7 CV Formatting mistakes that crush your ATS score (and how to fix them)
The ATS Reality
You’ve spent hours perfecting your professional history, skills, and achievements. But if you’re not getting calls for interviews, the problem might not be your experience, it’s probably the invisible gatekeeper: the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
An ATS is software that scans and ranks your CV before a human recruiter even sees it. If your CV's formatting confuses the ATS, the system might reject you outright or render your document unreadable, regardless of how qualified you are.
We analyzed thousands of rejected CVs to find the most common formatting sins. Here are the 7 critical mistakes you need to fix now.
Mistake 1: Relying on fancy graphics and icons
Recruiters love visual appeal, but ATS software does not. Complex graphics, text placed inside images, or progress bar icons to show skill levels often appear as blank spaces or jumbled code to the system.
-
How to fix it: Stick to plain text for key information. Use a simple bulleted list for skills and achievements. If you want a nice design, ensure the essential data is in an easily readable text format.
Mistake 2: Using headers and footers for contact info
This is one of the most common and damaging mistakes. While convenient for humans, many older ATS versions struggle to properly extract information located in the Microsoft Word Header or Footer sections.
-
How to fix it: Place all critical contact information (Name, Phone, Email, LinkedIn) directly in the body of the document.
Mistake 3: Choosing the wrong file type
You might think a highly designed PDF looks professional, but not all job applications specify acceptable formats. If given a choice between .DOCX and .PDF, choose wisely. Some ATS systems struggle with complex PDF layouts.
-
How to fix it: Unless the job description explicitly asks for a PDF, upload your CV as a .DOCX file. When submitting a PDF, make sure it’s a simple, text-based PDF (not a scanned image).
Mistake 4: Using tables to structure layout
Tables are fantastic for organizing information for the human eye, but they are a nightmare for the ATS. The system is often designed to read the document linearly, and tables can jumble the sequence of the text, confusing the work experience dates and descriptions.
-
How to fix it: Use traditional layout elements like line breaks, standard margins, and clear section headings (Experience, Education, Skills) for structure.
Mistake 5: Unclear section headings
The ATS relies on standard keywords to identify the key sections of your document. If you use creative synonyms like "My Journey" instead of "Work Experience" or "Brain Power" instead of "Skills," the system may skip those sections entirely.
-
How to fix it: Use standard, easily recognizable headings:
- Contact Information
- Summary/Objective
- Work Experience (or Professional Experience)
- Education
- Skills
Mistake 6: Placing key information in the wrong order
ATS systems are programmed to look for specific information in a specific flow (usually reverse chronological order for experience). Deviating significantly from this can lead to poor scoring.
-
How to fix it: Follow the tried-and-true hierarchy: Contact Info Summary Experience Education Skills. Always list your most recent job first.
Mistake 7: Failing to match keywords from the job description
This isn't a formatting error, but it's the biggest reason a CV gets flagged down by the ATS. The system is primarily searching for keywords and phrases from the job posting.
-
How to fix it: Customize your CV for every single job. Analyze the job description and subtly integrate key phrases, skills, and responsibilities into your work history and skills sections.
The Solution: Format right, get hired
The easiest way to ensure your CV is ATS-ready is to start with a template designed specifically for maximum compatibility and readability.
Chek out this free ATS tool that makes your CV right (+free templates).
Don't let formatting cost you the job.
Stop guessing what the ATS can read. Use a professionally designed, ATS-optimized template today.
Create Your Perfect, ATS-Ready CV for Free with Our CV Tool Here: https://mafiro.com/resume-ats-checker
Mastering the ATS is a crucial step in today's job market. By avoiding these 7 common formatting pitfalls, you dramatically increase the chances of your CV moving past the software and landing directly on a recruiter’s desk. Good luck!