Strategic Resume Formatting: Navigating ATS-Friendly Designs Without Color Highlights

Highlighting certain areas in the text in a CV can make it difficult for the ATS during shortlisting of applications. According to, the vast majority of companies use ATS software these days, which means that job seekers must format their resumes correctly and include the right keywords. Recruiters type keywords into the ATS to search for candidates, and these keywords are usually job titles or specific skills.

Therefore, job seekers should try to include the job title in their resume headline and include role-specific and industry keywords in their resume.When it comes to formatting, job seekers should use a clean resume design with a clear hierarchy, as complex resume designs or unusual formats can confuse most applicant tracking systems. 

However, job seekers should avoid getting too creative or fancy with section headings, as traditional headings like “Work Experience” or “Education” won’t confuse the ATS.

In conclusion, highlighting certain areas in the text in a CV can make it difficult for the ATS during shortlisting of applications. Job seekers should format their resumes correctly, include the right keywords, and use a clean resume design with a clear hierarchy to ensure that their resumes are ATS-friendly and have a good chance of making it through the initial screening process.