Blog · 8 min read

How to Write an ATS-Friendly CV in 2025

75% of CVs are rejected by ATS before a recruiter reads them. Here's exactly how to format and write your CV so it passes every time.

What Is ATS and Why Does It Matter?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by employers to automatically screen CVs. When you apply online, your CV is parsed by ATS before any human sees it. The system extracts your information, scores your CV against the job description, and filters out CVs that don't meet the threshold.

Over 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS — and most mid-size UK employers do too. If your CV isn't optimised for ATS, you may never get a call back, regardless of your qualifications.

How ATS Reads Your CV

ATS software scans your CV and looks for:

  • Keywords — skills, job titles, and phrases matching the job description
  • Work history — job titles, company names, and dates
  • Education — degrees, institutions, graduation years
  • Contact information — name, email, phone

The problem: many CVs use formatting that confuses ATS parsers — tables, columns, graphics — causing important information to be missed or misread.

ATS-Friendly CV: The Do's

✓Use standard section headings: Work Experience, Education, Skills
✓Use a single-column layout — no tables, text boxes, or columns
✓Include keywords from the job description naturally in your text
✓Use common, ATS-readable fonts: Arial, Calibri, Georgia, Times New Roman
✓Use bullet points for work experience
✓Save as PDF (unless the application asks for .docx)
✓Use standard date formats: Jan 2022 – Mar 2024
✓Spell out acronyms at least once: Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

ATS-Friendly CV: The Don'ts

✗Don't use headers, footers, or text boxes — ATS often can't read them
✗Don't use tables for layout — use plain text instead
✗Don't add images, logos, or graphics
✗Don't use creative section names like 'My Journey' instead of 'Work Experience'
✗Don't use fancy fonts or colours that affect readability
✗Don't put important information in the header only
✗Don't use abbreviations without spelling them out first

How to Use Keywords Effectively

Keywords are the single most important factor in passing ATS. Here's how to use them right:

  1. Read the job description carefully — underline every skill, tool, and qualification mentioned
  2. Match your language — if the job says "stakeholder management," use that exact phrase
  3. Distribute naturally — include keywords in your personal statement, work experience, and skills section
  4. Don't keyword stuff — ATS and recruiters both penalise obvious stuffing
  5. Include variations — "project management" and "managing projects" may both be scanned

Best CV Format for ATS

The safest, most ATS-compatible CV format is:

  • Layout: single column, left-aligned text
  • Font: Arial, Calibri, or Georgia at 10–12pt
  • Sections: Personal Details → Personal Statement → Work Experience → Education → Skills
  • File format: PDF (unless stated otherwise)
  • Length: 1–2 pages

Check Your CV's ATS Score Free

The fastest way to know if your CV is ATS-ready is to test it. FixerCV's free ATS CV checker scores your CV out of 100, shows you exactly which keywords you're missing, and gives you actionable fixes — in under 60 seconds.

Check Your ATS Score Free

Find out if your CV is passing ATS. Get your score + missing keywords in 60 seconds.

Check My CV Free →