More than 75% of large companies now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to automatically screen CVs before a human ever sees them. If your CV isn't optimised for ATS, it may never reach the hiring manager — no matter how qualified you are.
💡 Want to check your own CV right now? Use our free ATS Resume Checker — paste your CV and get an instant score, section-by-section breakdown, and keyword match against any job description.
What Is an ATS?
An Applicant Tracking System is software that parses your CV, extracts information, and scores it against the job requirements. CVs that score below a threshold are automatically rejected. Understanding how ATS works lets you write a CV that passes the filter.
How ATS Parses Your CV
ATS reads your CV like a simple text file. It looks for keywords, job titles, dates, and qualifications. It then compares these against the job description. Complex formatting — columns, tables, images, headers and footers, text boxes — often confuses ATS parsers and causes information to be lost or misread.
10 Rules for an ATS-Friendly CV
- Use a simple, single-column layout — no tables, no text boxes
- Save as PDF or .docx — both are readable by modern ATS
- Use standard section headings — "Work Experience" not "Where I've Been"
- Mirror keywords from the job description — use exact phrases
- Spell out abbreviations — write "Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)" not just "SEO"
- Use standard fonts — Lato, Calibri, Arial, Georgia
- Include dates in a consistent format — "January 2020 – March 2023"
- Don't use images, logos or graphics
- Keep contact details as plain text — not in a header or footer
- Include a skills section with relevant technical skills as plain text
The keyword rule: Read the job description carefully. Make a list of the key skills, qualifications and tools mentioned. Then make sure each one that applies to you appears on your CV — ideally in exactly the same wording as the job ad.
How to Find the Right Keywords
Keywords fall into two categories: hard skills (specific technical abilities, tools, certifications) and soft skills (leadership, communication, project management). Both matter, but ATS systems weight hard skills more heavily.
To find the right keywords: copy the job description into a text editor, highlight every skill, qualification, tool or experience requirement, and make sure your CV addresses each one. Don't stuff keywords unnaturally — weave them into your bullet points contextually.
Does Formatting Still Matter?
Yes — because after passing ATS, your CV is read by a human. The goal is to write a CV that is clean and parseable for machines, while remaining clear and impressive for people. Our free CV generator uses ATS-friendly templates by default — clean layout, correct heading structure, and simple formatting throughout.
💡 Tip
After creating your CV, copy and paste its text into Notepad or a plain text editor. If the content still makes sense in that format — in the right order, with all information intact — your CV will likely parse correctly through ATS.
Should You Use a Professional CV Writer?
If you've been applying for roles and not hearing back despite strong qualifications, it's possible your CV isn't passing ATS. A professional CV writer on can audit and rewrite your CV specifically for ATS, using their experience with hundreds of successful applications in your industry.
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