How to Make Your CV ATS-Friendly in 2025 (with Examples)

If you have ever applied for dozens of jobs and heard nothing back, there’s a good chance your CV never even reached a human.
Welcome to the world of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), the invisible gatekeepers between you and your next job.

In 2025, over 98% of Fortune 500 companies and thousands of startups use ATS software to scan, parse, and rank CVs before recruiters see them. The good news? You can make your CV ATS-friendly and it’s easier than you think.

What does “ATS-friendly CV” mean?

An ATS-friendly CV is a document formatted so that recruiting software can read and understand it correctly.
ATS systems don’t see your layout, they read plain text, keywords, and structure.

Here’s what happens when you apply for a job online:

1. The ATS scans your CV.

2. It extracts key data such as job titles, experience, and skills.

3. It compares that data with the job description.

4. It assigns a match score. The higher the match, the more likely a recruiter will see your CV.

If your CV contains images, tables, or missing keywords, the ATS may misread it — even if you are the perfect fit.

Why ATS optimization matters in 2025

Recruiters receive hundreds of CVs for each job opening. The ATS helps them:

• Filter out irrelevant applications

• Rank candidates by keyword match

• Save time on manual screening

If your CV is not ATS-optimized, it may be automatically filtered out before a recruiter ever sees it.

Step-by-step: How to make your CV ATS-friendly

Below is a simple, practical guide to creating an ATS-friendly CV that passes the initial screening process.

1. Use a Clean, Simple Format

Do: Save your CV as .docx or a text-based .pdf (with selectable text).
Don’t: Upload scanned documents, image-based files, or heavily designed templates.

The ATS reads text, not visuals. A fancy design might look impressive to humans but can confuse automated systems.

2. Stick to standard fonts

Use fonts that ATS systems can easily process, such as:

• Arial

• Calibri

• Times New Roman

Avoid decorative or script fonts. They may appear unreadable to parsing software.

3. Use Clear Section Headings

Label your sections with conventional titles such as:

• Work Experience

• Education

• Skills

• Certifications

This ensures the ATS can identify and categorize your information correctly.

4. Include keywords from the Job Description

This is the single most important step in optimizing your CV for ATS.
The system scans for keywords specific skills, tools, and certifications mentioned in the job description.

Example:
If the job description says:

“We’re looking for a Digital Marketing Specialist with experience in SEO, Google Ads, and HubSpot.”

Your CV should naturally include:

“Managed SEO campaigns and optimized Google Ads using HubSpot workflows.”

To make this easier, upload your CV and the job description to our free ATS CV Optimization Tool to see:

• How well your CV matches the JD

• Missing skills and keywords

• Your overall ATS match percentage

5. Avoid tables, columns, and graphics

ATS systems often fail to interpret multi-column layouts, icons, or tables.

Incorrect:

Correct:
Marketing Manager – Google (2019–2024)
Led international marketing campaigns and managed a global team.

6. Explain acronyms

ATS software may not recognize acronyms unless they are also written out in full.

Good practice:

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

• Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

7. Maintain Chronological Clarity

List your work experience and education in reverse chronological order, with consistent date formatting:

March 2022 – Present
Company Name | Job Title

8. Avoid special characters or emojis

Do not use symbols like ✓, ✨, or 🚀. These can break ATS parsing.
Use standard bullets (• or -) instead.

9. Keep formatting consistent

Use the same style and structure throughout your CV.
Keep job titles, company names, and dates consistent to reduce parsing errors.

Example:
Good: HR Manager
Inconsistent: Human Resources Lead / HRM

10. Don’t place key information in headers or footers

ATS systems may ignore headers and footers completely.
Always keep your name, contact details, and essential information in the main body of your CV.

Example: ATS-Friendly CV vs. Non-ATS-Friendly CV

Use our free ATS CV checker

Instead of guessing, use our CV Optimization Tool to automatically check your document for:

• File format and structure

• Keyword match and skill coverage

• Spelling and grammar

• Formatting and readability

You can also:

• Add missing skills or keywords instantly

• Download your optimized CV in multiple templates (Modern, Sidebar, or Line-by-Line)

Upload your CV and get your ATS score now.

Final tips to beat the ATS 

• Tailor your CV for each job application.

• Keep it simple, structured, and keyword-rich.

• Double-check spelling and consistency.

• Always run your CV through an ATS checker before submitting.

The secret to getting more interviews is not just your experience, it’s how well your CV communicates with software.
An ATS-friendly CV ensures that your qualifications are visible to both the system and the recruiter reviewing it.

Use our Free ATS CV Checker today to see how your CV performs and start improving your match score in minutes.