What the heck is ATS?

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System and it is used to transfer the information from your CV onto an employer's or recruiter's own system. Sometimes they also use it to sort through the CVs.

It is software so it prefers a simple layout in order to collect the info it needs or check certain criteria is met. For example, they may have asked for people with a degree for a role, it may be set to check CVs for this qualification, and reject those without it. This could lead to a rejection if your CV has that info but it isn't picked up.

So here are some things to AVOID:

• Photos – (not wanted on UK CVs anyway)
• Imagery/graphics – not a great idea and systems can’t read them
• Coloured text or background behind text – could cause issues but not advisable anyway, coloured lines or blocks are fine.
• Old or fancy fonts - use standard ones and ideally one of the main contenders – Calibri, Verdana, Georgia..(I hate Arial, but feel free to use it!)
• Text boxes – not a good idea as info may get missed off when scanned in
• Columns – use tabs instead – two column CVs are especially problematic
• Tiny text - a minimum of font size 10 please.
• Don't put valuable info in headers or footers.

Want to stand out? Use your content!! That is what really counts.

Is ATS out to get you?

No, of course not! 

It is merely a system to sort and gather info from CVs, not an anti-CV monster!

It may not been the end of the world if your CV is too fancy and it can't be understood by the ATS, as it is very possible they will contact you and tell you if they can’t read the CV with their system BUT

1. This causes unnecessary work for them 
2. They may miss parts of your CV off without you knowing (a whole text box for example) 
3. They may not contact you except to reject your application and you won't know why.

Play it safe with a simple layout, make it easy to read and straightforward and you shouldn’t need to worry!