How to Create an ATS-Friendly CV
Discover our tips and tricks to writing an ATS optimised CV, plus examples of how to give your CV the best chance possible of being accepted in the first round.
An ATS-friendly CV might just be the difference between getting your dream job or being rejected - and here's why. It's interesting that, in some cases, 80% of CVs won't make it past the first round of screening. This is, in part, due to application tracking systems, otherwise known as an ATS.
An increasing number of companies use an ATS to speed up the initial screening process. This means that your CV might not even be viewed by human eyes. As a result, crafting a resume that is ATS friendly has been more important to conquer the increasingly competitive job market.
Read on to discover how you can craft the perfect ATS friendly resume.
Key Takeaways
- An ATS-friendly CV is designed to bypass applicant tracking systems as easily as possible, increasing your chances of passing initial screening.
- Use relevant keywords from the job description throughout your CV, focusing on skills and requirements mentioned multiple times.
- Choose appropriate file formats (Word or PDF), avoid images and tables, and opt for a simple, text-based layout that ATS systems can easily read.
- Structure your CV with clear sections: heading, summary, experience, education, and skills, ensuring all content is scannable by ATS software.
What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a piece of software that helps manage the entire recruitment process. Applicant tracking systems are typically used to screen candidates, track their applications, send automated communications and more.
Companies often receive hundreds, even thousands, of applications, so you can see why more and more are using ATS's to streamline the recruitment process.
Do Applicant Tracking Systems make the recruitment process unfair?
However, the increased use of ATS's raises a crucial point: do ATS's make the recruitment process unfair?
Some would argue that yes, they do, because first round screening is based on 'keywords' rather than actual experience. A human can empathise with an application, but a machine just puts it on a 'yes' or 'no' pile based on pre-programmed parameters. However, others say no, because applicant tracking systems eliminate human bias and make the screening process more inclusive. This is a debate for another time, but it's important to bear in mind.
What is an ATS-friendly CV?
An ATS-friendly resume or CV is designed to bypass the ATS as easily as possible. The application still needs to be solid, of course, but there are certain things that can be included that make it easier for these systems to read and digest. The easier the ATS can digest your application, the better your chances of passing the initial screening.
How to optimise your CV for an ATS
To make sure your CV is ATS-ready, read and implement the following tips when writing your application.
Use relevant keywords throughout
Employers give applicant tracking systems specific keywords to look for when scanning through applications. Usually, these keywords will be ones that are included in the job description and might be related to the role itself or key skills the employer is looking for.
As a result, the best approach here is to include keywords from the job description in your CV where relevant. Look for keywords that are repeated several times in the job description. The more emphasis a keyword has, the higher the chances it is important. For example, if the employer is looking for 'communication skills' ensure you include it somewhere on your CV.
💡 Pro Tip
Use appropriate file formats
Applicant tracking systems favour certain file formats over others. Always upload your CV in a file format that is requested by the employer. Sometimes, however, the employer has no preference. In this case, the safest option is either uploading your CV as a Word Document or a PDF.
Only use text
Avoid using tables, graphs and images in your CV, as applicant tracking systems can't read these. If one of these images highlights your skills or experience in a particular way, avoid adding it as the ATS won't be able to read it.
Opt for a simple layout
The easier it is for the ATS to read your CV, the better. This means opting for a simple layout that an ATS will find easy to read and extract the necessary data from.
What to include in an ATS friendly resumé
Heading
The first section to include is a heading. This section should include essential information such as your name and current job title. It's common to include contact information here too, but when it comes to ATS's we advise against it. Always place your contact information in the footer rather than the header.
Summary
In this section, include a brief explanation of your background, experience and what you're looking for. Try to get this information into 2-3 sentences to keep it clear and concise.
Experience and education
This is the important part. Ensure that this information is clear and that you are using the keywords outlined in the job description.
The best approach here is to list your previous experience and education and how these link to the job role you're applying for. Add 1-2 sentences below each experience explaining this, making sure to use those precious keywords.
Skills, expertise and interests
The final section should include extra information such as skills, expertise, and interests. The employer still wants to get to know despite using an ATS, so including this information is useful.
Again, include skills that are showcased in the job description and provide evidence of how you've demonstrated them in the past.
Example of an ATS-friendly CV
Now it's time to create your own ATS-friendly CV, but don't worry, our example below shows you the exact format to use.
[First and last name]
Resume Headline:
Insert a 3-5 sentence elevator pitch designed to capture attention. State who you are, your current position, and what you're looking for.
Education:
This section should include the names of the education institutions you attended, relevant coursework, and grades achieved.
Experience:
This section should include your work history since you started working. List your most recent position first and work backward:
Company Name | mm/yyyy-mm/yyyy
[Title of your role]
- Achievement #1
- Achievement #2
- Achievement #3
Core Competencies:
This section is where you mention your skills and expertise. Try to include a mix of soft and hard skills in this section.
Test Your ATS Knowledge
Test your understanding of ATS systems and how to create an ATS-friendly CV that gets past the initial screening.
Why might a high quality CV be rejected without ever being seen by a human recruiter?
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