Graduate CV Template & Tips

Tips for Graduates (ATS-Friendly)

Breaking into your first graduate role is competitive, so your CV needs to be clear, focused and easy for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to read. Use these 10 tips to make your CV stand out for the right reasons.

1. Keep it to one page (for most graduates)

As a recent graduate, one page is usually enough.

• Aim for a concise 1‑page CV unless you have significant, relevant experience.
• Prioritise your strongest, most recent achievements.
• Remove old school jobs or hobbies that don’t add value.

Rule of thumb: If it doesn’t help you get this job, cut it.

2. Use simple, ATS‑friendly formatting

ATS systems can struggle with complex layouts. Keep it clean and consistent.

• Use a standard font: Calibri, Arial, or Helvetica, size 10–12.
• Use clear headings: Education, Skills, Experience, Projects, Certifications, Additional.
• Avoid:
  • Text boxes
  • Columns
  • WordArt or graphics
  • Tables for core content
• Save and upload as .docx or PDF (if the employer allows PDF).

3. Start with a focused Professional Summary

Your summary should be 3–4 lines that answer: “Who are you, what can you do, and what are you looking for?”

Motivated Economics graduate with strong analytical, Excel and data‑handling skills, gained through university projects and part‑time work. Confident working with numbers, communicating clearly with different stakeholders and learning new systems quickly. Now seeking an early‑career role where I can contribute to data‑driven decision making and process improvement.

Avoid vague statements like “hard‑working team player” without evidence.

4. Make your skills ATS keyword‑friendly

Many employers search CVs for specific skills.

• Read the job description and pull out key skills (e.g. Excel, data analysis, customer service, stakeholder management).
• Add a Skills section with 6–10 bullet points that mirror the language used in the advert (without copying it word‑for‑word).
• Mix technical and soft skills, for example:
  • Excel (lookup functions, pivot tables, basic charts)
  • Data analysis and reporting
  • Customer service and stakeholder communication
  • Time management and working to deadlines
  • Attention to detail and quality control

5. Use strong action verbs in every bullet point

Start each bullet point with a strong verb to show what you did.

Action‑verb checklist:

Managed, Coordinated, Analysed, Delivered, Created, Improved, Implemented, Supported, Led, Organised, Researched, Communicated, Presented, Optimised, Resolved, Monitored, Developed, Built, Tested.

Pick verbs that match the type of work you did (e.g. “Analysed” for data tasks, “Supported” for service tasks).

6. Write bullet points using results + evidence

Each bullet point should show what you did and the impact.

Formula:

Action verb + what you did + how / tools + result / impact (if possible)

Weak bullet:

• Worked on customer service at weekends.

Strong bullet:

• Delivered friendly and efficient customer service at weekends, serving 50+ customers per shift and resolving queries calmly and professionally.

Another example:

• Analysed survey responses in Excel, creating summary charts that helped the team identify the three main student support issues.

7. Tailor your CV for every job

One generic CV for every application is rarely enough.

• Re‑order your skills so the most relevant ones appear at the top.
• Highlight projects and experience that match the job (e.g. data‑heavy work for analytical roles).
• Mirror key phrases from the job ad (e.g. “stakeholder communication”, “process improvement”) in your Skills and Experience sections.
• Remove content that is not relevant to the role you’re applying for.

Tip: Keep a “master CV” with everything on it, then copy and cut down a version for each application.

8. Put Education and Projects to work for you

As a graduate, your degree and projects are often your biggest assets.

• For Education, include:
  • Degree, university, dates, grade (if known).
  • 3–5 relevant modules (e.g. Econometrics, Corporate Finance).
• For Projects, highlight:
  • What you analysed or built.
  • Tools used (Excel, Python, R, etc.).
  • The outcome or what you learned.

Example project bullet:

• Built an Excel dashboard summarising 5 years of company performance data, helping our group identify key trends for a final presentation.

9. Avoid common CV mistakes

Watch out for these issues that can weaken an otherwise good CV:

• Spelling and grammar errors.
• Inconsistent formatting (different fonts, bullet styles, spacing).
• Very long paragraphs (more than 4–5 lines).
• Personal details not needed in the UK:
  • Date of birth
  • Full address (city and postcode is enough)
  • Photo
• Overused clichés: “hard‑working”, “team player”, “good communication skills” without examples.

Always run spell check and, if possible, ask someone else to review your CV.

10. Finish with a quick CV checklist

Before you send your CV, check:

• Is it 1 page (for a typical graduate application)?
• Is the formatting clean, with clear headings and enough white space?
• Do your Skills match the job description keywords?
• Does each bullet point start with a strong action verb?
• Have you shown results or impact where possible?
• Is your Education and Projects section relevant and up to date?
• No spelling or grammar errors?
• Saved as .docx (and PDF if accepted)?
• File name is professional (e.g. FirstName_LastName_CV.docx)?

If you can tick these boxes, your CV is in a strong position for an ATS scan and for a hiring manager to skim in 10–20 seconds.