How to Optimise Your CV for ATS in the UK: The Ultimate Guide

Formatting Rules That ATS Can’t Ignore

Formatting is critical in whether or not your CV passes the ATS filter. Unlike human readers, who can make sense of visual hierarchies and creative layouts, most ATS systems read documents linearly, from top to bottom, like machines.

If your formatting is too complex or unconventional, essential information may be missed or misinterpreted. That’s why sticking to a standard layout is crucial when applying for jobs in 2025. Here are the golden formatting rules that every UK job seeker should follow:

• Use a standard chronological layout: Start with your most recent job and work backwards. ATS platforms expect to find your most relevant experience early in the document.
• Avoid text boxes, columns, and tables. Although these elements may look neat visually, many ATS systems cannot read them correctly.
• Stick to simple section headings: Use familiar titles like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.” Avoid creative alternatives like “What I’ve Done” or “My Learning Journey.”
• Keep it black and white: ATS software does not reliably process colour formatting, borders, and shading, so they should be avoided.
• Use standard fonts: Arial, Calibri, and Helvetica are widely accepted and ATS-safe. Avoid decorative or script fonts.
• No images or icons: ATS can’t process images, so avoid headshots, logos, or skill-rating icons.

💡 Pro Tip: Use bullet points instead of paragraphs to describe achievements. This makes your CV easier to read by both ATS and human recruiters.

Using the Right Keywords in Your CV

Keywords are the fuel that powers ATS software. If your CV lacks the right ones, or doesn’t include them in the right sections, you may never be seen by a recruiter. Keywords help the system determine how closely your background aligns with the job description.

But keywords aren’t just for gaming the system. They also help you speak the language of the role and demonstrate alignment with the employer’s needs. In 2025, employers in the UK will rely heavily on role-specific terms, skills, and tools when building their ATS criteria.

Here’s how to integrate keywords effectively:

• Analyse the job description: Highlight key responsibilities, required skills, certifications, and role titles mentioned in the advert.
• Use exact matches: If the job post says “project management,” use those words, not synonyms like “managing projects.”
• Include tools and software: ATS often looks for names like “Salesforce,” “Power BI,” “Python,” or “Adobe Creative Suite.”
• Repeat moderately: It’s fine to mention a critical skill (like “data analysis”) in your summary, experience, and skills section, but avoid excessive repetition.
• Use natural language: Keywords should be incorporated seamlessly, not dumped in a block that looks like SEO spam.

Pro Tip: Tools like Jobscan.co.uk allow you to paste your CV and a job ad to check keyword alignment and score your ATS match.

Best File Types to Submit for ATS

Even if your content and formatting are perfect, submitting your CV in the wrong file type can cause ATS errors or outright rejection. File format matters more than you think.

Here’s what to use in 2025 for the UK market:

• .docx (Microsoft Word): This is the safest, most widely accepted file format. All major ATS platforms can parse .docx files accurately.
• .pdf: Some ATS software struggles with PDFs, especially if they include multiple columns or graphics. Only use PDF if the job advert explicitly states it’s acceptable, or if you’ve tested your formatting thoroughly.
• Avoid: .odt, .rtf, .pages, .txt and image files (.jpg, .png). These formats are rarely ATS-compatible and may break parsing or be auto-rejected.

File Naming Tip: Use a professional file name format, like: John-Smith-CV-2025.docx. Avoid vague names like “CV Final Updated v3.pdf.”

ATS-Optimised CV Template Example

Creating a CV that’s both professional and ATS-friendly is easier when you follow a structure. Below is a template designed for 2025 that balances visual clarity with machine readability. You can customise this to fit your role, sector, and personal brand.

John Smith
Phone: 07123 456789 | Email: john.smith@email.com | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnsmith

Professional Summary
Project Manager with 8+ years of experience delivering technology, logistics, and infrastructure projects in fast-paced environments. Proven track record in stakeholder management, budget control, and agile delivery.

Key Skills
- Project Lifecycle Management
- Agile & Waterfall Methodologies
- Budget Forecasting
- Jira & Trello
- Stakeholder Communication

Work Experience
Senior Project Manager | VelocityTech, London | Mar 2020 – Present
- Delivered 12+ multi-site technology projects, all on time and under budget
- Reduced project delivery time by 22% by introducing agile methodology
- Mentored junior PMs, improving team productivity by 30%

Project Coordinator | Nexus Logistics, Manchester | Jan 2016 – Feb 2020
- Supported 6 major logistics projects totalling £5M
- Developed reporting templates that were adopted across all departments

Education & Certifications
BSc (Hons) in Business Management – University of Bristol, 2014
PRINCE2 Certified | AgilePM Foundation

Additional
Languages: French (Conversational)
Volunteer Work: Crisis Project Leader, Habitat for Humanity

✅ Note: This layout uses plain text, clear headings, and bullet points—perfect for parsing by modern ATS software used by UK employers in 2025.

Tools to Test Your CV for ATS Compatibility

Before submitting your CV, it’s smart to test its performance with common ATS platforms. Several online tools can help UK job seekers check compatibility, keyword match rates, and formatting issues.

Here are a few trusted tools you can try in 2025:

• Jobscan: One of the most popular tools. Paste your CV and a job description to see how well they align. Offers a match rate and keyword suggestions.
• CVScan.uk: A free UK-based tool that scans for formatting issues, keyword density, and ATS-blocking elements.
• Resumeworded: Offers both ATS checks and human-style feedback for overall CV strength.
• TopCV: Their free CV review provides both formatting and content suggestions through expert feedback.

🛠️ Pro Tip: Run your CV through at least two tools before applying—what one tool misses, another may catch.

Common Mistakes That Break ATS Parsing

Many CVs fail not because of bad experience, but because of formatting and keyword mistakes that make it hard for the ATS to process your information. Here are some of the most common issues that trip up the system:

• Using headers/footers for contact info: Most ATS systems can’t read content in headers or footers. Always place contact details in the body of the document.
• Overusing design elements: Borders, text boxes, icons, and multiple columns may look good to humans, but confuse ATS software.
• Inconsistent job title formatting: Stick to one style throughout (e.g. Job Title | Company | Dates). ATS bots often rely on this order to identify work experience.
• Missing keywords: If the job ad requires “data reporting,” your CV only says “data insights,” it may not match, even if you’re qualified.
• Using uncommon section headings: Replace “Where I’ve Worked” with “Work Experience” to ensure proper parsing.

❌ Avoid: Visual CV templates downloaded from graphic design sites. They’re rarely ATS-compatible and may contain hidden layers that break parsing.