How to Write an ATS-Friendly CV
Larger employers and most international ones run CVs through applicant tracking software first. It does not judge your writing — it tries to read your CV into fields, and a layout it cannot parse can drop you before a person ever looks.
Build this CV in the editor.
Start building →Layout is what breaks parsing
Use a single-column layout with ordinary headings — Experience, Education, Skills. Text inside tables, text boxes, headers, footers, or images is often missed entirely, which is how a perfectly good CV arrives half-empty.
Stick to a standard font, use real bullet characters rather than drawn symbols, and send a PDF unless the employer asks for Word.
Use the words from the advert
Recruiters search their system for the terms in the job description. If the advert says "reconciliation" and your CV says "matching accounts", you will not appear. Mirror the advert's wording where it is honestly true of you — never claim a skill you do not have.
Spell out abbreviations at least once, so both the short and long form are searchable.
Keep the basics machine-readable
Put your contact details in the body of the document, not in the header. Use one date format throughout. Name the file with your own name so a recruiter can find it later.
Frequently asked questions
- Is PDF or Word better for an ATS?
- Modern systems read PDF reliably, and PDF keeps your layout intact everywhere. Send Word only when an employer specifically asks for it.
- How do I know if my CV is ATS-friendly?
- CVNepal's builder has an ATS score check — paste the job description and it tells you what to fix. Its templates are single-column and parse cleanly by design.