Understanding ATS: How to Make Your Resume Pass Applicant Tracking Systems

**Did you know?** Up to 75% of CVs are rejected by ATS systems before a human ever sees them. Don't let yours be one of them!

You've spent hours crafting the perfect CV, highlighting your achievements and experience. You submit it to your dream job, confident that you're a great fit. Weeks pass with no response. What happened?

Chances are, your CV never reached a human recruiter. It was filtered out by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)—software that most companies use to screen applications before they reach human eyes.

What is an ATS?

An Applicant Tracking System is software used by recruiters and HR departments to manage the hiring process. These systems:

• Store applications in a centralized database
• Screen CVs for keywords and qualifications
• Rank candidates based on match scores
• Filter applications before human review
• Schedule interviews and manage the hiring pipeline

Popular ATS systems include:

• Workday
• Greenhouse
• Lever
• Taleo
• iCIMS
• BambooHR

How ATS Systems Work

1. Parsing

When you upload your CV, the ATS extracts information:

• Contact details
• Work experience
• Education
• Skills
• Keywords

2. Keyword Matching

The system compares your CV against the job description:

• Identifies required skills and qualifications
• Calculates a match score
• Ranks you against other candidates

3. Filtering

CVs below a certain match threshold are automatically rejected. Only high-scoring applications proceed to human review.

Why CVs Get Rejected by ATS

Formatting Issues

Problem: Complex formatting confuses ATS parsers

• ❌ Tables and columns
• ❌ Text boxes and graphics
• ❌ Headers and footers
• ❌ Images and logos
• ❌ Unusual fonts

Solution: Use simple, clean formatting with standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)

Missing Keywords

Problem: Your CV doesn't include the keywords from the job description

Solution: Naturally incorporate relevant keywords throughout your CV

File Format Issues

Problem: Some file formats aren't ATS-friendly

• ✅ PDF (if text-based, not scanned image)
• ✅ Word (.docx)
• ❌ Scanned PDFs (images, not text)
• ❌ Google Docs (download as PDF first)
• ❌ Pages (convert to Word or PDF)

Missing Standard Sections

Problem: ATS systems look for standard section headers

Solution: Use clear, standard section names:

• Professional Summary
• Work Experience
• Education
• Skills

ATS-Friendly CV Best Practices

1. Use Standard Section Headers

✅ Professional Summary
✅ Work Experience
✅ Education
✅ Skills

❌ About Me
❌ Career History
❌ Academic Background
❌ Core Competencies

2. Include Keywords Naturally

Don't just list keywords. Integrate them into your experience descriptions:

Bad:

Skills: JavaScript, React, Node.js, Python

Good:

Developed full-stack applications using JavaScript, React, and Node.js, 
improving system performance by 30%. Utilized Python for data analysis 
and automation tasks.

3. Use Standard Date Formats

• ✅ January 2024 - Present
• ✅ 2020 - 2024
• ❌ 01/20 - Now
• ❌ 2020 to 2024

4. Keep It Simple

• Use standard fonts (10-12pt)
• Simple bullet points
• Consistent formatting
• Black text on white background
• Standard margins (1 inch)

5. Include a Skills Section

Have a dedicated skills section with relevant keywords:

Technical Skills: JavaScript, React, Node.js, Python, SQL, Git, AWS
Soft Skills: Leadership, Communication, Problem-Solving, Agile

Testing Your CV for ATS Compatibility

Manual Checks

1. Copy-paste test: Copy your CV text into a plain text editor. If information is missing or jumbled, the ATS will have the same problem.

2. Keyword density: Count how many times important keywords from the job description appear in your CV.

3. Format check: Ensure no tables, text boxes, or complex formatting.

Online Tools

Several free tools can help:

• Jobscan: Compares your CV to job descriptions
• Resume Worded: ATS compatibility checker
• VMock: Resume analyzer

Common ATS Myths Debunked

Myth 1: "I need to stuff my CV with keywords"

Reality: Keyword stuffing can actually hurt your score. Keywords should be natural and supported by experience.

Myth 2: "ATS systems can't read PDFs"

Reality: Modern ATS systems can read PDFs, but only if they're text-based (not scanned images).

Myth 3: "I should use a creative, unique format"

Reality: Creative formats often confuse ATS systems. Save creativity for your portfolio, not your CV.

Myth 4: "Once I pass the ATS, I'm guaranteed an interview"

Reality: Passing the ATS just gets you to human review. Your CV still needs to impress recruiters.

The ApplyFast Advantage

Manually optimizing your CV for ATS systems is time-consuming and error-prone. ApplyFast automatically:

• ✅ Extracts keywords from job descriptions
• ✅ Formats your CV for ATS compatibility
• ✅ Ensures proper keyword integration
• ✅ Uses ATS-friendly formatting
• ✅ Generates text-based PDFs

Result: Your CV passes ATS screening and reaches human recruiters.

Final Tips

1. Tailor for each application: Different jobs require different keywords
2. Keep a master CV: Maintain a comprehensive version with all experience
3. Test before submitting: Use ATS checkers to verify compatibility
4. Update regularly: Keep your CV current with latest skills and experience
5. Get feedback: Have others review your CV for clarity and impact

Conclusion

Understanding ATS systems is crucial for modern job seekers. By following these best practices, you'll dramatically increase your chances of getting past the robots and into the hands of recruiters.

Remember: ATS optimization is just the first step. Once you pass the automated screening, your CV still needs to impress human reviewers. Balance ATS-friendliness with readability and impact.

Ready to optimize your CV for ATS systems? Try ApplyFast and ensure your resume gets past the robots every time.