How to Get Past the Robots and Get Your CV Seen
How to Get Past the Robots and Get Your CV Seen
Did you know that before a human even looks at your job application, it’s probably been scanned, sorted, and—if it doesn’t make the cut—rejected by a robot?
No, this isn’t a sci-fi thriller. It’s just modern recruitment.
Most employers and recruiters now use applicant tracking systems (ATS)—software that filters CVs based on set criteria. If yours doesn’t meet the right requirements, it might never reach a real person. It sounds ruthless, but in a world where some jobs receive hundreds of applications, it’s an efficiency tool. And if you want to get past it, you need to play by its rules.
Write for Humans, But Think Like a Machine
At its core, an ATS is scanning for keywords—specific skills, qualifications, and experience listed in the job description. If a hiring manager is looking for someone with “major donor fundraising experience” and your CV just says you’ve “raised significant funds for charity,” the system might not make the connection.
That’s why you need to mirror the language of the job ad where possible. If the role specifies “CRM experience,” spell out which systems you’ve used—whether it’s Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, or something else. And while it’s tempting to get creative with section headings to stand out, resist the urge. Stick to standard terms like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Key Skills.” Anything too unusual, and the ATS may not categorise your experience correctly.
But here’s the real trick: don’t go overboard. A CV crammed with repetitive keywords will feel robotic when it reaches an actual person. The goal is to pass the ATS without sounding like you’ve written for a machine.
Simplicity Wins Every Time
Design might help a CV stand out to human eyes, but for an ATS, less is more. Fancy fonts, graphics, tables, and text boxes? They can cause vital information to be overlooked or lost. Even headers and footers can create problems, as some systems filter them out entirely.
A simple, well-structured Word document (not a PDF, unless specified) is your safest bet. And check your spelling—because while a recruiter might forgive a typo, an ATS won’t.
Final Thought
There’s no magic formula for beating an ATS, but a well-structured, clearly written CV—one that includes the right keywords without overdoing it—will give you a much better chance of getting through the system and onto a hiring manager’s desk.
And at the end of the day, that’s the goal.
Need help getting your CV ready? We can help.
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