WorkCV

Editable ATS-friendly CV template UK

An ATS-friendly CV template for UK applications.

Start with a clean single-column CV, replace the example with accurate evidence and tailor it to the vacancy. Preview every page before deciding whether to unlock the PDF.

Standard section headings
Core content in ordinary text
Editable Classic layout
No claimed ATS score or guarantee
Use the ATS-friendly templateCheck my approach

Editable example

Classic single-column CV

Edit this CV

Emily Thompson

Customer Service Adviser

emily.thompson@email.co.uk07123 456 789Leeds, UKlinkedin.com/in/emilythompson

Profile

Customer service professional with three years of experience handling retail and telephone enquiries, resolving complaints and keeping customer records accurate. Confident using Microsoft 365 and CRM systems in busy teams. Known for calm communication, reliable follow-through and explaining next steps clearly.

Experience

Customer Service Assistant

North Street Homeware | Leeds

Mar 2023 - Present

  • Handle 40 to 60 in-person, telephone and email enquiries per shift, explaining products, deliveries, returns and next steps clearly.
  • Resolve routine complaints within store policy and escalate complex cases with accurate notes, helping colleagues avoid repeated customer explanations.
  • Update customer and order records in the CRM, checking contact details, delivery status and agreed actions before closing each case.
  • Supported two new starters with till procedures, returns and customer-service routines during their first month.

Retail Assistant

Leeds Books and Gifts | Leeds

Jun 2021 - Feb 2023

  • Processed card and cash payments accurately, balanced the till and followed refund procedures during busy weekend shifts.
  • Answered product questions, checked stock availability and arranged customer orders with clear collection updates.
  • Completed weekly shelf checks and reported pricing or stock discrepancies to the supervisor.

Volunteer Events Assistant

Leeds Community Hub | Leeds

Sep 2020 - May 2021

  • Welcomed visitors, managed sign-in information and helped the team keep community sessions running to schedule.
  • Responded to questions and directed visitors to the correct service while protecting personal information.

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Business

Leeds City College | Leeds

2019 - 2021

  • Relevant study included customer communication, business administration, digital tools and a team project based on improving a local service.

GCSEs including English and Maths

West Leeds Academy | Leeds

2014 - 2019

  • Add grades only when they strengthen the application or the employer asks for specific results.

Skills

  • Customer enquiry handling
  • Complaint resolution
  • CRM record updates
  • Microsoft 365
  • Cash and payment processing
  • Written communication
  • Team coordination
  • Data accuracy

No false promise: no template can guarantee parsing, ranking or an interview.

PDF only: check the application accepts PDF before paying for the WorkCV export.

Principles

The best ATS CV template is boring in the right places.

National Careers Service guidance uses familiar sections such as an introduction, work history and education. Prospects advises using job-description terms accurately, identifying qualifications by name and avoiding images, logos and graphics in ATS-focused applications.

Clear structure

Use familiar sections: profile, key skills, work history, education and other relevant information.

Job advert language

Match the real requirements in the advert. If the employer asks for Excel, safeguarding or stock control, use those terms where true.

Readable formatting

Avoid over-designed layouts, text boxes for core content, tiny fonts and decorative graphics that distract from the information.

Template structure

Use sections that both humans and systems expect.

This structure works for most UK job applications. Keep the order stable, then tailor the words inside each section to the job.

Name and contact details

Full name, phone, email, town/city or region, and LinkedIn or portfolio link if relevant.

Profile

Three to five lines focused on the target role, key evidence and value you bring.

Key skills

Six to ten skills that match the advert and can be proven elsewhere in the CV.

Work history

Reverse chronological roles with job title, employer, dates and achievement-led bullet points.

Education and training

Qualifications, certificates, licences, short courses and recent training relevant to the role.

Additional information

Optional: driving licence, right to work statement where appropriate, languages, volunteering or systems.

File format check

The vacancy decides the file format—not the template page.

Prospects warns that ATS compatibility differs and recommends checking the advert, application instructions or recruiter for the required format. WorkCV currently exports PDF only.

The portal accepts PDF

Use the template, inspect every exported page and upload the PDF requested by the employer.

The portal requires DOCX

Do not purchase a WorkCV PDF for that application. Prepare a DOCX version using a tool that supports the required format.

Good vs risky

Small formatting choices can change readability.

The goal is not to remove all design. The goal is to make sure the design never hides the information the employer is trying to find.

Headings

Creative labels such as 'My journey' or 'Where I have shined'

Standard labels such as Profile, Key Skills, Work History and Education

Layout

Two-column designs where dates, job titles and bullets are split apart

A clean single-column flow with job title, employer, dates and bullets together

Keywords

Stuffing a keyword list that does not match your experience

Natural wording taken from the job advert and backed by real examples

Contact details

Important details hidden only in a decorative header or footer

Name, phone, email and location placed plainly near the top of the CV

Quality check

Check the CV before you apply.

Before downloading, compare the vacancy with your CV like a recruiter searching for evidence. Check that each important term is accurate, supported and easy to find in ordinary text.

The CV can be understood without colour, icons or decorative layout
Every key skill is backed by a role, project, qualification or example
Dates follow one consistent format
The application accepts PDF before you export
The first page shows the target role, skills and most relevant experience
The CV is tailored to one job family, not every job at once

Research checked

Based on current UK CV and ATS guidance.

Last checked 22 June 2026. The advice separates verifiable formatting guidance from marketing claims made by ATS scoring tools. WorkCV does not assign a fictional universal ATS score.

National Careers Service CV sectionsProspects: how to write a CV and ATS guidanceReed: ATS guidance for UK applicants

Related guidance

CV personal statement UKCareer change CV UKCV employment gap UKTemplatesNo-subscription CV builder

FAQ

Questions about ATS-friendly UK CV templates.

What is an ATS-friendly CV template?+

It is a restrained CV layout that keeps important information in ordinary text, uses familiar section headings and avoids unnecessary visual complexity. It can reduce formatting risk, but no template is compatible with every employer's system.

Can this template guarantee that my CV passes an ATS?+

No. Applicant tracking systems, employer settings and selection criteria differ. A template cannot guarantee parsing, ranking, an interview or a job offer. Your evidence and how closely it matches the role still matter.

Should I upload a PDF or DOCX CV?+

Follow the vacancy or application portal. Prospects notes that not every ATS accepts the same file formats. WorkCV exports PDF, so use another tool if an employer explicitly requires DOCX or another format.

Should I copy keywords from the job advert?+

Use the employer's terminology where it accurately describes your experience, qualification or skill. Do not paste hidden keywords, repeat terms unnaturally or claim evidence you do not have.

Does an ATS-friendly CV still need to read well for people?+

Yes. Recruiters and hiring managers still need to understand the CV. Clear dates, specific evidence, concise bullets and an obvious connection to the role matter to both processing and human review.

Start with the cleanest WorkCV structure.

Edit the Classic template, tailor it to the vacancy and preview every page. If the employer accepts PDF, unlock this saved CV once for £7.99.

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