5 Tips to Get Your CV Past AI Resume Filters

The rise of AI-powered recruitment technology means that job applications are increasingly screened by machines long before they reach a hiring manager’s inbox. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and AI filters are designed to help recruiters manage the huge volume of applications they receive, but for jobseekers, it introduces a new challenge  – how to write a CV that can get past the machine and land on a recruiter’s desk.

And the competition is only intensifying. New ONS figures show that between March and May 2025, UK job vacancies fell by 63,000. Also JobAdder, the cloud-based recruitment software platform, released its 2025 State of Recruitment Report which showed that job applications have jumped 42% year-over-year, with British recruiters now handling an average of 767 CVs per quarter.

So how do you ensure your application isn’t discarded before it’s even seen? Here are five recruiter-approved tips to help you beat the bots and give yourself the best shot at securing that interview.

1. Remember to Be Human

Optimising for AI is crucial, but don’t let the pendulum swing too far. At the end of the process, your CV will land in front of a real person – and if it reads like it was written by a robot, it won’t do you any favours.

“Never let AI do all the work for you on your CV –  it sticks out like a sore thumb to recruiters, and you’ll end up at the bottom of the pile,” says JobAdder’s AI Expert, Joel Delmaire. “While it’s important to optimise for machines, your CV should still sound like you. Recruiters want to get a sense of your personality, tone, and real-life achievements.”

That means avoiding jargon overload or copying and pasting job descriptions into your CV. Instead, balance keyword optimisation with authentic storytelling about what you achieved and how you delivered value in past roles.

2. Use Keywords from the Job Description

When it comes to CV writing in the age of AI, keywords are king.

“Carefully read the job posting and mirror the exact keywords and phrases used in the ad — especially when it comes to skills, qualifications, and job titles,” says Dan Oates, Recruiter, Founder, and Career Coach at BBFGroup.

Many ATS platforms score candidates by matching their CV against the language in the job description. That means if the ad says “Project Manager” and your CV says “Programme Manager,” the system may not recognise the overlap. Similarly, if the posting lists “stakeholder management” as a required skill, but your CV phrases it as “relationship building,” you risk being overlooked.

The takeaway? Tailor your CV for every role. A generic, one-size-fits-all CV will struggle to perform against AI filters, whereas a tailored version shows the right match and increases your chances of being shortlisted.

3. Use Standard Headings

Creativity might impress a human reader, but to an AI system, it can look like nonsense.

Stick to conventional section titles such as Work Experience, Education, Skills, and Certifications. These are the labels that ATS software is programmed to recognise.

“Creative headings like ‘My Journey’ or ‘What I Bring’ might look unique, but they can confuse ATS systems,” Oates continues. “To make sure your experience is properly categorised and scored, stay consistent and clear.”

This doesn’t mean your CV has to be boring – you can still make the content engaging and well-written. But when it comes to section labels, clarity beats creativity every time.

4. Avoid Headers, Footers, and Text Boxes

In design terms, less is more. Many jobseekers spend hours making their CV visually striking, only to discover that design-heavy formats often fail at the first hurdle.

“Skip design features like images, charts, text boxes, headers, and footers – most ATS software can’t read them,” warns Kerry Sudale, CEO and founder of Sudale Search & Select. “Even if your CV looks sleek, content placed in these areas might be invisible to the system. That means key information could be missed, or worse, your application could be rejected entirely.”

Instead, opt for a clean, text-based format. Use bullet points to break up dense information, keep fonts simple and readable, and ensure there is a logical flow. Remember, your CV’s first reader might be an algorithm – so make sure it can actually read what you’ve written.

5. Test Your CV Using Online ATS Checkers

Even the most careful CV writers can miss something. That’s why testing your CV before you send it can give you an edge.

“There are free tools online such as Jobscan – where you can upload your CV alongside the job description to see how well they align and whether the ATS will successfully pass your information,” continues Sudale.

These tools simulate how ATS software scans your CV. They provide feedback on keyword matches, highlight formatting issues, and suggest ways to improve your score. By running your CV through a checker before submitting it, you can catch small mistakes that could otherwise cost you an interview.

AI has transformed the hiring process, making it faster for recruiters but trickier for candidates. In today’s competitive job market, passing through an AI filter is now as important as impressing the hiring manager who eventually reads your CV.

By tailoring your CV with the right keywords, sticking to standard formatting, avoiding design pitfalls, testing with ATS tools, and keeping your human voice intact, you give yourself the best chance of moving from application to interview.

Because no matter how smart the algorithms get, the goal remains the same: to get your CV into the hands of the person who can offer you the job.

www.jobadder.com