ATS-Friendly CV Template (UK)
An ATS-friendly CV uses a simple single-column layout, standard section headings, common fonts, and selectable text so applicant tracking systems can parse it correctly. For UK roles, that usually means a two-page CV with personal statement, work history, skills, education and references on request — no tables, no images, no text boxes.
Formatting rules that matter
Use a single column. Avoid tables, headers, footers, text boxes and graphics. These commonly break parsers and cause data to land in the wrong fields.
Stick to common fonts like Arial, Calibri, Helvetica or Georgia at 10–12pt. Use standard section names: Personal Statement, Experience, Skills, Education.
Save and upload as a PDF generated from a word processor, not a scan or an image. Most UK ATS platforms read selectable PDFs reliably.
What to include in a UK CV
Name and contact details at the top. A short personal statement of three to four lines. Work history in reverse chronological order with outcomes, not just duties. A skills section with the tools and methods you actually use. Education. Two pages is the norm for most professionals.
What to leave out
Date of birth, marital status, photo, full home address, and references at the foot of the CV. These are not expected on UK CVs and can take up space that should go to evidence of your work.
A simple structure that parses well
Header: Full name, location (city, country), email, phone, LinkedIn URL.
Personal Statement: 3–4 lines naming your function, years of experience and one concrete strength.
Experience: Each role with company, title, dates, and 4–6 outcome-led bullets.
Skills: A short list of tools, methods and languages you can defend in interview.
Education: Institution, qualification, dates.
Frequently asked questions
- Does CVMatch produce an ATS-friendly CV?
- Yes. The rewritten CV is clean text that you can download as a single-column PDF designed to parse cleanly.
- Can I use a creative or designed CV?
- Only as a second version sent directly to a hiring manager. Use a clean single-column version for any application that goes through an ATS.
- Are graphics and icons really a problem?
- They can be. Many parsers ignore or mangle them, which means the surrounding text can end up in the wrong section.
- How long should a UK CV be?
- Two pages for most professionals. One page for students or very early career. Three only for academic or senior technical CVs where evidence matters.
- Where do I start?
- Upload your existing CV at /tool. CVMatch returns a rewritten, ATS-friendly version tailored to the job description you paste.
Try CVMatch — open the tool or see pricing. AI output should be reviewed before applying.
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