Applicant tracking systems

Some larger organisations and job sites use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) which use scanning software, looking for keywords and phrases that match the job description.

If you think your CV or application may be scanned by software then use our tips below to ensure your CV makes it through the first sift:

• Ensure you follow any available instructions
• Use relevant keywords that match the job description or person specification.
• Use standard fonts, eg Arial, Calibri, Georgia, Tahoma, Verdana
• Don't use headers and footers, tables, graphics and logos
• Use clear simple headings, eg ‘Work experience’, rather than ‘Professional expertise’
• Provide the full titles of qualifications or organisations that you have worked for, plus abbreviations or acronyms, eg The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
• Add dates at the end of the line when listing your qualifications and work experience, eg Oxfam Shop, Sheffield - Part-time Sales Assistant, Sept 2021 - Jun 2022
• Submit your CV as a word document (.doc), text (.txt) or rich text (.rtf) file. Only convert it into a PDF file if you are instructed to do so, or you know it will be read by a person rather than a system. If in doubt, check with the recruiter.