75% of CVs are rejected by an algorithm before a recruiter even reads them. Not by a person: by software called ATS (Applicant Tracking System). If your CV isn’t designed to get past this filter, it doesn’t matter how good you are: you’ll never be invited for an interview.

In this guide, we’ll look at how to write an effective CV in 2025, starting with the right structure and moving on to optimising it for automated screening systems.

Why your CV isn’t getting any replies

There are four main reasons. First: the CV isn’t optimised for ATS systems and is automatically rejected before a human even sees it. Second: the structure lists duties rather than achievements, and a recruiter reading ‘team lead’ doesn’t understand what you actually did. Third: there is no clear professional positioning — who you are, what type of role you’re seeking, and what makes you stand out. Fourth: the format is not compatible with screening systems (tables, text boxes, colours, non-standard fonts).

How to optimise a CV for ATS systems

Optimising for ATS requires attention to four elements.

Job advertisement keywords. Analyse the job advertisement and identify the keywords specific to the role. Use them in your CV, preferably in the same form as in the advertisement. An ATS system searching for “project management” might not recognise “project management”.

Simple format. Avoid tables, text boxes, headers and footers containing critical information (name, contact details), and images embedded in the text. ATS systems read text linearly and often fail to interpret complex structures correctly.

Standard section headings. Use recognisable headings: “Work Experience”, “Education”, “Skills”. Creative titles such as “My Journey” or “What I Can Do” are ignored by automated systems.

Correct file format. Save your CV as a .docx or text-based .pdf (not a scanned version). A PDF created from a scanned image cannot be read by ATS.

The optimal structure of an effective CV

An effective CV for the Italian and international job markets has four key sections, in this order.

Headline and professional summary. Three or four lines at the top of the first page that state who you are, what type of role you’re seeking, and what specific value you bring. Not “Economics graduate with experience in the commercial sector”, but “B2B Account Manager with 7 years’ experience in the software sector: +35% average revenue per client.”

Work experience with quantified results. For each role: company, position, duration, and — above all — 3–4 measurable achievements. Not “Sales team management” but “Led a team of 8 sales managers to a 28% increase in turnover over 18 months.”

Technical and soft skills. A concise list of tools, languages, methodologies and certifications. Soft skills should be demonstrated through achievements, not simply listed.

Education and certifications. Qualification, university, year. Any certifications relevant to the target role.

The recruiter has 6 seconds: how to use them

Eye-tracking studies show that a recruiter spends an average of 6–7 seconds on a first read of a CV. In that time, they need to understand: who you are, what role you’re applying for, and what relevant experience you have.

This means that your name, job title and the two or three most relevant achievements must be immediately visible at the top of the first page. Everything else is detail to be read later — if the first read has made the right impression.

A well-written two-page CV always beats a poorly written one-page CV. The aim isn’t brevity: it’s clarity and relevance.

How I help you build a CV that works

I work with professionals and managers who are applying for senior roles, changing sectors, or who haven’t received any feedback after months of applying. The problem is almost never the person: it’s how they’re presented.

Together, we’ll analyse your current CV, identify specific areas for improvement, and build a profile that sets you apart from other candidates. One that gets spotted by ATS systems and read right through by human recruiters.

If you want to understand how to improve your CV, start here.