CV guide · Updated 15 October 2026
ATS explained: how applicant tracking systems read your CV
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is software employers use to collect and manage applications. It turns your CV into text so recruiters can search and sort candidates. Most ATS don't 'reject' CVs on their own; recruiters search and filter. But if the software can't read your CV, your experience may not show up.
What an ATS does
- Extracts text from your file and fills fields such as name, job titles and dates
- Lets recruiters search for keywords, such as a qualification or software
- Sometimes asks knockout questions (for example, right to work or a required licence)
- Tracks where each candidate is in the hiring process
Formatting that ATS read badly
- Text in images, icons or text boxes
- Multi-column layouts and tables used for layout
- Headers and footers containing contact details
- Unusual section headings ('My journey' instead of 'Experience')
- Scanned PDFs (they're images, not text)
Tip: Test it: copy all the text from your PDF and paste it into a plain text editor. If it comes out jumbled or empty, an ATS will struggle too. The free CV checker does this for you.
Keywords without stuffing
Use the exact words from the advert where they're true: the job title, qualifications, software and core skills. Put them in context in your experience, not in a hidden list. Keyword stuffing may pass a search but fails with the human who reads it next.
The keyword extractor shows which advert terms are already in your CV.
Word or PDF?
Follow the advert. When it doesn't say, a simply formatted Word document or a text-based PDF both work with modern ATS.
FAQs
Is there such a thing as an ATS score?
Some systems rank candidates, but there's no universal score. Tools that give an 'ATS score' (including ours) estimate readability and keyword match; they can't see a specific employer's settings.
Do small employers use ATS?
Many do, often through job boards or HR software. Large employers and the public sector almost always use one.