CV Contact Details — What to Include, What to Leave Out
Why contact details matter more than people think
Your contact details are the first thing at the top of your CV. And while they seem like the most straightforward section, there are several common mistakes that either look unprofessional or cause problems.
Here's what belongs at the top of your CV in 2026 — and what definitely doesn't.
What to include
Full name
Your full name, slightly larger than the rest of the text (16–18pt) and bold. Use your professional name — if you go by a shortened or anglicised name in professional contexts, use that. If you have a long name, use the version you introduce yourself with professionally.
Professional email address
The standard is firstname.lastname@gmail.com. Or firstname.lastname@[professional domain] if you have one.
What's not acceptable in 2026:
- Hotmail or AOL addresses (signal you haven't updated your email in 15+ years)
- Nicknames or casual addresses (djmaster88@gmail.com, not acceptable)
- Current employer email (never use your work email on your CV)
If your gmail.com name is already taken with a formal version, add a middle initial, or use a simple number (1980 etc., though professionally that can suggest age — think carefully).
Phone number
Your current mobile number. Make sure it's correct — wrong phone numbers mean missed calls from recruiters.
Format: 07XXX XXX XXX (UK), (XXX) XXX-XXXX (US). No country code necessary for domestic applications. Add country code (+44 XXX...) only if applying internationally.
Location
City and country is enough. Not your full street address. Candidates in London can write "London, UK". Candidates in Manchester can write "Manchester, UK".
Why just city? Full addresses aren't needed for initial screening. They also create privacy concerns — your CV travels widely.
Note: For remote-friendly roles, you may want to specify "Open to remote / hybrid" alongside your location, especially if you're willing to work from a location outside the employer's usual catchment.
LinkedIn URL
Optional but strongly recommended. Recruiters and hiring managers will search LinkedIn anyway — giving them your URL controls what they find first.
Shorten your LinkedIn URL to linkedin.com/in/firstname-lastname before putting it on your CV. Default LinkedIn URLs contain random strings — they look unprofessional.
What not to include
Date of birth
In the UK, age discrimination is illegal and employers are not supposed to ask. Including your date of birth opens you up to potential unconscious bias. Leave it out.
Photo
UK convention is no photo. Many countries in continental Europe include photos. UK and US job applications do not typically include them. A photo can introduce appearance-based bias and isn't expected.
Nationality or immigration status
Unless specifically required by the role (e.g., security clearance applications), you don't need to include this. It can introduce discrimination risk.
Home address (full)
City is sufficient. Your full street address is unnecessary for a CV and creates privacy concerns when your document is shared widely.
Marital status, dependants
Not relevant to the job. Leave out.
"References available on request"
This is universally understood and takes up space unnecessarily. Employers will ask for references when they want them. Don't mention it.
Personal websites or portfolios (unless relevant)
If you're in a creative or technical field where a portfolio is expected (design, development, writing), include the URL. If not, leave it out.
Formatting your contact details
Single line or two lines at the top of the page. Plain text — no icons, no tables, no text boxes.
Example:
James Thornton
james.thornton@gmail.com | 07912 345 678 | London, UK | linkedin.com/in/james-thornton
Clean, scannable, professional. Everything a recruiter or ATS needs.
CVCircuit handles this automatically
When you build your CV in CVCircuit, the contact details section is formatted correctly at the top of the document. Your name is appropriately sized, contact details are in plain text, and the whole section is ATS-readable.
Build your CV free and ensure your contact details make the right first impression.