Kenya Coffee School & Barista Mtaani

How to Write a Modern ATS-Friendly CV

What is an ATS?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by employers to collect, scan, sort, and rank job applications. The system searches for keywords, qualifications, skills, and experience relevant to the advertised job.

Studies show that many applications are rejected by ATS systems before reaching recruiters because they are poorly formatted or lack relevant keywords.

Essential Sections of a Modern CV

1. Personal Information

Include:

• Full Name
• Phone Number
• Professional Email Address
• LinkedIn Profile (optional but recommended)
• Portfolio/Website (if applicable)
• City and Country

Example:

Alfred Gitau Mwaura
Nairobi, Kenya
+254 700 000000
alfred@example.com
linkedin.com/in/alfredgitau

Do NOT include:

• Date of Birth
• Marital Status
• Religion
• National ID Number
• Gender
• Photograph (unless specifically requested)

2. Professional Summary

Write a concise summary of 3–5 lines highlighting your experience, achievements, and career goals.

Example:

Professional Barista with over three years of experience in specialty coffee preparation, customer service, and café operations. Skilled in espresso extraction, latte art, inventory management, and team leadership. Passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences and promoting specialty coffee culture.

3. Key Skills

List relevant skills using keywords from the job advertisement.

Example:

• Specialty Coffee Preparation
• Espresso Extraction
• Latte Art
• Customer Service
• Mixology
• POS Systems
• Cash Handling
• Inventory Management
• Team Leadership
• Communication Skills
• Food Safety and Hygiene

4. Work Experience

Use reverse chronological order.

Format:

Job Title
Company Name | Location
Month Year – Present

• Use action verbs.
• Quantify achievements where possible.
• Focus on accomplishments, not duties.

Example:

Senior Barista
Westrock Coffee House | Thika, Kenya
January 2024 – Present

• Increased monthly coffee sales by 25% through upselling and customer engagement.
• Trained and supervised six junior baristas.
• Maintained beverage quality standards resulting in a 95% customer satisfaction rating.
• Managed daily inventory and reduced wastage by 15%.

5. Education

Include:

Qualification
Institution
Year Completed

Example:

Diploma in Specialty Coffee
Kenya Coffee School
2025

6. Certifications

Examples:

• Specialty Coffee Certificate – Kenya Coffee School
• Food Safety and Hygiene Certificate
• First Aid Certification
• Mixology Certification
• Customer Service Certification

7. Additional Information (Optional)

Include only relevant information:

• Languages spoken
• Volunteer work
• Professional memberships
• Awards and achievements

ATS Best Practices

✓ Use simple fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
✓ Font size should be between 10 and 12 points.
✓ Save your CV as PDF unless instructed otherwise.
✓ Tailor your CV for every job application.
✓ Use keywords from the job advertisement.
✓ Keep the CV to 1–2 pages.
✓ Use clear section headings.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

✗ Using tables, graphics, and text boxes.
✗ Including excessive colours and images.
✗ Using unprofessional email addresses.
✗ Copying the same CV for every application.
✗ Including irrelevant personal information.
✗ Writing long paragraphs.

Sample ATS CV Structure

1. Personal Information
2. Professional Summary
3. Key Skills
4. Work Experience
5. Education
6. Certifications
7. Additional Information

A well-written ATS-friendly CV significantly increases your chances of securing interviews and advancing your career.

Kenya Coffee School and Barista Mtaani believe that skills must be visible, verifiable, and marketable. Beyond training, we empower learners with career readiness skills that prepare them for employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership in the modern workplace.

Example of Modern CV