CV Advice & Best Practice

Index

1. Applicant tracking systems explained

2. CV best practice guide

3. CV strategy & tips

4. CV template resource

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1. Applicant tracking systems explained

Understanding the workings of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) is essential in the UK job application market because these systems play a significant role in the recruitment process, particularly for larger organisations. These software systems are used by employers to manage job applications and screen candidates. Knowing how these systems function can greatly enhance your chances of progressing through the initial stages of recruitment. 

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Optimising CVs and Applications for Screening:
ATS software scans CVs and application forms for specific keywords, phrases, and qualifications that match the job description. If your CV isn’t tailored with these keywords, it may be rejected before a human recruiter even sees it. Understanding this ensures you can align your application, and all the necessary key words, with the job requirements effectively.

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Navigating High-Volume Recruitment:
In the UK, competitive job markets often mean employers receive hundreds of applications for a single role. ATS allows recruiters to filter and prioritise candidates efficiently. By structuring your CV in an ATS-friendly format—avoiding images, complex formatting, and non-standard fonts—you improve your chances of making it through the system.

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Standing Out in a Crowded Market:

The UK job market increasingly relies on digital tools to identify top candidates. Knowing how to craft applications that meet ATS criteria can give you an edge over competitors who may be less familiar with the process. This is especially relevant in industries where attention to detail and technological awareness are valued.

 

 

2. CV best practice guide

​Follow this link to open a document which has the core details about how to create an effective CV.​

Click HERE​​ for the CV best practice guide.

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3. CV strategy & Tips

Listed below are my top areas you should focus on when constructing the content of your CV

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1. Tell a story through achievements

Rather than listing responsibilities, use your experience to tell a story of what you delivered and how it benefited the organisation. For example, instead of saying, "Managed budgets for multiple projects," say, "Managed budgets of up to £5M, delivering projects under budget by implementing cost-saving measures that reduced expenditure by 15%." This approach makes your CV compelling and memorable.

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2. Tailor every application

Your CV isn’t a one-size-fits-all. Tailor it to match the specific job description, focusing on the skills and experience most relevant to the role. This doesn’t mean rewriting the entire CV but adjusting your professional summary, key skills, and prioritising achievements that align with the employer's needs. Tailoring helps you pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and shows genuine interest in the role.

 

3. Use metrics and specifics

Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Numbers grab attention and provide tangible proof of your impact. For example:

• "Increased team productivity by 25% through streamlined workflows."

• "Led a cross-functional team of 12 to deliver a £2M digital transformation project on time."

Specifics demonstrate the scope of your responsibilities and the scale of your success.

 

4. Make the first page count

Recruiters typically spend only a few seconds scanning a CV. Ensure your personal details, headline, professional summary, and key skills are concise, relevant, and impactful—all on the first page. The second page should still be strong but acts as supporting evidence to the first. There shouldn't be a third page! The first page is also where your personal brand stands out, so much sure you curate that in the right way for how you want to appear to a potential employer. (See Branding Matters resource).

 

5. Keep it clean and professional (& ATS compliant)

Formatting matters more than you think. Use white space, consistent fonts (e.g., Arial or Calibri), and logical headings. Recruiters often reject cluttered, poorly formatted CVs, no matter how good the content. A professional design makes your CV easy to read and allows your achievements to shine.

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6. Ensure ChatGPT is an enabler

​​To help you get over that "blank sheet of paper" challenge or just for a second opinion, use ChatGPT to amend/review or create sections of your CV. Using the right prompts, such as, "review this section and make it sound more professional and succinct" you can really improve the look of your CV without losing any of the authenticity that you bring to the content. (See ChatGPT: Work Smarter resource).

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4. CV template resource​

The template below is in skeleton format​ and can be used as a basis for your own CV. Ensure it is held in a Word document with consistent fonts. You can convert it to PDF as ATS systems do now have the ability to read PDFs if they are converted from a Word document.

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If you want to look at a sample CV then please click HERE to see one I put together following best practice guidelines which we can discuss in one of our sessions.

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[Your Full Name]
[Your City, Postcode] | [Professional Email Address] | [Mobile Number] | [LinkedIn Profile Link]

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Headline

[Insert a brief, impactful headline summarising your professional identity, e.g., Experienced [Job Title] | Expertise in [Key Skill/Industry]].

 

Professional Summary

[Write a concise paragraph summarising your career achievements, experience, and what makes you a strong candidate for the role. Focus on your value proposition and key skills.]

 

Key Skills

• [Insert key skill relevant to the role]

• [Insert another key skill]

• [Insert another key skill]

• [Insert another key skill]

• [Insert another key skill]

 

Professional Experience

[Job Title] | [Company Name] | [City/Location]
[Start Date – End Date (e.g., March 2015 – November 2023)]

 

Responsibilities:

• [Briefly outline your main responsibilities for this role.]

 

Achievements:

• [Highlight a measurable achievement, including specific outcomes or metrics.]

• [Highlight another achievement.]

• [Highlight another achievement.]

[Repeat this section for other relevant roles within the last 15 years.]

 

Earlier Experience (if applicable):
[Summarise older roles briefly, focusing on responsibilities or achievements if directly relevant.]

 

Education

[Degree Title] | [Institution Name] | [City/Location]
[Graduation Date (e.g., July 2008)]
[Include relevant honours, awards, or coursework.]

 

Certifications (if applicable)

• [Certification Name] – [Year]

• [Certification Name] – [Year]

 

Additional Sections (Optional)

Languages

• [Language] (Fluent/Proficient/Intermediate)

 

Volunteer Work (if applicable):

• [Brief description of role and relevance to your career.]

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Hobbies and Interests (Optional):

• [Include if relevant to the role or company culture - keep it brief.]

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An alternative and very easy resource for CV templates is contained within Microsoft Word. Just go the "File" menu and choose "New from Template" and then search for "CV" in the search bar. Several options will become available to you. ​​​​

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