The Definitive Guide: How to Beat ATS and Get Your CV to the Recruiter

Anatomy of a CV optimised for ATS systems

If your curriculum is not optimised for automatic screening systems, it may be discarded before a recruiter even opens it. Hundreds of applications per vacancy require an initial automatic screening to select only the best profiles — and this is where the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) comes in.

1. What is an ATS system?

An ATS is software that automatically analyses CVs, scoring candidates based on criteria and algorithms defined by the company. The system converts your document into data, searches for keywords, job titles and years of experience, and assigns a score to each application.

Companies like Deloitte, BNP Paribas, and virtually all large organisations use these systems. Even many SMEs already use recruitment platforms with integrated ATS filters. Understanding how they work is the first step to ensuring your CV is not automatically eliminated.

2. Keyword optimisation

ATS systems work like search engines. They look for specific terms that match the job description published by the company. The key is to identify and replicate those words in your CV.

How to identify the right words

Analyse the job advert and underline the technical skills mentioned — for example, Project Management, Python, Direct Sales — and the tools referenced. Use the words exactly as they appear in the advert. If they ask for "Project Management", don't just write "Coordinator".

3. ATS-friendly formatting

Excessive design is the biggest enemy of ATS. Complex visual elements can "break" the software's reading, causing it to ignore crucial information in your CV.

What to avoid

• Graphics, complex tables, images and logos
• Skills progress bars (the ATS can't quantify them)
• Double-column structure
• Word headers and footers (many systems can't read them)

What to use

• Clean single-column structure
• Bold and standard bullet points
• Recognisable section headings: "Professional Experience", "Education", "Skills"
• PDF format with selectable text (never scanned images)

CV vs. ATS Filters: How to ensure your curriculum reaches the recruiter

4. Structure and contact details

How you organise information determines whether the ATS can correctly map your journey. Many systems have difficulty reading data inserted in Word's "Header and Footer" feature. Place your name, email, LinkedIn and phone number in the main body of the document, at the very top.

As for file format, PDF is the ideal standard for maintaining formatting, as long as the text is selectable. If the system is very old, a .docx (Word) file may be safer.

Always use reverse chronological order — it's ATS's favourite format. Start with your most recent experience and follow the structure: Company Name, Location, Role and Dates (Month/Year).

5. Content focused on results

Modern ATS can already identify success contexts through numbers and action verbs. Instead of "Responsible for...", use verbs like "Led", "Implemented", "Increased" or "Developed".

The software values concrete metrics. Whenever possible, quantify your results with numbers, percentages and values.

Summary table: ATS optimisation

Practical example of adaptation

Imagine a Digital Marketing vacancy requires: "Proficiency in Google Ads, Meta Ads and metrics analysis in GA4."

Final note

Writing for the robot ensures you pass the first phase, but the CV will ultimately end up in the hands of a recruiter. Ensure the text continues to have natural and appealing readability for a human after optimisation. The balance between technical optimisation and effective communication is what distinguishes a truly competitive CV.