Many companies, recruitment agencies and job portals use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to collect and search CVs. If the software cannot read your CV properly, or does not find the right keywords, your application may be ranked low before any person reads it.
How an ATS reads your CV
The ATS turns your file into plain text and tries to find your name, contact details, job titles, employers, dates, education and skills. Recruiters then search this database with keywords such as “accountant”, “SAP” or “Lahore”. Clear structure and the right words decide whether you appear in their results.
12 tips for an ATS-friendly CV
- Use a single-column layout for online applications. Two columns can be read in the wrong order by some systems.
- Use standard headings: Profile, Work Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications.
- Keep real text. Never put important information inside images, icons or text boxes.
- Avoid tables for layout and do not put contact details in the header or footer area of a Word file.
- Use a common font at 10–12 pt.
- Write dates consistently, for example “Mar 2022 – Present”.
- Mirror the job advert. If it says “financial reporting”, use that exact phrase (if it is true for you).
- Include both forms of key terms: “Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)”.
- Add a skills section with 6–12 relevant skills.
- Use simple bullet points, not unusual symbols.
- Send a text-based PDF or Word file. Scanned or photographed CVs cannot be read.
- Name the file clearly: Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf.
Keywords: the most important part
Copy the job description into our free ATS checker or the ATS tab of the builder. It lists the important words from the advert and shows which ones your CV is missing. Add the ones that genuinely describe your experience, in your skills section and in your bullet points.
Do photos and colours hurt?
A small amount of colour does not confuse modern ATS, and photos are usually ignored. The bigger risks are complex layouts and text in images. When in doubt, use a simple design for online portals and a more visual template when you email or hand in your CV.
Quick ATS checklist
- Single column, standard headings
- Contact details in the main body
- Keywords from the advert
- Text-based PDF, no images of text
- Consistent dates and job titles
- Score of 80+ in the HayaCV ATS check
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Founder of HAYAQR, HayaConverter and HayaCV. Builds free, privacy-first tools that help people in Pakistan and beyond work smarter.