If you’ve been applying for jobs and not getting any responses, you’re not alone. Thousands of job seekers send their CVs every day and wait weeks without hearing back.
But here’s the surprising truth:
Many CVs are never seen by a human being.
Most companies today use a CV storage software called an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) — and if your CV isn’t formatted or submitted correctly, the ATS simply can’t read it, can’t parse it, and will quite likely not add you to the database or the list of job applications.
In this article, we’ll explain:
- What an ATS is
- Why employers never received or processed your CV
- Common mistakes job seekers make
- Best practices to increase your chances
- Why applying through WorkaJobs.com gives you a better chance of being shortlisted
What is an ATS (Applicant Tracking System)?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software used by employers to:
- Receive CVs
- Automatically read and extract information
- Filter candidates based on skills and experience
- Shortlist the best applicants
Instead of manually opening every CV, the ATS scans them and imports information such as:
- Name
- Contact details
- Work experience
- Education
- Skills
If the ATS cannot read your CV, you are automatically rejected — without anyone ever seeing your application.
Why Your CV Might Be Rejected Before Anyone Reads It
Many job seekers unknowingly send CVs that ATS systems cannot process.
Here are the most common issues employers face:
❌ 1. The CV file is too large
If your CV is 5MB, 10MB or more, many ATS systems fail to upload it.
Large files usually happen because:
- The CV was created in a software with heavy graphics
- The CV contains many images
- The document was scanned as a photo and converted into a PDF
Result: The ATS rejects the file automatically.
❌ 2. You send multiple files
Many candidates send:
- One CV
- One certificate
- One reference letter
- One cover letter
For you, it looks organised.
For the ATS, it becomes confusing.
Most ATS platforms don’t know:
- Which file is the actual CV
- Which file to extract information from
Result: Your CV is ignored because the ATS cannot decide which file to parse.
❌ 3. The CV is not machine-readable
This is the biggest and most damaging mistake.
Many job seekers send:
- A photo of their CV
- A screenshot of their resume
- A scanned copy saved as PDF
- A JPG / PNG file
- A CV created in apps that export as images
An ATS cannot extract text from an image.
It cannot copy your work experience or job titles.
Result: Your CV = 0% readable → Auto rejection
❌ 4. Fancy designs confuse the ATS
CVs with:
- Tables
- Columns
- Icons
- Infographics
- Decorative fonts
- Shaded boxes
- Templates from Canva or graphic design apps
…look beautiful but often break inside ATS systems.
To you, it’s a nice design.
To the ATS, it's broken data.
Best Practices for a CV That Gets You Shortlisted
Here are simple rules you must follow to ensure employers can actually read your CV.
✔️ 1. Always send a clean, text-based PDF
Make sure the text can be selected, copied, and read by machines.
How to check:
Try selecting a sentence with your mouse.
If you cannot highlight the text → your CV is not machine readable.
✔️ 2. Keep the file size below 1MB
How to reduce size:
- Export as “compressed PDF”
- Remove images
- Remove unnecessary design elements
- Use a plain layout
✔️ 3. Send only ONE CV file
Avoid sending:
- Certificates
- Photos
- Passport copies
- Reference letters
Send only your CV unless the employer specifically asks for something else.
✔️ 4. Use ATS-friendly formatting
Use:
- Simple fonts (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica)
- Black text on white background
- Standard section headings
- Work Experience
- Education
- Skills
- Contact Information
Avoid:
- Tables
- Icons
- Text inside images
- Two-column layouts
✔️ 5. Save your CV with a professional file name
Example:
Rajesh_Kumar_Accountant_CV.pdf
Maria_Fernandez_Sales_Manager_Resume.pdf
Avoid:
- “cv new final updated 123.pdf”
- “Screenshot_2023.pdf”
Just Because You Applied Doesn’t Mean You’ll Get a Call
Many job seekers make only one application and wait.
But consider this:
- Employers may receive hundreds of applications before yours
- Their ATS may already have shortlisted candidates
- Your skills may match better with a similar role
- The job may close early
- Your CV might not reach the employer if it isn't readable
The successful job seeker is the one who applies smartly and consistently.
Worka Helps You Apply Faster & Increase Your Chances
When you apply through WorkaJobs.com, you get:
Direct submission to employers
Your application goes into the employer’s system correctly.
ATS-friendly format
Worka ensures your application is readable by automated systems.
Access to similar jobs
If one job is full, you can instantly apply to other relevant roles.
No need to email CVs
Emailing CVs is outdated — and often ignored.
Start Applying the Right Way — Visit WorkaJobs.com
If you haven’t been receiving interview calls, it’s time to improve:
- Your CV format
- The way you apply
- The number of applications you make
Apply to multiple similar roles
Use Worka to find open jobs updated daily
Follow best practices so your CV actually gets seen