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What is an ATS-friendly CV? A UK checklist

What is an ATS-friendly CV?

An ATS-friendly CV is one that applicant tracking systems can read and search correctly: a single-column layout, standard section headings, plain text with no graphics or tables, and the job advert's own keywords. It is not a special format; it is a clean CV that software and recruiters can both read.

As of October 2026. Updated .

Is my CV ATS friendly? 12-point checklist

  1. One column only: no tables, text boxes or side panels.
  2. Section headings are standard: Profile, Experience, Education, Skills.
  3. Name and contact details are in the body, not in the header or footer.
  4. No photo, icons, logos, charts or skill-rating bars.
  5. A common font (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica) at 10 to 12 pt.
  6. Job titles, employers and dates are on their own lines, dates in one format (e.g. Mar 2022 to Present).
  7. The job title in your profile matches the advert's title, where that is true.
  8. The advert's key skills appear in your profile, skills list and bullets, in its exact words.
  9. Abbreviations are written out once: "Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)".
  10. Bullets start with an action verb and show a result, ideally a number.
  11. Saved as .docx, or a text-based PDF if the advert asks for PDF (you can select the text).
  12. File name is plain: Firstname-Lastname-CV.docx.

Every "no" is worth fixing before you apply. Or let the free ATS CV checker do it for you. The quickest route is to start from an ATS-friendly CV template and add the keywords for your role from our ATS keyword lists.

Common questions

What is an ATS?

An applicant tracking system is software employers use to collect, sort and search job applications. Recruiters search it by keyword, so a CV it cannot read, or that lacks the advert's words, is less likely to be seen.

Do UK employers use applicant tracking systems?

Many do, especially larger employers, recruitment agencies and the public sector. Smaller firms often read CVs by email. An ATS-friendly CV works for both, because it is also clear to a person.

Can I use a two-column CV?

It is safer not to. Many systems read across both columns line by line, which mixes up your sections. A single column is read correctly everywhere.