Write a UK CV by matching evidence to the job.

Highlight the job title, essential criteria, tools, qualifications, behaviours and repeated phrases. Your CV is a response to those requirements, not a complete autobiography.

Create two columns: what they need and where you have proved it. Missing evidence shows what to research, explain or leave out.

Use reverse chronological order when recent work is your strongest proof. Put education or projects higher for early-career applications. Use a hybrid skills-led structure for a genuine career change, but keep dates and employers clear.

Order sections by relevance, not habit. The most convincing evidence should appear in the first half of page one.

Use your name as the document title, followed by town or city, phone, professional email and a relevant LinkedIn or portfolio link. A full street address is rarely needed for an online application.

Leave out age, date of birth, marital status and nationality. Do not add a photo unless the role genuinely requires one.

In three to five lines, name your professional direction, strongest relevant evidence and the value you bring. Avoid opening with generic claims such as hardworking, passionate or looking for a challenge.

Use the formula: target role or identity + evidence + role-relevant value. Rewrite it for each type of job.

For each recent role, include title, employer, location, dates and concise bullets. Show the task, context and result where possible. Numbers help only when they are real and meaningful.

Start bullets with accurate verbs such as handled, coordinated, reduced, checked, supported, analysed or delivered.

List recent or relevant qualifications first. Include institution and dates, plus modules, projects, grades or training only when they support the application or the employer asks for them.

Experienced applicants can shorten older school detail. Early-career applicants can use projects and coursework as evidence.

Use concrete tools, systems, methods, licences, languages and role-specific abilities from the advert. Soft skills become stronger when the experience section proves them.

Write Microsoft Excel, Salesforce or manual handling rather than computer skills, CRM or physically fit when you can be more precise.

Employment gaps are common. You can label a period briefly and focus on relevant caring, learning, volunteering, projects or readiness to return. Never disguise dates or turn unpaid experience into a paid job.

First-job applicants can use placements, volunteering, projects, societies, caring responsibilities and part-time work to prove transferable skills.

Use clear headings, consistent dates, readable font sizes and standard text. Match relevant advert wording naturally, spell out qualifications and avoid relying on images, logos or graphics to carry important information.

Check the requested file type. PDF preserves the layout, but use DOCX when the employer or application system asks for it.

Remove information that does not strengthen the application. Check every date, qualification, number and claim. Read the CV aloud, inspect it at normal zoom and ask someone else to proofread it.

Use a professional filename such as Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf and open the final file once before uploading it.