Imagine this: You’ve spent hours perfecting your CV, highlighting every achievement, skill, and project that makes you stand out. You hit “Submit,” confident that your application will shine. But days, weeks, and even months pass—and there’s nothing but radio silence. What happened?
Here’s the chilling reality: Your CV might have been discarded before it even reached human eyes. While you were carefully crafting your masterpiece, your competitors were already one step ahead. They used updated, ATS-friendly CV formats that sailed through the system seamlessly. Meanwhile, your beautifully designed CV with fancy fonts, tables, or graphics? It got stuck in the digital void, lost in translation by an ATS unable to parse it properly.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. With 75% of large companies relying on ATS to filter applications, getting your CV format wrong means you’re out of the race before it even begins. Worse, your competitors—armed with optimized, keyword-rich CVs—are stealing your dream job right from under your nose.
But don’t worry—it’s not too late to level the playing field! Below, we’ll reveal the 10 CV formats that will not only pass through ATS but also make recruiters take notice. Ready to outsmart the competition? Let’s dive in!
1# Reverse-Chronological CV: The Classic Winner
This is the gold standard of CVs and a favorite among both recruiters and ATS.
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- Why it works: Lists your work experience from most recent to oldest, giving recruiters an instant look at your career growth.
- Best for: Professionals with a steady career trajectory.
- ATS Tip: Use standard section headers like “Experience” and “Education” to ensure seamless parsing.
2# Functional CV: Skills Take the Spotlight
Got employment gaps or switching careers? A functional CV emphasizes your skills over your work history.
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- Why it works: Showcases your strengths and achievements upfront.
- Best for: Career changers and fresh graduates.
- ATS Tip: Add a brief work history section to avoid confusing older ATS systems.
3# Combination (Hybrid) CV: The Best of Both Worlds
When you want to highlight both your skills and your experience, this format is your go-to.
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- Why it works: Merges skills and chronological work history for a well-rounded view of your qualifications.
- Best for: Experienced professionals with versatile expertise.
- ATS Tip: Strategically place keywords in both sections to optimize for ATS scanning.
4# Targeted CV: Precision at Its Best
Tailored specifically for the job you’re applying to, this CV speaks directly to the recruiter.
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- Why it works: Matches job-specific keywords straight from the description.
- Best for: High-priority applications where you need to stand out.
- ATS Tip: Customize every section for the role you’re targeting.
5# Modern CV: Sleek and Simple
A clean, minimalist layout with subtle design elements that scream “professional.”
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- Why it works: Balances aesthetics with ATS readability.
- Best for: Tech-savvy industries and corporate roles.
- ATS Tip: Avoid overloading with graphics or columns—modern ATS handles some visuals, but simplicity wins.
6# Creative CV: Design Meets Innovation
For those in creative fields, this format adds a splash of personality with visuals and design flair.
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- Why it works: Showcases creativity in industries like marketing, design, or media.
- Best for: Creative professionals.
- ATS Tip: Always pair with a plain-text version for ATS submission.
7# Infographic CV: Data in Visuals
This format transforms your achievements into charts, graphs, and eye-catching visuals.
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- Why it works: Communicates data-heavy accomplishments at a glance.
- Best for: Designers and analysts.
- ATS Tip: Not ATS-friendly! Submit a plain-text alternative alongside.
8# Plain-Text CV: The Bare-Bones Option
Sometimes, less is more. A plain-text CV is all about simplicity.
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- Why it works: Universally accepted and easily parsed by all ATS systems.
- Best for: Online forms or older ATS platforms.
- ATS Tip: Lack of formatting means your content must shine. Use precise keywords.
9# LinkedIn-Style CV: Your Profile as Your CV
With LinkedIn becoming a global resume, this format pulls directly from your online profile.
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- Why it works: Simplifies the application process for LinkedIn-integrated ATS.
- Best for: Jobs that accept LinkedIn profiles in place of CVs.
- ATS Tip: Ensure your LinkedIn profile is polished and keyword-rich.
10# Video CV: The Game-Changer
This format lets your personality shine through a video introduction.
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- Why it works: Gives recruiters a glimpse of your charisma and communication skills.
- Best for: Media, customer-facing, or tech roles.
- ATS Tip: Include a traditional CV with a link to your video for ATS parsing.
Pro Tips for ATS Success in 2025
To make sure your CV stands out, follow these golden rules:
- Use ATS-Friendly Formats: Stick to DOCX, PDF (non-scanned), or plain text.
- Keep Formatting Simple: Avoid tables, fancy fonts, and images that ATS might struggle to read.
- Sprinkle Keywords Strategically: Analyze the job description and use its key terms naturally in your CV.
- Test Your CV: Use ATS simulation tools to check compatibility before applying.
Ready to make your CV an ATS magnet? These 10 formats are your ticket to getting noticed in 2025. Whether you’re a fresh graduate, a career changer, or an industry pro, there’s a format here to help you land that dream job. Update your CV, let it shine, and watch those interviews roll in!
Free ATS CV Templates by Microsoft: https://create.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/ats-resumes.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1076633223002179
- https://careercentral.pitt.edu/resources/applicant-tracking-systems-ats-effective-resume-writing/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0001209206634546
- https://www.umn.ac.id/en/what-is-an-ats-cv-and-how-to-make-it/
- https://www.careers.ox.ac.uk/cvs
- https://create.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/articles/how-to-write-ats-friendly-resume
- https://careerservices.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2017/08/Ensure-Your-Resume-Is-Read-ATS.pdf
- https://choosework.ssa.gov/blog/2024-08-08-how-to-make-your-resume-applicant-tracking-system-friendly.html
- https://capd.mit.edu/resources/make-your-resume-ats-friendly/
- https://europass.europa.eu/en/create-europass-cv
- https://careerservices.cns.utexas.edu/resources/resumes/applicant-tracking-systems
