How to Write an English CV (Guide & Template)

Writing an English CV is an important step when pursuing opportunities with international companies. Whether you’re a recent graduate stepping into the global job market or a seasoned professional aiming to expand your career horizons, having a well-structured English CV can make all the difference.

In this guide, we’ve compiled a variety of English CV templates, expert tips, and answers to common questions about English CV writing. Let’s get started!

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We created the sample on the right using our builder. See other good CV examples like this one.

Curious about other CV templates and formats? Check these guides:

• AI-Generated CV
• Creative CV Template
• CV vs Resume
• Europass CV Format
• Google Docs CV Template
• LaTeX CV Template
• Simple CV Format
• Speculative CV Template
• Visual CV Template
• Word CV Templates

English CV example

This example of a CV in English adheres to the expectations of the UK job market. Now, see how to craft your own English CV tailored for job applications in London or any city across the UK.

How to write and adapt a CV in English

When writing your English CV, you must pay attention to international conventions to ensure your skills and experience are communicated clearly and effectively. Whether you’re applying to a global company or seeking opportunities in the United Kingdom, view these guidelines to adapt your CV properly:

Adapting a French CV to an English CV

Have you ever noticed how detailed and formal French CVs can be? They often focus heavily on academic achievements and follow a strict chronological format. However, English CVs are quite different, favouring brevity and practicality. To successfully adapt a French CV to English standards:

• Use concise, bullet-pointed lists to summarise achievements and key responsibilities.
• Shift the emphasis from academic achievements to practical skills and relevant work experience.
• Remove personal details, such as a photo, date of birth, or marital status, which are not standard in English CVs.
• Add a brief personal statement at the top to highlight career objectives and qualifications, as this is a common feature in English CVs.
• Simplify the format with a clean, professional CV layout, avoiding excessive detail or overly formal language.

Adapting a German CV to an English CV

German CVs are typically formal, detailed, and structured, often including personal information and exhaustive lists of responsibilities. To tailor a German CV to British standards:

• Remove personal details such as your photo, date of birth, and marital status, as these are not appropriate or required in English CVs.
• Emphasise achievements and skills by summarising key responsibilities and measurable results in bullet points.
• Simplify the design with a clean, professional format that prioritises readability over formality or extensive detail.
• Translate qualifications and job titles into terms familiar to British employers, ensuring clarity and alignment with their expectations.
• Add a CV summary or a CV objective at the beginning to highlight your career objectives, key skills, and professional value, a standard feature in English CVs.

Adapting a Spanish CV to an English CV

Does your Spanish CV include personal details like your age or marital status? If so, it might need an overhaul to align with English CV expectations. English CVs emphasise conciseness and professionalism while adhering to anti-discrimination laws. When converting a Spanish CV:

• Omit personal details such as a photo, age, or marital status to comply with anti-discrimination laws.
• Focus on showcasing adaptability and achievements rather than long-term career goals or employer loyalty.
• Simplify language and avoid complex sentence structures, favouring concise and direct English.
• Prioritise professional skills and measurable accomplishments over broader career ambitions.
• Ensure the CV is no more than two pages, as English CVs encourage conciseness.

Adapting an Italian CV to an English CV

Do you tend to include decorative elements or formal titles in your Italian CV? While these might impress in Italy, they are not typical in English CVs. English CVs are simpler in design and focus on the essentials: skills, achievements, and relevant work experience. To create an English CV:

• Replace decorative designs with a simple, professional layout that is clean and easy to read.
• Use bullet points to highlight key achievements and responsibilities concisely, avoiding overly detailed narratives.
• Omit titles and formalities, as these are not typically included in English CVs.
• Translate formal language into clear, straightforward English that focuses on results and skills.
• Add a personal statement to summarise your career goals and value to the employer, a standard in English CVs.

Adapting an Indian CV to an English CV

If your Indian CV includes extensive personal details, references, or lengthy academic records, it's time to remove unnecessary information. While these are common in Indian CVs, English CVs take a more streamlined approach.

• Limit the CV to two pages, focusing on relevant skills, accomplishments, and work experience.
• Remove cultural references and personal details, such as family background or marital status, which are not included in English CVs.
• Balance technical expertise with soft skills and global experiences, as English CVs value both.
• Use bullet points to summarise key responsibilities and measurable achievements in each role.
• Adopt a professional CV format, ensuring the layout is simple and aligned with international standards.

A strong CV summary will convince the recruiter you’re the perfect candidate. Save time and choose a ready-made personal statement written by career experts and adjust it to your needs in the LiveCareer CV builder.

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How to write an English CV for international job opportunities

While many principles of CV writing are universal, each country has unique expectations that can affect how your qualifications are perceived. Let’s explore some of these nuances:

Applying with an English CV in the United States

In the US, the CV—commonly referred to as a resume—is designed to be concise, typically no longer than one or two pages. It emphasises achievements and relevance to the specific job you’re applying for.

Essential elements of a US resume include:

• Contact information: Your name, email, and phone number.
• Summary or objective: A brief snapshot of your skills, experiences, and career ambitions.
• Work experience: Highlighting accomplishments and responsibilities in previous roles.
• Education: Include degrees, certifications, and any honours.
• Skills: Focus on key competencies relevant to the position.

Unlike CVs in other countries, US resumes typically exclude photos, personal details like age or marital status, and references unless explicitly requested.

Applying with an English CV in Australia

The Australian CV, or resume, is distinctive in its approach, particularly its length. Unlike in the UK, Australian CVs often extend to 3–4 pages, even for experienced professionals.

When writing a CV for a job in Australia, consider these CV sections:

• Personal statement: A concise overview of your goals and achievements.
• Contact information: Full name, phone number, and email.
• Work experience: Highlight achievements and responsibilities in detail.
• Education: Include all relevant academic and professional qualifications.
• Skills: Focus both on technical skills and transferable skills tailored to the role.
• References: Provide contact details for professional referees.

In Australia, a longer CV allows you to provide a comprehensive view of your professional background, ensuring that you don’t skimp on relevant experience.

Applying with an English CV in South Africa

While the South African CV shares similarities with the UK format, such as the two-page limit and avoiding photographs, there are notable differences in required details. South African CVs often include more personal information than UK CVs, such as:

• Full name and contact details.
• Date and place of birth, gender, marital status, and ID number.
• Driving licence details and health status.

In addition to these, your CV in English should highlight:

• Education: Include all academic qualifications, certifications, and courses.
• Skills: Specify the technical skills and languages that you speak.
• Awards and key achievements: Mention notable recognitions.
• References: Provide credible references to validate your past performance.

Such additional information helps South African employers better understand your profile within the context of their hiring standards.

Always take the time to research the specific conventions for the country you’re applying in—these details could make all the difference in your job search.

Top tips for writing a CV in English

Now that we’ve covered the regional differences and nuances, let’s dive into some universal English CV writing tips:

1. Know the structure

A CV template in English is straightforward and has a clear structure, similar to CVs across Europe. It typically includes key sections like a personal statement or profile, work experience, education, and skills which we’ve covered earlier. Arrange these sections in reverse chronological order to showcase your most recent accomplishments first.

2. Tailor the content

Avoid unnecessary details like your date of birth, marital status, or a photo, particularly in English-speaking countries where such information is not standard. Instead, focus on your professional achievements and responsibilities, highlighting skills that are directly relevant to the role you’re applying for.

3. Use clear and professional language

Keep your CV concise, using bullet points to detail responsibilities and achievements. For work experience, use past tense for previous roles and present tense for your current position. Ensure your language is professional, avoiding jargon unless relevant to the industry. Enhance your statements by incorporating strong action verbs in your CV.

4. Pay attention to spelling and grammar

Double-check your CV in English for any errors in spelling or grammar. Be mindful of the differences between British and American English—choose one based on where you’re applying. Use tools like grammar checkers or seek feedback from a native speaker to improve accuracy and clarity.

5. Make the most of online tools

Take advantage of CV builders like LiveCareer, free online CV templates, and grammar tools to refine your English CV. These resources can help you create a professional and polished CV tailored for English-speaking roles, saving time and effort while maintaining a high standard of presentation.

And there you have it! You're now fully equipped to write or adapt your CV in English.

You don’t have to be a CV writing expert. In the LiveCareer CV builder you’ll find ready-made content for every industry and position, which you can then add with a single click.

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Thank you for reading! If you’d like to learn more about the English CV example or have tips to share with our readers, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section. We’d love to hear from you and continue the discussion!

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.

Sources

• CVs in French | Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages
• 15 Steps to Align Your Skills With the Job Description