How to Pass an ATS System: A Complete Guide

Most CVs sent to large employers never reach a human recruiter. They are filtered out by an Applicant Tracking System before anyone has a chance to read them. This guide covers everything you need to do to pass ATS screening consistently.

Step 1: Use Standard Formatting

ATS systems parse CV content into structured data. Complex formatting breaks this process. Follow these rules:

Use a single-column layout, not a two-column design
Avoid tables — data in table cells often parses incorrectly
Do not put key information in headers or footers — it may be ignored
Use standard section headings: Work Experience (not "My Journey"), Education, Skills, Summary
Use a clean, readable font: Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or similar
Save as PDF or DOCX — both are generally supported, but check employer instructions

A CV that looks visually plain is often a better ATS performer than a heavily designed template.

Step 2: Match Keywords from the Job Description

ATS keyword matching is the most important factor in your score. Read the job description carefully and identify:

The job title (include it in your personal statement and/or experience section)
Required skills and competencies (mirror the exact language used)
Tools, technologies, or certifications required (spell them exactly as listed)
Industry-specific terminology that recurs in the posting

Incorporate these keywords naturally throughout your CV — in your personal statement, experience bullets, and skills section. Do not just dump them in a block of keywords — modern ATS systems and human reviewers can both detect this.

Step 3: Use Standard Job Titles

If your actual job title was unusual (Senior Experience Delivery Manager when the equivalent role is called Project Manager elsewhere), consider including the more common equivalent in brackets or as a secondary title. ATS systems match job titles, and unusual internal titles may not register as relevant.

Step 4: Spell Out Acronyms

If the job description uses both the acronym and the full term, include both in your CV. "Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)" covers both versions. This is particularly important for technical skills and qualifications.

Step 5: Include a Skills Section

A dedicated skills section gives the ATS a concentrated area to scan for keywords. List your relevant skills as a bulleted or comma-separated list. For each application, update this section to include the specific skills mentioned in the job description.

Step 6: Check Your Score Before Applying

Do not guess whether your CV will pass ATS. Use a checker. CVCircuit's free ATS checker compares your CV to the job description and gives you a keyword match score along with specific feedback on what to fix.

Check your ATS score free at CVCircuit before every application.