Jobseekers risk being overlooked for roles they've applied for if they omit address or location details on their CV, according to findings from recruitment firm Intelligent People. Including a living location on a CV is crucial for employers, especially for positions with commute distance or hybrid working requirements.
Intelligent People surveyed 70,000 potential job candidates on its database regarding the inclusion of address or location details on CVs. Privacy concerns were a significant factor for many individuals who chose to provide sparse or no location information. Nearly two in five respondents stated they do not add any address or location details to their CVs. More than half indicated that mentioning a town, county, or general location was sufficient, while 8% believed a postcode alone was adequate. Only 3% of respondents felt a full home address was still necessary.
The firm noted that a majority of UK recruitment firms now utilize Applicant Tracking Systems, CRM databases, and AI-powered candidate search tools. These systems often use location data as a primary filter, particularly for hybrid roles. According to Intelligent People, CVs lacking location data may not appear in these searches, even for well-qualified candidates.
When hiring managers or recruiters search for candidates within a specific commute radius, the systems query location fields. A CV that only states a city name, such as 'London' or 'Manchester,' may not be a match because the system cannot calculate commute distance from a city name alone. Chris Mason, co-founder of Intelligent People, emphasized that while full home addresses are no longer standard, location information remains vital. He warned that removing location entirely carries the risk of becoming invisible for suitable roles or being contacted about impractical job opportunities.
To balance privacy with visibility, Intelligent People suggests several strategies. Candidates should avoid using their full address on a CV due to privacy concerns and the fact that it is no longer standard practice. Instead, including the nearest train station or tube stop can provide sufficient geographic context for employers to assess commute viability without revealing a precise home address. Alternatively, using a nearby postcode from a local landmark like a pub or community center can help hiring technology systems place candidates geographically. The firm also advises against using vague city names alone, as they are insufficient for modern search filters, especially for hybrid roles. Clearly stating working preferences, such as an acceptable commute time or radius, can also provide useful context for employers and hiring systems.
Recent data from the Office for National Statistics indicated that in August, approximately 981,000 individuals aged 16 to 24 in Britain were not in education, employment, or training (NEET), representing about one in eight in that age group. Recommendations for addressing this issue are expected from a report by former minister Alan Milburn.