CV fundamentals
10 min read
If you are trying to make your CV ATS friendly, focus first on whether the file can be parsed cleanly and whether the important evidence is written in plain, recognisable language. The strongest ATS-friendly CVs are not stuffed with keywords or built around awkward templates; they use stable formatting, standard headings, and role-relevant wording that still reads well to a human reviewer.
One thing to know
Use standard section headings, simple chronology, and plain text layouts so the ATS can read the document reliably.
Application assets
9 min read
Keyword optimisation on a CV is really about relevance, not stuffing. The strongest CVs use the language employers search for, but they place those terms in the right sections, support them with believable evidence, and keep the document readable to a person scanning quickly. Good keyword work should make the match clearer, not make the writing feel artificial.
One thing to know
Pull keywords from the advert and prioritise the terms that are repeated, essential, or tied to the actual work rather than the company marketing language.