ATS-Friendly CV Format Guide
An ATS-friendly CV uses a single-column layout, standard section headings, common fonts, and avoids tables, images, and multi-column designs. Use .docx or standard PDF format. Karriero can analyze your CV against any job listing and show where formatting or content issues might hurt your ATS score.
Layout and Structure
Use a single-column layout. ATS parsers read top-to-bottom, left-to-right. Multi-column designs, sidebars, and text boxes confuse them. Place your name and contact information at the top of the document body (not in headers or footers, which many ATS skip).
Standard section order: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Skills, Experience, Education, Certifications. Don't get creative with section names. "Where I've Worked" is cute but "Experience" is what the ATS expects.
Fonts and Formatting
Use standard fonts: Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Georgia, or Helvetica. Size 10-12pt for body text, 14-16pt for your name. Use bold for section headings and job titles. Use bullet points for achievements.
Avoid: underlines (can merge with text on parsing), italics for large blocks (harder to parse), colors other than black for body text, and any decorative elements like lines or borders that might be interpreted as characters.
Keywords and Content Optimization
Mirror the exact terminology from the job description. If they say "React.js," write "React.js," not just "React." If they say "project management," don't assume "PM" will be recognized. Include both acronyms and full terms.
Place your most important keywords in the Skills section and early in your experience bullets. ATS algorithms often weight keywords that appear early and frequently.
File Format and Submission
When given a choice, submit .docx. It's the most universally parseable format. Standard PDFs work with most modern ATS, but .docx is safer. Never submit image-based PDFs, Apple Pages files, or Google Docs links.
Before submitting, test your CV by copying all text and pasting into a plain text editor. If the text comes out garbled or out of order, the ATS will have the same problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use a PDF or Word document for ATS?
Use .docx when possible, as it's the most reliably parsed format. Standard text-based PDFs also work with most modern ATS. Avoid scanned or image-based PDFs.
Can I include a photo on my ATS-friendly CV?
No. Photos are not parsed by ATS and can cause formatting issues. They may also introduce bias. Unless specifically requested (common in some European countries), omit photos.
How do I test if my CV is ATS-friendly?
Copy your CV text and paste it into Notepad or a plain text editor. If the text appears in the right order without garbled characters, it's likely ATS-compatible. You can also upload it to Karriero to see your match scores.
Are ATS-friendly CVs boring to look at?
They're clean and professional, not boring. Once your CV passes the ATS, a human will read it. A well-structured, easy-to-scan CV is exactly what recruiters prefer.
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