How to Manage ATS Optimisation When Applying to Multiple Jobs

Applying to multiple jobs simultaneously is standard practice in most job searches. But maintaining ATS-optimised, tailored CVs for each application without drowning in version management requires a system.

The Master CV Approach

Start with a comprehensive master CV — two to three pages, with full detail on every role, a complete skills list, and a broad personal statement. This is not the document you submit. It is your source material.

For each application, create a tailored version from this master by:

1. Selecting the most relevant experience (trimming to two pages)
2. Updating the skills section to match the job description
3. Rewriting the personal statement for the specific role
4. Updating the two to three most relevant experience bullets to include job-specific language

This approach means you are not rebuilding from scratch for each application — you are selectively tailoring.

Version Control for Multiple Applications

Keep a simple naming convention for your tailored CVs. Something like:

LastName_CV_CompanyName_Role.pdf

This makes it easy to track which version went where, and to reuse a version for a similar role at a different company.

Maintain a simple log (even a spreadsheet) of applications: company, role, date applied, CV version used, ATS score if checked, status. This visibility prevents the chaos of a high-volume search.

When to Create a New Base Version

If you are applying across two distinct role types (for example, both project management and programme management, or both B2B marketing and brand marketing), maintain two base tailored versions — one for each role type. This reduces the per-application tailoring effort while maintaining relevance.

Time Management

Realistic time per application with proper ATS optimisation:

• First application to a new role type: 30-45 minutes (writing base tailored version + checking)
• Subsequent applications to similar roles: 15-20 minutes (updating from base version + re-checking)

The first ten applications are the most time-intensive. After that, you have base versions to work from and the process becomes much faster.

Use ATS Checking Efficiently

Run your ATS check after tailoring, not before. Check once, review the missing keywords, make targeted edits, and check once more. Two checks per application is typically enough.

Check your CV's ATS score free at CVCircuit for every application.