If you are applying for a job in the UK, your CV needs to read naturally to a British recruiter. That means more than swapping a few letters. It means using British spelling, date formats, job titles and phrasing that feel familiar. This guide shows you how to adapt a CV for British English step by step, with a worked example, common mistakes and a checklist you can use before you send your application.
Short answer
To adapt a CV for British English, change the spelling of words like 'organise', 'specialise' and 'programme', use the date format day-month-year (for example, 12 March 2024), replace American job titles with their UK equivalents where you can, and remove personal details such as a photo or date of birth. Then check that your bullet points use British phrasing, for example 'liaised with' rather than 'coordinated with', and that your file name uses 'CV' rather than 'resume'. Finally, read it aloud to catch anything that still sounds American.
Step-by-step walkthrough
Follow these steps in order. They are designed to work whether you are converting a US resume or writing a CV from scratch for the UK market.
1. Change the spelling
British English uses '-ise' endings for many verbs, 'ou' in words like 'colour' and 'favour', and 're' instead of 'er' in words like 'centre' and 'metre'. Common CV words to check include: organise, specialise, prioritise, analyse, programme (not program), licence (noun), practise (verb), defence, and travelling. If you use a spell-checker, set it to British English so it catches these automatically.
2. Adjust dates and numbers
Write dates as day-month-year: 12 March 2024, not March 12, 2024. For month-year ranges, write 'March 2020 – Present' or '03/2020 – Present'. Use a comma as a thousands separator (for example, 10,000) and a full stop for decimals (for example, 3.5). If you mention currency, use pounds sterling and the £ symbol.
3. Translate job titles and qualifications
Some job titles differ between the US and UK. For example, 'Marketing Manager' is common in both, but 'Vice President' is less common in UK CVs; 'Director' or 'Head of' is more typical. Qualifications also differ: a US 'Bachelor's degree' is a 'Bachelor's degree' in the UK, but a 'GPA' is not used; instead, you might mention your degree classification, such as '2:1'. If you are unsure, keep the original title and add a short explanation in brackets, for example 'Marketing Manager (equivalent to Head of Marketing)'.
4. Rewrite bullet points with British phrasing
British CVs tend to use slightly more formal phrasing than US resumes. Replace 'coordinated with' with 'liaised with', 'utilized' with 'used', and 'gotten' with 'got'. Avoid overly salesy language. Instead of 'spearheaded a game-changing initiative', write 'led a project to improve customer onboarding'. Keep your bullet points focused on what you did and the result.
5. Remove personal details
UK CVs do not usually include a photo, date of birth, marital status, nationality or a full home address. You can include your town or city and a phone number and email address. This keeps your CV focused on your skills and experience. For more on which sections to include or leave out, see our guide to choosing resume sections for effective job applications.
6. Check the file name and format
Name your file something like 'FirstName-LastName-CV.pdf'. Use 'CV' rather than 'resume'. Save it as a PDF unless the employer asks for Word. This preserves your formatting and makes it easy for the recruiter to open.
7. Read it aloud
Reading your CV aloud is one of the best ways to catch Americanisms that a spell-checker misses. Listen for words like 'gotten', 'fall' (for autumn), 'sidewalk' and 'apartment'. Replace them with 'got', 'autumn', 'pavement' and 'flat'.
Practical tip: Keep a list of your most-used American words and their British equivalents. Add to it each time you spot a new one. After a few applications, you will have a personal conversion list that makes future adaptations much faster.
Worked example
Here is an illustrative example of how a US-style resume bullet point can be adapted for a UK CV. The details are fictional and for demonstration only.
Before (US style): 'Organized a monthly customer newsletter, coordinated with three teams, and analyzed campaign performance in the CRM.'
After (British English): 'Organised a monthly customer newsletter, liaised with three teams, and analysed campaign performance in the CRM.'
Notice the changes: 'Organized' becomes 'Organised', 'coordinated with' becomes 'liaised with', and 'analyzed' becomes 'analysed'. The meaning stays the same, but the phrasing feels more natural to a British reader.
Here is an illustrative professional summary adapted for a UK CV: 'Marketing coordinator with four years' experience in B2B software, specialising in email campaigns and customer research. Organised a quarterly webinar programme, maintained the CRM and wrote campaign copy. Looking for a role where I can build on my analytics skills.'
And here is an illustrative skills list you might include: Stakeholder liaison, Programme coordination, Data analysis, Copywriting, Customer research.
For more examples of bullet points, see our guide to essential resume sections for experienced professionals.
Common mistakes
These are the mistakes people make most often when adapting a CV for British English. Avoiding them will make your application feel more polished.
- Using American spelling throughout. Words like 'organize', 'specialize' and 'program' stand out immediately. Set your spell-checker to British English and read carefully.
- Keeping American date formats. 'March 12, 2024' should become '12 March 2024'. This is a small change that makes a big difference.
- Including a photo or personal details. UK CVs generally do not include a photo, date of birth or marital status. Remove them to keep the focus on your skills.
- Using 'resume' instead of 'CV'. In the UK, the document is called a CV. Use that term in your file name and in any emails.
- Overlooking job title differences. A 'Vice President' in the US might be a 'Director' or 'Head of' in the UK. If you are unsure, keep your original title and add a brief explanation.
- Forgetting to change currency and measurements. If you mention budgets or distances, convert them to pounds and metric units.
- Leaving in American idioms. Phrases like 'touch base' or 'reach out' are understood but can sound out of place. Use 'get in touch' or 'contact' instead.
If you are unsure which sections to keep or remove, our article on which resume sections you can safely remove can help you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to change my CV if I am applying to a UK company but working abroad?
It is worth adapting your CV to British English conventions, especially spelling and date formats, because UK recruiters and applicant tracking systems expect them. You do not need to hide your international experience; simply present it in a format that is familiar to the reader. For example, use 'organised' rather than 'organized' and write dates as 12 March 2024.
Should I include a photo or personal details on a UK CV?
In the UK, CVs generally do not include a photo, date of birth, marital status or nationality. Including them is not illegal, but it is unusual and can distract from your skills and experience. Focus on a clear professional summary, relevant skills and evidence of what you have done.
What is the difference between a CV and a resume in the UK?
In the UK, the term 'CV' is used for the document that summarises your experience and skills, whether you are applying for a graduate role or a senior position. 'Resume' is more common in the US. If you are applying to a UK employer, use 'CV' in your file name and in any correspondence.
Your next step
Adapting your CV for British English is mostly about attention to detail. Once you have made the changes, read it through one more time, check your spelling and dates, and make sure your file name is clear. If you would like a structured way to build and tailor your CV for each application, see how our ATS resume builder works. You can also explore our AI job application assistant to help you stay organised. For a full walkthrough of the process, visit our How It Works page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to change my CV if I am applying to a UK company but working abroad?
It is worth adapting your CV to British English conventions, especially spelling and date formats, because UK recruiters and applicant tracking systems expect them. You do not need to hide your international experience; simply present it in a format that is familiar to the reader. For example, use 'organised' rather than 'organized' and write dates as 12 March 2024.
Should I include a photo or personal details on a UK CV?
In the UK, CVs generally do not include a photo, date of birth, marital status or nationality. Including them is not illegal, but it is unusual and can distract from your skills and experience. Focus on a clear professional summary, relevant skills and evidence of what you have done.
What is the difference between a CV and a resume in the UK?
In the UK, the term 'CV' is used for the document that summarises your experience and skills, whether you are applying for a graduate role or a senior position. 'Resume' is more common in the US. If you are applying to a UK employer, use 'CV' in your file name and in any correspondence.
essential resume sections for experienced professionals
choosing resume sections for effective job applications
which resume sections you can safely remove
Next step
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