In the digital age, the first hurdle in landing your dream job isn’t a recruiter—it’s a robot. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are the silent gatekeepers, scanning CVs before they ever reach human eyes. Want to make it past the bots? Here’s how.
1. How Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) Work and Why They Matter
Most companies use ATS software to filter applications. These systems scan CVs for relevance, ranking them based on keyword matches, formatting, and structure. If your CV doesn’t tick the right boxes, it might never be seen by a recruiter.
How ATS Filters Candidates:
- Scans for industry-specific keywords.
- Analyses formatting for readability.
- Scores your CV against the job description.
Hack: If your CV is missing critical keywords or uses complex formatting, it might not make the cut.
2. Keyword Optimisation: What AI is Scanning For
ATS algorithms are designed to find the best matches based on keywords—so yours need to align with the job description.
What to Do: Identify the most important keywords from the job posting (e.g., “risk management,” “Python,” “stakeholder engagement”). Integrate them naturally into your CV—don’t just copy and paste a list. Use both abbreviations and full terms (e.g., “AI” and “Artificial Intelligence”) to cover all bases.
Hack: Use a word cloud generator on the job description to spot the most frequently used terms—these are likely the key ones.
3. Formatting Tips to Avoid Getting Filtered Out
Even if your CV is full of relevant keywords, the wrong formatting can still get it rejected.
What Works: Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman). Stick to a simple layout—no tables, columns, or images. Save your CV as a Word document or PDF (but check if the employer specifies one format over the other). Clearly label headings (e.g., Work Experience, Education, Skills).
What to Avoid: Fancy graphics or excessive design elements—ATS can’t read them. Headers or footers with important details—they might be ignored. Overuse of acronyms without explanations.
Hack: Run your CV through an online ATS checker to see if it’s bot-friendly before you apply.
4. Why a Human-Friendly CV is Just as Important
Beating the bots is step one, but ultimately, a real person will make the hiring decision. Your CV needs to be clear, compelling, and easy to skim.
How to Balance ATS and Human Appeal: Use a strong summary at the top—concise and impact-driven. Highlight key achievements with numbers (e.g., “Increased sales by 30% in six months”). Keep bullet points short and to the point—no paragraphs of text. Ensure a logical flow—work experience should be in reverse chronological order.
Final Hack: Once you’ve optimised for ATS, read your CV out loud. If it sounds clunky or robotic, refine it until it feels natural.
The Bottom Line: Work Smarter, Not Harder
Getting past AI screeners isn’t about tricking the system—it’s about understanding how it works and tailoring your CV accordingly.
At Calibrate, we help candidates fine-tune their CVs to hit all the right notes—both with AI and real-life recruiters. Ready to get noticed? We’ve got you covered.
