Free ATS check for your UK CV
Most people upload a PDF or Word (.docx) CV, we extract the text and run the same quick check. You can paste text instead if you prefer. Results are indicative only, not a certified ATS score. Full keyword matching and expert review come with Credify.
This page is the free preview. Members get every recommendation spelled out, stronger keyword fit for your target roles, and a real recruiter CV review, £4.99 one-time, 1 year access, no subscription.
Add this before you run the check, we weigh your CV against this title and flag where keyword overlap looks thin.
We read the text layer from your file (same as many ATS tools). Scanned/image-only PDFs often fail, use from Word if you get an error.
Want every fix, not just a teaser?
The checker above is built to show one honest snapshot. Credify members unlock the full ATS-style breakdown, tailored tips, and human review so you can apply with confidence.
How this free UK ATS checker works
UK employers often screen CVs with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) before a human reads them. This public page is only a quick preview, it reads the plain text from your PDF, Word file, or paste (similar to how many parsers see your document) and returns an indicative score, a top issue, a short summary, and one actionable tip to steer you in the right direction. Add an optional job title if you want keyword overlap weighed against the role you have in mind.
After you sign up, Credify runs the full member ATS review in your account, a separate, deeper pass than this teaser: every recommendation, line-by-line style guidance, and expert CV review as part of membership. Think of the checker above as orientation only until you've completed that member flow.
Nothing here is a certified score from any single employer ATS (each company uses different software and rules). See how the paid experience differs on our full ATS check & pricing page.
Why getting verified matters, not only ATS
A stronger CV helps you pass software filters, but recruiters still ask: Is this application genuine? Fake CVs, exaggerated claims, and lightly edited documents are a real concern. Verification gives them a single, checkable link that shows your CV and key credentials have been reviewed and sealed, so they can trust what they're reading isn't a random export.
It saves awkward back-and-forth (extra attachments, “send a clean PDF” messages) and sits alongside your applications as proof of substance, especially when you're shortlisted. Credify membership combines ATS-style fixes + expert review + that verified profile.
- Pricing , one payment, 1 year access, no subscription.
- Why Credify , verified credentials and a shareable profile link for recruiters.
- CV & ATS guides (blog) , deeper UK-focused tips.
Common questions
Straight answers to typical UK searches, free ATS checker, PDF vs paste, accuracy, and what happens next.
Is this ATS check really free?
Yes. You get an instant preview (indicative score, top issue, summary, and one tip) at no cost. The complete line-by-line report, every recommendation, keyword fit, and expert review are included when you join Credify (£4.99 one-time).
Can I run a free ATS check on a PDF or Word CV?
Yes, PDF or .docx (up to 5 MB), or paste plain text. We pull out the selectable text the way many parsers do; Word exports and text-based PDFs work best. The free preview is illustrative: it does not judge every line like a full read-through, it focuses on a few critical ATS-style signals (structure, basics, obvious parsing risks). The full Credify report goes deeper.
Why does my PDF fail or return almost no text?
Scanned CVs (image-only pages) often have no selectable text, so parsers see an empty document. Export a text-based PDF from Word or Google Docs, or paste your CV text directly into the paste box.
What is the optional “job you’re applying for” field?
If you add a target job title, we use it to judge how well your CV text overlaps with that role (keywords, implied seniority, and relevance). It is optional, leave it blank for a generic structure check. When our full analysis pass runs on the server, feedback is tailored more closely to the title you enter.
Why did my score drop on a long or multi-page CV?
For PDF uploads we use the file’s page count; for pasted text or Word we estimate pages from length (about 380 words ≈ one UK CV page). At roughly two pages or more, the preview applies stricter UK norms, most recruiters expect one tight page early-career or two at most for experienced hires. Where we run extended scoring, generic long CVs are penalised unless the content clearly justifies length (e.g. academic or portfolio style).
Is this the same score my employer’s ATS will give me?
No. Each company uses different software, rules, and job-specific keywords. This tool checks your plain-text structure and wording signals, useful guidance, not a certified score from a specific ATS.
What’s the difference between this free preview and Indeed or LinkedIn?
Job boards use their own black-box scoring. Here you see a structured preview focused on UK CV conventions, section clarity, and typical parsing issues. Credify’s paid report goes deeper with more fixes and human review.
Do you store my CV when I use the free checker?
We process what you send to generate the preview. Uploaded files may be stored according to our privacy policy so the service can run reliably. Read the details on our Privacy page.
How can I improve my ATS score in the UK?
Use clear headings (Work experience, Education, Skills), simple bullets, dates beside roles, and phrases that mirror the job ad, without stuffing. Avoid tables, multi-column layouts, and graphics that parsers strip.
Does this work for graduate and entry-level CVs?
Yes. The same plain-text rules apply: clear sections, relevant modules and projects, and keywords from the roles you target. The preview highlights structural issues; the full report helps tune content for each application.
Note: A full, credible ATS compatibility review (aligned with how recruiters and screening tools assess your CV) is included after you sign up to Credify, not on this free page. This page is for general guidance only; it is not a certified ATS certificate. Depending on our server configuration, CV text may be processed by a third-party analysis service for this preview, see our Privacy policy.