How to Make Your CV ATS-Friendly: A Step-by-Step Guide to Beating the Bots
- LetterLab
- Apr 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 16
In today’s job market, you’re not just trying to impress a hiring manager, you’re also battling the bots. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) now scan thousands of CVs before a human ever sees them. If your CV isn’t ATS-friendly, it might be discarded before it’s even read.
But don’t panic, getting your CV past the robots is completely doable. Here's how to make your CV ATS-friendly while keeping it human enough to stand out once it lands on a recruiter’s desk.
What is an ATS and Why Should You Care?
An Applicant Tracking System is a type of software that employers use to collect, sort and rank CVs based on keywords, formatting, and relevance. According to Jobscan, over 95% of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS, meaning your dream job likely sits behind one of these digital gatekeepers.
If your CV isn't optimised for ATS, even the most qualified candidates risk being filtered out. It's not about gaming the system, it's about speaking the right language.
How to Write an ATS-Friendly CV (Step-by-Step)
1. Use Standard CV Formatting
Avoid fancy columns, graphics, text boxes, or images. These confuse ATS software and may result in your information being scrambled or missed entirely.
Stick to:
Simple black text on white background
Clear section headings (e.g. "Work Experience", "Education")
Traditional fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
2. Optimise for Relevant Keywords
This is where SEO meets job hunting. Use industry-specific keywords that reflect the job description. For example, if you're applying for a digital marketing role, your CV should include terms like:
SEO strategy
Google Analytics
Email campaign management
3. Include a Professional Summary
Start your CV with a short paragraph summarising your top achievements and skills. This is a great place to include relevant keywords naturally. For example:
“Results-driven marketing assistant with 2+ years’ experience managing SEO content campaigns, email marketing strategy, and social media engagement across B2B platforms.”
4. Use Reverse Chronological Order
ATS likes structure. List your most recent job first and work backwards. Include:
Job title
Company name
Dates of employment (month and year)
Bullet points of achievements (quantify results where possible)
5. Tailor Each CV to the Role
Generic CVs are CV graveyards. Customise your CV for each role by mirroring the language of the job posting. If the job ad says “customer success”, don’t say “client satisfaction”, match the phrasing exactly.
6. Avoid Acronyms (or spell them out too)
Some ATS software might not recognise every acronym. For instance, instead of writing “CRM expert,” use:
“Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system specialist”
7. Use the Right File Type
Always submit your CV as a .docx or .pdf (if allowed). These formats are safest for ATS compatibility. Word docs are universally accepted and easily scannable.
What an ATS-Friendly CV Looks Like
At LetterLab, our CV and cover letter writing service ensures all documents are ATS-ready. We strip out fluff and add substance with carefully researched keywords, impactful phrasing, and expert formatting.
Just ask one of our clients who secured a graduate position at a top law firm. After months of silence, their reworked CV (created with our help) passed the ATS filters and landed them three interviews within two weeks.
Common ATS CV Mistakes to Avoid
Using headers or footers to insert contact information (ATS can’t read these)
Overuse of keywords in an unnatural way
Graphics or charts to show skills, use plain text
Overly creative job titles like “Data Rockstar”, stick to standard terms like “Data Analyst”
EEAT in Action: Why Expertise Matters
Your CV is your first impression and a poorly formatted one can cost you opportunities. Our writers at LetterLab specialise in CV optimisation, cover letter writing, and professional letter services, drawing on recruiter insight, industry benchmarks, and best-in-class tools like Jobscan and LinkedIn data.
We don’t just make it readable, we make it powerful.
For an expert-backed guide on writing the perfect cover letter, check out our cover letter writing service. For more in-depth letter strategies, visit our blog for more tips on how to write letters that get results.
Final Thoughts: Stand Out by Speaking Robot (and Human)
Writing an ATS-friendly CV is a delicate dance, too robotic, and you’ll bore the human; too creative, and you’ll confuse the bot. With the right blend of keywords, structure, and clarity, your CV can sail through the system and land squarely in a recruiter’s “yes” pile.
Need help? Our letter writing service isn’t just for love letters or complaints, we’ll help you build a CV that’s smart, strategic, and stands out (to bots and bosses).
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