If you're applying for jobs in the UK, there's a good chance your CV will be screened by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) before a human ever reads it. These systems are used by most medium-to-large employers [1] to filter the over a hundred applications on average they receive for each role [2].
An ATS scans your CV for relevant keywords, checks formatting, and ranks candidates based on how well their experience matches the job description [3]. If your CV isn't ATS-friendly, it could be rejected automatically, no matter how qualified you are.
Here's how to write a CV that passes ATS filters and gets you to the interview stage.
1. Use a clean, simple format
ATS software struggles with complex formatting. To ensure your CV is parsed correctly [3]:
- Use a single-column layout. Multi-column designs, text boxes, and tables can confuse ATS parsers, causing sections to be read out of order or skipped entirely.
- Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Decorative fonts may not be recognised.
- Avoid headers and footers for important information. Many ATS platforms cannot read content placed in these areas.
- Use standard section headings such as "Work Experience", "Education", "Skills", and "Professional Summary". Creative headings like "My Journey" or "What I Bring" may not be recognised [4].
- Submit as a .docx or PDF unless the employer specifies otherwise. Both formats are widely supported by modern ATS platforms.
2. Mirror keywords from the job description
This is the single most important step. ATS platforms rank candidates by matching keywords from the job description against your CV [3]. If the job asks for "stakeholder management" and your CV says "client relations", the ATS may not make the connection.
To optimise your CV keywords:
- Read the job description carefully and identify repeated terms, required skills, and specific qualifications.
- Use the exact phrases from the job advert where they genuinely apply to your experience.
- Include both the full term and common abbreviations (e.g., "Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)").
- Spread keywords naturally throughout your CV — in your summary, experience bullets, and skills section.
Tools like LandTheRole's AI CV tailoring can analyse a job description and automatically restructure your CV to include the right keywords in the right places.
3. Write a strong professional summary
Your professional summary sits at the top of your CV and gives both the ATS and the hiring manager a quick overview of your candidacy. Keep it to 3-4 lines and include:
- Your current role or professional identity
- Years of relevant experience
- 2-3 key skills or achievements that match the role
- What you're looking for (optional)
Example: "Experienced project manager with 6 years in financial services. Skilled in stakeholder management, Agile delivery, and cross-functional team leadership. Led a programme that reduced delivery timelines by 30% across three business units."
4. Quantify your achievements
Numbers stand out to both ATS algorithms and human readers. Instead of vague descriptions, use specific metrics:
- "Managed a team of 12" rather than "Managed a team"
- "Increased revenue by 25% over 12 months" rather than "Helped grow revenue"
- "Reduced customer complaints by 40%" rather than "Improved customer satisfaction"
Wherever possible, tie your achievements to business outcomes. This demonstrates impact, which is exactly what hiring managers look for.
5. Include a dedicated skills section
A clear skills section helps ATS platforms quickly identify your core competencies [4]. List 8-12 relevant skills, mixing technical and transferable abilities. Match these to the job description requirements.
For UK-specific roles, include any relevant certifications (PRINCE2, CIPD, ACCA, etc.) and software proficiencies that the role demands.
6. Tailor your CV for every application
This is where most candidates fall short. A generic CV sent to 50 different roles will perform poorly in ATS screening because each job has different keyword requirements.
For each application, you should:
- Adjust your professional summary to reflect the specific role
- Reorder your experience bullets to prioritise the most relevant achievements
- Update your skills section to match the job requirements
- Ensure your job titles and descriptions use industry-standard terminology
This doesn't mean fabricating experience — it means presenting your genuine qualifications in the way that best matches each opportunity.
7. UK-specific CV conventions
If you're applying for UK roles, keep these conventions in mind [5]:
- Use British English spelling — "organise" not "organize", "centre" not "center", "colour" not "color".
- Don't include a photo unless you're in a creative industry where it's expected.
- Keep it to 2 pages maximum for most roles. Senior or academic positions may warrant more.
- Include your right-to-work status if relevant, and your notice period if you're currently employed.
- Date format: use "January 2024 – Present" rather than "01/2024 – Present".
Common ATS mistakes to avoid
- Using images or graphics to display skills or experience levels — ATS cannot read these [3].
- Saving as a non-standard format like .pages or .odt.
- Keyword stuffing — cramming in hidden text or repeating terms unnaturally. Modern ATS platforms can detect this, and it will count against you.
- Using acronyms without spelling them out at least once.
Key takeaways
Writing an ATS-friendly CV doesn't mean sacrificing quality or personality. It means structuring your genuine experience in a way that technology can understand. Keep your formatting clean, mirror the language in each job description, and quantify your achievements wherever possible.
If you want to save time, LandTheRole can automatically analyse any job description and tailor your CV to maximise ATS compatibility — taking the guesswork out of keyword optimisation.
References
- CIPD (2024), Resourcing and Talent Planning Report — cipd.org
- StandOut CV (2026), UK Recruitment Statistics — standout-cv.com
- Jobscan (2025), ATS Compatibility Guide — jobscan.co
- TopCV (2025), How to Write an ATS-Friendly CV — topcv.co.uk
- Prospects.ac.uk (2025), How to Write a CV — prospects.ac.uk