullets with measurable results.

5. Education

Degree, A-Levels, GCSEs as relevant. Include classification if 2:1 or First. Professional qualifications (ACA, ACCA, CIPD) here or in a separate section.

6. Optional sections

• Certifications & training
• Languages with proficiency level
• Volunteering & community work
• Professional memberships

CV layout mistakes to avoid

• Skills bars and star ratings (subjective and dated)
• Hobbies unless relevant (marathon running for sales endurance — maybe; "socialising" — no)
• References with full contact details on page one
• Inconsistent formatting between sections

Need help making a CV for free?

If you searched help making a resume for free or create a resume for free, Resumika's curriculum vitae builder free walks you through each section with prompts and AI suggestions. Upload your existing CV or use our free easy resume builder wizard — designed for UK layout standards.

Check your layout before applying

Use Resumika's free CV structure check to verify every section is present and readable before you submit applications on Reed, Indeed, LinkedIn, or company career pages.