How to get your CV past an application tracking system

Did you know that when you submit a job application, it’s probably read and filtered by a robot before a human ever sees it?

No, this isn’t Star Wars, folks, just the 21st-century job market.

The “robot” is an applicant tracking system (ATS) and it’s a form of gatekeeping software that employers and recruiters use to help them shortlist candidates.

It has other purposes, but this ability to organise and rank applications means you, as a candidate, need to know how it works.

Why? If your application doesn’t meet all the criteria the ATS is looking for, it’ll get filed in the recycle bin.

Here are five top tips to help you beat the bots.  

1.     Incorporate keywords

Keywords are specific words or phrases that relate to the skills (hard and soft), abilities, values, and achievements employers are looking for in a candidate.

ATS’ scan CVs for keywords (which are pre-chosen by the employer) and scores them for relevance. Only the most qualified (aka those with the highest scores) make the cut.

So, you need to include them in your application.

How do you know which keywords to use?

Most hiring managers will programme ATS’ according to the requirements, duties, and skills laid out in the job description. So that’s a good place to start.

Read it thoroughly and highlight the most important words and phrases (as we’ve done for this fundraising role), then think about how you can incorporate them naturally and contextually in your CV and cover letter.

This is key. Remember, if your CV gets past the bots, a human will see it. If it doesn’t read well, all the effort you’ve put in to pleasing the ATS will be for nothing.

It needs to please the bots and the bosses.

Keyword optimisation tips

·        Where possible, use keywords/phrases as they appear in the job description. But if the content doesn’t read well, it’s fine to use variations of them. 

·        In addition to keywords, include action verbs (i.e., managed, developed, planned, maximized) and quantifiable achievements to showcase your skills and experience.

·        Don’t overuse keywords. There’s a term for it: ‘keyword stuffing’ and you’ll be penalised for it.  

·        Abbreviations can be missed if they’re not programmed into the ATS, so play it safe by spelling out words completely. By all means, use industry acronyms, but spell out the words in parenthesis as well to make sure your information gets pulled and ranked.

2.     Use standard section headings

Renaming your ‘Personal Statement’ section to ‘About Me’ or changing ‘Work Experience’ to ‘Professional Contributions’ might seem like a great way to set your CV apart; it could be the reason you don’t make it through an ATS.

Why? An ATS will scan your CV for relevant keywords and categorise them in relation to the headings they come under.

However, it won’t recognise headings it doesn’t have in its database, so your best is to stick to standardised variations.

To be safe, stick to the Work Experience, Education, Qualifications, and Key Skills.

Bonus Tip: The same goes for job titles. Use industry-standard titles rather than fancy ones your previous employers may have come up with to differentiate the job.

3.     Focus on format

You might be tempted to mix up the format of your CV to make it stand out, but an ATS is more interested in simplicity.

So, veto the frills, and focus on the facts.

Fancy graphics, symbols, logos, text boxes, and tables will confuse it. And other formatting tools like headers and footers will do you more harm than good, as the ATS will filter them out – meaning a ton of crucial information could be completely lost.

4.     Check your spelling

This goes for any CV, but it’s especially important for an ATS-friendly one.

Human eyes may forgive the odd typo (or at least be able to figure out what you’re trying to say); but an ATS? Nope.

Getting one letter out of place could stop your CV from making it through the filtering stage. So, be sure to proofread it before you send it off – twice.

5.     Choose the right file type

Not all ATS’ accept PDFs. So, before uploading your documents, check for a list of acceptable file formats.

If PDF isn’t listed, upload a .doc or .docx version instead.

Final Word

Every ATS is different, so there’s no surefire way to beat the bots. But you’ll improve your chances of passing through the system and getting your CV into the hands of a human by following these tips.

Need some help with your CV?  Give us a call on 020 3750 3111 or email us at info@bamboofundraising.co.uk to get the ball rolling.