ATS CV Guide
ATS-friendly CVs still need to impress humans.
What is an ATS-friendly CV?
An ATS-friendly CV is one that can be accurately read by applicant tracking software and still makes a strong impression on the recruiter who opens it. It uses standard formatting, clear section headings, and role-relevant language — without relying on images, tables, or unusual designs that systems cannot parse.
ATS-friendly CV checklist
Common mistakes that hurt ATS readability
Overdesigned layouts
Canva-style and heavily graphic CVs often fail to parse correctly. Systems may read columns in the wrong order or miss entire sections.
Keyword stuffing
Listing keywords without context looks suspicious to both systems and reviewers. Connect skills to actual work.
Europass overload
Europass is long by default. For private-sector roles, a shorter focused CV often performs better.
Missing achievements
Listing duties without results gives the system — and the recruiter — nothing to judge your impact by.
Generic AI phrases
"Result-oriented professional with a passion for excellence" tells no system or human anything useful.
Quick self-check
Make your CV easier to parse and easier to understand.
ATS readability gets your CV processed. Human clarity gets your CV understood. Kaeros focuses on both.
Frequently asked questions
Does ATS automatically reject my CV?
Not always. Some systems flag or rank CVs rather than outright reject them. But a poorly formatted CV may never reach a human reviewer at all.
Is Europass ATS-friendly?
Europass is readable but can be too long. Many recruiters at private companies prefer a shorter, focused CV over the full Europass format.
Do Canva or design-heavy CVs work?
They look impressive visually but often fail ATS parsing. If the company uses an ATS, design-heavy CVs are a risk.
How do I know which keywords to use?
Read the job posting carefully. Use the same terms the employer uses — naturally, within your actual experience.
Should I submit as PDF or Word?
PDF is generally safe and preserves formatting. Some systems prefer .docx. When in doubt, submit PDF unless specified otherwise.
Does Kaeros guarantee ATS compatibility?
We write CVs that follow best-practice formatting and use natural, relevant language. We cannot guarantee any specific system's output, but our approach is designed to minimize parsing problems.
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