ATS CV checklist

Use an ATS CV checklist to improve clarity, not to stuff more keywords into the document.

A CV can be technically readable and still weak for the role. The useful checklist is the one that combines ATS basics with vacancy-specific evidence, recruiter scanability, and interview risk.

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Key takeaways

ATS readiness starts with structure and readable content.

Keywords should support real evidence, not replace it.

The final CV should be easy for both software and recruiters to scan.

1Use a simple document structure

Keep headings predictable, avoid overly complex layouts, and make sure experience, education, skills, and contact details are easy to parse.

2Match the role without copying it blindly

Use the job description to prioritize relevant skills and evidence, but avoid pasting exact phrases where they do not fit your real background.

3Move the strongest evidence into the first scan

Recruiters often skim quickly. The top third of the CV should make the target role and strongest proof obvious.

4Check every claim for interview risk

If a tailored bullet creates a question you cannot answer, revise it before sending. ATS optimization should never create credibility problems.

5Validate the final version against the vacancy

Do one final pass for missing must-haves, unclear dates, weak language levels, inconsistent titles, and generic AI wording.

Mistakes to avoid

Treating ATS optimization as a keyword density game.

Using graphics or layouts that make core experience harder to parse.

Adding skills that are not supported anywhere in the CV.

Checking the CV without looking at the actual vacancy.

Quick checklist

Core requirements are visible and supported by evidence.

Section headings are predictable and easy to parse.

Dates, titles, and locations are consistent.

The tailored wording is specific without sounding fabricated.

Frequently asked questions

Additional guidance

Do ATS systems reject every CV without exact keywords?

No. Keywords help, but structure, clarity, and relevance matter too. Exact wording alone cannot fix weak evidence or poor readability.

Should I make a new CV for every job?

You do not need to rewrite everything. The goal is to adjust the most relevant sections so the strongest evidence for that specific role is visible quickly.

These pages go deeper into the same workflow from a product angle.

ATS CV Checker Resume Tailoring Job Fit Analysis