How to write an ATS-friendly CV (resume) that still reads well to people
Most employers use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to collect applications. It reads your CV (called a resume in Canada) and turns it into text and data fields before a person sees it. If your formatting confuses that step, your details can end up missing or jumbled. These rules keep your CV readable by both software and people.
Keep the layout simple
- Use one column. Two-column designs and text boxes can be read in the wrong order.
- Avoid tables for your main content. Use plain paragraphs and bullet points instead.
- Do not put key details in the header or footer. Some systems skip them. Put your name, email and phone at the top of the main page.
- Skip icons, charts and skill bars. A bar showing "Python 90%" tells a reader nothing and software cannot read it.
- Use a standard font such as Arial, Calibri or Georgia, at 10 to 12 points.
Use standard section names
Headings like Experience, Education, Skills and Summary are easy for software to recognise. Creative names such as "My journey" or "Toolbox" are not.
Write each job the same way
- Job title, company, location, then start and end dates, in the same format every time (for example Mar 2022 to Present).
- Three to six bullets per role, starting with a verb: led, built, reduced, launched.
- Include a number when you honestly have one: team size, revenue, time saved, users served.
Match the language of the job, truthfully
Many systems and recruiters look for the words used in the posting. If the role asks for "stakeholder management" and you have done it, use those words rather than a loose synonym. Only include skills and tools you can discuss in an interview. Padding a CV with keywords you do not have tends to backfire at the interview stage.
Choose the right file type
- Send a .docx or a text-based PDF unless the posting says otherwise.
- Do not send a PDF made from a scanned image or a design tool export that flattens the text.
- Name the file clearly, for example
Jane-Smith-CV.pdf.
A quick self-test
Select all the text in your CV, copy it, and paste it into a plain text editor. If the order is jumbled, words are missing or the dates are scattered, a parser will probably struggle too. Fix the layout until the pasted text reads cleanly from top to bottom.
Tailor it for each role
A general CV is a good starting point, but the best results come from adjusting your summary and top bullets for each role. JobNomad prepares tailored CV suggestions for the strongest matches, based on the full job description, and you decide what to use.