How to beat the ATS (and why most CVs don’t)

Hey YOU 🌼

If you’re here, I’m guessing it’s because you either don’t really know what ATS is… or you want to figure out how to beat it, right?

So here’s my simple explanation.

oh and Hi, my name is Darija. 🥰

I am a super positive Career Coach and a Fractional HR Leader who helps individuals make confident career choices. I guide people through job applications, one-on-one consultations, CV, LinkedIn, and cover letter writing, as well as interview preparation.

My goal is simple: to help you feel seen, ready, and proud of your professional story. 🌿✨

When you apply for a job, your CV doesn’t go straight to a person.

There are two steps you CV needs to pass:

1. The ATS... that’s the software that scans and filters your CV.

2. The recruiter’s review... that’s the actual human reading it.

   
   

Today, let’s talk about the first step: the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

What the ATS actually does

Think of the ATS as a big search engine for recruiters. It looks for specific keywords that match what’s written in the job ad.

So if the company says they need someone with experience in performance management, HR metrics, or employee wellbeing, the system literally scans your CV to find those same words.

If it doesn’t find them, your CV just doesn’t move forward.

That’s why most CVs (around 96%) get filtered out before a human ever sees them.

The job ad is your best friend

The job ad already tells you what the company wants to see. Those bold phrases? They’re not random, they’re the categories that define the role.

Let’s take HR as an example. If you’re an HR professional, your main categories might look like this:

• Performance management

• Recruitment and onboarding

• Culture and engagement

• Employer branding

• Wellbeing programs

• HR analytics and metrics

• Employee relations

  
  

These are your keywords. They’re what the system (and the recruiter) is searching for.

So when you’re writing your CV, you don’t just copy those words you explain how you delivered on them.

Let’s look at a real example

In the image below, I used my company, Thrive Through HR, as an example.

On the left side, there’s a CV for that same role. On the right side, there’s a job ad for an HR Manager.

Now here’s where the magic happens:

• The job ad says “Lead wellbeing programs.”→ The CV says “Created wellbeing programs that reduced sick leave by 40%.”

• The job ad says “Design performance systems.”→ The CV says “Implemented a performance management system that increased productivity by 30%.”

• The job ad says “Build employer branding.”→ The CV says “Led campaigns that doubled candidate applications.”

  
  

The job ad shows what they want.The CV shows how you did it and what results you achieved.

That’s the alignment you need.

How to start doing this yourself

When you’re writing or updating your CV, look at the job ads for the roles you want. Write down the main categories that keep showing up... that’s your keyword base. Then go through your own experience and ask yourself:

“How did I do this?”

“What changed because of my work?”

“What can I prove with numbers or results?”

What makes your CV real.

If you’re not sure about your keywords

Don’t stress. Most people aren’t. If you’d like, just write in the comments what role you’re applying for, and we can go through your main categories together.

The goal is simple:

Your CV should speak the same language as the job ad. That’s how you get past the ATS and onto the recruiter’s desk.

Good luck! 🌸🌸🌸🌸