Optimize Your CV for ATS

Many organizations, especially the larger ones posting the highly competitive positions students aspire to, use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

Recruiters simply do not have the time to read every CV word-for-word and these automated systems of evaluating CVs programs go a long way in saving them time. Fair or not, they are the reality in the job search process and only increasing in use as AI tools grow in sophistication.

Thankfully, such software can be strategized for to increase the chances of your CV making it through this initial filter.

Check this video to learn how ATS systems operate and the key rules to follow to optimize yours, which include:

  • starting your research early
  • using the correct keywords
  • repeating the most relevant keywords
  • inserting the most 'difficult' keywords into your summary
  • including dates
  • mixing in both acronyms and long formats for keywords
  • keeping it simple
  • using standard fonts, formats, and headlines

In sum, our efforts in crafting a CV that gets seen by real humans with real decision-making power requires a fine balance of matching these systems requirements while also being appealing and sounding authentic (or in other words, that it also sounds like it was written by a real person and not an AI software).

By following the article below, you'll be best positioned to write a CV that reflects your professional value proposition (PVP) while also meeting the technical requirements of such software.

Resources you can use