Why Your CV Should Be in Selectable Text Format, Not an Image

In today’s competitive job market, getting your CV noticed is the first step towards landing an interview. However, what many job seekers don’t realize is that before a human recruiter ever sees their resume, it often has to pass through an artificial intelligence (AI) screening system. These automated systems, known as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), play a crucial role in filtering applications based on keywords, formatting, and readability. That’s why creating your CV using selectable text rather than an image or scanned document is more important than ever.

How AI Evaluates Your CV

Many companies use ATS software to manage the high volume of applications they receive. These systems are programmed to scan resumes for specific keywords, skills, and formatting elements. If your CV is not formatted correctly, the system may not be able to extract relevant information, meaning your application could be discarded before a recruiter even gets a chance to see it.

The Problem with Image-Based CVs

Some candidates design their CVs in graphic-heavy formats, saving them as images (such as JPG, PNG) or even scanned PDFs. While these formats may look visually appealing, they present significant problems for AI screening systems:

Unreadable by AI: Many ATS tools cannot extract text from images. If your CV is in an image format, the system may simply ignore it.
Keyword Recognition Failure: Since the system cannot read the text, it won’t detect critical keywords that match the job description, reducing your chances of being shortlisted.
Formatting Issues: Even if the ATS attempts to process an image-based CV, it may extract the text incorrectly, leading to distorted content and misinterpretation.
Recruiter Accessibility: If your CV gets past the AI screening, recruiters may still struggle to search or highlight sections in an image-based document.

Best Practices for an ATS-Friendly CV

To ensure your CV makes it through AI screening, follow these best practices:

Use Text-Based Formats: Save your CV in formats like DOCX (Microsoft Word) or PDF (ensuring it’s a true text-based PDF, not a scanned image).
Use Standard Fonts and Formatting: Stick to simple fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, and use clear headings for sections like “Experience,” “Education,” and “Skills.”
Include Keywords from the Job Description: AI systems look for specific skills and job-related terms, so make sure you incorporate relevant keywords naturally.
Avoid Excessive Graphics: While a touch of design can make your CV visually appealing, too many graphics or unconventional layouts can confuse ATS systems.
Test Your CV: Try copying and pasting the text from your CV into a blank document. If you can’t select the text, the ATS won’t be able to read it either.

The Takeaway

A well-designed CV is not just about aesthetics; it needs to be optimized for AI screening as well. By ensuring your resume is in a text-based format, you increase the chances of making it past the first round of filtering and getting noticed by human recruiters. In the digital age, a simple yet effective approach can be the key to landing your dream job.