Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are increasingly part of the recruitment process. It is highly likely that your CV will be reviewed by AI before a human ever sees it.

Here are three tips for getting your CV past AI:

1. Ensure that your CV is tailor-made for the job you are applying for – AI algorithms typically scan for similarities between the job description and your documents. Hence, use keywords from the job description and the organisation’s website in all the documents you are required to submit, especially your CV and cover letter.
2. Format your CV appropriately – Use minimal graphics and pictures that AI may find hard to scan and will overlook. Do not put critical information in headers or footers. Use plain readable text for maximum effect.
3. Upload your CV as a word document – This is anathema to everything I have previously stood for, but we must “roll with the times”. The “bots” find it easier to scan word documents compared to PDFs, so if you think AI is going to be your CVs first point of contact, consider uploading a word document.