ATS Friendly CV Tips: Passing the Screening Test in Ireland

Writing a CV that gets noticed in Ireland today means doing more than just listing your education and work history: it means beating the robots. Many Irish employers—including multinationals and large local firms—use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen CVs before a human ever sees them. If you want your application to make it through this first hurdle, you need to format, phrase, and present your CV in ways that the software understands. That’s why people often seek out the Best CV Writing Service Ireland — experienced writers know how to craft documents that satisfy both ATS filters and hiring managers alike.

Below are detailed tips to make your CV ATS‑friendly and improve your chances of being shortlisted for interviews in Ireland.

1. Use Standard, Simple Formatting

Stick to basic layouts. Avoid columns, text boxes, graphics, tables, or fancy formatting. ATS tools often misread or completely skip over content in these elements.
Choose common fonts. Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman are safe bets. Font sizes between 11‑12pt for body text and slightly larger (14‑16pt) for headings are widely accepted.
Avoid placing important info in headers or footers. Many ATS ignore or misinterpret data in those parts, so put contact details, name, and summary in the main body.

2. Use Clear Section Headings

Use standard headings like Work Experience, Education, Skills, Summary or Professional Profile. If you use creative or non‑standard headings (e.g. “My Journey”, “What I Bring”), some ATS may not recognise them. Confirm consistency: same heading style, same capitalization, same positioning where possible. That helps both machine parsing and human readability.

3. Tailor Your CV with Relevant Keywords

Mirror the job description. Read what terms, skills, qualifications the job ad asks for, then naturally incorporate those exact phrases. For example, if “budget management” or “team leadership” appears, use those phrases.
Include both full forms and abbreviations.g. “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)” or “Customer Relationship Management (CRM)” so ATS catches either version.
Don’t keyword‑stuff. Overloading your CV with repeated keywords feels unnatural and may backfire — ATS or the recruiter may penalize it. Aim for balance.

4. Order Your Content Wisely

Chronological or hybrid format is preferred. Most Irish jobseekers should list the most recent role first. Hybrid formats that start with summary or key skills followed by chronological history are also effective.
Avoid functional‑only formats unless you have a strong reason (e.g. career gaps). Some ATS might not pick up experience correctly if structure is unconventional.

5. Optimize File Type & Naming

Preferred formats. Usually .docx (Microsoft Word) is safest. Some ATS accept PDFs, but some older systems handle them poorly. Always check the job ad for format instructions.
Simple file name. Use something like docx so that when your document is saved or shared it’s immediately identifiable

6. Highlight Achievements, Not Just Duties

Don’t just list what you did; show what you achieved. Use numbers, metrics, outcomes. Example: “Increased sales by 20% over 6 months” rather than “Responsible for sales”.
Use bullet points under each role to make achievements scannable. Avoid long blocks of text.

7. Keep It Concise & Relevant

For most roles in Ireland, aim for 1‑2 pages. If you are early in your career, one page often suffices. More senior roles may justify more pages
Remove irrelevant or outdated info. If something from long ago doesn’t add value or connect to what you’re applying for, consider leaving it out.

8. Proofread & Test

Check for spelling, grammar, consistency of tense and date formats. Mistakes can cost you, even if the ATS passes you. A typo could prevent a keyword match.
Test your CV with an ATS scanner if possible. There are free tools (or paid ones) that simulate how an ATS reads your CV. This reveals formatting or keyword issues you may miss.

9. Align with Irish CV Conventions

Irrelevant personal data should be avoided: things like age, marital status, photo (unless job specifically requires). Irish CVs usually favour letting your qualifications and experience speak first.
References: you can say “References available upon request” rather than listing names and contact details on the CV itself.

Final Thoughts

Creating an ATS‑friendly CV doesn’t mean stripping away your personality or professional story—it means packaging that story in a format that both machines and human recruiters can understand quickly. For jobseekers in Ireland, where ATS usage is significant especially among larger companies, these optimisations can make the difference between your CV being overlooked and getting an interview.

If you’re unsure or struggling to get your CV through the ATS stage, consider using professionals who specialise in CV writing and optimization—they bring experience, insight, and industry awareness that can help. With the right approach, your CV will not only “pass the test” but also present you as the candidate worth interviewing.