ATS CV Formatting: Layouts That Work for Humans & Software
📌 This article is part of our Quick Wins & ATS Mastery series. If you’re just joining us, start with The 10-Minute ATS Fix: Simple CV Tweaks That Boost Interviews for the foundation. We’ve also covered Keywords That Matter: How to Mirror Job Descriptions Without Keyword Stuffing. This post builds on those lessons, and together with four more, will feed into our upcoming 1,500-word anchor guide bringing every strategy together.
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) don’t just scan for keywords — they also process the structure and format of your CV. If the layout isn’t ATS-friendly, vital details can get scrambled or lost altogether.
The challenge? Many CVs that sail smoothly through an ATS end up looking plain, bland, or outdated to human recruiters. Others look beautiful to the human eye but collapse into nonsense when parsed by an ATS.
The sweet spot is a CV that’s structured cleanly enough to pass software checks while still appealing visually to the person reading it. Here’s how to strike the balance.
Why Formatting Matters for ATS
ATS software reads your CV in a linear fashion, scanning from top to bottom and mapping text into categories. The problem is that many design choices — like text boxes, graphics, tables, or columns — confuse the parser.
For example:
- Information in a sidebar may get ignored entirely.
- Headers inserted as images won’t be picked up.
- Fancy fonts and symbols can appear as garbled characters.
👉 FAQ: What is ATS-friendly formatting?
ATS-friendly formatting means structuring your CV with simple layouts, clear headings, and text-based content so that software can parse it accurately.
Common Formatting Mistakes That Break ATS
Some candidates unknowingly design their CV in ways that cause parsing issues. Mistakes to avoid include:
- Overusing graphics or tables: ATS may not extract the information.
- Using unusual fonts: Stick to standard, professional fonts like Arial or Calibri.
- Headers/footers packed with information: Some systems skip them entirely.
- Creative job titles: Fun for branding, but invisible to search filters.
👉 FAQ: Can ATS read tables or columns in a CV?
Most ATS struggle with tables and multi-column layouts. Even if it looks neat to you, the system may jumble or skip the content.
How to Format a CV That Works for Both Machines and Humans
1. Use a Clean, Linear Structure
Stick with a single-column layout. Group content under standard headings like Professional Experience, Education, Skills, and Summary.
2. Keep Headings Standardised
Recruiters and ATS expect familiar section titles. Instead of creative labels like “My Journey”, use Professional Experience.
👉 FAQ: Should I use creative section headings?
No. ATS are programmed to look for standard terms like Experience or Education. Creative headings can cause important information to be missed.
3. Avoid Over-Styling
Minimal formatting ensures clarity. Bold for job titles, italics for organisations, and bullet points for achievements are enough.
4. Use White Space Wisely
Don’t cram everything onto one page. White space improves readability and helps both humans and machines parse your information effectively.
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5. Make It Easy for Humans Too
Remember, once past the ATS, your CV still needs to impress a recruiter.
- Use bullet points to make achievements scannable.
- Keep to two pages at executive level.
- Balance simplicity with a polished look.
👉 FAQ: How do I balance ATS formatting with design appeal?
Keep the core layout simple and machine-readable, but use professional spacing, consistent font sizing, and a logical flow to make it easy for humans to skim.
A Simple Framework for ATS-Friendly Formatting
- Strip back – Remove unnecessary graphics, logos, and tables.
- Standardise – Use conventional headings and fonts.
- Simplify – Test whether your CV is clear when copied into plain text.
If it still makes sense without formatting, it will almost certainly pass an ATS scan.
Final Thought
Your CV’s format shouldn’t be the reason you’re overlooked. By keeping it simple, structured, and professional, you’ll make sure your document survives ATS parsing and makes a strong impression on the recruiters who matter.
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📌 This blog is part of our Quick Wins & ATS Mastery series. Catch up on The 10-Minute ATS Fix: Simple CV Tweaks That Boost Interviews and Keywords That Matter: How to Mirror Job Descriptions Without Keyword Stuffing, and look out for the next post as we move toward our definitive 1,500-word guide covering all seven strategies in one place
