Indian Resume Format vs US and UK Format: Key Differences
Photo, personal details, passport info, length and spelling: how Indian, US, UK and European resumes differ, and what to change when you apply abroad.
A resume that works well in Bengaluru can look out of place in London or New York. Your skills and results stay the same, but the expected length, the personal details you include, whether you add a photo, and even the name of the document change from country to country.
These are common practices, not hard rules. If a job posting asks for something specific, always follow the posting.
Quick comparison
India
- Called a: resume or CV
- Length: 1–2 pages
- Photo: optional
- Personal details: some employers ask for more; add only what you choose
United States
- Called a: resume
- Length: 1 page, or 2 with 10 or more years of experience
- Photo: leave it out
- Personal details: no age, date of birth or marital status
United Kingdom
- Called a: CV
- Length: up to 2 pages
- Photo: leave it out
- Personal details: no date of birth or marital status
Europe
- Called a: CV
- Length: 1–2 pages
- Photo: optional; common in some countries, such as Germany
- Personal details: varies by country; add only what you choose
The photo rule
India: a photo is optional. Many private employers don't need one; some traditional employers and government forms still ask. If you add one, use a plain, professional headshot.
US and UK: leave the photo out. Employers avoid photos because of anti-discrimination law and practice, and some recruiters discard resumes that include one.
Europe: it depends. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland a professional photo is still common; in the Netherlands, the Nordics and Ireland it's much less so.
Personal details and passport information
Older Indian resumes often list date of birth, father's name, marital status, religion, nationality, passport number and a full home address, followed by a "Declaration" with a signature. For most private-sector jobs today, none of that is needed. Your name, phone, email, city and LinkedIn are enough.
For the US and UK, remove all of it. Don't include your passport number on any resume: it's sensitive personal data and no recruiter needs it at the application stage. If your work authorisation matters, state it in one plain line instead, for example "Authorised to work in the UK" or "Requires H-1B sponsorship".
Length: one page or two?
US: one page for students and early-career roles, two pages for senior professionals with 10 or more years.
UK and Europe: two pages is normal, even with a few years of experience.
India: one page for freshers, one to two pages for experienced professionals.
Whatever the country, cut anything that doesn't help you get this particular job.
Spelling, dates and terms
- US English: optimize, analyze, program, color. Dates like "Jan 2024 – Present".
- UK English: optimise, analyse, programme, colour. Dates like "January 2024 – Present" or "01/2024".
- Grades: CGPA scales aren't familiar everywhere. Add a short explanation, such as "8.6/10 CGPA (First Class with Distinction)".
- Indian terms: write out abbreviations (B.Tech becomes Bachelor of Technology) and briefly explain company names a foreign recruiter may not know ("Infosys, an IT services company with 300,000+ employees").
Applying abroad from India: your checklist
- Remove date of birth, marital status, father's name, religion, passport number and the "Declaration".
- Remove the photo for the US and UK.
- Cut to the expected length; often one page for the US.
- Switch to US or UK spelling to match the country.
- Explain grades and Indian terms.
- Add one line on work authorisation or visa needs.
- Make sure it's still ATS-friendly: one column, standard headings.
Europe: country by country
- Germany, Austria, Switzerland: a detailed CV (Lebenslauf), often with a photo, and sometimes a short cover letter is expected with every application.
- Netherlands and the Nordics: shorter, more informal CVs; photos are less common.
- Europass: accepted across the EU, but many private employers prefer a simpler, custom CV.
Mention your language levels on the CEFR scale (A1 to C2), since employers often ask for them, and state your right to work in the EU.
For freshers applying in India, see our section-by-section guide to the resume format for freshers in India. To see how your current resume reads, try the free ATS check.