How ATS systems filter your application
Did you know that 75% of CVs are rejected by automated systems before a human ever reads them? These systems are called ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Understanding how they work is essential to maximising your chances of securing an interview.
What exactly is an ATS?
An ATS (Applicant Tracking System) is software used by companies to manage their recruitment processes. It automates the sorting of applications by analysing received CVs and ranking them according to their relevance.
The most widely used ATS platforms in Switzerland include Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Taleo, and local solutions such as jobchannel. More than 95% of large Swiss companies use an ATS.
How does ATS filtering work?
The ATS analyses your CV in several stages: text extraction, identification of key information (name, contact details, experience, education, skills), and comparison against the requirements of the role.
Each CV receives a relevance score. Only CVs exceeding a certain threshold (often 60–70%) are passed on to human recruiters.
- Parsing: extracting the text from your document
- Recognition: identifying sections (experience, education, skills)
- Matching: comparing against the keywords in the job posting
- Scoring: assigning a relevance score
- Ranking: ordering applications by score
The main filtering criteria
ATS systems filter primarily on: technical and industry-specific keywords, level of experience, qualifications and certifications, geographical location, and languages.
A single missing criterion may be enough to have your application rejected, even if your profile is otherwise excellent.
Technical errors that block ATS systems
Certain technical errors prevent ATS systems from reading your CV correctly: unrecognised images, complex tables, headers and footers, unusual fonts, and corrupted files.
Skills graphics (progress bars) are particularly problematic: an ATS cannot interpret a bar set at 80%.
Test your CV by copying and pasting it into a plain text editor. If the result is unreadable, your CV will cause problems for ATS systems.
Optimising your CV for ATS systems
To maximise your chances of passing ATS filters, adopt the following best practices: use a simple format (Word or text-based PDF), incorporate keywords from the job posting, and avoid complex graphic elements.
Create clearly labelled sections: Professional Experience, Education, Skills, Languages. Use standard headings that ATS systems can easily recognise.
- Simple PDF or Word format (no scanned documents)
- Sections with standard headings
- Keywords from the job posting integrated naturally
- No tables or multiple columns
- Classic fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times)
- Dates in standard format (MM/YYYY)
Beyond the ATS: the human factor
Do not forget that after the ATS, a human will read your CV. Your document must therefore be both optimised for automated systems AND pleasant to read for recruiters.
Strike the right balance between technical optimisation and writing quality. A CV packed with keywords but difficult to read will be set aside by the recruiter.
Conclusion
ATS systems have become an unavoidable part of modern recruitment. By understanding how they work and adapting your CV accordingly, you can significantly increase your chances of securing interviews. Our free analysis tool allows you to instantly check the compatibility of your CV with ATS systems.
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