Job seekers risk being overlooked for roles if they fail to include adequate address or location details on their curriculum vitae, according to research from recruitment firm Intelligent People. The firm's findings suggest that the omission of location information can be a significant hurdle, particularly as employers increasingly rely on artificial intelligence and automated systems for candidate screening.
Intelligent People surveyed 70,000 job candidates on its database to understand their practices regarding address and location details on CVs. The survey revealed that privacy concerns are a primary driver for many individuals choosing to provide minimal or no location data. Nearly two in five respondents reported not including any address or location details, while over half indicated that a town, county, or general location was sufficient. A small percentage, 8%, believed a postcode alone was adequate, and only 3% felt a full home address was still necessary.
However, the firm emphasizes that the majority of UK recruitment agencies now utilize Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), CRM databases, and AI-driven candidate search tools. These systems often use location data as a key filter, especially for hybrid roles which require a balance of in-office and remote work. Without sufficient location data, candidates may not appear in search results, even if they possess the necessary qualifications for a role.
Experts at Intelligent People explained that hiring managers or recruiters searching for candidates within a specific commute radius, such as 30 miles from an office, query location fields within these systems. A CV that only lists a city name like 'London' or 'Manchester' may not suffice because the system cannot accurately calculate commute distances from such general information.
Chris Mason, co-founder of Intelligent People, stated that while a full home address is largely obsolete on a CV, location itself remains critical. "If you remove your location completely, there’s a real risk you become invisible for roles you could be perfect for, or get contacted about jobs that simply aren’t practical," Mason said.
To navigate this, job seekers are advised to avoid using their full address due to privacy concerns and outdated practices. Instead, including the nearest train station or tube stop can provide sufficient geographic context for employers assessing commute viability. Alternatively, using a postcode from a nearby landmark can offer the necessary data for hiring systems without revealing a home address. Vague city names are discouraged, as they are insufficient for modern search filters, especially for hybrid roles where commute times are a factor. Clearly stating working preferences, such as "Open to hybrid roles within 45 minutes of central London," can also help categorize candidates correctly within these automated systems.