UK ATS Guide 2025

What is ATS? The Complete UK Guide to Applicant Tracking Systems

If you've ever wondered why your perfectly qualified CV seems to disappear into a "black hole" after applying for UK jobs, you've likely encountered an ATS. 75% of UK employers use these systems to filter CVs automatically.

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75%
UK employers use ATS
95%
FTSE 100 companies
85%
Public sector usage
?

What Does ATS Stand For?

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System—software that automatically scans, parses, and ranks CVs based on how well they match job requirements. Think of it as a digital gatekeeper that determines whether your application reaches human recruiters.

Automated CV scanning and parsing
Keyword matching against job descriptions
Ranking candidates by relevance score
Integration with UK job boards
🏢

Which UK Employers Use ATS?

Major UK Companies

NHS
Trac JobTrain
Most NHS Trust positions
Amazon UK
Custom ATS
All UK warehouse & corporate roles
Barclays
SuccessFactors
Banking and finance positions
Tesco
Workday
Retail and corporate opportunities
British Airways
Oracle HCM
Aviation careers

Usage by Sector

Public Sector85%
NHS, councils, government
FTSE 10095%
Virtually all major corporations
SMEs (50+ employees)60%
Growing adoption rate
Recruitment Agencies90%
Reed, Hays, Michael Page
⚡

How UK ATS Systems Work

1
📄

CV Upload/Submission

Candidate applies via company website or job board; CV automatically uploaded to ATS database

2
🔍

Parsing and Extraction

ATS converts CV into structured data, extracts details and identifies skills

3
🎯

Keyword Matching

Compares CV content to job description keywords and UK-specific terms

4
📊

Scoring and Ranking

Assigns compatibility score and filters out low-ranking CVs

5
👥

Human Review

Top-ranked CVs forwarded to recruiters

UK-Specific Considerations:

📅Date Formats: DD/MM/YYYY preferred
🎓Qualifications: UK degrees, GCSEs, A-levels
👥Professional Bodies: CQC, GMC, SRA, RICS
🇬🇧British Spelling: "realise", "colour"

Why CVs Fail UK ATS Systems

Missing UK Keywords

40%
•Using "resume" instead of "CV"
•American spelling variants
•Missing sector-specific terms

Formatting Problems

30%
•Complex tables and graphics
•Headers/footers with info
•Non-standard fonts

Qualification Gaps

20%
•UK qualifications unclear
•Missing professional registrations
•Degree classifications missing

Contact Info Issues

10%
•No +44 prefix on mobile
•Missing UK postcode
•Non-UK email domains
🛠️

Popular ATS Platforms in the UK

Workday

Tesco, Rolls-Royce, British Gas

Tip: Use standard section headings

SuccessFactors (SAP)

Barclays, Shell, BT

Tip: Include exact keywords from job description

SmartRecruiters

John Lewis, Vodafone UK

Tip: Clean, simple formatting crucial

Taleo (Oracle)

Many recruitment agencies

Tip: Avoid fancy formatting

Custom Systems

Amazon UK, Google UK

Tip: Focus on exact keyword matching

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✓
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✓
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✓
Formatting recommendations
✓
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✓
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❓

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all UK employers use ATS systems?
No, but 75% of UK employers with 50+ employees use ATS. This includes virtually all FTSE companies, NHS Trusts, and major recruitment agencies.
How long do CVs stay in ATS systems?
Most UK employers keep CVs for 6-12 months. Some, like NHS Trusts, may retain them for up to 2 years for future opportunities.
Can I bypass ATS by applying directly to hiring managers?
Rarely in large UK organisations. Most systems automatically route all applications through ATS, regardless of how they're submitted.
Do recruitment agencies use different ATS systems?
Yes, major UK agencies like Reed, Hays, and Michael Page each use different systems, but optimisation principles remain similar.
How often should I update my CV for ATS?
Review quarterly and update for each application. ATS algorithms and job requirements evolve constantly.
📚

Additional UK Job Search Resources

🎯

ATS Optimisation by UK Industry

🏥

NHS and Healthcare

Essential keywords:
NMC registered, CQC compliant, patient-centred care
Include:

GMC, NMC, or HCPC registration numbers

Mention:

NHS experience, ward types, patient volumes

💰

Financial Services

Essential keywords:
FCA regulated, risk management, AML compliance
Include:

Professional qualifications (ACA, ACCA, CFA)

Mention:

Specific regulations (MiFID II, Basel III)

💻

Technology Sector

Essential keywords:
Programming languages, frameworks, methodologies
Include:

Certifications (AWS, Microsoft, Google Cloud)

Mention:

Agile, DevOps, specific tech stacks

⚖️

Legal Profession

Essential keywords:
SRA qualified, solicitor, specific practice areas
Include:

Law Society membership, chambers

Mention:

Court experience, case types

🔧

Engineering

Essential keywords:
CEng, IET member, RICS qualified
Include:

Professional institution memberships

Mention:

Project values, safety records, standards compliance

🎓

Education

Essential keywords:
QTS, PGCE, curriculum development
Include:

Teaching qualifications and specializations

Mention:

Ofsted ratings, student outcomes, pastoral care

📝

How to Make Your CV ATS-Friendly

Essential Formatting Rules

✓
File Format
Use .docx or .pdf (both widely accepted in UK)
✓
Layout
Single column layout, standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
✓
Font Size
10-12pt for body text with clear section headings
✓
File Size
Keep under 2MB

✅ Contact Information Example

John Smith
Birmingham, West Midlands, B1 1AA
+44 7123 456789
john.smith@email.co.uk

✅ Education Section Example

University of Manchester
BSc Computer Science, First Class Honours (1:1)
September 2019 - June 2022

Keywords Strategy for UK Jobs

Use Both Terms
CV/resume
mobile/cell phone
Location Keywords
"Greater London"
"West Midlands"
"North West England"
Sector-Specific
"CQC compliant"
"FCA regulated"
"Ofsted rated"
🚫

Debunking UK ATS Myths

📄
❌ Myth: "PDFs Don't Work with ATS"
✅ Truth:
Modern UK ATS systems read PDFs excellently. Many UK employers prefer PDFs as they preserve formatting.
🎯
❌ Myth: "You Must Use Specific Keywords Exactly"
✅ Truth:
UK ATS systems recognise synonyms and variations. Use natural language while including key terms.
🎨
❌ Myth: "ATS Can't Read Creative CVs"
✅ Truth:
While simple formatting is safer, many UK ATS systems handle moderate design elements well.
📋
❌ Myth: "Two-Page CVs Are Always Better"
✅ Truth:
UK standard is 2 pages, but senior roles often require 3+ pages. ATS can handle longer CVs.
🔄
❌ Myth: "You Need Different CVs for Each ATS"
✅ Truth:
A well-optimised CV works across most UK ATS systems. Focus on content over system-specific tweaks.
⚡
❌ Myth: "ATS Automatically Rejects Most CVs"
✅ Truth:
ATS ranks CVs; rejection depends on the employer's threshold and competition level.
🔮

The Future of ATS in UK Recruitment

Emerging Trends

🤖AI-Powered Matching: More sophisticated candidate-job matching
⚡Skills-Based Recruitment: Focus on competencies over qualifications
🌈Diversity Screening: ATS systems promoting inclusive recruitment
🎥Video CV Integration: Some UK employers testing video parsing

2025 Predictions

Increased SME adoption (expected 70% by end of 2025)
Better integration with LinkedIn and UK job boards
More sophisticated keyword context understanding
Enhanced mobile application experiences

For Job Seekers

Skills-based CVs becoming more important
Need for continuous CV optimisation
Importance of staying current with ATS technology
Greater emphasis on quantifiable achievements