Free ATS CV Checker for Graduates & Early Careers
UK graduate schemes (Big Four, banks, FTSE 100, civil service Fast Stream) almost all use ATS platforms like Workday, SmartRecruiters and Oleeo to filter applications before any human reads them. CVBeat shows your real match rate against the role so you can fix your CV before the deadline.
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Common ATS keywords for graduate roles
These are the phrases UK recruiters and ATS systems search for most often in this field. Where the experience is genuinely yours, use the exact phrasing on your CV.
- 2:1 / First-class honours
- BSc / BA / MSc / MEng
- UK right to work
- Internship experience
- Society leadership
- Commercial awareness
- Stakeholder management
- Data analysis
- Excel (advanced)
- SQL / Python / R
- Project management
- Problem solving
- Communication skills
- Time management
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
- Numeracy
- Microsoft Office / Google Workspace
- Presentation skills
- Continuous improvement
Frequently asked questions
Do graduate schemes use ATS to filter CVs?
Yes — almost all UK graduate schemes do, including the Big Four, the major banks, FTSE 100 employers, and the Civil Service Fast Stream. Most also use a strengths or aptitude test alongside the ATS keyword filter.
What should I put on my graduate CV to pass ATS?
Lead with your degree (subject, university, classification or predicted grade), then internships and any substantial society leadership or part-time work with measurable outcomes. Mirror the keywords from the job advert in your experience section and skills list.
How long should a graduate CV be?
One page is fine in the UK for early-career applicants; two pages is acceptable if you have real internships or longer work experience to show. Either way, keep formatting simple — single column, plain section headings.
Should I include A-levels and GCSEs?
Yes — UK graduate recruiters look for A-level grades and a GCSE summary (typically: 9 GCSEs including Maths and English at grade B/6 or above). ATS platforms parse these into searchable fields.
Is CVBeat free for students?
Yes — CVBeat is completely free with no sign-up, no scan limits, and no upsell. Useful when you're applying to a dozen schemes a week and want to know what each one is actually filtering on.