ATS system CV template : free smart design in Microsoft Word format

In summary, this is a really fresh ATS system CV template with some subtle design elements that should not interfere with the ability of a machine to parse the contents.

Here’s page two of this super-slick CV template:

Disclaimer: There are many different ATS packages used by employers, and for this reason (like other CV template authors) we cannot guarantee that each system will scan our CV templates without any issue. However, be assured that our ATS-friendly CV templates use good ATS-friendly design principles: for example, they do not utilise columns, graphics, text boxes, tables or other elements that potentially could hinder the ATS from parsing the CV.

More about writing an ATS system CV :

For more information on ATS software, see our guides:

• Wikipedia – Applicant Tracking Systems
• What is an ATS compliant CV or Résumé?
• Passing the ATS test – a checklist

Writing your ATS system CV: what you should leave off

Now you’ve found the perfect CV template, take a moment before you begin customising and consider what shouldn’t be included. We are often too concerned with cramming as much information as possible within our CV that it’s easy to forget what to leave out. Too much detail can bore the hiring manager, but too little can show a lack of confidence.

There is certain information you shouldn’t provide an employer and which could damage your chances of getting an interview. If you want to give yourself the very best opportunity of writing a CV which provides the right level of detail, here are three things which shouldn’t go on your job application…

Irrelevant information 

One of the most important of the three tips is irrelevant information. It may seem obvious when you think about it, but how many times have you written a CV and included every single qualification, skill, job title and achievement?

With so many other applicants to consider the hiring manager always wants to read through each one very quickly. They don’t have the time to read every single word at first glance, and would rather be able to quickly see that the candidate has potential and move onto the next.

Before you send out your CV have a look over everything and highlight which parts are not relevant to the employer. Most, if not all of these parts can be removed and replaced with additional information on what’s now relevant. If your CV is looking a little bare now you’ve made some deletions – that’s a good thing. Don’t panic, and focus your attention onto expanding upon the more relevant parts.

This doesn’t mean to say you should remove most of your work history just because it doesn’t seem relevant. What it does mean instead is that you can be much smarter with what you keep. Rather than listing a daily task underneath each job title you can instead simply state the title, the name of the company, and a brief explanation of what you did.

There may be some things you can completely remove, and some things which should remain but be chopped down to allow more relevant information to take up the page.

Cliché statements 

Writing a CV with too many cliché statements is going to frustrate the hiring manager and provide no indication of your performance. The types of cliché phrases you should try and avoid are:

• Hard worker
• Team player
• Fast learner
• Great communication skills
• Good problem solver

Obvious statements like this are not going to add any value to your CV, and will likely hinder your chances of an interview. Is the employer to believe that if you didn’t state this on your CV that you are not a hard worker or great problem solver? Everything we’ve listed above should be a given, and doesn’t have to be spelt out to the hiring manager.

This will only aim to frustrate the employer and will not demonstrate any indication of your talents or past performances. Instead of using these clichés you should look to prove your worth by demonstrating results and achievements. Your work history is a great place to start.

Assuming you’ve only expanded upon the most relevant roles, you are now in a great position to begin to state a few examples of your performance. Again, remember what is important to the employer and the role. If you are applying for a customer service based role then communication is a key skill to address. Your task is to now explain what you achieved that only could have been done so with great communication skills.

By providing the end result you are forcing the employer to work there way back to how you achieved it. If your example explains how you resolved a very difficult customer complaint with a brief summary of the event, you are reassuring the employer you have both the communication and problem solving skills they need.

When it comes to writing a CV there is a statement which sums this up perfectly. It goes like this:

Show, don’t tell! 

In other words, don’t tell the employer you are great – show them.

Leave unnecessary personal information off your ATS system CV

Your name and contact details are all that’s needed for your CV. This would be your full name, a mobile number, and an email address. Your home address can be provided if you wish, but is not essential. This can be given at a later time if you are successfully hired.

The employer is not meant to discriminate against a candidate and allow a piece of personal information to alter their decision. This is why it’s important not to provide anything other than the above to ensure the employer makes their decision based on your talents alone.

It would be great to think we live in a perfect world where this doesn’t happen – but unfortunately it does. These are the types of personal information you should avoid on your CV:

• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Marital status
• A photograph
• Religion

As an additional tip – make sure you provide the correct contact details. Missing just the one letter out of an email address could mean your interview invite bounces straight back at them. Of course, your mobile number is another form of contact, but there is no need to make the process difficult. The employer could prefer a particular form of contact, and if it doesn’t connect on the first try they may move on if there are lots of other potential candidates.

Check, double check, and triple check both your mobile number and email address are accurate. You should also refrain from using a less than professional email address like – sexybeat666@hotmail.com. Always use or create a more appropriate address for employers using your name – johndoe1974@gmail.com.

Consider creating a new email address solely for the purpose of job hunting. This will help you spot an email that comes through for an interview as it won’t be hidden in-between all the spam. You should also create a professional answer message for your mobile in case you are unable to pick it up.