How to Create ATS Friendly CV That Gets You Hired in 2026?

You’ve spent hours perfecting your CV, polishing every word, designing an eye-catching layout, and highlighting your best achievements.

You hit submit on your dream job application, feeling confident.

Then… silence.

Here’s a sobering truth: 75% of resumes never make it past the initial screening. The culprit? Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that filter out perfectly qualified candidates simply because their CVs aren’t formatted correctly.

With 98% of Fortune 500 companies using ATS software to screen applications, understanding how to optimize your CV for these systems can make the difference between landing an interview and being automatically rejected.

Later in this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to create ATS friendly CV that not only passes automated screening but also impresses human recruiters. From formatting best practices to keyword optimisation strategies, we’ll cover everything you need to know to increase your chances of getting hired in 2026.

What is an ATS Friendly CV and Why Does It Matter?

An ATS friendly CV is a resume specifically formatted and optimised to be easily read and parsed by Applicant Tracking Systems—software programs that companies use to manage the recruitment process. These systems scan, parse, and rank resumes based on specific criteria before a human ever sees them.

What’s an Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)?

Applicant Tracking Systems are sophisticated software solutions designed to streamline the hiring process. Companies use platforms like Workday, Taleo, Greenhouse, iCIMS, and Lever to automatically collect, scan, and rank job applications based on predetermined criteria.

When you submit your CV online, the ATS:

• Extracts information from your resume.
• Categorises it into fields (name, education, experience, skills)
• Searches for specific keywords related to the job.
• Ranks candidates based on how well they match the job requirements.
• Filters out applications that don’t meet minimum criteria.

This automation helps recruiters manage hundreds or thousands of applications efficiently, but it also means that a poorly formatted CV—no matter how impressive your qualifications; may never reach human eyes.

The Numbers Don’t Lie: ATS Statistics You Need to Know

Understanding the impact of ATS on your job search is crucial. Consider these eye-opening statistics:

• 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a human recruiter ever sees them.
• 98% of Fortune 500 companies use some form of ATS in their hiring process.
• Over 70% of job applications are filtered out due to formatting issues, not lack of qualifications.
• Only 25% of applicants optimise their resumes for ATS, giving you a competitive advantage if you do.
• Resumes with properly optimised keywords are 80% more likely to be reviewed by a recruiter.

These statistics reveal a critical opportunity: by creating an ATS friendly CV, you immediately position yourself ahead of three-quarters of other applicants who are unknowingly sabotaging their own applications.

How ATS Systems Actually Work?

To beat the ATS, you first need to understand how it operates. Think of an ATS as a gatekeeper with very specific instructions on what to look for.

The Scanning and Parsing Process

When your CV enters an ATS, it goes through a multi-step process:

• Parsing: The system extracts text from your document and categorizes information into specific fields (contact details, work history, education, skills)
• Keyword Matching: It searches for specific terms, skills, and phrases mentioned in the job description
• Scoring: Based on keyword matches, qualifications, and experience, the system assigns your application a score
• Ranking: Your CV is ranked against other applicants, and only the top candidates are forwarded to recruiters

The problem? ATS software struggles with complex formatting. Tables, graphics, unusual fonts, and creative layouts that look great to humans can completely confuse the parsing algorithm, causing your information to be jumbled or lost entirely.

What ATS Looks For in Your CV?

Modern ATS platforms are programmed to identify and prioritize:

• Relevant keywords and skills that match the job description.
• Job titles that align with the position you’re applying for.
• Educational qualifications that meet minimum requirements.
• Years of experience in specific roles or industries.
• Certifications and licenses relevant to the position.
• Accurate contact information for follow-up communication.

The key is to provide this information in a format the ATS can easily recognise and categorise.

Common ATS Mistakes That Are Costing You Interviews

Even highly qualified candidates make critical errors that cause ATS systems to reject their applications. Here are the most common mistakes and their consequences.

Formatting Errors

Using Tables, Text Boxes, or Columns: While these elements create visually appealing layouts, they confuse ATS parsers. The system may read information out of order or miss it entirely.

Fancy Fonts and Graphics: Creative typography, logos, and design elements are unreadable by most ATS software. Stick to standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.

Headers and Footers with Critical Information: Many ATS platforms ignore headers and footers completely. If your contact information or important details are in these sections, they won’t be captured.

Unconventional Section Headings: Using creative titles like “My Journey” instead of “Work Experience” prevents the ATS from categorizing your information correctly.

Content Mistakes

Keyword Stuffing: Overloading your CV with keywords in an unnatural way can trigger spam filters and hurt your ranking. The goal is natural integration, not manipulation.

Missing Essential Sections: Omitting standard sections like “Skills” or “Education” means the ATS may not find required qualifications, even if you mention them elsewhere.

Using Images for Text: Converting your CV to an image or using graphics to display text makes it completely invisible to ATS systems that can only read actual text.

Incorrect File Format: Some ATS platforms struggle with PDFs, especially older systems. Always check the job posting for file format requirements.

The Cost of Non-Compliance

The consequences of these mistakes are significant. Research shows that recruiters spend an average of just 6-7 seconds on an initial resume review—but they only see resumes that make it past the ATS. A non-ATS-friendly CV means you’re automatically eliminated before you even have a chance to make that 7-second impression.

How to Create ATS Friendly CV: Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you understand the importance of ATS optimisation, let’s get into the practical steps for creating a CV that sails through automated screening.

Step 1: Choose the Right CV Format

The reverse chronological format is the most ATS-friendly option. This format lists your most recent experience first and works backward, making it easy for both ATS and human reviewers to follow your career progression.

Key formatting requirements:

• Use a simple, clean layout with clear section divisions
• Stick to standard fonts: Arial (11-12pt), Calibri (11-12pt), or Times New Roman (12pt)
• Save your document as a .docx file unless the job posting specifically requests PDF
• Use standard margins (0.5″ to 1″)
• Maintain consistent spacing throughout

Avoid functional or hybrid formats that bury employment dates or create complex structures—these confuse ATS parsers.

Step 2: Structure Your CV with Standard Sections

Use conventional section headings that ATS systems are programmed to recognize:

• Contact Information (at the top)
• Professional Summary or Objective
• Work Experience or Professional Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications (if applicable)
• Additional Sections: Volunteer Work, Languages, Publications, Awards

Never use creative headings like “About Me,” “My Story,” or “Career Highlights” as main sections—the ATS won’t know how to categorize them.

Step 3: Optimise Your Contact Information

Place your contact details at the top of your CV in a simple, linear format:

John SmithNew York, NY | (555) 123-4567 | john.smith@email.com | linkedin.com/in/johnsmith

Include:

• Full name (larger font, bold)
• Phone number (with area code)
• Professional email address
• LinkedIn profile URL
• City and state (full address is unnecessary)

Avoid:

• Placing contact info in the header or footer
• Using multiple columns for contact details
• Including unprofessional email addresses
• Adding photos (standard in US CVs)

Step 4: Craft an ATS-Optimized Professional Summary

Your professional summary should be a 3-4 line paragraph that includes:

• Your current job title or target role
• Years of relevant experience
• Key skills and areas of expertise
• One or two significant achievements

Example:

"Results-driven Digital Marketing Manager with 7+ years of experience developing data-driven campaigns that increase brand awareness and customer acquisition. Expertise in SEO, content strategy, and marketing automation platforms. Proven track record of increasing organic traffic by 150% and reducing cost-per-acquisition by 40%."

Notice how this summary naturally incorporates keywords (Digital Marketing Manager, SEO, content strategy, marketing automation) while remaining readable and compelling.

Step 5: Detail Your Work Experience Effectively

Your work experience section is the most critical part of your ATS friendly CV. Format each position consistently:

Job TitleCompany Name | City, StateMonth Year – Month Year

• Start bullet points with strong action verbs (Developed, Managed, Implemented, Increased)
• Incorporate keywords from the job description naturally
• Quantify achievements with specific metrics and numbers
• Focus on accomplishments, not just responsibilities

Example:

Senior Software EngineerTech Solutions Inc. | San Francisco, CAJune 2020 – Present

• Developed scalable microservices architecture using Python and Docker, reducing system latency by 35%

• Led team of 5 engineers in implementing CI/CD pipeline, accelerating deployment cycles from weekly to daily releases

• Collaborated with product managers to design RESTful APIs serving 2 million daily active users

• Mentored junior developers on best practices for code review and test-driven development

This format is clean, chronological, and packed with relevant keywords while clearly demonstrating impact.

Step 6: Optimize Your Skills Section

Create a dedicated skills section that’s easy for ATS to parse:

Technical Skills: Python, JavaScript, React, Node.js, SQL, MongoDB, AWS, Docker, Kubernetes

Tools & Platforms: Git, Jenkins, JIRA, Confluence, Salesforce

Soft Skills: Team Leadership, Agile Methodologies, Cross-functional Collaboration, Problem Solving

Best practices:

• Match skills to the job description using exact terminology
• Separate technical and soft skills
• Avoid rating your skills with graphics or bars (ATS can’t read these)
• Include both spelled-out terms and acronyms when relevant (Search Engine Optimization (SEO))

Step 7: Format Your Education Section

List your education in reverse chronological order:

Bachelor of Science in Computer ScienceUniversity of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CAGraduated: May 2018GPA: 3.8/4.0 (if above 3.5 and recent graduate)

For recent graduates, you can add relevant coursework, academic honors, or significant projects. For experienced professionals, keep this section brief unless you have advanced degrees relevant to the position.

[IMAGE PLACEMENT 4]Suggested Image: Example of a well-formatted ATS-friendly work experience sectionAlt Text: “Example of properly formatted work experience section for ATS friendly resume”

ATS-Friendly Formatting Best Practices

The way you format your CV can make or break its ATS compatibility. Follow these guidelines to ensure your document is properly parsed.

Typography and Design Guidelines

Font Choices:

• Use standard, professional fonts only
• Body text: 10-12 point
• Section headings: 14-16 point, bold
• Your name: 16-20 point, bold

Formatting Consistency:

• Use the same font throughout (don’t mix Arial and Times New Roman)
• Apply consistent spacing between sections
• Use standard bullet points (•, not custom symbols or images)
• Bold section headings consistently
• Ensure adequate white space for readability

File Format Considerations

The .docx vs. PDF debate is ongoing, but here’s the reality:

Use .docx when:

• The job posting doesn’t specify a format
• You’re applying to large corporations or through major job boards
• You want maximum ATS compatibility

Use PDF when:

• The job posting specifically requests PDF
• You’re emailing directly to a hiring manager (preserves formatting)
• You’ve confirmed the company uses modern ATS software

File Naming Convention:

Use a clear, professional filename: 

FirstName_LastName_Resume.docx or JohnSmith_MarketingManager_Resume.docx

Avoid generic names like Resume.docx or CV_final_version2.docx

Elements to Avoid

Never include these ATS-incompatible elements:

• Graphics and Images: Charts, photos, logos, or infographics
• Text Boxes: All content must be in the main document flow
• Tables: Use simple formatting with line breaks instead
• Multiple Columns: Stick to a single-column layout
• Headers/Footers: Keep all important information in the main body
• Special Characters: Avoid symbols like ©, ™, or decorative elements
• Hyperlinks with Display Text: Use full URLs or LinkedIn profiles as plain text

Keyword Optimization: The Secret to Beating ATS

Keywords are the currency of ATS systems. Using the right ones in the right places can dramatically increase your ranking and visibility.

How to Identify the Right Keywords?

Analyze the Job Description:

Read through the posting multiple times and identify:

• Required skills and qualifications (must-haves)
• Preferred skills and experience (nice-to-haves)
• Specific software, tools, or technologies mentioned
• Industry-specific terminology and jargon
• Repeated phrases or requirements

Testing Your ATS Friendly CV

Before submitting your application, test your CV to ensure it’s properly formatted and optimized.

Free ATS Scanning Tool (AI Interviews & 6+ Extra Features for Paid)

Queries Related to Creating ATS Friendly CVs

Conclusion

Creating an ATS friendly CV is no longer optional—it’s a fundamental requirement for modern job searching. With 75% of resumes being rejected by automated systems before human review, understanding how to optimize your CV for ATS is one of the most valuable skills you can develop in your career.

By following the strategies outlined in this guide—from proper formatting and keyword optimization to testing your CV before submission—you’ll dramatically increase your chances of making it past the initial screening and into the hands of hiring managers.

Key takeaways to remember:

• Use a simple, clean format with standard fonts and single-column layout
• Include relevant keywords naturally throughout your CV
• Stick to conventional section headings that ATS systems recognize
• Save your file in the correct format (typically .docx)
• Test your CV with ATS scanning tools before submitting
• Balance ATS optimization with compelling content for human readers

An ATS friendly CV doesn’t mean sacrificing personality or impact—it means presenting your qualifications in a way that both machines and humans can appreciate. Take the time to optimize your CV today, test it with available tools, and watch your interview rate improve.

Remember: the best time to optimize your CV was before your last application. The second-best time is right now. Update your CV, run it through an ATS checker, and position yourself ahead of the 70% of candidates who are unknowingly being filtered out by applicant tracking systems.

Your dream job is out there—make sure your CV makes it to the desk of someone who can offer it to you.