How to Write a CV That Gets Past ATS Screening

How to Write a CV That Gets Past ATS Screening

Most job seekers don't realise their CV is never seen by a human. Here's what's actually happening and how to fix it.

Why Your CV Is Being Rejected Before Anyone Reads It

Most large organisations and many medium sized ones now use Applicant Tracking Systems, known as ATS, to manage recruitment. These are software platforms that receive, store and filter job applications before a human recruiter ever sees them

According to Jobscan, over 75% of CVs are rejected by ATS before reaching a

human reviewer, including many from candidates who are genuinely qualified.

Modern ATS tools don't just scan for keywords. They analyse structure, assess writing coherence, and score your application against the job description. Some use predictive AI to assess likely performance. The technology is imperfect, raises serious ethical questions around bias and transparency and remains widely unregulated  

The Most Common Reasons ATS Rejects Strong CVs

• Wrong keywords if the job description says "stakeholder management" and your CV says "managing relationships with key partners," the system may not connect them

• Unusual formatting columns, tables, text boxes, graphics and logos cause parsing errors; a beautiful CV can appear as garbled text to ATS software

• Unrecognised headings creative section titles confuse systems that expect "Work Experience," "Education," and "Skills"

• Wrong file format a .docx file is generally safer than PDF unless the application specifies otherwise

• Unexplained gaps algorithms flag these negatively if left unaddressed

How to Write a CV That Works for Both ATS and Humans

1. Mirror the job description language Read the posting carefully. The words used repeatedly are your keywords. Use them naturally throughout your CV, woven into genuine descriptions of your experience, not stuffed into a keyword block.

2. Use a clean, simple format Standard fonts (Calibri, Arial, Georgia). Clear section headings. No columns, tables, or graphics. Simple formatting serves both ATS and human readers.

3. Open with a tailored personal profile Three to four sentences, specific to the role. This is your best opportunity to reflect the employer's language and set the context for everything that follows.

4. Lead with achievements, not duties "Managed a team of eight through significant organisational change, maintaining performance and reducing attrition by 20%" outperforms "responsible for managing a team" every time for ATS scoring and for human impact.

5. Include a dedicated skills section A clearly labelled Skills section gives ATS a scannable block of relevant keywords. Keep it honest and specific to the role.

6. Spell out acronyms Write qualifications in full as well as abbreviated form: "PRINCE2 (Projects in Controlled Environments)" gives ATS more to match against than "PRINCE2" alone.

7. Tailor every application This is the single most important step. Even small adjustments to your personal profile and skills section to reflect the specific language of each role, significantly improve how ATS scores your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an ATS and why does it matter for my job search? An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by employers to receive, store, and filter job applications. It screens CVs automatically before a recruiter sees them. Research suggests more than 75% of applications are filtered out at this stage, making ATS optimisation one of the most impactful things a job seeker can do.

What file format should I use for my CV to pass ATS? A Word document (.docx) is generally the safest choice. PDFs can cause parsing errors depending on how they were created. Only submit a PDF if the application form specifically requests one.

Does tailoring my CV for ATS mean it will sound robotic to human readers? No. The goal is to mirror the employer's language naturally within genuine, specific descriptions of your experience. ATS optimisation and human appeal are not in conflict. A clear, well structured, achievement led CV works for both.

Can ATS software be biassed? Yes. Research has identified bias in some AI recruitment tools relating to names, educational backgrounds, and demographic characteristics. This is a real limitation of the technology, not a reflection of your ability. If you're not hearing back despite being well-qualified, the system, not your experience, may be the problem.

The Bottom Line

Getting past ATS screening isn't about gaming the system. It's about making sure your genuine value is expressed clearly enough for both a machine and a human to see it.

Most talented candidates are underselling themselves without realising it, using the wrong language, the wrong format or describing responsibilities rather than impact. That's a communication problem. And communication problems are fixable.

I've created a free guide that walks you through exactly how to use AI tools to work in your favour throughout the entire application process. From checking your suitability for a role, to getting past ATS screening, writing a CV that actually reflects your value, preparing for interviews and tracking what's working.

Eight steps. Ready to use prompts. Honest, ethical and built to help you present yourself clearly, credibly and with confidence. If you’d like a copy, please fill out the contact form with your email address and I’ll forward it to you.