A US resume and a UK CV target the same goal - getting you shortlisted - but they follow different conventions. In the US, a 'resume' is a concise one-to-two-page document. In the UK, a 'CV' is typically two pages led by a personal profile. Using the wrong format for the market is one of the most common reasons strong candidates get overlooked.
Resume vs CV: the core difference
In the United States, a resume is a short, targeted marketing document - one page for most candidates, two for senior or executive profiles. The word 'CV' in the US is reserved for academic, scientific, and research roles and can run many pages.
In the United Kingdom (and across much of the Commonwealth - Australia, New Zealand, Ireland), the standard job-application document is called a CV and is usually two pages, opening with a concise personal profile or personal statement.
- US: 'resume', 1-2 pages, achievement-led, no personal profile required
- UK: 'CV', ~2 pages, opens with a personal profile/statement
- Both: no photo, no date of birth, no marital status
Format, length, and spelling
US resumes prioritise tight, scannable formatting and reverse-chronological experience with quantified bullet points (the X-Y-Z impact format: accomplished X, measured by Y, by doing Z). UK CVs allow a little more context and a personal profile up top, but still reward measurable results.
Spelling and terminology must match the market. Use American spelling (organize, program, analyze) and US terms for a US resume; use British spelling (organise, programme, analyse) and UK terms for a UK CV. Small mismatches signal a copy-pasted application.
- Match spelling to the market (US vs UK English)
- US: lead with a summary + achievements; keep to 1-2 pages
- UK: lead with a personal profile; ~2 pages is normal
- Both: tailor keywords to the specific job description for ATS
What to change when you apply across markets
If you are converting a UK CV into a US resume, tighten it to one or two pages, replace the personal profile with a sharp professional summary, switch to American spelling, and make every bullet outcome-focused.
If you are converting a US resume into a UK CV, you can add a short personal profile, expand to two pages where it adds value, and switch to British spelling. In both directions, re-map your keywords to the target market's job descriptions so you pass that market's applicant tracking systems.
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Chanuka Jeewantha
Founder-led CV, resume and LinkedIn writer focused on clear career storytelling, ATS-friendly structure and international applications.
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