How to get past ATS and in front of a human when applying for EdTech roles

One of the biggest frustrations for job seekers is sending endless applications and hearing nothing back. It feels personal, but it rarely is. Most of the time your CV never reached a human.

Applicant Tracking Systems handle the first filter for most EdTech companies. They behave like search engines. They scan for keywords, tools, job titles, metrics and sector language. If your CV does not contain the terms the system expects, it simply will not surface you.

This does not mean you need an AI generated CV. You just need a searchable one.

- Start with sector terms
Use language the EdTech world recognises. Customer success. Implementation. K12. Higher education. Learning and development. MAT relationships. International recruitment. Adoption. Retention. Digital learning. If a term appears in the job description, it needs to appear in your CV.

- Add tools
ATS systems love tools. List the ones you have actually used. SFDC, HubSpot, Totara, Moodle, Canvas, Asana, Power BI, Google Classroom and any product specific platforms you know. This alone can pull you into the right pile.

- Keep the formatting clean
ATS tools struggle with columns, tables and decorative formatting. Stick to a simple layout with clear headings and bullet points. Your CV is not a design project. It is a data file that a machine needs to read.

- Apply on the company website
Many Easy Apply buttons send your CV through a stripped down format that loses keywords and can confuse ATS. Applying directly on the company site means your full CV is uploaded correctly and lands in the right workflow. When possible, always choose the company site.

- Show up before you apply
Engaging with a company online makes a difference. Comment on their posts. Share their content. Join their webinars. Get visible to the hiring manager before your CV arrives. It shows genuine interest and it raises your name recognition when your application comes through.

- Prepare for the next stage
Once you get past the ATS, the human part begins. You need to show outcomes and context. Come prepared with short stories about adoption wins, renewal challenges, relationship building, user engagement, partner management or product rollouts. The robot gets you through the door. The human needs proof.

- Upskill for the AI era
EdTech hiring managers expect candidates to show curiosity about AI. You do not need to be a prompt engineer. You do need to show awareness and a willingness to learn. Add any AI tools you use in your work to your CV. If you can automate tasks, improve workflows or support learners with AI tools, include it. It shows you can adapt.

A searchable CV gets you past the robot. Clear outcomes and real sector understanding get you past the human.

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FAQs

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Why do companies use ATS
To filter the volume of applications and save time for hiring managers. It is not personal. It is workflow.

How do I know if my CV is ATS friendly
If it uses simple formatting, clear headings and keywords from the job description, you are already ahead.

Does Easy Apply work
Sometimes, but it often strips formatting. Applying on the company site is more reliable.

Do I need to customise every CV
You do not need a full rewrite. You need a light edit to match the language of each job description.

How long should a CV be
Two pages is ideal for most EdTech roles. Three if you have long sector experience.

Should I add achievements or responsibilities
Achievements. Responsibilities tell someone what you were hired to do. Achievements show what you actually delivered.

Does engaging with a company help
Yes. It signals interest and increases the chances that a hiring manager recognises your name when your CV appears.

Should I apply even if I do not meet every requirement
If you are close and you have the right sector knowledge, yes. EdTech teams value context more than perfect matches.

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