Resume vs CV: what changes when you apply in India, the US or the UK

How resume conventions differ in India, the US and the UK — length, photos, personal details, spelling and job titles — so you don't lose points abroad.

By Kartikeya Mishra. Updated 30 October 2026. 3 min read.

The same experience can look polished in one country and slightly off in another. If you're applying across borders — a growing number of people in India apply to US and UK roles, and the reverse — a few conventions are worth getting right.

The quick comparison

	India	United States	United Kingdom
Usual name	Resume or CV	Resume	CV
Typical length	1–2 pages (longer is still common, but shrinking)	1 page early career, 2 pages senior	2 pages
Photo	Sometimes included; optional	Leave out	Leave out
Date of birth, marital status, religion	Sometimes seen in traditional formats; best left out	Leave out	Leave out
Spelling	British or American, be consistent	American (optimize, color)	British (optimise, colour)
Grades	Percentages or CGPA often listed	GPA only if strong and recent	Degree classification (First, 2:1)
References	"Available on request" seen	Leave out	Leave out or "available on request"

Personal details

US and UK employers generally avoid information that could invite bias — age, marital status, religion, photo, nationality. Including them doesn't help, and it can make a resume look out of place. Keep to: name, city and country, phone with country code, email, and LinkedIn or portfolio.

If you're applying from abroad, it's reasonable to add a line about work authorisation or relocation when it's relevant: "Relocating to London, March 2027" or "Eligible to work in the UK (Skilled Worker visa required)". Be accurate — application forms usually ask directly.

Titles and terms that travel badly

Some job titles and terms are read differently abroad. Add a plain-English equivalent where it helps:

"Fresher" is common in India but unfamiliar elsewhere. Use "Graduate", "Entry-level" or "Recent graduate".
Grades: "8.4 CGPA (out of 10)" is clearer to foreign recruiters than "8.4 CGPA".
Money: "₹1.2 crore" means little to a US recruiter. Use "₹1.2 crore (~$140k)" or a percentage.
Degrees: "B.Tech in Computer Science" is widely recognised; for less common degrees, add the field in plain words.
Notice period: often listed in India, rarely in the US. Leave it for the application form.

Spelling for keyword matching

Spelling isn't just style. If a UK posting asks for "data visualisation" and your resume says "data visualization", most modern search tools will match them — but not all do. Mirror the spelling of the posting in your summary and skills where it's easy.

Length and density

Indian resumes sometimes include long lists of responsibilities, projects from university and an objective statement. For US and UK applications, cut to results: three to six bullets per recent role, short or no objective, and projects only if they're relevant.

What doesn't change

Everywhere, the same basics make a resume work with applicant tracking systems: a single column, standard headings, real text, the right job title, and the posting's key skills inside bullets that show results. Run your resume and the posting through our scanner to check those basics before you apply, wherever the job is.

See how your resume does against a real job post.

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Common questions

Should I put a photo on my resume?

For US and UK applications, no — employers generally avoid them to reduce bias concerns. In India photos are still seen, but they're increasingly optional for corporate and tech roles. A photo never helps ATS parsing.

Is a CV the same as a resume?

In the UK and India, "CV" usually means the same two-page document Americans call a resume. In the US, a CV is a long academic record used for research and teaching roles.

Should I include my date of birth or marital status?

Not for US or UK applications. In India it's still common on some formats but rarely necessary; leave it out unless the employer specifically asks.