What is an ATS?
ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. Employers and recruiters may use applicant tracking software to help collect, organise and review job applications.
An ATS does not replace every part of the recruitment process, and employers can use different systems and hiring methods. However, keeping your CV clear, well structured and relevant to the position can make it easier for both recruitment software and human recruiters to understand your application.
1. Use a simple CV format
Your CV does not need complicated graphics to look professional. A clean layout with readable text, sensible spacing and clear headings is usually easier to review.
Avoid allowing decorative elements to become more important than the information an employer actually needs: your experience, education, skills and achievements.
2. Use clear section headings
Organise your information under headings that recruiters can understand immediately. Depending on your background, these may include:
- Professional Summary
- Work Experience
- Education
- Skills
- Certifications
- Projects
You do not need to include every possible section. Choose sections that accurately represent your qualifications and experience.
3. Tailor your CV to the job description
Sending exactly the same CV to every employer can make it harder to show why you are suitable for a particular role.
Read the job description carefully. Identify the responsibilities, skills, tools and qualifications that genuinely match your background, and make those relevant parts of your experience easy to find in your CV.
Never add a skill, qualification or experience simply because it appears in the vacancy. Your CV should remain truthful.
4. Use relevant keywords naturally
Job descriptions often contain important terms relating to the role. For example, a Virtual Assistant vacancy might mention customer support, email management, scheduling, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, data entry or communication.
If you genuinely have those skills, describe them naturally in the appropriate parts of your CV. Avoid filling your CV with repeated keywords that do not accurately describe your experience.
5. Write a focused professional summary
Your professional summary should quickly explain who you are professionally, the type of experience you have and the value you can bring to a relevant role.
Example:
Administrative and customer support professional with experience managing schedules, responding to customer enquiries, preparing documents and supporting day-to-day business operations.
Use an example only as inspiration. Your own summary should accurately reflect your actual background.
6. Strengthen your work experience
Do more than list job titles. Explain the work you performed and the responsibilities or results that are relevant to the positions you are targeting.
Strong action verbs can make responsibilities clearer. Depending on what you genuinely did, words such as managed, coordinated, supported, prepared, improved, organised, developed or resolved may help you describe your work more precisely.
7. Include measurable achievements where possible
Numbers can provide useful context when they are accurate. Instead of only stating that you handled customers, for example, you may be able to explain approximately how many enquiries you handled or describe a genuine improvement you contributed to.
Do not invent percentages, revenue figures, customer numbers or other results. If you do not have reliable figures, describe the achievement clearly without manufacturing statistics.
8. Add a relevant skills section
Your skills section should help an employer quickly identify capabilities that matter for the role. Depending on your profession, this could include technical tools, software, administrative abilities, communication skills or other relevant competencies.
Prioritise skills you can actually demonstrate rather than creating a very long list of unrelated terms.
9. Check your contact information
Make sure your name, phone number and professional email address are correct. If you include a LinkedIn profile or portfolio, confirm that the link works and that the information supports your application.
10. Proofread before applying
Review your CV for spelling mistakes, incorrect dates, missing information and inconsistent formatting. Also check that the document you are submitting is the correct version for the job.
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ATS-friendly CV checklist
Use a simple and professional CV layout.
Include clear headings for important sections.
Tailor your CV to the job description.
Use relevant skills and keywords naturally.
Describe your work experience clearly.
Include measurable achievements where possible.
Use professional contact information.
Proofread your CV before submitting it.
Final thoughts
An ATS-friendly CV is not about trying to trick recruitment software. The goal is to create a clear, relevant and truthful document that communicates your qualifications effectively.
Focus on the requirements of the job, present your genuine experience clearly and review your CV carefully before every important application.