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"CV" and "resume" are often used to mean the same thing, but what employers expect depends on where you're applying. A document that's perfect for a US tech company can look wrong to a UK recruiter, and an Indian resume often includes details that would never appear in either.
Here's what employers in the UK, the US and India expect, and how to adjust one document for all three.
The short answer
- UK: the document is called a CV. Usually up to two pages.
- US: it's called a resume. Often one page early in your career, up to two for senior roles. In the US, "CV" usually means a long academic document listing publications and research.
- India: both words are used, often interchangeably. Resume is common in tech and corporate hiring; length is usually one to two pages.
The content is mostly the same everywhere: your experience, skills and education. The differences are in length, personal details and a few local conventions.
Side by side
| UK (CV) | US (resume) | India (resume / CV) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical length | Up to 2 pages | 1 page early career, up to 2 senior | 1–2 pages |
| Photo | No | No | Sometimes, but not needed for most tech and corporate roles |
| Date of birth, marital status | No | No | Sometimes included, increasingly left out |
| Opening section | Personal statement | Summary (optional) | Summary or objective |
| Spelling | UK ("organised") | US ("organized") | Usually UK or Indian English |
| Common extras | — | Work authorization, if relevant | Notice period, sometimes current and expected CTC in the email |
UK: what to include and leave out
- Personal statement: a few lines at the top on who you are and what you're looking for.
- No photo, date of birth, nationality or marital status. These aren't expected and can invite bias.
- Two pages is normal for experienced candidates; don't cram everything onto one.
- References: not needed on the CV itself.
Applying to UK companies directly? Here's how to send your CV to a company in the UK and the speculative application email.
US: what to include and leave out
- Lead with impact. US recruiters skim fast. Your strongest, most relevant achievements should be in the top half of page one.
- No photo, age, marital status or other personal details. Many US employers avoid them because of anti-discrimination rules.
- One page if you're early in your career; two pages is fine for senior roles with relevant depth.
- Mention work authorization only if relevant, for example if you'd need sponsorship.
More on reaching US employers in how to email a hiring manager and cover letter vs cold email.
India: what to include and leave out
- Keep it focused on work. Older formats often included father's name, religion, a photo and a declaration at the end. These are increasingly left out, especially for tech, startup and MNC roles.
- Projects and internships matter, particularly for freshers. Include links to GitHub or a portfolio.
- Notice period and CTC usually go in your email or the application form, not the resume itself.
- One to two pages is typical.
See our samples for emailing HR about a job in India.
One document, three markets
If you're applying in more than one country, keep a master version with everything, then make a tailored copy for each application:
- Remove personal details (photo, date of birth, marital status). This works everywhere.
- Adjust length: trim for US roles early in your career; keep two pages for the UK if it helps.
- Switch spelling and labels: "CV" and UK spelling for the UK, "resume" and US spelling for the US.
- Tailor the content to the role, using the job's own language honestly. Here's how.
Make it ATS-friendly everywhere
Whatever you call it, many employers in all three markets use applicant tracking systems. A clean layout, standard section headings and real text (not images) help your document parse correctly. Here's how to build an ATS-friendly resume.
Build and tailor yours with PitchRight
PitchRight's free resume builder lets you keep one master resume, make tailored copies for each application, and download them as PDF or Word. It scores each copy against the job and suggests honest rewrites you approve one by one. Start free.