75% of CVs never reach a human reader. We break down exactly how applicant tracking systems work and how to beat them.
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that companies use to collect, sort, and filter job applications before a human recruiter ever sees them. Over 98% of Fortune 500 companies and the majority of mid-size businesses use some form of ATS.
When you submit your CV online, it is almost always parsed by an ATS first. The system extracts your information, scores your application against the job requirements, and ranks you against other candidates — automatically.
The most common reasons:
1. Non-standard formatting ATS parsers struggle with tables, text boxes, headers and footers, columns (in some systems), and graphics. If your CV uses these elements, key information may be extracted incorrectly or missed entirely.
2. Missing keywords ATS systems match your CV against the job description. If the job asks for "project management" and your CV says "led projects," the system may not make the connection — even though a human would.
3. Wrong file format Some ATS systems prefer .docx over .pdf. CV Generator exports clean, ATS-optimized PDFs, but always check the job posting for format requirements.
4. Fancy fonts and icons Custom fonts and icon-based skill sections look great to humans but are invisible or garbled to most parsers.
Every template in CV Generator is built to be ATS-friendly by default:
The most reliable way to pass ATS is to mirror the language of the job description:
Once you pass the ATS, a human reads your CV. All the standard advice applies: clear structure, quantified achievements, and a summary that speaks directly to the role. The ATS gets you in the room — your CV closes the deal.