Learn how applicant tracking systems scan CVs, and the formatting rules that keep you out of the reject pile. This guide is written by the TopCV UK team for UK job seekers, drawing on what we see work — and fail — across thousands of real applications.
Why this matters
Recruiters and applicant tracking systems both play a role in whether your application is even seen by a human. Getting the fundamentals right in this area consistently improves shortlisting rates for our clients.
Key takeaways
- Keep formatting clean and ATS-parsable — avoid tables, columns and text boxes
- Mirror the language used in the job description and person specification
- Lead with quantified achievements, not just responsibilities
- Tailor every application rather than sending one generic CV everywhere
Need help applying this?
Our certified UK CV writers apply these principles to every CV we write. If you'd rather have an expert handle it, start with a free CV review.