How to Make Your CV ATS-Friendly and Get More Interviews
Writing a detailed yet concise CV takes time and effort. You refine every section, tailor it to the roles you’re applying for, and submit applications—only to face rejection or, worse, complete silence. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many qualified candidates never even make it to the hiring manager’s desk, and the reason is often Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Understanding how these systems work and adapting your CV accordingly can be the difference between securing an interview or being overlooked. This guide will walk you through three essential steps to creating an ATS-friendly CV that improves your chances of landing job interviews in Australia.
What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by most ASX-listed companies and many Australian businesses to filter and rank CVs before they reach recruiters. These systems help hiring teams quickly sift through large volumes of applications by scanning for specific keywords, skills, and formatting structures.
Research conducted by Harvard Business School and Accenture found that over 90% of employers use ATS software to pre-screen applications, especially for mid- to senior-level roles. This means your CV might never be seen by a human unless it is correctly formatted for these systems.
The good news? You can optimise your CV for ATS while keeping it engaging for recruiters.
Step 1: Use a Clear and Relevant CV Headline
Your CV headline should be at the very top, directly under your name and contact details. Its purpose is to immediately highlight your expertise and ensure your application aligns with the role.
How to Craft an Effective Headline
- Use the job title from the job listing
If you’re applying for a Digital Marketing Manager role, your headline should match that title. - Keep it concise and impactful
A simple format works best:
“Digital Marketing Manager | SEO & Content Strategy Expert” - Match ATS search criteria
Many recruiters search for candidates using exact job titles, so ensuring your headline reflects the job ad increases your chances of appearing in search results.
A strong, job-specific headline improves ATS visibility and immediately signals to hiring managers that you are a relevant candidate.
Step 2: Add Relevant Skills and Keywords
Recruiters do not only search for job titles—they also look for specific skills listed in the job description. If your CV lacks the right keywords, it could be eliminated before anyone reads it.
How to Identify and Incorporate the Right Skills
- Extract key skills from the job description
Use the exact wording from the job ad to ensure ATS recognition. - Use a CV scanning tool
Free ATS scanners compare your CV against a job description and provide a match score (aim for 75% or higher). - Place keywords strategically
- Include key skills in a dedicated “Skills” section
- Naturally integrate them into your work experience descriptions
- Demonstrate how you’ve applied these skills to achieve measurable results
Example
If the job ad mentions SEO, but your CV does not, adding a bullet point such as:
“Increased website traffic by 40% through SEO-optimised content strategies”
can significantly improve your ATS ranking.
Important: Do not overload your CV with keywords. Overuse of keywords can make your CV unreadable and could be flagged as keyword stuffing, which can work against you.
Step 3: Ensure Your CV is Easy to Scan
Even if your CV contains the right keywords, poor formatting can prevent ATS software from reading it correctly.
Key Formatting Tips
- Use a standard font
Stick to Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman—decorative fonts can cause ATS errors. - Save your CV as a PDF or Word document
These formats are most compatible with ATS systems. Avoid file types such as .txt or .jpeg. - Format dates correctly
Many ATS filters sort candidates based on years of experience, so ensure your dates follow a standard format (e.g., Jan 2021 – Dec 2023). - Avoid complex formatting
- No tables, text boxes, or columns (ATS systems may not process them correctly)
- Keep section headings simple (e.g., “Work Experience” instead of “Professional Journey”)
How to Check If Your CV is ATS-Friendly
Many CV scanning tools can highlight formatting issues that may prevent your CV from being properly read by ATS software. These tools flag missing keywords, formatting errors, and structure issues, allowing you to make improvements before submitting applications.
Final Thoughts
If you have been applying for jobs but are not receiving interview requests, your CV may not be making it past ATS filters. By following these three steps—crafting a strong headline, adding relevant keywords, and ensuring ATS-friendly formatting—you will significantly improve your chances of getting noticed.
Best of luck with your job search.
