How to Make Your CV ATS-Friendly in South Africa

What Is an Applicant Tracking System?

An applicant tracking system is software used by employers and recruitment agencies to receive and manage employment applications.

An ATS may help an employer to:

• Receive online applications.
• Store candidate information.
• Organise applications by vacancy.
• Search CVs for qualifications and skills.
• Apply screening questions.
• Track interview and recruitment stages.
• Communicate with applicants.

Recruitment software does not always make the final hiring decision. Recruiters and hiring managers still assess applications, but the system helps them manage large numbers of candidates.

Why an ATS-Friendly CV Matters

Employers may receive hundreds of applications for one position. Recruiters may search their recruitment system for qualifications and skills such as:

• Microsoft Excel.
• Customer service.
• Data capturing.
• Project management.
• Claims assessment.
• HPCSA registration.
• SANC registration.
• SAPC registration.
• Financial administration.
• Valid driver’s licence.

Clear wording and standard headings help software and recruiters understand your background.

Use a Simple One-Column Layout

A single-column layout is normally safer because information flows from the top of the page to the bottom in a predictable order.

A suitable order is:

1. Full name and contact details.
2. Professional profile.
3. Key skills.
4. Employment history.
5. Education and qualifications.
6. Professional registration.
7. Training and certificates.
8. Technical skills.
9. Languages.
10. References.

Use Standard Section Headings

Recommended headings include:

• Professional Profile.
• Key Skills.
• Employment History.
• Work Experience.
• Education.
• Qualifications.
• Professional Registration.
• Training and Certificates.
• Technical Skills.
• Languages.
• References.

Avoid unclear headings such as:

• My Journey.
• My Story.
• What I Bring.
• My Superpowers.
• Where I Have Been.

Use Relevant Keywords From the Vacancy

Read the job advertisement and identify the most important requirements, including:

• Position title.
• Qualifications.
• Years of experience.
• Professional registration.
• Computer systems.
• Technical skills.
• Main duties.
• Required certificates.
• Workplace competencies.

Include matching terms only where they accurately describe your real experience and qualifications.

Write a Targeted Professional Profile

Your profile should summarise your profession, experience, strongest skills and suitability for the advertised role.

Make Employment History Easy to Read

List your most recent position first and include:

• Official job title.
• Employer name.
• Location.
• Starting and ending dates.
• Relevant responsibilities.
• Measurable achievements.

Use one date style throughout the CV, such as:

January 2023 – Present

Begin responsibilities with action words such as:

• Managed.
• Processed.
• Prepared.
• Assessed.
• Coordinated.
• Analysed.
• Implemented.
• Maintained.
• Resolved.
• Improved.

ATS-Friendly CV Examples

The following examples demonstrate simple, readable CV structures for different professions. All names and contact information are fictional.

Administrative Officer CV Example

Clear employment history, standard headings and relevant office-administration keywords.

Professional Nurse CV Example

Includes SANC registration, patient-care skills and relevant clinical responsibilities.

IT Support Technician CV Example

Shows technical systems, certifications, support experience and standard ATS-recognisable headings.

Write Qualification Names in Full

Use the official name of each qualification, followed by the abbreviation where appropriate.

Include Relevant Technical and Computer Skills

Examples include:

• Microsoft Word.
• Microsoft Excel.
• Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Microsoft Outlook.
• Microsoft 365.
• Google Workspace.
• SAP.
• Pastel.
• Power BI.
• SQL.
• Linux.
• Active Directory.
• Electronic medical records.
• Claims-management systems.

Focus on software and platforms that are relevant to the advertised vacancy.

Formatting Elements to Avoid

Important information in headers or footers

Place your name, telephone number and email address inside the main document body near the top of the first page.

Text boxes

Some systems may read text boxes in the wrong order or ignore them.

Important text inside images

ATS software may not read wording placed inside photographs, graphics, charts or screenshots.

Skill bars and percentages

Replace vague percentages with practical descriptions.

Complicated tables

Normal headings and bullet points are usually safer than building the entire CV inside tables.

Decorative fonts

Use a readable font such as Arial, Calibri, Aptos, Helvetica or Verdana.

Use the Correct File Format

Follow the instructions in the job advertisement or recruitment portal.

Common formats include:

• PDF.
• Microsoft Word document.

Before uploading the document:

• Open every page.
• Confirm that text is not cut off.
• Check that the wording can be selected.
• Confirm that you selected the correct version.
• Remove password protection.
• Use a professional filename.

Run a Plain-Text Test

1. Open your completed CV.
2. Select all the text.
3. Copy it.
4. Paste it into Notepad or another text editor.
5. Review the reading order.

Check whether:

• Your name appears near the top.
• Section headings remain understandable.
• Job titles remain next to the correct employers.
• Dates appear in the correct places.
• No important information is missing.
• The text follows a logical order.

Where the text becomes mixed or confusing, simplify the CV layout.

Do Not Keyword-Stuff or Hide Keywords

Keyword stuffing means repeating job-related words without meaningful context.

Do not place keywords in white text, extremely small font, behind images or outside the visible page.

Use only genuine skills, qualifications and experience.

Tailor the CV for Every Application

1. Read the full vacancy advertisement.
2. Identify compulsory requirements.
3. Confirm that you meet them.
4. Highlight relevant keywords.
5. Update your professional profile.
6. Place relevant skills near the top.
7. Emphasise matching responsibilities.
8. Add relevant achievements.
9. Remove unrelated information.
10. Proofread the final version.

Final ATS-Friendly CV Checklist

• The CV uses one main column.
• Your name and contact details are in the body.
• Standard section headings are used.
• Your professional profile matches the vacancy.
• Relevant keywords appear naturally.
• Your official job titles are clear.
• Employment dates are consistent.
• Responsibilities begin with action words.
• Relevant achievements are included.
• Qualification names are written clearly.
• Professional registration is listed.
• Technical skills are relevant.
• No important text appears only inside images.
• Complicated text boxes are avoided.
• The document can be copied as plain text.
• A readable font is used.
• The requested file format is used.
• The filename is professional.
• The correct CV version is uploaded.