How to Write a UK Working Holiday CV
A UK CV is not just a translated Korean resume. This guide covers what to remove, what to highlight, and how to make a one-page CV that gets read quickly.
💡 The core rule
A UK CV is not a long self-introduction. It should quickly show what kind of role you can do, in what kind of environment, and why you are immediately useful.
Many working holiday CVs fail for a simple reason: they still look like a translated Korean resume.
Common problems:
- photo included
- date of birth included
- too much personality language
- not enough role-specific evidence
What a UK CV usually removes
| Leave out | Why |
|---|---|
| Photo | Not standard in UK CVs |
| Date of birth | Usually unnecessary |
| Gender or marital status | Not relevant |
| Long personal story | Takes space away from useful evidence |
Keep it to one page if you can
For most working holiday job searches, one page is the strongest default. It is easier to hand out, easier to scan, and better suited to quick hiring decisions.
The basic structure
- Name and contact details
- Short personal profile
- Work experience in reverse order
- Education
- Relevant skills
- References available on request
How to write a better profile
Weak:
I am a passionate and hardworking person who wants to grow.
Better:
Customer-facing experience in busy cafe and retail settings, comfortable with orders, payments, and fast-paced service. Available for weekday and weekend shifts and able to adapt quickly in team environments.
Your experience bullets need action + context + result
Weak:
- Made coffee
- Helped customers
Better:
- Prepared drinks to order while maintaining speed and consistency during busy service periods.
- Supported front-of-house service, payments, and customer queries in a fast-moving environment.
Skills should be practical
Examples:
- Customer service
- Cash handling
- POS system
- Barista basics
- Fluent Korean / Intermediate English