ATS CV TAILORING GUIDANCE
By Kenya Coffee School
Rule #1: One base CV → adjust Summary + Skills + Keywords per job sector.
1️⃣ BARISTA & COFFEE INDUSTRY (Local & International)
ATS Focus:
- Practical skills
- Equipment & beverage knowledge
- Customer service
- Hygiene & standards
Keywords to include:
Barista Skills, Espresso Extraction, Milk Texturing, Latte Art, Specialty Coffee, Customer Service, POS Systems, Beverage Preparation, Coffee Brewing Methods, Hygiene Standards, Teamwork
Summary Example:
Certified Barista trained in specialty coffee preparation with hands-on experience in espresso extraction, milk texturing, and customer service. Skilled in café operations, hygiene standards, and delivering high-quality beverage experiences.
Experience Bullet Examples:
- Prepared espresso-based beverages to specialty coffee standards
- Maintained cleanliness and hygiene in compliance with food safety regulations
- Operated POS systems and handled cash accurately
- Delivered consistent customer service in high-volume environments
2️⃣ HOSPITALITY (Hotels, Cafés, Airlines, Cruise Ships)
ATS Focus:
- Service excellence
- SOPs
- Guest experience
- Team coordination
Keywords:
Hospitality Service, Guest Relations, Food & Beverage Service, Customer Experience, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Hygiene Compliance, Team Collaboration, Time Management
Summary Example:
Hospitality professional with experience in food and beverage service, customer engagement, and adherence to standard operating procedures in fast-paced service environments.
Experience Bullet Examples:
- Delivered high-quality guest service in line with hospitality standards
- Followed SOPs for food safety, beverage service, and hygiene
- Collaborated with kitchen and service teams to ensure smooth operations
3️⃣ NGO & DEVELOPMENT SECTOR
ATS Focus:
- Community impact
- Training & capacity building
- Reporting
- Sustainability
Keywords:
Community Development, Training & Facilitation, Monitoring & Evaluation, Reporting, Stakeholder Engagement, Sustainability, Livelihoods, Project Support
Summary Example:
Community-focused professional with experience in skills training, youth empowerment, and sustainable livelihood initiatives within agriculture and hospitality value chains.
Experience Bullet Examples:
- Supported skills development programs for youth and women
- Facilitated training sessions and community engagement activities
- Prepared activity reports and supported monitoring processes
4️⃣ CORPORATE & ADMINISTRATIVE ROLES
ATS Focus:
- Professionalism
- Documentation
- Systems
- KPIs
Keywords:
Administration, Operations Support, Data Entry, Reporting, Customer Relations, Microsoft Office, Process Improvement, Compliance, Time Management
Summary Example:
Detail-oriented professional with experience supporting operations, managing records, and delivering customer-focused services in structured environments.
Experience Bullet Examples:
- Maintained accurate records and documentation
- Supported daily operations and internal processes
- Communicated professionally with clients and stakeholders
5️⃣ INTERNATIONAL JOB APPLICATIONS
ATS Focus:
- Clear structure
- International standards
- Transferable skills
Critical Adjustments:
- Use Month/Year format (Jan 2023 – Dec 2024)
- Avoid local slang
- Use internationally recognized job titles
- Include certifications clearly
Keywords:
International Standards, Cross-Cultural Communication, Compliance, Customer Service, Training, Quality Assurance
Summary Example:
Skilled professional with international exposure and training, capable of working in multicultural environments while meeting global service and compliance standards.
WHAT KENYA COFFEE SCHOOL RECOMMENDS (IMPORTANT)
✔ Use one clean ATS base CV
✔ Customize only 3 sections per job:
- Professional Summary
- Core Skills
- Experience bullet keywords
✔ Never use:
- Tables
- Photos
- Graphics
- Columns
✔ Save as:
- DOCX (best)
- Simple PDF if requested
FINAL TIP FROM KCS
Skills open doors. Keywords open ATS systems. Structure opens interviews.