How to Optimise Your CV for ATS in 2025 (UK Guide)

How to Optimise Your CV for ATS in 2025 (UK Guide)

How Applicant Tracking Systems Work (and How to Optimise Your CV for ATS in 2025)

According to Jobscan, 98.8% of the world’s largest companies now use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter candidates.

For professionals applying to roles online — especially in today’s market, where competition is fierce — understanding how ATS works can mean the difference between landing an interview and being instantly rejected.

The good news? You don’t need to become a tech expert. But you do need to make sure your CV is ATS-friendly so it actually reaches human eyes.

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What Is an Applicant Tracking System?

An ATS is software used by companies to:

  • Collect applications submitted online
  • Automatically filter out candidates who don’t meet basic requirements
  • Rank CVs against job descriptions based on keywords
  • Help recruiters manage hundreds (sometimes thousands) of applications

In simple terms: if your CV isn’t ATS-optimised, it may never be seen by a recruiter.

How to Optimise Your CV for ATS

  1. Mirror the job description
    Read the posting carefully and naturally weave in relevant keywords. If a role calls for “team leadership” and “P&L responsibility,” don’t just say you “managed people” — match the phrasing recruiters are scanning for.
  2. Stick to a clean format
    ATS systems often can’t read:
    • Two-column CVs
    • Tables, charts, or graphics
    • Logos or icons

A simple, single-column, reverse-chronological CV is safest.

  1. Label your sections clearly
    Use standard headings recruiters and ATS recognise: Work Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications. Avoid clever labels like “My Journey” or “Why I Stand Out.”
  2. Avoid keyword “stuffing”
    Adding keywords in white text (so humans don’t see them) is a common “hack” — and a guaranteed way to get rejected. Recruiters will see everything an ATS pulls, and trickery kills credibility.

When ATS Optimisation Matters Most

  • Large companies: Any online application at a global organisation almost always runs through ATS.
  • Entry and mid-level roles: Where competition is highest, ATS filters aggressively.
  • Graduate schemes: These often rely heavily on automation due to high volumes.

It matters less if:

  • You’re applying via a recruiter or executive search firm
  • You’ve been directly referred by a contact inside the company
  • You’re targeting smaller organisations with manual hiring processes

Still, even at executive level, it’s best practice to keep your CV ATS-friendly.

How Recruiters Use ATS

Let’s take Taleo, one of the most widely used systems. Recruiters can:

  • Disqualify instantly with knockout questions (e.g. “Do you have the right to work in the UK?”).
  • Pre-screen candidates with skill-based questions (e.g. “Rate your Excel proficiency”).
  • Search and filter based on:
    • Education (degree, university, graduation date)
    • Location and availability
    • Specific job titles, skills, or certifications

For you, this means two things:

  1. You can’t control every filter (if you don’t have a specific qualification, no keyword will fix that).
  2. You can control how you present your experience to ensure you appear in recruiter searches.

The Most Common ATS Platforms

The top ATS systems used by large organisations include:

  • Workday
  • Taleo
  • SAP SuccessFactors
  • Brassring
  • iCIMS
  • ADP

If you’re applying online, assume one of these systems is screening your CV — and prepare accordingly.

In Summary

ATS doesn’t have to be a mystery — or a barrier. As long as your CV is:

  • Formatted simply
  • Written with relevant keywords
  • Free from gimmicks

…you’ll maximise your chances of making it through the first filter and into the recruiter’s shortlist.

    To find out more, visit our website www.cvpilots.co.uk If you have any further questions, you can either book a consultation call with one of our team, or get in touch via email on team@cvpilots.co.uk 

    Sources:

    Oracle Recruiting Cloud - Using Hiring

    Oracle - Searching for Candidates*