The Modern CV Writing Guide (ATS-Friendly)

A Practical ATS-Friendly CV Writing Guide for the Modern Job Market

The job market has changed. Today, most CVs are reviewed by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) before a human ever sees them. At the same time, recruiters are looking beyond job duties to understand impact, skills, and results.

The Modern CV Writing Guide is a free, practical resource designed to help you create an ATS-compliant, impact-driven CV that reflects how recruitment actually works today. It provides clear structure, real examples, and step-by-step guidance to help you present your experience professionally and confidently.

This is not a template or a quick checklist. It’s a comprehensive guide you can use to build or rewrite your CV with clarity and intention.

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What this ATS-friendly CV guide helps you with

This modern CV writing guide is designed to help you:

• Create a CV that can be read by ATS software

• Present your skills and experience clearly and professionally

• Focus on achievements rather than responsibilities

• Use metrics to show impact and results

• Reduce unconscious bias through smart formatting

• Handle employment gaps honestly and effectively

The emphasis is on clarity, relevance, and evidence, rather than gimmicks or creative formatting.

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The three pillars of a successful CV

The guide is built around three core principles:

• Competency – what you can do

• Impact – what you’ve achieved, using measurable results

• Presentation – how clearly and professionally you communicate your value

These pillars run through every section of the guide.

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What’s included in The Modern CV Writing Guide

Inside this free PDF, you’ll find:

• A clear, ATS-friendly CV structure

• Guidance for writing a strong professional summary

• How to present key skills so ATS systems can read them

• A step-by-step approach to writing achievement-focused work experience

• Examples using metrics and results

• Practical advice for handling employment gaps

• An ATS compliance checklist

• Formatting and presentation best practices

• Common CV mistakes to avoid

• A simple CV action plan you can follow

The guide is suitable for a wide range of roles and industries.

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Who this guide is for

This ATS-friendly CV guide may be useful if you:

• Are applying for jobs online

• Haven’t updated your CV in a while

• Feel unsure how ATS systems work

• Want to move away from task-based CVs

• Are returning to work after a gap

• Want a professional, modern approach to CV writing

It’s suitable for early-career, mid-career, and career-transition job seekers.

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How to use this guide

You can work through the guide step by step or focus on specific sections as needed. Many people find it helpful to draft their CV alongside the guide, applying each section in turn.

The aim is not perfection, but a clear, targeted CV that answers the question every employer asks: “What can this person do for us?”

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Ready to modernise your CV?

Download The Modern CV Writing Guide – ATS-Friendly if you’d like a clear, practical framework for creating a CV that reflects today’s hiring process and showcases your impact.