Write a CV with the conventions used in the UK, Ireland, Europe, Australia and New Zealand: choose where you're applying, pick a template, and save an A4 PDF. Free, with no sign-up or watermark.
How to make your CV
- Choose where you're applying. The headings, references line and photo option follow that country's conventions.
- Pick a template (the thumbnails show your own CV) and a colour.
- Write a short personal statement, then your work experience with the latest job first, education and skills.
- Check the preview for a second page, then press Download PDF and choose "Save as PDF".
What goes on a CV
The UK's National Careers Service lists contact details, an introduction (your personal statement), education, work history and references, and says to use a clear font in size 11 or bigger, so the CV maker starts at 11 pt. It also says to leave out your age, date of birth, marital status and nationality, and to write "references are available on request" rather than giving someone's contact details. Early in your career, put education straight after the personal statement; tick Put education before work experience to do that.
Here is how the sample CV comes out for the UK, in order: Personal statement β Work experience β Education β Skills β Additional information β Interests β References. What changes when you pick another country:
| Applying in | Opening section | References line | Photo option |
|---|
| UK & Ireland | Personal statement | References available on request. | No |
|---|
| Australia & NZ | Personal statement | Referees available on request. | No |
|---|
| Europe | Profile | None (add one if asked) | Yes, optional, top right |
|---|
| India & elsewhere | Profile | References available on request. | No |
|---|
Should you put a photo on your CV?
Usually not, outside parts of continental Europe:
- UK: a photo isn't on the National Careers Service's list of what a CV should include.
- Ireland: EURES says to supply a photograph only if the application form asks for one.
- United States: the EEOC says employers should not ask for a photograph of an applicant.
- Canada: Job Bank says a photo is not the norm and can lower your chances.
- New Zealand: the government careers service says not to use images on a CV.
- Germany: EURES says a friendly photo with a neutral background is still part of an application, at the top right of the CV, and that the CV is signed and dated.
That's why the photo field only appears when you choose Europe. If you add one, our ATS checker will note the image, because some systems skip images.
CV or resume?
In the UK, Ireland and New Zealand, the one-to-two-page document you send with a job application is a CV: it's the word their official careers services use. In Australia, India and South Africa you'll see both CV and resume. For jobs in the US and Canada, use the resume builder, which picks US Letter paper for US and Canadian browsers and uses resume wording. Both share the same templates, and the CV maker can copy your details across from the resume builder.
Guidance checked on 2 October 2026: National Careers Service, nidirect, EURES Ireland, EURES Germany, TahatΕ« (NZ), EEOC and Job Bank.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a CV be?
Two pages at most for most jobs. Northern Ireland's nidirect says to aim for no more than two pages, EURES says one to two pages for Ireland, and New Zealand's careers service says two if you can. The preview shows a dashed line where a new page starts.
Should I put a photo on my CV?
Not for jobs in the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada or New Zealand unless the employer asks: official advice there doesn't expect one (see the list below). In Germany a photo is still usual, so the CV maker offers an optional photo only when you choose Europe. Photos can also trip up applicant tracking systems.
Should my CV include my date of birth or nationality?
Not in the UK: the National Careers Service says to leave out your age, date of birth, marital status and nationality. New Zealand's careers service says the same about age, date of birth and marital status.
Do I need to list references?
No. The National Careers Service says not to put someone else's contact details on your CV; write "References available on request" instead. Australian and New Zealand CVs usually say "Referees available on request". The CV maker fills in the right line for the country you pick.
Is the CV ATS-friendly?
Yes. The PDF is real text with standard headings such as Work experience, Education and Skills, in reading order. Compact puts dates in a narrow left column but keeps headings on their own lines. A photo is an image, which some systems skip, so leave it out unless it's expected.
Is my CV saved anywhere?
Only in this browser, so you can come back and edit it. Nothing you type or upload, including a photo, leaves your device. Clearing your browser data removes the draft.