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If you’re navigating the UK job market, you’ve likely heard of applicant tracking systems (ATS). These automated tools streamline how recruiters sift through CVs, with a staggering 70% of CVs getting rejected before a human even sees them. To increase your chances of success, making your CV ATS-friendly is essential. This guide explains how to tailor your CV for ATS systems used in the UK and improve both your visibility and chances of landing an interview.
This article covers:
What ATS is and why it matters in UK recruitment
Steps to create an ATS-friendly CV
Practical examples for various UK job sectors
Mistakes to avoid and key takeaways
Creating an effective ATS-ready CV doesn’t just help you get past the system; it ensures your CV stands out to hiring managers. Here’s how to do it.
Let CVMaker guide you through the CV writing process, offering a choice of ATS-friendly CV templates.
What is an ATS and why is it essential in the UK job market?
An ATS is software used by UK recruiters and businesses to manage large volumes of job applications. It scans CVs for keywords, ranks applicants, and identifies top candidates for further review. With remote work and advancements in AI streamlining recruitment, ATS has become a standard tool in industries such as finance, healthcare, IT, and construction.
How does ATS work?
ATS filters CVs by:
Scanning for job-related keywords (skills, qualifications, experience)
Ranking candidates based on relevance to the job description
Flagging incompatible CV formats or excessive formatting
This means your CV could be rejected if it:
Lacks job-specific keywords
Uses complex layouts or unprofessional fonts
Misses crucial details like accurate contact information
For job seekers in the UK, understanding ATS requirements is critical to make it past the initial screening stage.
6 proven tips to optimise your CV for ATS
1. Use job-specific keywords
Keywords are the backbone of an ATS-friendly CV. Review the job description carefully and incorporate terms that appear repeatedly, such as “data analysis,” “financial planning,” or “project management.” Adapt your CV skills and achievements to match these phrases.
| Job Description Requirement | What to include in your CV: |
|---|---|
| Strong organisational skills | “Organised project timelines, ensuring 100% on-time delivery.” |
Pro Tip
Search for job postings in your industry to identify common keywords. Tools like Jobscan can also help you match your CV to specific roles.
For more advice, read the article on how to improve your CV.
2. Start sentences with action verbs
Action verbs in a CV highlight your skills and achievements, demonstrating how you excelled in your job role. Action verbs like “achieved,” “developed,” or “managed” help demonstrate impact and align with recruiter expectations.
Examples of action verbs
Use the work experience section of your CV to demonstrate your skills and achievements, as well as including action verbs to pass the ATS.
For example, instead of saying “responsibilities included team management,” say “managed a team of 10 professionals, increasing productivity by 15%.”
3. Choose the right format
A clean, professional layout is crucial. ATS software struggles with overly graphic designs, images, or tables. For UK jobseekers, reverse-chronological CVs work best. This format works well for showcasing career progression and aligning your experience with the job requirements. Your CV needs to be well-organised, easy to navigate, and brief to pass the ATS.
Use a consistent font such as Arial, Times New Roman or Garamond
Upload your CV in a Word or PDF format
Left align your document
Decrease your CV page margins
Stick to a one-column format
Use heavy graphic or excessive formatting (e.g. sublists)
Use unprofessional custom fonts
Create a CV more than two pages long
Use font size lower than 10 points
Apply a two-column format if in doubt
4. Highlight your skills
Figuring out which skills to showcase on your CV can feel like a tricky puzzle, especially when aiming to impress an ATS system. But here's a simple way to make it easier: start with research. Head to the company’s website and explore job descriptions for similar roles in your field. Pay close attention to the qualifications and expertise they emphasise. This will help you identify the exact mix of hard and soft skills they value most.
By tailoring your CV to highlight these key abilities and your key strengths, you can confidently demonstrate your professional attitude and show recruiters that you're not just a good candidate, but the right one for the job.
Divide your skills into soft and hard categories. For example:
Hard Skills: Data analytics, budgeting, CAD software (for architecture), or cloud computing.
Soft Skills: Communication, leadership, cultural awareness.
Refer to the skills article to learn more about different types of skills.
5. Proofread your CV
Spelling and grammatical errors can hinder your chances of success, whether with ATS or human readers. Before submitting your CV, double-check for:
Correct spelling and grammar
Consistent formatting throughout
Accurate dates, job titles, and personal contact information.
Learn more about the ideal CV length.
Pro Tip
Consider asking a friend or colleague to review it, as they may be able to identify strengths or character traits you might have overlooked.
6. Balance ATS and people-friendly design
While tailoring for ATS is crucial, your CV must also appeal to the recruiter. Focus on clear, concise content and avoid “keyword stuffing.”
A well-written CV combines:
Strategic keyword placement
Easy-to-read paragraphs
Practical examples of achievements
Metrics to support claims (e.g., “increased revenue by 20%”)
Maintaining this balance improves the chances of impressing both ATS and the hiring manager.
To learn more, read our article on how to write a good CV.
Examples of ATS-friendly CVs
Software Developer CV example
In this software developer CV example, Sam Johnson incorporated specific keywords for his target job to pass the ATS scan. He uses action verbs such as ‘apply [knowledge … ]’, ‘drive [improvement … ], ‘carried out [ … testing],‘ ‘collaborate with [a team … ], and others. We advise starting sentences with these verbs to make your writing more concise and tailor it to the job description. Avoid using first-person pronouns, as it will make your writing more professional.
Refer to the software developer CV example guide for more information.
Warehouse CV example
In this warehouse CV example, Andrew Hyde focuses the reader’s attention on keywords specific to the job description for a warehouse operative. He utilises action verbs such as ‘supervise [a team of …], ‘reduced [ … expenses], ‘implemented [a strategy …], and ‘onboarded [ … employees]. By differentiating between duties and achievements, Andrew can more easily pass the ATS parsing.
Refer to the warehouse CV example guide to find out more.
Architect CV example
This architect CV example features David Bremner’s personal profile section. Examples of relevant skills are ‘computer-aided design’, ‘strong design’, and ‘project management’. Furthermore, the candidate incorporated relevant keywords to capture the attention of ATS software which include ‘landscape architect’, ‘10 years of experience’, ‘and ‘sustainable spaces.’ By doing so, David will likely pass the ATS scan and eventually land his dream job!
Refer to the architect CV example guide to learn more.
Student CV example
This student CV example highlights the relevant keywords of Jason Patol’s personal profile section. With the career goal of developing a career in HR, he also incorporates pertinent knowledge such as ‘employment law’, ‘key HR practices’, ‘recruitment’, ‘compliance’, and ‘business operations’. Doing so allows him to pass the ATS screening, making it easier for recruiters to see why this candidate could be a good match for the role.
Refer to the student CV example guide for more details.
Common ATS mistakes to avoid
Excessive formatting: Avoid columns, images, and tables.
Generic CVs: Always tailor content for the specific role.
Skipping keywords: Missing keywords could result in rejection.
Ignoring proofreading: Even small mistakes can cost opportunities.
Key takeaways
The main takeaway is to incorporate keywords and use professional language. We recommend creating a job-specific CV that closely aligns with the position you’re applying for while maintaining simplicity. After reading this article, you should better understand:
What is ATS?
Why do companies use it?
What to do to ensure your CV matches both career goals and job requirements.
Rejection is part of your job search; don’t let it discourage you, and remember to apply for one position at a time. To make the process a breeze, use ATS-friendly CV examples from this article as guidance and apply with confidence!
Next steps?
If you require assistance optimising your CV with the right keywords or condensing your content, we recommend exploring our CV Writing Service. Furthermore, we offer a wide selection of over 20 professional cover letter templates that can complement your CV seamlessly.
FAQs
Is my CV ATS-friendly?
The key is to incorporate pertinent keywords and phrases from the job description to align your CV with ATS requirements. Additionally, avoid excessive formatting, such as italics or nested lists, and prioritise the accuracy of personal details.
How to check if your CV is ATS-friendly?
To ensure your CV is ATS-friendly, utilise tools like Jobscan, which verify compatibility with the job and ATS criteria, identify parsing issues, and offer optimisation suggestions. Additionally, manually review your CV for crucial elements such as relevant keywords, formatting, and readability to optimise it.
How to optimise your CV for ATS?
We advise using concise sentences and bullet points to convey your responsibilities, accomplishments, and areas of expertise. This formatting style helps optimise readability for both ATS systems and human reviewers.
What are the latest ATS industry trends in 2025?
With the advent of AI, more companies integrate ATS to enhance their recruitment processes. By leveraging these technologies, they can gain deeper insights into candidates’ profiles and provide recruiters with enhanced analytics. With companies moving more towards hiring for skills over experience, it's important you effectively list these in your CV to pass the ATS.
