We’ve all been there, haven’t we?
You spend ages crafting what you think is a brilliant CV, hit “send” on that job application, and then… crickets.
It’s incredibly frustrating, and often, the silent culprit is how your application is first interpreted by technology.
This is where ATS software comes in.
ATS isn’t a villain; it’s a vital tool designed to make the recruitment process more efficient for everyone.
When you hear nothing back after applying, it’s not always about your skills or experience.
It’s often about how well your application speaks to the system that’s doing the initial screening.
What Exactly is ATS Software?
ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System.
Think of it as an organiser for your job application.
It’s a software application used by recruitment teams to track and organise candidates, making it easier for them to sort through the vast number of applications they receive.
Most large companies in Europe, around 70% of them, use ATS. And if you’re aiming for a global Fortune 500 company, it’s almost a certainty – 99% of them use it.
So, if you’re applying to a big organisation, your application is almost definitely going through ATS.
How Does ATS Actually Work?
It starts by parsing your CV. This means it scans, extracts, and categorises all the information – your name, contact details, work history, education, skills, everything.
Then, based on the application information you provide (not your CV), it can decline applications that don’t meet certain criteria. For example, if a job requires a specific visa and you state you don’t have the right to work, it might be automatically declined before a human even sees it. Companies can set up these pre-approval questions to filter for mandatory requirements like minimum years of experience or travel willingness.
Finally, it performs a keyword match. The ATS compares the text in your CV with the job description to find relevant keywords and then assigns a score. The more relevant matches, the higher your score. These keywords are determined by the hiring manager when the job description is created.
It’s important to remember that after all this, a human reviews it. They’ll typically start at the top of the ranked list. So, your goal is to make sure the ATS ranks you highly enough to get noticed by that human reviewer.
Why Does ATS Matter More Than Ever?
You might be surprised to hear that on average, only about 49 applications are submitted per role in the UK right now. This is based on recent Office for National Statistics data. LinkedIn can sometimes give the impression of hundreds, but that often just shows how many people clicked to view the job, not how many actually applied.
While 49 is still a lot, imagine recruiters trying to sift through all of them manually, especially with multiple jobs on their plate. ATS speeds up the process for everyone – recruiters, companies, and even candidates, as it can lead to quicker decisions.
A human can typically make a snap decision about your CV in 6 to 8 seconds. So, it’s not just about being ATS-friendly; your CV also needs to be human-friendly. This means that tailoring your CV has become more important than ever. More applications are coming through, and more technology is screening them. If you’re not proactively adjusting your CV, you’re likely scoring lower.
Common ATS Myths Busted
Let’s clear up some common misconceptions about ATS.
Myth 1: ATS automatically declines CVs. False. It filters and ranks based on relevance. A human makes the final decline decision, but a low ATS score means it’s less likely to be seen by that human. Your aim is to be high on that list.
Myth 2: ATS automatically declines AI-generated CVs. False. ATS doesn’t care if your CV was created by AI or a human. It’s looking for keywords and information. However, if AI isn’t used properly, it can produce generic or repetitive content that doesn’t match the specific keywords of the role, leading to a low score. Use AI as a tool to support you, not to write your entire CV for you.
Myth 3: ATS automatically declines specific formats. False. While ATS doesn’t outright decline certain formats, complex layouts with multiple columns, images, text boxes, or unusual fonts can make it very difficult for the system to extract information, or even miss it entirely. A simple, left-to-right format, preferably in PDF, is always best for consistency and readability.
Myth 4: Ramming your CV full of keywords will get you past the ATS system. False. ATS looks for contextual references. You can’t just drop keywords in; they need to make sense within your sentences. If you just throw words in, a human reviewer will see it as nonsensical and likely put your application to the bottom of the pile.
More Quick ATS Truths
- Hiding keywords in white font: This doesn’t work. ATS sees it as spam and may flag your application for manual intervention, which is the opposite of what you want.
- ATS uses AI to make hiring decisions: This is incorrect. While it might use AI to parse data, it doesn’t make any hiring decisions. A human is always involved.
- A highly scored CV with one company applies everywhere: Not true. Each company can configure their ATS with different criteria and keywords. What works for one might not work for another.
- ATS CV checking software guarantees success: These tools can be useful for initial insights, but don’t rely solely on them. You still need to tailor your CV for each specific role.
- ATS scores based on sensitive data: Absolutely not. ATS screens on merit, skills, and keywords alone, making it more objective than human review, which can sometimes be influenced by conscious or unconscious bias.
What Can You Do Differently with Your CV?
Now that you know how ATS works, here are some actionable tips:
Make sure your CV aligns to the job description. I’ll say it again and again: tailor your CV for every single application. If the job description uses “people management” and your CV says “team leadership,” change it to “people management.” These small, subtle changes can significantly improve your score.
If you have a varied career background, focus on the job you’re applying for. If you’re a project manager and a business analyst, but you’re applying for a business analyst role, make your CV a business analyst CV. You can still mention your project management skills as transferable, but the core focus should align with the role you want.
Maintain a consistent, standard format. This is why a simple left-to-right layout is so important. When a human reviews your CV, their eyes naturally go to the information they’re looking for. If your key experience is hidden in a column or complex graphic, they might miss it.
Integrate keywords naturally. Don’t just list them. Weave them into your sentences and add quantifiable results to back them up. For example, instead of just “Digital Marketing,” try: “Successfully increased sales by 27% through the use of digital marketing techniques focused on social media campaigns.” This shows context and impact.
Another example: “Created a dashboard using PowerBI to aid key decision-making with C-suite stakeholders.” Here, “PowerBI” (a data visualisation tool) and “C-suite stakeholders” provide context for “data visualisation” and “stakeholder management.”
I know it can feel daunting to constantly adjust your CV. But I promise you, investing the time to tailor your applications will lead to more success than sending out hundreds of generic CVs.
Need a Fresh Pair of Eyes on Your CV?
Understanding ATS and tailoring your CV can be challenging, especially with the current job market. As a certified CV writer, I can help you craft an ATS-friendly CV that’s clear, concise, and two pages long, designed to get you noticed by both the software and the human reviewer.
If you’d like me to take a look at your CV and offer some personalised advice, please get in touch. I can help you ensure your CV is speaking the right language to the ATS and showcasing your best self to hiring managers.