The Ultimate Guide to Creating an ATS-Friendly CV That Gets You Hired

TL;DR

Create a simple, one-column CV format without images, complex designs, or non-standard fonts to ensure ATS compatibility
Include essential sections: contact information, professional summary, skills, work experience, education, and self-study
Format work experience with strong action verbs and quantifiable achievements
Optimize your CV with keywords from the job description (without keyword stuffing)
Apply quickly after job postings and proactively contact recruiters to demonstrate interest

Introduction

Landing your dream job starts with getting your CV past both the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and the recruiter's eye. With hundreds of applications flooding in for each position, companies increasingly rely on ATS software to filter candidates before human eyes ever see your resume.

In this comprehensive guide, I'll share practical strategies to create a CV that not only passes through ATS filters but also impresses recruiters enough to land you that crucial interview. These recommendations come from years of experience in the recruitment process, understanding what works, and what gets applications rejected.

The Importance of ATS-Friendly CVs

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are software applications that scan, sort, and rank job applications based on specific keywords and formatting. According to recent statistics, over 75% of companies use some form of ATS to streamline their hiring process.

When you submit your application online, the ATS will scan your CV before a human ever sees it. If your CV isn't formatted correctly or doesn't contain the right keywords, it might be rejected automatically—no matter how qualified you are.

Creating an ATS-friendly CV means:

Using simple, clean formatting that scanning software can easily read
Including relevant keywords from the job description
Avoiding design elements that can confuse scanning algorithms
Structuring information in a logical, standardized format

CV Structure Components

Contact Information

Your contact section should be straightforward and professional:

Full name (first and last name)
LinkedIn profile link (format as linkedin.com/in/yourname)
Professional email address (use your name rather than nicknames or numbers)
Phone number
Location (city/country is sufficient)

Avoid including:

Photos (can trigger bias and often not processed correctly by ATS)
Links with "https://" prefixes (simply use the domain name)
Social media accounts unless relevant to your profession

Professional Summary

Your professional summary is your elevator pitch—a concise overview of who you are professionally. Keep it to 2-3 sentences that include:

Years of relevant professional experience
Key accomplishments that demonstrate your value
Top skills and strengths relevant to the position
What you're looking for in your next role

Example: "Detail-oriented software developer with 5+ years of experience building scalable web applications using React and Node.js. Reduced application load time by 40% and implemented CI/CD pipelines that cut deployment time in half. Seeking a senior developer role where I can leverage my technical expertise to solve complex problems."

Skills Section

Group your skills logically, including both technical (hard) skills and interpersonal (soft) skills. Limit this section to 3-4 bullet points with the most relevant skills for the position.

Example format:

Programming Languages: JavaScript (ES6+), TypeScript, Python, SQL
Frameworks & Libraries: React, Redux, Express.js, Jest, React Testing Library
Tools & Platforms: Git, Docker, AWS, CI/CD, Agile/Scrum methodologies
Soft Skills: Problem-solving, team collaboration, technical documentation, mentoring

Work Experience

List your work experience in reverse chronological order (most recent first). For each position, include:

Job title
Company name
Employment dates (MM/YYYY - MM/YYYY or "Current")
Location
3-5 bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements

Bullet point format: Action verb + what you did (with specifics) + reason, outcome, or quantified results

Poor example: "Providing technical support to various clients"

Good example: "Resolved 95% of customer technical issues within 24 hours by implementing a prioritized ticketing system and creating comprehensive documentation for common problems"

For recent roles, include more detailed information. For older positions, you can include fewer bullet points focusing only on the most relevant achievements.

Education

List your educational background in reverse chronological order:

Degree name
Institution name
Graduation year (or expected graduation date)
Relevant coursework or academic achievements (optional)

If you have significant work experience, keep this section brief. Recent graduates should emphasize relevant coursework, projects, and academic achievements.

Self-Study

Include 2-3 bullet points highlighting relevant self-directed learning that aligns with the job requirements. This shows initiative and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Example:

"Completed advanced certification in AWS Cloud Architecture, applying skills to design and implement serverless applications"
"Self-studied UX design principles and accessibility standards, resulting in a 30% improvement in user satisfaction metrics for team projects"

Additional Sections

Consider including these optional sections if they strengthen your application:

Awards & Recognition: Highlight professional accomplishments
Volunteer Work: Showcase community involvement and transferable skills
Interests: Include only if they demonstrate relevant skills or show cultural fit
Portfolio: Link to your personal website or portfolio (without "https://")

What to Avoid

Even the best qualifications can be overlooked if your CV format triggers ATS rejection. Avoid these common mistakes:

Complex designs: Multi-column layouts, text boxes, tables, and graphics
Headers and footers: Important information can be missed by ATS
Fancy fonts: Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
Inconsistent formatting: Maintain consistent bullet points, heading styles, and spacing
Irrelevant information: Personal details like age, marital status, or photos

Leveraging AI for CV Creation

AI tools can help optimize your CV, but use them wisely:

AI can help with:

Extracting key skills from job descriptions
Adapting your experience to match requirements
Converting achievements into quantifiable results
Optimizing for ATS compatibility

Always remember:

Check AI-generated content carefully for accuracy
Ensure the final CV authentically represents you
Be prepared to discuss everything on your CV in interviews
Never fabricate experience or skills

Job Application Strategy

A great CV is only part of a successful job search strategy:

Apply quickly to new job postings (ideally within 1-2 days)
Tailor your CV for each specific position
Research the company thoroughly before applying
Directly contact recruiters or hiring managers to express interest
Follow up appropriately (typically 1-2 weeks after applying)

Conclusion

Creating an ATS-friendly CV is both an art and a science. The key is balancing optimization for automated systems while still showcasing your unique value to human recruiters. Remember these core principles:

Keep it simple: Clean, single-column format with standard fonts
Be specific: Use concrete achievements with numbers where possible
Stay relevant: Tailor your CV to each job application
Be honest: Only include verifiable experience and skills
Act quickly: Apply promptly and follow up appropriately

Your CV is often your first impression with a potential employer. By following these guidelines, you'll create a document that not only passes through ATS filters but also presents you as the qualified, capable professional you are.

Have questions about optimizing your CV or want personalized advice? Feel free to reach out to me:

Email: myrskyi.work@gmail.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/myrskyi
Twitter: @myrsk_pavlo