The trap of ATS screening

Qualified but not being shortlisted? You're not alone. In the name of efficiency, many recruitment processes now rely on rigid applicant tracking systems (ATS) that filter candidates using often narrowly defined criteria. These systems can exclude well-suited executives simply because their CVs do not match predefined parameters.

ATS and RMS: What are they?

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Recruiting Management or Marketing Systems (RMS) are the foundation of recruitment in most large organisations

Recruiting systems have become an essential tool for many organisations in the hiring process, helping recruiters manage and track applicants. Together, these systems represent the foundation of the hiring process in a majority of organisations. However, these systems are not without their challenges.

An ATS is a software application that helps organisations manage the recruiting process. It is a workflow-oriented tool that assists in managing the pipeline of applicants in each step of the recruitment process. ATS systems help automate tasks like screening CVs, scheduling interviews, and managing job postings. The goal of an ATS is to help streamline the recruitment process and save time.

An RMS is a complementary system to the ATS that supports recruiters in all activities related to marketing open positions, sourcing key talent, creating talent pools, and automating aspects of the recruiting process such as automated candidate scoring and interview scheduling.

How can you navigate the challenges posed by ATS systems?
It’s now a fact that most CVs are not reviewed by a human, at least not at first. To pass the initial ATS screening, your application must be bespoke. That means using a clean, error-free format and incorporating specific keywords and phrases drawn directly from the job advert and selection criteria. Alignment with the role must be clear and deliberate from the outset.
Matching Your CV to Selection Criteria is Essential

ATS typically screen CVs and cover letters for keywords, phrases, and topics aligned with the position’s selection criteria. If your documents fail to reflect these requirements, the system is very likely to disregard your application, even if you are objectively well-qualified for the role.

Many ATS platforms now use artificial intelligence to assess CVs and application documents against defined selection criteria, such as achievements, experience, education, and skills. While this helps employers identify strong candidates efficiently, it can disadvantage applicants who have not clearly articulated their relevant qualifications or experience in line with the role requirements.

It is estimated that up to 70% of CVs are rejected during the ATS screening process. ATS algorithms are designed to swiftly and reliably identify the most qualified candidates for a job, and many CVs routinely fail to match the job description, keywords or selection criteria.

TAGS: Oxford CV writer. We service all towns and cities in the south-east of England, including: CV writing service in Southampton, CV help in Portsmouth, CV writer in Basingstoke, CV writing service near me in Reading, professional CV writing service in Bracknell, Executive CV writer in Maidenhead, Executive CV writing service in Slough, Executive CV help in Windsor, Executive CV writing service near me in Wokingham, professional Executive CV writing service in Newbury, CV help in Oxford, CV writing service in Aylesbury

Schedule an appointment

For a fifteen-minute conversation with Elle prior to purchase, please click on the telephone icon to arrange a complimentary call at a time that is mutually convenient
It's disheartening to spend hours crafting a CV and cover letter, only to receive a rejection email or no response at all. This can be especially discouraging when you know you have the skills and experience needed for the job.
Resume, Perth, WA, Australia

Elle Bradshaw in a The Daily Telegraph article by Liz Hoggard.

Why This Is Even More Critical at Executive and Board Level

The initial ATS screening is designed to eliminate unsuitable candidates, a task often delegated to the recruiter responsible for shortlisting. If your CV isn’t properly optimised for ATS - both in content and layout - it risks being discarded before it ever reaches a human. Layout choices that may seem perfectly logical to a person, such as columns, colour, or unconventional headings, often confuse an ATS, especially if it’s poorly configured.

Why 'CV Templates' Highlight a Fundamental Issue

Searching for 'CV templates' online reveals part of the problem. While designs from graphic artists, CV platforms, or tools like Canva may look appealing, they often fail ATS screening. Many include features like profile photos, which can trigger automatic rejection due to anti-discrimination protocols built into many systems.

Many ATS struggle to read CVs that include columns, tables, graphics, unusual fonts, or contain file format and coding errors.
An example of a cover letter that aligns a candidate's attributes with an employer's selection criteria, to pass an ATS screen

Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the [Job Title] position advertised on [Where You Found the Job Posting]. With [Number] years of experience in [Industry/Field] and a strong background in [Specific Skill or Field], I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to [Company Name].

Throughout my career, I have demonstrated my ability to [Briefly Mention a Relevant Achievement or Skill] which directly aligns with your need for [Mention a Specific Requirement from the Job Description]. For instance, [Provide a Short Example of How You Met a Similar Requirement in a Past Role], demonstrating my [Mention a Skill/Quality].

Furthermore, my experience with [Mention any Tools/Technologies Relevant to the Job Description] has equipped me with the knowledge necessary to enhance [Company's Name] [Specify an Area, like 'Customer Satisfaction' or 'Product Development'].

I am particularly drawn to this opportunity at [Company Name] because of [Mention Something You Admire About the Company or How the Role Aligns with Your Career Goals], and I am eager to bring my background in [Mention a Key Skill or Area] to your team.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss how I can contribute to [Company Name]. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience and can be reached at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email].

Yours [Faithfully/Sincerely],

[Your Name]

This template strategically incorporates keywords and phrases from the job description, which is crucial for navigating ATS screenings. It also highlights the importance of tailoring each section to reflect how your specific achievements and skills meet the employer's stated needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

CV Inclusions & Extras, CV lead-times, Getting Started & My Satisfaction Guarantee

How do I engage you to author my CV?

Most executives prefer to have a phone discussion before making a purchase.. More...

This phone chat provides a valuable opportunity to ensure you select the most appropriate CV package that caters to your unique needs.

Click on the phone, anytime night and day, to book a complimentary 15 minute call at a time that suits you.
During our conversation, we can discuss my process, and the type of support and communication you can expect during the project. My goal is for you to feel confident in my ability to present your qualifications, accomplishments, and experience in the best light to help you secure interviews.

Ready to proceed? Kindly select a package and complete your payment via debit card, credit card, or bank transfer. Following this, we'll arrange an in-depth call to explore your requirements.

If your needs are urgent, the best approach is to complete my form with as much detail as possible. This provides me with important context.

My process & credentials

We collaborate to carefully align your CV with the employer's selection criteria. More...

We meticulously tailor your CV to meet the employer's selection criteria, ensuring a precise match with their requirements.

  • Selection Criteria Analysis

    We conduct a thorough review of the employer's specific and implicit demands, fine-tuning your application to meet their exact expectations.

  • Employer Insight

    Delving into the culture, market presence, and industry trends of potential employers, we craft an application that reflects a deep understanding of their operational ethos.

  • Attribute Alignment

    By comparing your qualities with the employer's needs, we develop strategies to highlight your key strengths and address any gaps, enhancing your appeal as a candidate.

  • CV Drafting

    The writing process begins with the creation of your CV's first draft, showcasing your achievements and experiences in a format specially designed for the targeted role.

  • CV Refinement

    Through detailed revisions, we sculpt your CV into a powerful narrative that resonates with the employer's search for the ideal candidate.

  • Supporting Documentation and Online Presence

    Alongside your CV, we prepare any additional materials required and refine your social media profiles to ensure a uniform and professional image across all platforms.

  • Application Submission

    The culmination of our collaboration is the strategic submission of your application, aimed at maximising your opportunity to secure an interview.

CV Writer Certification and Memberships

I am a graduate librarian and a founding member of the UK-based CVRA, which provides professional certification and education for CV and resume writers worldwide.

Certified CV Writer

Can we chat before I make a purchase?

Yes, before placing an order for any CV package, we can schedule a brief consultation to discuss your CV needs and the best approach. For packages costing £205 and above, we can schedule Zoom or phone meetings at mutually convenient times to further discuss your needs and to fine-tune the documents. It would be helpful for me to review your current CV and the job ad or job specification before our first meeting.

How do I select a CV package?

The job advert or description sets out exactly what an employer wants from you. More...

It's a common misconception among senior professionals that they can overlook parts of a job application due to their seniority. However, failing to align your CV with the job's selection criteria almost guarantees it will be filtered out by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) before it reaches a human reviewer.

Essential Components for Executive Job Applications

The cornerstone of any executive application includes the CV, the Cover Letter (or e-note), and the linkedIn Profile.

  • CV Adaptation - Your CV should be a tailored summary of your qualifications, skills, experiences, and achievements, specifically adapted to the job's selection criteria.
  • Cover Letter Crafting - the cover letter, or e-note, condenses the crucial aspects of your CV into a brief and compelling argument for your candidacy.
  • Selection Criteria Response - It's often formally required to directly address the job's selection criteria, detailing both your mandatory and desirable attributes. However, It's always essential to address the selection criteria, whether you're asked to or not.
  • Your Peer Network- linkedIn is becoming increasingly important for positions where a peer network is desirable or essential, and it's also where you may get interview offers or be headhunted.
Every element of your application must subtly convey how well you fit the employer's specific requirements, even if they're not clearly stated. If deducing the employer's hidden expectations from the job advert proves challenging, don't hesitate to call the recruiter, contact the employer directly, or consult your professional network for insights. Engaging in this detective work to uncover their unspoken criteria ensures your application is tailored, and has a competitive edge.
For immediate assistance or advice on tailoring your executive application, emailing me with detailed information is the most effective strategy.

What Are 'Selection Criteria'?

View this as your strategic map for standing out in a competitive field. More...

Selection criteria outline the specific skills, experiences, and personal qualities ('attributes') that an organisation considers valuable in potential candidates, a factor that is particularly vital for executives aiming to match an organisation's strategic goals and culture.
These criteria often encompass a mix of core and desirable skills, underscoring:

  • Leadership excellence and effective team management capabilities.
  • High-level educational achievements and relevant career experience.
  • Strategic thinking and knowledge specific to the industry.
  • Global exposure, reflecting a broad worldview and adaptability to diverse cultures.
  • Significant achievements that have positively influenced past organisations.
Commonly referred to as Job Specifications, Position Requirements, and Competency Frameworks, these criteria act as a comprehensive guide for applicants, covering both the technical skills required and the personal attributes favoured.

Executive CVs & Selection Criteria

To address selection criteria in an executive job application, it is important to understand the employer's explicit (stated) and implicit (what you can deduce) requirements and align them with your own attributes, and performance record. This includes:

  • Providing detailed and specific examples of how you meet the criteria.
  • Having a good understanding of the organisation's strategic aims and how your attributes and experience align with them.
  • Having a good insight into who you are as a professional and being able to communicate that effectively in your application.
Each employer sets their own scope and nature of the questions or tests that may be posed, which are becoming increasingly qualitative in nature. Therefore, it is essential for anyone writing on your behalf to have a deep understanding of your professional background.

The sequence for addressing selection criteria in an executive job application typically includes the following steps:

  • Explicit selection criteria - Carefully read the job advertisement and the selection criteria to understand the specific skills, knowledge, and experience that the employer is looking for in a candidate.
  • Unspoken selection criteria - Engaging directly with recruiters, employers, and your professional network can reveal crucial but unadvertised selection criteria. Ask about company culture, market shifts, regulatory impacts, and economic considerations. Additionally, discussions within your peer network can provide insider insights into the organisation's unspoken needs and expectations, enabling you to tailor your application to align with both the visible and hidden demands of the role.
  • Gather evidence - Bring together details of your qualifications, skills, knowledge, and experience that best demonstrate how you meet the selection criteria. This may include certificates, awards, and testimonials from previous employers or colleagues.
  • CV Alignment - Use the information you have gathered to tailor your CV to the job, highlighting your key achievements, skills, and experience that match the requirements of the employer.
  • Accomplishment focus - Use specific examples and evidence to demonstrate how you meet the selection criteria. Make sure to address all the key points and use a clear, concise, and logical structure.

What is included in the CV packages?

I offer a genuinely personalised service where you deal with me, directly. More...

I, myself, will help address a prospective employer's job selection criteria and craft your CV. I do not use junior writers or outsource the work to third parties, I provide the service myself. You can speak to me by phone, text or video.

Here are some advantages of my personalised approach for executive CV projects:

  • We'll talk about your career goals, work history, skills, and experiences to for me to learn more about you as a professional.
  • Then, I'll use the information I've gathered to write a CV that shows off your most important accomplishments, skills, and experiences in a way that matches the job requirements and what the employer wants, which makes it more likely to be shortlisted.
  • This personalised CV service will help me highlight your unique strengths and qualifications that make you the best fit for the job.
  • A well-written, personalised CV increases your chances of success in the job application process.
  • I will give you fearless and personalised feedback on your CV, which will help you improve it.
  • I will pay attention to the details of your CV and make sure that it is error-free, well-formatted, and visually appealing.
  • CVs that are tailored to a specific job and employer have a higher chance of passing ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), which are used by many employers to screen applications.

How might you give me an advantage?

I highlight the real-world impact of your work, rather than just listing your job history. More...

A CV built around achievements

My tailored approach enhances your leverage in job applications by meticulously developing a CV that accentuates the tangible impacts of your professional achievements, rather than a mere chronology of past roles.

The value you add

In emphasising value addition, I illuminate your capacity to offer deep and insightful contributions to boardroom discussions, driving strategic decisions with a blend of intellect and emotional intelligence—an attribute increasingly valued in high-level executives.

Your ability to solve problems

I weave the narrative of your ability to navigate and resolve significant business challenges, demonstrating not only strategic problem-solving skills but also the emotional acuity to manage and lead through change. This perspective is particularly compelling to potential employers who value leaders that can balance logic with empathy.

Your financial acumen

The CV foregrounds your financial acumen, detailing how your initiatives have led to increased revenue, cost efficiencies, and transformative projects, all underpinned by an emotionally intelligent understanding of stakeholder impact.

Your capacity to innovate

Your innovative and original contributions are also spotlighted, showcasing the forward-thinking and creative advancements you've pioneered, backed by the ability to inspire and bring people together for a common cause.

Your ability to lead and motivate

Leadership is framed not just through outcomes but through the lens of emotional intelligence, highlighting your ability to cultivate teams, enhance communication, and make an impactful impression on a range of stakeholders, demonstrating a leader who understands the human side of business.

Your commitment to excellence

Finally, your unwavering commitment to excellence is portrayed as a byproduct of your professional and emotional acumen, reinforcing your reputation as a leader who elevates standards in recruitment, product development, and customer experiences through a keen understanding of people and processes. This comprehensive reflection ensures that your CV resonates not just with the expectations for the role but also with the emotional depth and understanding required for top-tier leadership positions.

Avoid the pitfalls of job applications

Don't be that person who sends hundreds of applications and gets no responses. More...

Steer Clear of Application Missteps:

Neglecting Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

The primary hurdle? Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). It's estimated that a shocking 70% of CVs are eliminated at the initial screening due to a mismatch with the employer's selection criteria, signalling the end for generic CVs.

The One-size-fits-all CV Dilemma

Sending the identical CV for multiple applications is a sure-fire error. Tailor your CV for each application, showcasing how your distinct skills and experiences make you the perfect fit.

Mismatch with Job Requirements

A CV that doesn't reflect the specific skills and experiences sought in the job advertisement is likely to be overlooked. Your CV should closely align with the job selection criteria outlined by the employer.

Overly Stylised CVs

Favour simplicity over excessively stylised CVs that focus on decoration rather than substance. CVs heavy on graphics and elaborate designs can confuse Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), significantly diminishing their effectiveness. Furthermore, many organisations and jurisdictions dismiss applications with photos to sidestep allegations of gender or ethnicity discrimination.

To avoid the pitfalls and boost your chances of an interview, focus on devising a CV that's not just clear and concise but also bespoke for the job in question and compatible with ATS requirements.

To avoid the pitfalls and boost your chances of an interview, focus on devising a CV that's not just clear and concise but also bespoke for the job in question and compatible with ATS requirements.

Prefer to chat first?

If you would like to have a preliminary chat before committing to purchasing my CV writing services, please fill out this form. I will contact you to schedule a specific time and date for our conversation.

If your needs are urgent please contact me by phone, FB or Text.

Elle has consistently provided personalised, results-driven CV consultancy services, with a fifteen-year track record in delivering personal support that accentuates the achievements and aspirations of her clients. This means moving beyond a comprehensive job history to spotlight accomplishments and skills that directly address the employer's wants and needs (selection criteria).

Hitting the sweet spot with your CV

Board-level CV Writer

Selection criteria may not be explicitly stated in a job description, but addressing them is crucial if you are to align your application to the employer's needs, requirements, and circumstances.

  1. Your attributes: The first circle represents your (the applicant's) knowledge, achievements, and skills
  2. Job description: The second circle represents the employer's strategic and operational needs in filling the post
  3. The market: The third circle represents the broader trends and challenges facing the employer's industry

This succinctly illustrates why each senior executive CV and its accompanying documentation must be tailored to an employer's requirements, needs, and situation. Venn and the art of the CV (Bradshaw, Edwards 2022).

CV alignment with selection criteria

  • Begin with the employer's needs.

    This vital process entails deeply considering the employer's selection criteria. Understanding their demands allows us to precisely tailor your application to meet their expectations."

  • Your attributes versus their needs.

    We evaluate how your qualities, experience, and achievements align with the employer's selection criteria. This review guides our approach to accentuate your strengths and address or downplay any weaknesses, ensuring your application is best positioned.

  • Starting Your CV

    The groundwork of your application is laid here with the creation of your CV's first draft. Utilising insights from earlier steps, we showcase your achievements, skills, and experience in a pitch crafted for the role.

  • CV review and refinement

    Next, we carefully review and enhance your CV, focusing on crafting a narrative that aligns closely with the employer's requirements. Each aspect is examined to ensure optimal alignment and a compelling pitch.

  • Supporting documents and social media.

    We prepare requested supporting materials like cover letters and answers to questions. We also create or fine-tune your social media presence to ensure it reflects a consistent and professional image, further supporting your application.

  • Application submission.

    This final phase is where you submit the carefully curated and error-free application to the potential employer, ensuring it adheres to all specifications. This is designed to maximise your likelihood of being called for an interview.
This holistic approach aims to boost your success in securing interviews by meticulously aligning your profile with employer expectations and weaving a persuasive story of your skills and experience. Although our strategy adapts to each client's unique needs, this outline showcases our core methodology. In situations without a specific job target, we apply sector-wide or role-specific criteria to tailor your application, ensuring broad relevance and appeal. Nonetheless, this broad-stroke approach may not be as effective for executive positions, which require bespoke applications.

Aligning your CV

Tailor your CV to the prospective employer's specific needs and demonstrate how your accomplishments align with their requirements. Providing concrete examples with metrics strengthens your case and enhances your chances of securing an interview.

  1. Your attributes: The first circle represents your (the applicant's) knowledge, achievements, and skills
  2. Job description: The second circle represents the employer's strategic and operational needs in filling the post
  3. The market: The third circle represents the broader trends and challenges facing the employer's industry