Let’s start with, what is an ATS?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software employers use to filter CVs before a human sees them. It scans for keywords, job titles, qualifications, and formatting, ranking CVs based on relevance to the job posting.
If your CV it’s not optimized for ATS, it might never make it to the recruiter, even if you are a good candidate.
CV Structure That Works in South Africa (and for ATS)
1. Contact Information
Top of your CV write these:
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Name and Surname
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Phone Number
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Email Address (professional)e.g. thabomokoena25@gmail.com and not like crazythabomthiboz@gmail.com
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City & Province (e.g., Johannesburg, Gauteng)
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Portfolio or website link (Optional if not required)
- Social media (only if it strengthens your application)
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LinkedIn Profile (optional but recommended)
- Drivers’s License (optional)
Avoid adding unnecessary personal details like ID number, religion, or marital status — they’re not required and can lead to bias.
2. Professional Summary
Give a short, summary overview of who you are, your key strengths, and your career goals.
Use keywords from the job description here.
Example:
Results driven Marketing Assistant with 2+ years of experience in digital campaigns, social media management, and lead generation. Skilled in SEO, Google Ads, and CRM tools. Passionate about driving growth through data-backed strategies.
3. Core Skills or Key Competencies
List 8 to 12 hard and soft skills relevant to the job you are applying for. These act as keywords for the ATS.
Example:
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Project Management
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Microsoft Office Suite
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Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
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Data Analysis
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Time Management
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Communication
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Sales Strategy
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Team Leadership
4. Work Experience (Most Recent First)
For each role:
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Job Title
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Company Name, Location
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Dates of Employment (Month + Year)
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Key Responsibilities & Achievements (in bullet points)
Use action verbs: Managed, Led, Delivered, Improved, Achieved, Implemented this and that.
Include keywords from the job posting, the more relevant, the better your ATS score.
Example:
Sales Consultant
ABC Retail, Durban – Jan 2022 – Present
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Increased regional sales by 25% in 6 months through upselling and customer engagement
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Managed client database using Salesforce CRM
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Delivered training to 3 junior consultants
5. Education
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Qualification (e.g., Diploma in Marketing)
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Institution (e.g., University of Johannesburg)
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Year Completed or In Progress
- Awards or other achievements if any
6. Certifications & Courses (if any)
Include any relevant short courses or online learning (e.g., LinkedIn Learning, Google, Coursera, Udemy).
Example:
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Google Digital Marketing Certification – 2023
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Occupational Health and Safety Level 1 – 2022
7. References
You can say: References available on request.
Or, if requested, list 2 referees:
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Name, Job Title, Company, Contact Info
Tips to Pass the ATS and Impress Recruiters
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Use a clean, simple layout – No tables, images, graphics, or fancy fonts.
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Save as a PDF as most recruiters prefer it.
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Use standard job titles and section headings (e.g., “Work Experience” not “My Journey”).
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Tailor your CV for each job – Highlight keywords from the job ad.
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Avoid spelling and grammar mistakes – They lower your ATS and human score.
Tools to Help You Optimize Your CV for ATS
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Jobscan.co – Match your CV to a specific job ad (freemium).
- Enhancv – Free Plan is Valid for 7 days for Two resumes and cover letters
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Rezi.ai / – Build ATS-optimized CVs.
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Grammarly – Fix typos and grammar issues.
Final Checklist Before Sending
- Tailored for the specific job?
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Includes job specific keywords?
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Saved in ATS-friendly format?
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No tables, columns, or images?
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Spelling and grammar checked?
