What is an ATS?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that automates the hiring process by scanning, parsing, and ranking CVs before they reach human recruiters. In 2026, over 98% of Fortune 500 companies and 66% of large organizations use ATS to filter applications.
💡 Key Insight:
Your CV needs to be optimized for BOTH robots (ATS) and humans (recruiters). A CV that passes ATS but looks terrible to humans won't get you interviews.
How ATS Works
Parsing
ATS extracts information from your CV (name, contact, experience, education, skills)
Keyword Matching
Compares your CV against job description keywords and required qualifications
Scoring & Ranking
Assigns a match score (0-100%) and ranks candidates accordingly
Filtering
Only top-scoring CVs (typically 75%+ match) reach human recruiters
ATS-Friendly Formatting Rules
DO THIS
- • Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
- • Stick to 10-12pt font size
- • Use standard section headings
- • Save as .docx or PDF
- • Use simple bullet points
- • Include phone number and email
- • Use reverse chronological order
- • Spell out acronyms first time
AVOID THIS
- • Tables and text boxes
- • Headers and footers
- • Images, logos, or graphics
- • Fancy fonts or colors
- • Columns (use single column)
- • Special characters (★, ●, ►)
- • Creative section names
- • Embedded charts or graphs
⚠️ Warning:
Even if your CV looks beautiful with graphics and tables, if the ATS can't parse it, you'll be automatically rejected. Simplicity wins.
Keyword Optimization Strategy
Step 1: Extract Keywords from Job Description
Read the job posting carefully and identify:
- Hard Skills: Software, tools, certifications (e.g., "Python", "Google Analytics", "PMP")
- Soft Skills: Leadership, communication, problem-solving
- Required Qualifications: Degree level, years of experience, licenses
- Industry Terms: Specific jargon or methodologies (e.g., "Agile", "GDPR compliance")
Example Job Description Analysis:
"Seeking Digital Marketing Manager with 5+ years experience in SEO, Google Ads, and social media marketing. Must have Google Analytics certification and proven track record of increasing organic traffic."
Keywords to Include:
Step 2: Mirror the Language
Use the EXACT same phrases from the job description. If they say "project management", don't say "managing projects". ATS looks for exact matches.
❌ Wrong:
"Managed social media accounts and created content"
✅ Correct:
"Social media marketing experience including content creation and community management"
Step 3: Strategic Keyword Placement
Place keywords in these high-impact sections:
- 1. Personal Statement - Include 3-5 key skills and job title
- 2. Skills Section - List all relevant technical and soft skills
- 3. Work Experience - Weave keywords naturally into bullet points
- 4. Job Titles - Match your previous titles to target role when accurate
Standard Section Headings
ATS software is trained to recognize standard section headings. Use these exact headings:
✅ ATS-Friendly:
- • Work Experience
- • Professional Experience
- • Education
- • Skills
- • Certifications
- • Professional Summary
❌ Avoid:
- • My Journey
- • Where I've Been
- • What I Know
- • My Toolkit
- • Credentials
- • About Me
File Format Best Practices
Best: .docx (Microsoft Word)
Most ATS systems prefer .docx format. It's easily parsed and maintains formatting.
Good: .pdf
PDF works with most modern ATS systems. Ensure it's a text-based PDF, not a scanned image.
Avoid: .jpg, .png, .pages
Image files and Mac-specific formats often can't be parsed by ATS.
💡 Pro Tip:
Save your CV as "FirstName_LastName_CV.docx" - this makes it easy for recruiters to find and shows professionalism.
7 Common ATS Mistakes That Kill Your Application
1. Using Tables for Layout
ATS often can't read tables correctly, jumbling your information or missing it entirely.
2. Putting Important Info in Headers/Footers
Most ATS systems ignore headers and footers. Keep contact info in the main body.
3. Using Uncommon Abbreviations
Spell out acronyms the first time: "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)" not just "SEO".
4. Keyword Stuffing
Don't list keywords 20 times or hide white text. ATS and humans both detect this.
5. Using Images for Text
ATS can't read text in images. All content must be actual text.
6. Inconsistent Date Formatting
Use consistent format throughout: "January 2020 - Present" not mixing "Jan 2020" and "01/2020".
7. Missing Contact Information
Always include phone number, email, and location (city). LinkedIn is optional but recommended.
How to Test Your CV for ATS Compatibility
Method 1: Plain Text Test
- 1. Copy all text from your CV
- 2. Paste into Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac)
- 3. Check if information is readable and in correct order
- 4. If it's jumbled or missing sections, your formatting needs work
Method 2: Use Our ATS Checker
Upload your CV to CV Adapter for instant ATS compatibility analysis:
Check My CV for ATSMethod 3: Keyword Match Test
- 1. Highlight all keywords from the job description
- 2. Search for each keyword in your CV (Ctrl+F)
- 3. Aim for 70-80% keyword match
- 4. Add missing keywords naturally where relevant
Final ATS Optimization Checklist
- Used standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
- Saved as .docx or PDF (not image file)
- No tables, text boxes, headers, or footers
- Standard section headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills)
- Keywords from job description included naturally
- Acronyms spelled out on first use
- Contact information in main body (not header)
- Consistent date formatting throughout
- Passed plain text test (readable in Notepad)
- 70-80% keyword match with job description
ATS Optimisation in the UK: What's Different
UK employers use some ATS platforms that are less common in the US. Here's what you need to know:
Common ATS Platforms Used by UK Employers
- • Workday — Used by NHS, Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, Barclays
- • Taleo (Oracle) — Common in large FTSE 100 companies
- • Greenhouse — Popular with UK tech startups and scale-ups
- • SmartRecruiters — Growing in UK retail and logistics
- • Eploy — UK-built ATS used widely in public sector
- • Applicant Pro — SME and recruitment agency favourite
🇬🇧 UK-Specific Tips:
- • Use British English spelling throughout — "optimisation" not "optimization", "organised" not "organized"
- • Include your National Insurance number eligibility or right-to-work status if relevant
- • Reference UK qualifications by full name: "A-Levels", "GCSEs", "HNC", "HND", "NVQ Level 3"
- • List UK-specific certifications: CIMA, ACCA, PRINCE2, NEBOSH, CIPD, ACA
- • State salary expectations in £ GBP if the application asks
- • UK CVs are typically 2 pages — not 1 page as in the US
UK Job Board ATS Compatibility
Most major UK job boards have their own built-in ATS. Here's how to optimise for each:
Reed.co.uk
Use their CV upload feature. Their parser handles .docx best. Keep formatting simple.
Indeed UK
Indeed's own ATS scores CVs for keyword density. Fill out all fields in your Indeed profile in addition to uploading a CV.
LinkedIn (Easy Apply)
LinkedIn passes your profile + CV to the employer's ATS. Ensure your LinkedIn headline matches your target job title exactly.
Totaljobs / CV-Library
Both have strong CV parsing. Use a clean .docx and fill the skills field with keywords relevant to your sector.
Frequently Asked Questions About ATS Optimisation
What is ATS optimisation and why does it matter in the UK?
ATS (Applicant Tracking System) optimisation means formatting and wording your CV so that recruitment software can read it and rank it highly. In the UK, over 70% of employers with more than 50 staff use ATS software. If your CV is not optimised, it may never reach a human recruiter — regardless of how qualified you are.
Is it ATS optimisation or ATS optimization in the UK?
The correct British English spelling is ATS optimisation (with an 's'). However, the ATS software itself doesn't care — what matters is that your CV contains the exact keywords from the job description, using whichever spelling the employer uses.
What ATS score do I need to pass in the UK?
Most ATS systems require a minimum match score of 70–80% before forwarding your CV to a recruiter. Aim for at least 75% keyword match with the job description. My CV Buddy scores your CV against the job description automatically and shows you exactly which keywords are missing.
Which UK companies use ATS software?
Most large UK employers use ATS, including NHS, Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Amazon UK, and most recruitment agencies. If you're applying to a company with more than 50 employees, assume they use ATS.
Can I use a PDF for ATS in the UK?
Yes — modern ATS systems can read text-based PDFs. However, .docx (Microsoft Word format) is still the safest choice. Never submit a scanned image saved as a PDF, as ATS cannot extract text from images.
How do I check if my CV is ATS compatible?
The quickest method is the plain text test: copy all text from your CV and paste it into Notepad. If it reads clearly and in the right order, your CV is likely ATS compatible. For a more thorough check, use My CV Buddy — it scores your CV against any job description and highlights missing keywords instantly.
What is the best CV format for ATS in 2026?
The best ATS-friendly CV format in 2026 is a simple, single-column layout in .docx format. Use standard section headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills), a standard font such as Arial or Calibri at 10–12pt, and plain bullet points. Avoid tables, columns, text boxes, headers and footers, images, and decorative fonts.