Mastering the ATS: How to Get Your CV Past Automated Screening

Most CVs sent to large companies never make it past the initial review. They’re processed by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) — software that parses, scores, and ranks applications before any human involvement. Research puts the rate of CVs never seen by a human recruiter at above 70% for organisations receiving more than a few hundred applications per role.

That’s not a reason to panic; it’s a chance to understand how these systems work. A CV that’s both ATS-compatible and written for human readers isn’t more difficult to produce than one that isn’t. It just requires knowing the rules.

ATS systems process your CV in four main steps: parsing, keyword matching, scoring, and ranking. During parsing, the system extracts text from your file. But if your CV contains formatting elements like tables, text boxes, or graphics, parsing can fail, and your text may be discarded or misread entirely.

When it comes to keyword matching, the system compares your CV’s language against the job description. This is where modern ATS platforms use natural language processing, not just simple word matching. But even with these advanced algorithms, your CV needs to include relevant terminology to pass the filter.

Scoring and ranking are where the system assigns a relevance score based on your experience and skills aligning with the job requirements. Low-scoring applications rarely make it to human review.

So, what does this mean for your CV? Understanding the ATS process tells you what to optimise for: clean parsing, relevant language, and clear evidence of the required experience.

The most reliable CV format for ATS compatibility is a simple, easy-to-read design: a single-column layout with standard section headings and no unnecessary embellishments. This works for both ATS and human readers.

Start with these basics: use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman; save your CV as a .docx or PDF (check the application instructions, as some systems handle one better than the other); and use bullet points to describe your roles. Also, avoid tables, text boxes, headers, footers, graphics, icons, and images, as these can cause issues with parsing.

Clean design and structure are key. You can still have a visually appealing CV without the structural elements that cause problems for ATS systems. A clean, well-spaced, and typographically consistent design will pass through the filter and read well for humans.

Now, let’s talk about keywords. The most impactful thing you can do is use the language of the job description throughout your CV. This means extracting hard skills, soft skills, certifications, and exact phrases from the job posting and incorporating them naturally and accurately into your CV.

For instance, instead of saying “managed data projects with various tools and technologies,” say “led end-to-end data pipeline development using Apache Airflow and dbt, reducing data processing time by 35% across four business-critical reporting workflows.” This approach shows that you have the required skills and experience, and it also highlights the benefits of those skills.

You should also quantify your experience wherever possible. Numbers perform well in both ATS scoring and human review. Show real outcomes, like “improved team processes and increased efficiency” becoming “designed onboarding process for new clients, reducing time-to-activation from 14 days to 6 days and improving 90-day retention by 18%”.

Tailoring your CV for each application doesn’t require rewriting from scratch. Keep 80% of your CV consistent across applications and customise 20% — primarily your professional summary and recent role — to align with each specific job description.

Testing your CV is a simple and worthwhile step before submitting it. There are several tools available, including Xeito’s CV Analyser, Jobscan, and Resume Worded. These tools compare your CV against a job description and highlight areas for improvement.

In the end, remember that ATS is just a filter. Once your application passes the initial screening, a human recruiter will review your CV. At this stage, everything that makes a CV readable for humans becomes the deciding factor.

So, the goal is to create a CV that’s both ATS-compatible and genuinely informative and easy to scan. A keyword-stuffed CV that passes the filter but reads poorly will not advance past the human stage.

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