The Complete ATS Optimization Guide: Get Past Applicant Tracking Systems in 2025

What is an ATS and Why Does It Matter?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by 99% of Fortune 500 companies and 70% of all employers to filter job applications. These systems scan, parse, and rank resumes before a human ever sees them. If your CV isn't ATS-friendly, it could be rejected within seconds—no matter how qualified you are.

How ATS Systems Work

ATS software scans your resume for specific keywords, formatting, and structure. It then ranks candidates based on how well their resumes match the job description. Here's what happens:

• Parsing: The ATS extracts information from your CV (name, contact info, work experience, education, skills)
• Keyword Matching: It searches for specific keywords from the job description
• Ranking: Candidates are scored and ranked based on relevance
• Filtering: Only top-ranked candidates make it to human recruiters

Top 10 ATS Optimization Strategies

1. Use Standard Section Headings

Stick to conventional headings like "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills," and "Certifications." Avoid creative titles like "My Journey" or "What I've Done"—ATS systems won't recognize them.

2. Include Relevant Keywords

Carefully read the job description and incorporate exact keywords and phrases. If the job requires "project management," use that exact phrase rather than "managed projects."

3. Use Simple, Clean Formatting

Avoid tables, text boxes, headers/footers, images, and graphics. Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Stick to bullet points and clear section breaks.

4. Save in the Right Format

Unless specified otherwise, submit your CV as a .docx file. PDFs can sometimes cause parsing errors, though modern ATS systems handle them better than before.

5. Spell Out Acronyms

Write "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)" instead of just "SEO" the first time you use it. This ensures the ATS catches both the acronym and full term.

6. Use Standard Job Titles

If your official title was "Happiness Engineer," also include the standard equivalent like "Customer Support Specialist" to ensure ATS recognition.

7. Include a Skills Section

Create a dedicated skills section with relevant hard and soft skills. This makes it easy for ATS to identify your qualifications quickly.

8. Avoid Headers and Footers

Many ATS systems can't read information in headers and footers. Keep all important information in the main body of your CV.

9. Use Chronological Format

ATS systems prefer reverse-chronological resumes (most recent experience first). Functional or combination formats can confuse the software.

10. Tailor Each Application

Customize your CV for each job application. Match your skills and experience to the specific requirements listed in the job posting.

Common ATS Mistakes to Avoid

• Using images or logos
• Fancy fonts or excessive formatting
• Tables and columns
• Spelling errors (ATS won't match misspelled keywords)
• Keyword stuffing (makes your CV unreadable to humans)
• Unusual file names (use "FirstName_LastName_Resume.docx")

Test Your CV's ATS Compatibility

Before submitting, test your CV by:

• Converting it to plain text to see if formatting holds up
• Using online ATS checkers
• Having our AI analyze and optimize it for ATS compatibility

The Bottom Line

ATS optimization isn't about gaming the system—it's about making your qualifications clear and accessible. A well-optimized CV passes ATS screening AND impresses human recruiters. Use our AI-powered CV builder to automatically optimize your resume for ATS while maintaining professional appeal.