Paying attention to the minute differences between British and American curricula can ensure a successful application.
Spelling
When you compose the CV, ensure the correct use of language as a distinction is made between American and British English. Use English according to the country where you are applying for a job. Differences lie in the vocabulary, the grammar and the spelling. For example, a lawyer in British English is the ‘solicitor’, but in American English, he is the ‘attorney’.
Small differences in spelling should not become pitfalls for you. In British English, one writes ‘programme’, but in American English, it is ‘program’. In American English, one says ‘analyze’, whereas in British English, one writes ‘analyse’.
With hindsight, one may add that the above distinction is getting blurred in many cases, as dictionaries like the Oxford English Dictionary now classify ‘realize’ as a primary British English spelling, while ‘realise’ appears as the word’s medieval, secondary spelling. The rule also applies to words like ‘dramatize’, ‘anatomize’ and all verbs ending in ‘-ize’. However, ‘analyse’ is an exception and so is ‘catalyse’. In American spelling convention, they are spelt ‘analyze’ and ‘catalyze’. We recommend consulting a good British English dictionary to clear confusion regarding this.
Title/layout
In terms of the title and the layout, there exist fundamental differences between CVs in British English and those in American English. In the UK, the document is called a CV (Curriculum Vitae) and the title is placed as a heading on the résumé. In the US, it is called ‘Personal Résumé’ or ‘Curriculum Vitae’. The name depends on the job for which you are applying. Regardless of which kind of résumé you use for an application in the US, neither carries a headline. The résumé for a position in the private sector summarizes briefly the most important work-related activities for the job within one page. The detailed CV is used in the US when applying for academic professions and jobs in the field of research. The paper size in the US is the letter format; in the UK, the standard A4 format should be used.
Personal details
In the American CV, the prospective employer does not care about your date of birth. However, in the British résumé, it is compulsory to state your date of birth and, sometimes, even your nationality. But you should mention the latter, only if the information is important for the employer because of work visa issues or other such formalities; otherwise, nationality is not mentioned in the British résumé either.
Career objective or personal statement
In the American CV, the career objective or personal statement is part of the curriculum vitae, but not in the British CV.
Final grades
For an application in the UK, it is important to translate your grades into the British grading system. You can find online tables to help you with the translation.
References
In the American CV, it is important to include references. In the British CV, however, references are listed only if explicitly requested in the job description. Otherwise, it is sufficient to mention that references can be provided on request.
Picture
British and American CVs do not require a passport photo. But there is a crucial difference between the two countries in this respect: Your application is immediately rejected in the US if you choose to pass along a photo nevertheless. Anti-discrimination laws in the US are very sharp and your future employer may be unwilling to put himself in a position where he could be exposed to the accusation that he preferred you on the grounds of nationality, colour or religion.
In the UK, a photo lacks such far-reaching consequences. Nevertheless, you should not send any image without a corresponding request.
FAQs
The British CV is a more complete summary of your entire professional background. Unlike the American resume, a British CV can be longer than one page and can include parts of your professional background that are not relevant to the job you are applying for .
What is a curriculum vitae in the UK? ›
A CV, which stands for curriculum vitae (a Latin phrase meaning 'course of life'), is a document used when applying for jobs. It allows you to summarise your education, skills and relevant work experience enabling you to successfully sell your abilities to potential employers.
How should a CV look in the UK? ›
When you write your CV, remember to:
- use a clear font like Arial, Times New Roman or Calibri in size 11 or bigger.
- always use the same style throughout.
- use headings and bullet points to make it easier to read.
- be clear and to the point.
- get someone else to read it to double check your spelling and grammar.
The differences are: (1) A resume is one page (max. two) whereas the CV can be longer, (2) A resume is used for job hunting in all industries, the CV is used for jobs and admissions in Academia, (3) The resume is tailored to the specific job you are applying to, whereas the CV is a comprehensive overview.
How is the UK CV different from other countries? ›
Format and content
In the UK, Work Experience prevails and shall come first, starting with your most recent employment; then comes your Education and your Interests and Hobbies. In other countries like France or Germany, Education comes first in a CV.
Does UK have a CV format? ›
1. You don't use Resume to apply for jobs in the UK except it's specifically requested for. The widely acceptable format in the UK is CV, which means Curriculum Vitae.
How to write UK CV format? ›
The five main parts of a CV include the header with your name and contact details, personal statement, work experience, education, and skills. In the reverse-chronological format, the work experience section is the most extensive part of a CV.
Does UK CV have pictures? ›
The United Kingdom
The exception to the European norm is the UK, where it is not common at all to attach a picture to your CV. Recruiters advise applicants to remove any CV photo and only focus on presenting achievements, skills, and experience relevant to the job.
What not to include in a CV UK? ›
Providing irrelevant personal information
It is important to consider what information you are sharing with employers. In the UK, avoid a CV with a photograph, date of birth, nationality and marital status.
What is the difference between a CV and a curriculum vitae? ›
A resume is a one- to two-page document presenting key facts about your professional experience, educational background, and skills. A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a longer document that details the whole course of your career.
The CV presents a full history of your academic credentials, so the length of the document is variable. In contrast, a resume presents a concise picture of your skills and qualifications for a specific position, so length tends to be shorter and dictated by years of experience (generally 1-2 pages).
Is A CV the same as a curriculum vitae? ›
A CV – or Curriculum Vitae – is an itemized list of a person's entire education, publications, accomplishments, notable projects, awards, honors, achievements, and professional experiences.
What is the American version of a CV? ›
An American resume is typically a one-page document similar to a CV. The US resume format lays information out in reverse-chronological order: you start with your most recent job and make your way back in time. American resumes often start with a heading statement, followed by experience, education, and skills.
What does an American CV look like? ›
The most popular US resume format is the chronological format (also known as the reverse-chronological format). This format is widely preferred by recruiters, and for a good reason—it puts the focus on your work experience by starting with your most recent job and making your way back.
What is the difference between a US CV and a European CV? ›
American CVs never include personal information such as marital status or age. In Europe, however, it's more common (and more acceptable) to include personal information such as gender, nationality, family background, or hobbies.
What is CV called in the USA? ›
In many European countries, CV is used to describe all job application documents, including a resume. In the United States and Canada, CV and resume are sometimes used interchangeably.
