In today’s fast-paced job market, your CV might be scanned by software long before a hiring manager ever sees it. This might sound daunting, but it’s just part of modern recruitment.
At KD Recruitment, we work with talented professionals across Yorkshire and the Humber, and we’ve seen first-hand how great candidates often get filtered out by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). That’s why we’ve put together these practical tips to help you create a CV that won’t get lost in the system, and gets you closer to the job you want.
What is an ATS and Why Should You Care?
An Applicant Tracking System is software used by some larger employers to streamline the hiring process. It scans your CV for things like keywords, job titles, formatting and even dates of employment to decide if you’re a good match.
Here’s the kicker: if your CV isn’t formatted properly or doesn’t include the right terms, it might be rejected before anyone even reads it.
7 Ways to Make Your CV ATS-Friendly
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Use Standard Job Titles and Headings
Keep it simple and recognisable. Use terms the ATS understands, like:
- Work Experience (not “Career Highlights” or “The Journey So Far”)
- Education
- Skills
Creative headings can confuse the software, and we want clarity over cleverness.
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Mirror Keywords from the Job Description
Read the job advert closely and use the same language. If they want someone with “CRM systems experience,” use those exact words if applicable.
Top tip: Include both hard skills (like Excel, Python) and soft skills (like team leadership, adaptability).
Need help identifying the right keywords? Read our guide on tailoring your CV for success →
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Keep Formatting Clean and Simple
ATS systems struggle with fancy layouts, so avoid:
- Tables and columns
- Icons or graphics
- Headers and footers
Stick to clean bullet points and easy-to-read fonts like Arial or Calibri.
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Submit a Word Document (.docx)
Some ATS platforms can’t read PDFs properly. Unless the employer says otherwise, always submit your CV as a Word document.
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Ditch the Design Elements
A minimal layout is your best bet. Graphics and visuals might impress people, but they confuse machines.
Let your achievements and skills shine through the content, not the design.
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Spell Out Acronyms
Don’t assume the system will understand every abbreviation. Use the full term at least once:
“Customer Relationship Management (CRM)”
This helps the software pick up both the acronym and the full phrase.
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Include Dates and Locations for Every Role
ATS systems often sort or filter by date and geography. Be sure to include:
- Month/year for each job
- City or region where the job was based
Common Mistakes That Can Cost You Interviews
Even the best candidates get tripped up by avoidable errors like:
- Using quirky job titles (e.g. “Chief Happiness Officer” instead of “Office Manager”)
- Leaving out essential keywords
- Sending the same CV to every job without customising it
Remember: An ATS is looking for relevance, not creativity.
How KD Recruitment Can Help You Stand Out
We support professionals across Scarborough, York, Harrogate, Hull, and we know what employers, and their systems, are really looking for.
Our team can:
- Audit your CV for ATS compatibility
- Tailor your applications to specific roles
- Coach you for interviews once you’re shortlisted
Explore our CV writing support and job seeker services.
Ready to Get Past the Robots?
If you’re applying for job after job and getting no response, don’t worry, it might not be you, it might be your CV, so let’s fix that. Get in touch with our team to see how we can support your job search.