UK job applications · free guide
Build a CV UK ATS can actually read.
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Built for NHS, Civil Service, FTSE 100, tech, finance, and graduate roles.
Why most CV templates fail ATS
Most CV templates — including the defaults in Word, Canva, and Google Docs — are designed to look good to human eyes. But the first reader of your CV is software, not a person. Tables, columns, and fancy formatting that look professional on screen are often unreadable to the ATS parser.
Our ATS CV formatting guide covers the 7 most common mistakes in detail. The template structure below is the solution.
The ATS-Friendly UK CV Template — Section by Section
Header
ATS rule: In the document body — never in a Word header/footer
✓ Include: Full name, phone number, email, LinkedIn URL, location (city only)
✗ Avoid: Photo, date of birth, full home address, nationality
Personal Statement
ATS rule: Label as "Personal Statement" or "Professional Summary"
✓ Include: 3–4 sentences: who you are, your key skills, what you offer, career goal
✗ Avoid: Generic phrases like "hard-working team player". Be specific.
Work Experience
ATS rule: Label exactly as "Work Experience" — not "Career History" or "Employment"
✓ Include: Job title, company, dates (MM/YYYY), 4–6 bullet points per role starting with action verbs
✗ Avoid: Paragraphs, tables, unexplained acronyms, duties-only descriptions (add outcomes)
Education
ATS rule: Label as "Education" — not "Academic Background"
✓ Include: Degree, university, graduation year, grade. A-levels and GCSEs for graduates.
✗ Avoid: Primary school, listing every GCSE subject individually
Skills
ATS rule: Label as "Skills" or "Key Skills"
✓ Include: Hard skills relevant to the role — mirror job description language exactly
✗ Avoid: Soft skills only (e.g. "good communicator") — include these within work experience bullet points instead
Professional Development / Training
ATS rule: Optional but valuable for NHS and Civil Service roles
✓ Include: Relevant certifications, courses, CPD activities, professional memberships
✗ Avoid: Outdated or irrelevant qualifications from more than 10 years ago unless directly relevant
ATS CV Formatting Rules for UK Jobs
Single-column layout only
Multi-column breaks parsing
No tables or text boxes
Content inside is invisible to ATS
Standard fonts: Arial, Calibri, TNR
Exotic fonts cause encoding issues
Save as PDF or clean DOCX
Avoid macros, tracked changes, styles
No images, logos, or photos
Images cannot be parsed
Contact details in body text
Headers/footers are often ignored
10–12pt body, 14–16pt name
Text under 10pt causes parse errors
Margins of 1–1.5cm minimum
Very narrow margins cause layout issues
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Related ATS Resources
- Free ATS CV Checker — test your CV against a real job description
- ATS CV Formatting Guide — the 7 formatting mistakes that cause silent rejection
- How to Pass ATS Screening UK — 8 proven tips to beat the bots
- AI CV Improver — automatically optimise your CV content and keywords
- Free ATS CV Checker — test your CV against a real UK job description
ATS CV Template – Common Questions
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