Free CV builder: create an ATS-friendly CV in minutes
This builder walks you through each section of a strong CV, from contact details to achievements, and produces a clean, ATS-friendly document you can download and send. No design skills or software needed.
What makes a CV 'ATS-friendly'
An Applicant Tracking System parses your CV into a database before any human reads it: your name, contact details, job titles, dates, and skills get extracted field by field. If your CV uses multi-column layouts, text boxes, tables for content, or icons instead of text, some parsers misread or skip that information entirely, so a recruiter may never see it.
A safe, ATS-friendly structure uses a single column, standard section headings ('Work Experience', 'Education', 'Skills'), plain bullet points, and widely supported fonts. This builder applies those rules automatically, so you can focus on the content rather than the formatting.
The sections every CV needs
- Header: full name, phone number, email, city and country, and links to LinkedIn or a portfolio if relevant
- Professional summary: two to three sentences summarising your experience level, key skills and the type of role you want
- Work experience: reverse chronological order, with quantified achievements rather than task lists
- Education: degree, institution, and graduation year (or expected date)
- Skills: a short, specific list matched to the roles you are targeting
- Optional sections: certifications, languages, volunteering, or projects, depending on your field
Chronological vs functional CV format
Most recruiters and ATS systems expect a reverse-chronological CV, listing your most recent role first. A functional or skills-based format, organised around skill categories rather than dates, can hide gaps but is generally harder for both software and humans to parse quickly.
| Format | Best for | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Chronological | Steady career history, most candidates | Highlights employment gaps if any exist |
| Functional | Career changers, long gaps, freelancers | Can look evasive; many ATS parse it poorly |
| Hybrid | Experienced candidates with a clear specialism | Slightly longer, needs careful editing |
Writing achievement-based bullet points
The single biggest upgrade you can make to a CV is turning duty statements into achievement statements. 'Responsible for customer service' tells a recruiter nothing about how well you did the job. 'Resolved an average of 45 customer queries per day with a 96% satisfaction rating' tells them exactly what you delivered.
A reliable formula is: action verb + what you did + measurable result. Even if you do not have exact numbers, an estimate ('handled a team of around 8 people', 'processed roughly 200 orders weekly') is far more convincing than a vague description.
One page or two?
For candidates with under ten years of experience, one page is usually enough and often preferred. For more senior candidates, or fields like academia and medicine where a longer record is expected, two pages is acceptable. Beyond two pages, most recruiters skim rather than read, so prioritise your most relevant and recent experience.
CV or resume: does the name matter?
In the United States and Canada, 'resume' is the standard term for a concise, one-to-two page document, while 'CV' usually refers to a longer academic record. In the UK, Ireland, Australia, India and most of Africa and Asia, 'CV' is used for the same concise document that Americans call a resume. This builder produces the same type of concise, achievement-focused document regardless of which word your country uses for it.
Personal details: what to include by region
Conventions around personal details vary a lot by country. In the US, UK, Canada, Australia and much of Africa and Asia, it is standard to omit a photo, date of birth, marital status and nationality to reduce the risk of unconscious bias. In parts of continental Europe and some Middle Eastern and Asian markets, a photo may still be commonly included. When in doubt for an international application, leave out personal details beyond your name, location (city and country is enough) and contact information, and add them only if the employer specifically asks.
Common CV mistakes to avoid
- Listing responsibilities instead of results
- Using an unprofessional email address
- Including a full home address instead of just city and country
- Spelling and grammar errors, especially in the first section a recruiter reads
- Using the exact same CV for every application instead of tailoring keywords
- Making the file a scanned image or a design-heavy PDF that an ATS cannot read
Frequently asked questions
Can I download my CV as a Word document?
Yes, once your CV is built you can download it as a PDF or as an editable Word document.
Is the CV I build here compatible with ATS software?
Yes, the builder uses a single-column, text-based layout with standard headings so it can be parsed reliably by applicant tracking systems.
How long should my CV be?
One page for most candidates with under ten years of experience, up to two pages for senior or highly experienced candidates.
Do I need to include a photo?
This depends on your country. Photos are common in some European and Asian markets but generally discouraged in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and much of Africa. When applying internationally, it is safest to leave it out unless requested.
Can I use this builder for a resume and a CV?
Yes, the terms describe the same type of document in most contexts, and the builder produces a concise, achievement-based document suitable for either name.
What if I have gaps in my work history?
Briefly note the reason for a gap if it is short (further study, caregiving, travel) rather than leaving it unexplained, and focus the rest of the CV on your strongest, most relevant achievements.
Can I build more than one version of my CV?
Yes, we recommend keeping a base version and creating a tailored copy for each significant application using the CV vs Job Match tool.