How to write an ATS-friendly CV – with templates and tips.

What is an ATS-friendly CV?

An ATS-friendly CV is a professional document that’s created to be compatible with applicant tracking systems. This makes it more likely that the application gets through to the recruiter.

An ATS is used by companies during the recruitment process to sort through CVs and find the most suitable applicants. The software will organise, scan and rank CVs before the recruiter sees them. It will look out for keywords relating to the role and remove any applications that don’t meet necessary requirements.

CVs that feature irregular formatting and layouts, advanced designs or unusual graphics can be difficult for the ATS to understand. This can result in the CV being read incorrectly and rejected in the initial stages.

What does an ATS struggle to read?

• Tables, columns, and text boxes. Most ATS software reads from left to right and top to bottom, so tables and columns can confuse the system. It can also have trouble reading inside text boxes.
• Graphics, images, or logos. Some visual elements might look good to the human eye, but ATS systems can’t view or interpret images in the same way we do. This can make grand graphic designs redundant.
• Uncommon fonts or special characters. It’s best to avoid fonts that are too stylised and to stay clear of unusual symbols, as they usually can’t be read correctly by ATS software.
• Unclear or varied date formats. It’s important to select a suitable format for dates you mention within your CV and then stick with it. Unclear or mixed formats can confuse the ATS system. Month Year – Month Year usually works well.
• Adding information in headers and footers. Including key information in headers and footers can cause parsing issues for ATS software, as it’s designed to focus on the content in the body text.

Why is it important to make an ATS-friendly CV?

In today’s competitive digital jobs market, it’s important to ensure you meet all the requirements necessary to get your CV in front of recruiters.

An ATS-friendly CV can help you do just that by ensuring your application can be easily read and understood by ATS software.

Here are some more reasons why creating an ATS-friendly CV is important:

• Helps in the first stage of recruitment. Many companies use ATS software to scan CVs before a recruiter sees them. If your CV isn’t compatible with the software, it may not even make it past the first step.
• High competition. By making your CV ATS-friendly, you can stand out from the competition and boost your likelihood of getting to further stages in the application process. It also helps employers narrow down the competition.
• Increases your reach. ATS-friendly CVs are more likely to be considered by different employers, which can also improve your chances of getting shortlisted for roles.
• Ensures key information isn’t missed. Checking your CV is ATS-friendly can prevent important details in your document from being missed. The software often skips over features such as text boxes, images, or inconsistent formatting. Making your CV ATS-friendly and ensuring all the key details are in the body text can help your application move forward.
• Shows professionalism and attention to detail. Creating a well-formatted ATS-friendly CV can showcase your professionalism and dedication to potential employers. This can, once again, help your application progress to the next stages.

How to make your CV ATS-friendly – step-by-step.

Now that you understand what an ATS-friendly CV is and why it’s important, it’s time to create one of your own. The process isn’t as complicated as it sounds, and with the right ATS-friendly CV template, it can be quick and simple.

Here’s an easy, step-by-step guide explaining how to make your CV ATS-friendly:

1. Use a clean, simple layout.

It may be tempting to add some unique designs and graphics to your CV, but remember, ATS software can’t read unusual designs and creative layouts in the same way we do. Go for a clean, simple layout and avoid including tables, text boxes and complex formatting. This helps ensure the system focuses on the right information so you can progress to the next step.

2. Choose ATS-safe fonts and avoid icons and imagery.

Always go for a traditional font, like Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman, as these are widely recognised by ATS systems. This helps to ensure that the software can understand the contents of your CV.

It’s also recommended that you avoid icons, symbols, logos and imagery – as the ATS won’t be able to read them properly. Try to keep your CV text-based to ensure all information is scanned and processed correctly.

3. Optimise for keywords.

Be sure to read the job description and ensure you understand what the company is looking for in a candidate. Look out for keywords and naturally – and truthfully – weave these into your CV content. If a keyword is repeatedly used within the job ad, it’s key that you include it in your CV. And don’t forget to use industry-specific terminology where relevant.

4. Use standard section headings.

Keep your CV headings simple and stick with common labels like ‘Work Experience’, ‘Education’, and ‘Skills’ to make them easy for ATS software to understand. Steer clear of creative labels like ‘My Journey’ or ‘What I’ve Done’, as these can confuse the system.

5. Save in ATS-friendly formats.

Choose a simple file format when saving your ATS-friendly CV. Text documents and PDFs are common choices but go with whichever option the employer recommends. If you’re using an ATS-friendly CV template, check which file formats are available.

How to check if your CV is ATS-friendly.

Before submitting your job application, it’s a good idea to check that your CV is ATS-friendly. There are a few ways to do this:

• Use online ATS-checker tools. These can scan your CV to check for formatting issues and keyword relevance, based on the job description for the role you’re applying for.
• Run a plain-text scan. Copy and paste your CV into a plain-text editor and check to see if the content disappears or the layout looks unusual. If it does, an ATS may have difficulty reading it too.
• Test keyword matching against job descriptions. Check your CV against the job description for the role. Have you included all the relevant terms and phrases?
• Check the file name. Make sure you use a clear, professional file name for your CV, for example FirstName/LastName/CV. Avoid special characters or overly long titles, as they may confuse the ATS.