Finding a job today is not as simple as sending your CV to a company and waiting for a call. Most companies, especially medium to large ones, now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to manage job applications.

That means your CV is not first read by a human. Instead, it is scanned by a software system that decides if your CV matches the job or not. If your CV is not ATS-friendly, it may never even reach the hands of a hiring manager.

In this guide, I’ll explain in very clear, simple steps:

You’ll have everything you need to make a CV that both ATS and human recruiters will love.

What is ATS and Why Should You Care?

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. It’s a type of software used by companies to filter, store, and organize job applications.

Imagine this: A company posts a job, and within a week they receive 500 CVs. No human can go through all of them one by one. 

If your CV is ATS-friendly, it gets ranked higher and passed on to the recruiter. If not, it might get rejected automatically even if you’re highly qualified.

How ATS Reads Your CV

To understand how to make your CV ATS-friendly, let’s quickly look at how ATS scans documents:

1. Text Extraction:.

2. Keyword Matching 

3. Categorization.

4. Ranking

This is why clarity and formatting matter as much as content.

Key Features of an ATS-Friendly CV

Now let’s break down the core elements of a CV that will pass ATS scans:

1. Use a Simple Format

Stick to clean and easy templates Avoid tables, text boxes, logos, or pictures. Use common section headings: “Work Experience,” “Education,” “Skills.”

2. Choose the Right File Type

Best option: Word Document (.docx) or Second option: PDF and do not upload scanned images or unusual formats.

3. Match Keywords

Read the job description carefully Example: If the job asks for “Data Analysis,” don’t just write “Analyzing Data”—use their exact phrase.

4. Keep it Style and Avoid Fancy Element

Use Good fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. And Keep font size between 11–12 for text, 14–16 for headings and also Use bullet points, not long paragraphs and No graphics, no columns, no icons.

Step-by-Step: How to Create an ATS-Friendly CV Online

• Step 1: Use Cvbuilder.io website, Choose a simple ATS-friendly template and fill in your details.

• Step 2: Add Contact Info like Name, Phone, Email, City/Country, LinkedIn. 

• Step 3: Write a Short CV Summary just 2–3 lines about your skills and career highlights.

• Step 4: Work Experience and List jobs and Add title, company, dates, and 3–5 bullet points with results.

• Step 5: Education like Degree, University, Years

• Step 6: Skills List hard and soft that match the job description.

• Step 7: Certifications Add relevant training or online courses.

• Step 8: Save in .PDF from CV Builder.

Sample ATS-Friendly CV Structure

Here’s a sample outline you can copy:

[Full Name] Phone | Email | City, Country | LinkedIn

CV Summary 2–3 sentences highlighting your top skills and achievements.

Work Experience Job Title | Company | City | Dates

• Achievement 1

• Achievement 2

• Achievement 3

Education Degree | University | Year

Skills

• Skill 1

• Skill 2

• Skill 3

Certifications

• Certificate Name | Year

That’s it. Clean, clear, and ATS-ready.

Final Thoughts

Creating an ATS-friendly CV online is not about being fancy, it's about being smart. The goal is simple: make your CV easy for software to read and impressive for humans to review.

If you follow the steps in this guide choosing the right format, using keywords, keeping things simple, and avoiding mistakes you’ll already be ahead of most job seekers.

Remember: Your CV is often your first impression. And in today’s job market, the first person reading it is usually not a person, it's an ATS.

So, take the time to create a CV that works with the system, not against it. That’s how you make sure your skills and achievements actually get seen.