London Jobs
Make your CV feel local before recruiters decide you are too hard to place
A practical guide to adapting your CV for London hiring norms without erasing the value of your overseas experience.
Quick answer
A UK CV should be clear, targeted and easy to scan
Most London recruiters want a concise CV that shows relevant experience, role scope, achievements and right-to-work clarity. Remove distracting personal details and translate overseas terms where needed.
- Keep it focused on the target role.
- Use clear UK-friendly job titles and impact bullets.
- Do not include irrelevant personal details.
UK CV rules snapshot
There is no single perfect format, but there are expectations. The CV should make your fit obvious in the first scan.
Recommended UK CV structure
Lead with the information that helps someone decide whether to keep reading.
- Name, contact details and LinkedIn.
- Short profile tailored to the role.
- Key skills if useful for scanning.
- Reverse-chronological experience.
- Education, certifications and relevant extras.
- Right-to-work note where it helps reduce uncertainty.
Common newcomer CV mistakes
Many strong candidates look weaker because the CV assumes the reader understands overseas companies, qualifications or job titles.
- Leaving overseas acronyms unexplained.
- Using duties without outcomes.
- Including photo, date of birth or full address.
- Making the CV too broad for every possible job.
- Hiding visa status until late in the process.
Cover letters and LinkedIn
Cover letters are not always read deeply, but a sharp one can help explain relocation, visa status and why the role makes sense. LinkedIn should match your CV story.
| Item | Use it for | Newcomer tip |
|---|---|---|
| Cover letter | Motivation and relocation context | Keep it short and role-specific |
| Recruiter search and credibility | Use UK-friendly titles and location | |
| Portfolio | Proof of work | Make examples easy to scan |
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