Improve Your ATS Score: How to Get Past the Application Filter

You send application after application but barely get any interview invitations? Then it may not be your qualifications at fault, but an invisible gatekeeper: the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). This software filters applications automatically before a human even sees them. In this article, we explain how ATS systems work and how you can strategically improve your score.

What Is an ATS and Why Do Companies Use It?

An Applicant Tracking System is software that digitizes the entire hiring process. Companies use it to collect, sort, and pre-filter applications. Large corporations like Siemens, BMW, or SAP receive thousands of applications per month — without an ATS, that would be unmanageable.

The system assigns a score based on how well your resume matches the job posting. Applications below a certain threshold are automatically filtered out. Depending on the system, 50-75% of all applications end up in the digital trash bin without a recruiter ever seeing them.

The most common ATS systems in Europe include SAP SuccessFactors, Personio, Workday, Greenhouse, and Softgarden. Each has slightly different algorithms, but the fundamental principles are the same.

How Does an ATS Evaluate Your Resume?

ATS systems analyze your resume based on several criteria:

1. Keyword Matching: The system compares the terms in your CV with the requirements of the job posting. If the position requires "project management" and you only write "project leadership," that can already lead to point deductions.
2. Formatting: Tables, column layouts, graphics, and embedded images can confuse ATS systems. Simple, linear layouts are parsed reliably.
3. Section Structure: Standard headings like "Work Experience," "Education," and "Skills" are recognized. Creative headings like "My Journey" are not always detected.
4. File Type: PDF and DOCX are supported by most systems. Exotic formats like Pages or OpenDocument can cause problems.

The 7 Most Important Tips for a Better ATS Score

Tip 1: Copy Keywords from the Job Posting

Read the job posting carefully and identify the most important keywords. These belong verbatim in your resume. If the position requires "experience with agile methodologies (Scrum)," then write exactly that — not "experience with modern work methods."

Distribute keywords naturally throughout your entire resume: in the summary, in work experience, and in the skills section. Keyword stuffing (excessive repetition) is detected and penalized by modern ATS systems.

Tip 2: Use a Single-Column Layout

Two- or three-column layouts look attractive but are poison for ATS systems. The software reads text from top to bottom, left to right. With multiple columns, content may get mixed up or entire sections may be skipped.

Stick to a clear, single-column design. The beauty of your resume only matters when a human sees it — and that only happens after you pass the ATS.

Tip 3: Use Standard Headings

ATS systems are trained to recognize certain headings. Stick to proven labels:

• "Work Experience" or "Professional Experience"
• "Education"
• "Skills" or "Competencies"
• "Certifications" or "Professional Development"
• "Languages"

Avoid creative alternatives like "My Superpowers" or "What Drives Me." What sounds charming to humans confuses the machine.

Tip 4: Mind the File Type and File Name

Save your resume as PDF. Some older ATS systems prefer DOCX, but PDF is now the safest standard. Important: do not use a scanned PDF (image PDF), but a text-based PDF that supports copy-paste.

The file name should be professional: Resume-Max-Smith-2026.pdf instead of CV_final_v3_FINALLY.pdf. Some systems display the file name to the recruiter.

Tip 5: Spell Out Abbreviations and Acronyms

Write out abbreviations at least once and put the acronym in parentheses: "Customer Relationship Management (CRM)." This way the ATS recognizes both the long form and the abbreviation. This is especially important for industry-specific terms.

Tip 6: Skip Graphics and Icons

Bar charts for language skills, pie charts for skills, or icons next to contact details — all attractive, but invisible to ATS systems. The software cannot interpret images. If your language level is only displayed as a graphic, the system will not recognize it.

Replace graphics with clear text: "English: Fluent (C1)" is understandable for both humans and machines.

Tip 7: Tailor Every Resume Individually

Perhaps the most important tip: customize your resume for every application. No two companies have identical requirements, and keywords vary from position to position. A generic resume rarely achieves a high ATS score.

This sounds like a lot of work — and it is, if you do it manually. AI-powered tools like Alchema can dramatically speed up this process: upload your base resume, paste in the job posting, and the AI creates an optimized version with the right keywords and phrasing.

How to Test Your ATS Score

There are various ways to check your ATS score beforehand. Free online tools give you a rough overview. For a more precise analysis, Alchema offers an integrated ATS score check that compares your resume against the job posting and provides specific improvement suggestions.

Common ATS Pitfalls to Avoid

• Headers and Footers: Some ATS systems ignore content in headers and footers. Place important information like your name and contact details in the main body of the document.
• Invisible Text: Hiding text in the same color as the background (keyword stuffing) is detected by modern systems and leads to immediate rejection.
• Unusual Fonts: Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica. Exotic fonts can cause errors during text extraction.

Summary

ATS systems are a reality of the modern job search. Instead of cursing them, understand them as a tool and use them to your advantage. With the right keywords, clear structure, and clean layout, you will get past the application filter and significantly increase your chances of landing an interview.

Want to optimize your resume for the next level? Read our article on resume writing: 10 tips for the perfect CV. Or start directly with Alchema and let your application be optimized for free by our AI.