What is an ATS?

What is an ATS?

In today’s competitive job market, particularly in Ireland, understanding how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) influence the recruitment process is crucial. This article explores what an ATS is, how to tailor your CV for both ATS and AI, and evaluates the advantages and potential pitfalls of using AI tools in CV writing.

Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

What is an ATS? An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software application used by employers and recruitment agencies to manage the hiring process. It automates the collection, sorting, and ranking of job applications, enabling recruiters to handle large volumes of CVs efficiently. ATS software scans CVs for specific keywords and phrases that match the job description, filtering out applications that do not meet the set criteria.

In Ireland, as in many other countries, the use of ATS is widespread across various industries. Therefore, understanding how to create an ATS-friendly CV is essential for job seekers aiming to increase their chances of securing interviews.

How to Complete a CV for ATS and AI

To ensure your CV is optimised for ATS and AI screening, consider the following best practices:

1. Use a Simple and Clean Format

Avoid complex layouts, graphics, tables, and images. Stick to standard fonts. Use clear headings and bullet points to organise information. Save your CV in a Word document (.doc or .docx) or PDF format, as these are commonly accepted by ATS.

2. Incorporate Relevant Keywords

Carefully read the job description and identify keywords related to skills, qualifications, and experience. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your CV, particularly in the professional summary, skills, and experience sections. This alignment increases the likelihood of your CV passing through ATS filters.

3. Focus on Achievements and Quantifiable Results

Highlight your accomplishments with specific examples and quantifiable results. For instance, instead of stating “Managed a team,” specify “Managed a team of 10 employees, increasing productivity by 15% over six months.”

4. Tailor Your CV for Each Application

Customise your CV for each job application by emphasising the most relevant skills and experiences. This targeted approach demonstrates your suitability for the specific role and improves your CV’s performance in ATS screenings.

5. Avoid Uncommon Acronyms and Abbreviations

Use standard terminology and avoid acronyms or abbreviations that may not be recognised by ATS. If you must use an acronym, include the full term the first time it appears, followed by the acronym in parentheses.

Should You Use AI to Write a CV?

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to write CVs has grown rapidly in recent years. These platforms offer convenience and speed, often providing ready-made templates and keyword suggestions. However, while AI can support the CV writing process, it is not without its limitations, especially when it comes to quality, accuracy, and personalisation.

Benefits of Using AI:

• Efficiency: AI can help generate a basic structure or draft, saving time for individuals unfamiliar with formatting or layout conventions.
• Grammar and Style Checks: Certain platforms offer spelling and grammar support, which may improve readability.

Why Caution is Needed:

• Lack of Authenticity: AI-generated CVs can appear generic, formulaic, or impersonal. They often fail to capture your unique career story, strengths, and tone of voice, elements which are essential in differentiating you from other candidates.
• Limited Understanding of Context: AI may misinterpret or oversimplify job roles, achievements, or industry-specific terminology, resulting in inaccuracies or vague statements.
• Overuse of Buzzwords: Many AI tools rely heavily on clichéd phrases and buzzwords, which can weaken your impact and credibility with recruiters.
• Inconsistent Formatting: While templates may look appealing, they are not always optimised for ATS, which can lead to rejection before a human ever sees your CV.

A More Personal and Strategic Approach

A professionally written CV, tailored by a human expert who understands your industry, your goals, and your value, will always outperform a generic, machine-generated document. At The CV Agency, we combine deep expertise in recruitment, CV writing, and ATS compatibility to craft documents that reflect your individuality while meeting the exacting standards of modern employers.

Our service is not just about writing, it is about positioning you for success.

Key Takeaways

• Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are used by employers to filter CVs based on keywords, structure, and relevance before they reach a human recruiter.
• ATS-friendly CVs must use clean, simple formatting, include relevant keywords from the job description, and avoid images, graphics, and unusual fonts.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in both CV screening and CV writing, but it has limitations in understanding context, tone, and personal achievements.
• AI-generated CVs may lack authenticity, contain generic content, and potentially include errors or overused buzzwords that reduce your impact.
• Customisation and human insight remain critical, tailoring your CV to the specific role and showcasing unique achievements improves results with both ATS and human reviewers.
• Professional CV writing services offer a more strategic and personalised approach, ensuring your application stands out while meeting ATS requirements.

Ready to have a human expert write an ATS compatible CV?

Click here to contact us with your CV, email us at cv@cvagency.ie or phone us on +35314991466.