What an ATS actually does
An applicant tracking system parses your CV into text, looks for the skills and keywords the job needs, and ranks or filters candidates. It's not magic — it's pattern matching. If the words the employer is looking for aren't on your CV in a readable form, you score low.
Use the words from the job ad (honestly)
Mirror the language of the job description for the skills you genuinely have. If it says 'stock control', 'HACCP' or 'diary management', use those exact terms rather than a clever synonym. Aim to weave them in naturally — never stuff the same keyword ten times, which both software and humans penalise.
Keep the format clean and machine-readable
Fancy templates confuse parsers. Stick to a simple layout:
- Standard section headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills)
- No text inside images, tables or columns the parser can't read
- A common font and simple bullet points
- Save and send as a normal PDF or Word document, not a screenshot
Put keywords where they count
Placement matters. Your most important skills should appear in your profile and skills section near the top, and again in your experience where you actually used them. That repetition (done naturally) is exactly what screening tools reward.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a job uses ATS?
You often can't for certain, so write every CV as if it does. Larger employers, recruitment agencies and online application portals are the most likely to screen automatically.
Does keyword stuffing help beat ATS?
No — it backfires. Modern systems and every human reader spot it instantly. Use the right keywords naturally, in your profile, skills and experience, at a sensible density.
What file format is best for ATS?
A standard PDF or Word (.docx) document with selectable text. Avoid image-based PDFs (like a scanned or screenshotted CV) — the software can't read the text inside them.