ATS-Friendly CV Checklist (Free, Printable)

The checklist

24 checks before you apply

Tick each item as you go. Your progress is saved in this browser, and you can print the list or save it as a PDF.

Format

Make sure the software can read your CV.

Use a single-column layoutPut your main content in one column. Multiple columns, text boxes and tables can be read out of order by parsing software.

Use standard section headingsHeadings such as Profile, Work Experience, Education and Skills are easy for software and for people to recognise.

Choose a plain, readable fontUse a common font such as Arial, Calibri or Verdana at around 10 to 12 points. Decorative fonts add nothing and can cause problems.

Put contact details in the main bodySome systems skip headers and footers, so your name, phone number and email should sit in the main part of the page.

Keep important information out of imagesDo not put skills, dates or job titles inside icons, charts, skill bars, logos or graphics. Software reads text, not pictures.

Use a consistent date formatFor example "Jan 2024 – Mar 2026" throughout, with job title and employer clearly stated for every role.

Use a sensible file type and nameFollow the application instructions. If none are given, a Word document or a text-based PDF (not a scan) is usually safe. Name it something like Firstname-Lastname-CV.

Keep the length reasonableTwo pages is the usual guide for UK CVs. Cut older or less relevant detail rather than shrinking the font.

Content

Make every line earn its place.

Write a short, tailored profileThree or four lines at the top that mention the role you want and your strongest relevant experience.

Use job titles people will recogniseIf your internal job title is unusual, add a plain equivalent in brackets, such as "Customer Happiness Lead (Customer Service Manager)".

Lead each role with achievementsUse bullet points that start with an action and end with a result. Add numbers where you honestly can: time saved, money saved, people helped.

Spell out abbreviations onceWrite the full term with the short form in brackets the first time, for example "Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)".

Name qualifications in fullGive the full title, awarding body and year. Do not rely on abbreviations or assume the reader knows them.

Remove anything untrue or paddedOnly claim skills and experience you have. Padding is easy to spot and can undo an otherwise good application.

Keywords

Match the language of the job advert.

Highlight the essential requirementsRead the advert and mark the skills, tools, qualifications and responsibilities it asks for. Separate "essential" from "desirable".

Use the advert's wording where it is trueIf the advert says "stakeholder management" and you do that, use that phrase rather than a different one.

Include both short and long formsFor example "CPD" and "Continuing Professional Development", so both searches find you.

Show keywords in contextMention key skills inside your achievements, not only in a list. This reads better to people and gives software more to match.

Never hide text or stuff keywordsWhite text, tiny text and repeated keywords are easy to detect and can get an application rejected.

Before you send

A final check takes five minutes.

Run the copy-and-paste testSelect all, copy, and paste into a plain text editor. If the order is jumbled or characters are missing, software may struggle too.

Proofread in UK EnglishCheck spelling, grammar and consistency. Ask someone else to read it if you can.

Answer knock-out questions honestlyApplication forms often ask about right to work, notice period or essential qualifications. These can filter applications automatically.

Save a tailored version for each jobKeep one master CV and make a copy for every application, adjusting the profile and keyword order.

Check it opens on another deviceOpen the file on your phone or another computer to make sure the layout and fonts hold up.

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Want your CV checked against a real job advert?

This checklist covers the habits that help most. The EnDev ATS CV optimiser goes further: upload your CV and a job description, see your ATS match, and rebuild your CV for that role. For more detail on how applicant tracking systems work, read our guide to beating ATS screening.

FAQ

Questions about this resource

What is an ATS-friendly CV?

It is a CV laid out and worded so that applicant tracking software can read it correctly: a simple structure, standard headings, real text rather than images, and wording that reflects the job advert.

Do I need a different CV for every job?

You do not need to rewrite it, but tailoring the profile and the order of your skills and achievements for each advert is one of the most effective things you can do.

Is a PDF or Word file better?

Follow the employer's instructions first. When there are none, a Word document or a PDF that contains real, selectable text is usually accepted. Avoid scanned images of a CV.

Does the checklist save my progress?

Yes, in your own browser on this device. It is not sent to EnDev, so clearing your browser data will remove it.

Check your CV against a real job advert

Upload your CV and a job description in the EnDev app to see your ATS match.

Open the EnDev app See pricing

The ATS-friendly CV checklist