What Is an ATS and How to Make Your CV Pass It

An ATS is software that employers and recruitment agencies use to collect, store and manage job applications. When you upload your CV, the system tries to extract information from it, such as your name, contact details, job titles, employers, dates, education and skills, and stores it in a structured profile.

Recruiters then search and filter that database, often by keywords, job titles or qualifications. Some systems also rank or score applicants against the job description. In most cases a person still makes the decision, but if the ATS cannot read your CV properly, or your CV does not contain the terms the recruiter searches for, you may simply not appear near the top of the list.

Parsing software works best with simple, linear documents. Different systems handle layouts differently, so the safest approach is to remove anything that could be misread.

• Use a single-column layout instead of side-by-side columns
• Avoid tables, text boxes, icons and images for important information
• Keep contact details in the main body, not only in the header or footer
• Use standard fonts such as Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman
• Use simple bullet points rather than special symbols
• Write dates consistently, for example 'Mar 2022 – Jun 2024'

An ATS looks for familiar headings to know where each type of information starts. Creative titles like 'My Journey' or 'What I Bring' may not be recognised, so your experience could be filed in the wrong place or missed.

Stick to plain headings such as 'Profile' or 'Summary', 'Work Experience', 'Education', 'Skills', 'Certifications' and 'Languages'. In the US, 'Professional Experience' and 'Resume' are common terms, while 'CV' is more usual in the UK and Europe. Either is generally understood.

Recruiters often search for the exact skills and job titles mentioned in the advert. Read the job description carefully and note the key terms: tools, qualifications, methods and responsibilities. Where they genuinely reflect your experience, use the same wording in your profile, skills and experience bullets.

Include both the full term and the abbreviation the first time, such as 'Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)', because a recruiter might search for either. Do not copy the whole advert into your CV or hide keywords in white text. Many recruiters notice keyword stuffing, and it makes your CV harder to read when a person finally opens it.

Most modern systems handle both PDF and Word (.docx) files well, but always follow the employer's instructions. If they ask for Word, send Word. Avoid scanned documents or CVs saved as images, because the text inside them may not be readable at all.

A quick test: open your PDF, select all the text and paste it into a plain text editor. If the result reads in a logical order with nothing missing, an ATS is likely to read it too. Using ATS-friendly CV templates or a CV builder that keeps the structure simple can save you from most formatting problems. If you apply to American employers, the US resume mode follows their common conventions.

Passing the ATS is only the first step. A recruiter or hiring manager still needs to be convinced. Clear achievements, honest evidence of your skills and a tidy layout matter just as much as keywords. Adding proof such as certificates or skill test results, for example from a free test on Talaskill, can help your application stand out once it reaches a person.