CV and resume formats by country
What a CV should look like depends on where you apply: paper size, length, whether to add a photo and which personal details to include. These guides explain the usual conventions and link to templates built for each market.
Gulf CV format (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar)
How a CV for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the wider GCC is usually laid out: photo, nationality, visa status, notice period and length. Free A4 templates with live preview.
UK CV format
How UK employers expect a CV to look: two A4 pages, no photo, no date of birth, a personal statement and achievements first. Free UK CV templates with live preview and PDF download.
European CV format
CV conventions in continental Europe: when to add a photo, how to show language levels (CEFR), Europass for EU public roles, and A4 layout. Free European CV templates.
US and Canadian resume format
How a resume for the US and Canada is usually laid out: Letter paper, no photo or personal details, a short summary and quantified achievements. Free ATS-friendly resume templates.
India CV format
How a CV for jobs in India and South Asia is usually written: A4, one to three pages, skills and projects up front, personal details only if asked. Free templates with live preview.
Singapore and Asia-Pacific CV format
CV conventions for Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand: photo rules, work-pass status, length and A4 layout. Free Asia-Pacific CV templates.
Japanese resume (rirekisho) format
How a Japanese rirekisho and shokumu-keirekisho are laid out, what goes in each box, and when you need both. Free rirekisho templates in Japanese and English with live preview.
Korean resume (이력서) format
How Korean application documents are structured: the 이력서 form, the 경력기술서 career description and the 자기소개서 self-introduction. Free templates in Korean and English.
Quick comparison
- North America: Letter paper, no photo or personal details, one to two pages.
- UK and Ireland: A4, no photo, two pages.
- Continental Europe: A4, photo common in some countries, one to two pages, Europass for EU public roles.
- Middle East and GCC: A4, photo usually included, nationality and visa status common, two to three pages.
- South Asia: A4, photo optional, one to three pages.
- Asia-Pacific: A4, photo varies by country, usually two pages.
- Japan and Korea: standard local forms (rirekisho, 이력서) plus a career description.
General guidance, not legal advice. When a job advert asks for something different, follow the advert.