How I restructured my CV after ATS failures: A guide to getting noticed by recruiters
Applying to jobs is stressful, but navigating ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) can feel impossible. After testing my CV through multiple ATS tools this year, I realised how fragile and arbitrary these systems can be. Some butchered my CV, some invented content, and some gave random scores, basically unpredictable.
Through trial and error, I learned what really works for ATS-friendly CVs and how to get your resume noticed by recruiters. Here’s a step-by-step guide to improving your CV, optimising it for ATS, and boosting your chances of landing an interview.
1. Simplify your layout for ATS and recruiters
ATS systems often struggle with fancy formatting. Columns, tables, graphics, or decorative templates can be scrambled, skipped, or ignored entirely.
Tips for an ATS-friendly CV layout:
Use one-column layouts with left-aligned text.
Stick to standard bullet points.
Avoid headers and footers for contact info; ATS might not parse them.
Keep spacing consistent — no hidden text or unusual line breaks.
Your CV should be machine-readable and easily scannable by recruiters. Humans usually spend only 30 seconds scanning a resume, so clarity matters.
2. Use standard section names
ATS systems recognize conventional headings best. Use clear, standard section names:
Experience
Education
Skills
Certifications
Contact Info
Avoid creative section names like “My Journey” or “Stuff I’ve Done.” They may look fun to but can confuse ATS, causing important information to be missed.
3. Focus on readability over design
While PDFs are fine, they need to be clean and text-based. Avoid embedded images, logos, or progress bars.
Icons and graphics often disappear or break parsing.
Stick with standard fonts and sizes — readability > style.
Keep your CV professional and easy to scan quickly.
4. Highlight the story behind your achievements
A resume isn’t a diary, but it’s more than a bullet list of responsibilities. Recruiters care about how you achieved your results, not just what you did.
Include context: challenges faced, strategies used, and outcomes achieved.
Use metrics where possible: e.g., “Increased sales by 30% in 6 months” instead of “Responsible for sales.”
Show problem-solving, initiative, and results — your thought process matters.
5. Customize your CV for each job
Keywords matter, but don’t stuff them unnaturally. Scan the job description and naturally include relevant terms in your CV.
Even similar roles may require different skills or keywords.
Think like both a recruiter and a system: your CV should pass ATS filters and resonate with human readers.
6. Achievements + context > laundry lists
Only include relevant experiences.
Explain how you achieved results, not just what the results were.
Recruiters want to understand your impact and reasoning, not just your titles.
7. Keep your CV concise and scannable
Aim for 1–2 pages.
Use bullet points, action verbs, and measurable results.
Avoid long paragraphs or overly detailed histories; ATS reads everything, but humans scan fast.
Check your CV against Job Descriptions
Once I restructured my CV, I used a free tool that compares your CV with a job description. It highlights missing keywords, misaligned sections, and shows whether your resume actually fits the role. It’s not magic, but it’s a helpful sanity check before you hit “apply.”
ATS isn’t perfect, every company’s system is slightly different, and no online score is 100% accurate. By:
Simplifying your layout
Standardizing sections
Highlighting achievements + context
Tailoring your CV for each job
…you drastically increase the chances your resume will be read by both machines and human recruiters.
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