Beating the Bots: How to Make Your CV ATS-Friendly Without Sacrificing Style
When applying for jobs, your CV must pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) before it reaches a recruiter. These systems scan your CV for specific keywords and formats, ensuring only the most relevant candidates make it through. But there’s no need to sacrifice style and individuality to beat the bots. Here’s how to strike the perfect balance between ATS compatibility and an engaging CV.
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Use Standard, Readable Formats
ATS works by reading text, so it’s important to avoid overly complex designs or unconventional file types. Stick to a clean, simple layout with clearly labelled sections.
Tips :
- Choose a standard font like Arial or Calibri for maximum readability.
- Avoid tables, headers, and footers, as they can confuse ATS systems.
- Use clear section titles like “Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills” instead of creative alternatives.
This doesn’t mean your CV has to look plain. You can still add personal style through design elements like bold headings or subtle colour accents—just ensure the content remains easy to scan for both ATS and humans.
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Incorporate Relevant Keywords Naturally
ATS scans for specific keywords that match the job description, so it’s essential to use them strategically. Read through the job posting and mirror the language used, particularly for key skills and qualifications.
Tips :
- Integrate relevant industry terms, job-specific skills, and key responsibilities into your CV.
- Avoid keyword stuffing; ensure the keywords are used in context and naturally flow within your experience.
- Include both hard and soft skills (e.g., "project management," "team leadership," "communication").
This method ensures your CV is noticed by the ATS and also speaks to human recruiters when they review your application.
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Focus on Clean, Simple Section Headings
ATS may not recognize creative headings, so stick to straightforward titles that are universally understood. For example, “Experience” and “Education” are widely recognized by the system and make it easier for your CV to be parsed correctly.
Tips :
- Stick with basic headings like "Professional Experience" and "Skills."
- Avoid creative titles like "My Professional Journey" or "Skills That Set Me Apart."
- Keep job titles and company names clear, as these are crucial for ATS to understand your experience.
By using familiar section headings, you ensure that your CV is easy for the ATS to process while maintaining a clear structure.
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Optimize the Skills Section
An ATS-friendly CV often includes a dedicated "Skills" section, where you can list relevant technical and soft skills that are specific to the job. Many ATS systems rely heavily on this section to assess your qualifications.
Tips :
- List skills in bullet points, focusing on those mentioned in the job posting.
- Group similar skills together (e.g., "Data Analysis: Excel, SQL, Python").
- Avoid listing skills that are too general or unrelated to the role.
This section is where you can add your technical expertise and personal strengths, ensuring they are easy to spot by both ATS and recruiters.
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Save Your CV in the Right Format
Most ATS systems prefer Word documents (.doc or .docx) or PDFs, but always check the job posting for format preferences. Stick with the most common formats to ensure your CV is processed correctly.
Tips :
- Save your CV in .docx format, which is widely recognised by most ATS systems.
- If submitting as a PDF, make sure it’s not password-protected and contains readable text.
By following this format, you ensure your CV is compatible with the ATS while maintaining the integrity of your design.
Final Thoughts
Beating the bots doesn’t mean sacrificing your style or individuality. By optimising your CV for ATS while keeping a clean and visually appealing design, you can ensure your CV not only gets noticed by the system but also stands out to recruiters.
Tailor your CV for each application with the right keywords and a clear structure, and you’ll increase your chances of landing an interview.