US Resume vs UK CV vs Australian Resume
Quick answer: A US resume is a concise one-to-two-page document, a UK CV is a two-page document led by a personal profile, and an Australian resume is a longer two-to-four-page document that often addresses selection criteria. All three avoid photos and personal details, but they differ in length, terminology, and spelling.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | US Resume | UK CV | Australian Resume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Document name | Resume | CV | Resume or CV (used interchangeably) |
| Typical length | 1 page (2 for senior) | 2 pages | 2-4 pages |
| Photo | No | No | No |
| Date of birth / marital status | No | No | No |
| Spelling | US English | British English | Australian English |
| Opening section | Professional summary | Personal profile / statement | Career summary |
| Detail level | Concise, achievement-led | Moderate, profile-led | Detailed; selection criteria for gov roles |
| Common ATS | Workday, Taleo, iCIMS, Greenhouse | Workday, SAP, Tribepad, Eploy | PageUp, JobAdder, Workday |
The US résumé
US employers expect a concise, one-page resume (two pages for senior or executive roles), written in US English, with a short professional summary and reverse-chronological, achievement-led bullet points. A multi-page “CV” is reserved for academic, scientific, or research roles. No photo or personal details, and heavy ATS optimization for systems like Workday, Taleo, iCIMS, and Greenhouse.
The UK CV
In the UK the document is always called a CV and runs to about two pages, opening with a concise personal profile. It uses British spelling throughout and omits photos and dates of birth. UK employers and the NHS commonly use Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, and UK-native systems such as Tribepad and Eploy.
The Australian resume
Australian resumes are the most detailed of the three, often running two to four pages, and government and large-organisation roles frequently require you to address key selection criteria in STAR format. Australian spelling is used, and common ATS platforms include the locally built PageUp and JobAdder alongside Workday.
Applying in one of these markets?
Get a personally written, ATS-optimized resume or CV tailored to the conventions of your target country.
US Resume vs UK CV vs Australian Resume - FAQ
Can I use the same resume for the US, UK, and Australia?
Not without changes. The core experience is the same, but length, terminology (resume vs CV), spelling, and format differ by market - so each version should be tailored to the country you are applying in.
Is a CV the same as a resume?
It depends on the country. In the US a 'CV' means a long academic document and most jobs want a short resume; in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand 'CV' is the standard term for the everyday job-application document.
Do any of these use a photo?
No. US, UK, and Australian resumes and CVs should not include a photo, date of birth, or marital status, as this can raise anti-discrimination concerns.
Which document is the longest?
The Australian resume is typically the longest at two to four pages, followed by the two-page UK CV, with the US resume the shortest at one to two pages.
Do all three need ATS optimization?
Yes. Most mid-to-large employers in all three countries screen applications with an applicant tracking system, so a clean, keyword-aligned format matters everywhere - only the specific ATS platforms differ.