How to Write a UK CV That Beats the ATS and Gets You Interviews
Credit: Matt Hinz
In today’s job market, getting your CV noticed is about more than just listing your experience. Most employers, especially recruitment agencies and larger companies, use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter candidates before a human ever sees your application. If your CV isn’t formatted correctly, it could get automatically rejected no matter how qualified you are.
Here’s how to structure your CV for the UK job market, optimise it for ATS, and avoid the common mistakes that hold candidates back.
The Correct UK CV Format (2025 Standards)
A UK CV should be 2-3 pages maximum (1 page for early-career roles) and clearly laid out with the following structure:
1. Contact Information
- Full name
- Phone number
- Email address (Don’t use your “sexybeast99” Hotmail email address from when you were in your early teens)
- Location (City + postcode is enough; full address is not necessary)
- LinkedIn profile or portfolio (optional but recommended)
Do NOT include Date of birth, marital status, nationality or photo, these are unnecessary and can lead to unconscious bias.
2. Professional Profile / Personal Statement
A short paragraph (4–8 lines) summarising who you are, what you do, and what value you bring.
Tip: Tailor this section to the job or type of job you’re applying for, include specific job titles and key skills.
Skip The Fluff: Avoid Overusing Adjectives
For professional-level CVs, I always advise steering clear of filler adjectives that add little value. Words like motivated, passionate, dedicated, and hardworking are subjective and overused. Recruiters see them every day and they don’t differentiate you.
Instead of writing:
“I am a highly motivated, passionate, results-driven professional with excellent communication skills.”
Try this:
“I led a team of 5 to deliver a 20% increase in departmental efficiency through improved workflow processes.”
Let your achievements, data, and impact do the talking, they’re far more convincing than vague adjectives.
3. Key Skills
A bullet point list of 6–12 skills that are relevant to the role. This is crucial for ATS.
Use the exact keywords from the job advert (e.g. “SEN support”, “safeguarding”, “behaviour management”).
4. Work Experience
List your experience in reverse chronological order, including:
- Job title
- Employer name
- Dates (month + year)
- Key responsibilities and achievements (bullet points)
Focus on achievements as well as duties, use action verbs like delivered, implemented, supported, managed.
5. Education and Qualifications
- Degree(s), A-levels, GCSEs (if early career)
- Professional qualifications (e.g. CACHE, QTS, PGCE)
6. Certifications & Training
Especially important in sectors like education, healthcare, or IT list things like:
- Safeguarding Training
- First Aid
- GDPR Training
7. References
Skip this section, you do not need to write “Available on request” as this is a given that references may be requested
How to Get Past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
ATS software scans your CV for keywords and structure. Here’s how to beat it:
Do:
- Use standard section headings like “Work Experience” and “Education”
- Use clear, simple formatting, no tables, text boxes, columns, or headers/footers
- Submit as a Word document (.docx) if possible, some ATS tools can’t read PDFs
- Mirror the language in the job description (use their terminology)
Don’t:
- Use fancy templates or graphics
- Include images or logos
- Stuff it with keywords unnaturally. ATS can detect “keyword stuffing”
- Use abbreviations without spelling them out at least once (e.g. “Special Educational Needs (SEN)”)
Common CV Mistakes to Avoid
Even well-qualified candidates can miss out due to small errors. Here are some of the most common:
- Too long. A CV should be 1–3 pages max.
- Spelling and grammar errors. Always proofread or use a tool like Grammarly.
- No tailoring. Generic CVs are obvious. Customise for each type of role.
- Unclear structure. Recruiters scan CVs in seconds. Make it easy to skim.
- Listing duties, not achievements. Show the impact you had in each role.
- Outdated email addresses. Ditch that Hotmail address from 2007.
- Missing keywords. If your CV doesn’t match the job description, ATS may skip you.
Final Tip: Keep it Real and Relevant
The best CVs are concise, tailored, and focused on results. You don’t need to list every job you’ve ever had, just the ones that show you’re right for the role. And always think: Does this section help me get the interview?
Need Help?
If you’re unsure whether your CV is ATS-friendly or want a second pair of eyes, there are free CV review services or speak to a recruiter who specialises in your sector. Many are happy to help you polish your application and get noticed.
