How to write an ATS optimised CV in 2026

In the current EdTech hiring, most applications never reach a human.
Not because you are unqualified, but because your CV or resume isn’t ATS friendly.

Whether you call it a CV (UK and Europe) or a resume (US), the same rule applies. If the Applicant Tracking System cannot read your document, you become invisible to hiring teams.

This guide explains exactly how ATS tools work in 2026, how to write a CV or resume that is actually discoverable, and how to avoid the mistakes that instantly remove great candidates from the hiring process.

And if you want help polishing your CV and LinkedIn so you position yourself as a high credibility EdTech candidate, you can book a one hour CV and LinkedIn audit with me, or a full job search preparation package.

1. What ATS Really Is in 2026 (and What It Isn’t)

An ATS is not a robot rejecting you.
It is a database, a search engine, and a workflow tool used by recruiters and hiring managers to:

• store applications
• track interview stages
• search candidates by keywords
• log rejections and progress
• handle compliance and hiring workflows

Recruiters type in search queries like:
“Account Manager education sector CRM HubSpot stakeholder management”

If your CV / resume does not include the right keywords, you do not appear in the results.
Not rejected.
Simply not found.

This is the biggest invisible barrier in EdTech hiring.

2. How ATS “Reads” Your CV and Resume

When your document is uploaded, the ATS tries to extract:

• job titles
• company names
• dates of employment
• skills
• technologies
• achievements
• responsibilities

If the structure is unclear or the formatting breaks the parser, your CV becomes scrambled text.

This is why ATS friendly formatting matters (details below).

3. Use the Keyword Strategy Used by Recruiters

To beat the ATS, match the language of the job description.

Step 1: Pull keywords from 3 sections

• Requirements (non negotiable)
• Preferred qualifications (differentiators)
• Responsibilities (day to day expectations)

Step 2: Use the exact wording

If the JD says “Salesforce”, don’t write “CRM platforms”.
If it says “learner engagement”, don’t write “user engagement”.

ATS is literal.

Step 3: Repeat the key skills naturally

Do not keyword stuff.
Integrate them into bullets and your professional summary.

4. Make Your CV / Resume Work at Three Speeds

A. The Skim (2–3 seconds)

Hiring managers look at:

• job titles
• company names
• your professional summary
• any EdTech or education experience

Your top third must immediately signal relevance.

B. The Scan (10 seconds)

Recruiters search for:

• skills
• tools
• sector experience
• keywords from the JD

Keyword density matters here.

C. The Study (1 minute plus)

This is where bullet points matter.
Your first bullet under each role must be your strongest and show:

• impact
• metrics
• outcomes

Put your best bullets at the top.

5. Formatting Rules for ATS Optimised CVs / Resume

Do Use

• one column
• standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica)
• clean headings
• PDF format

Avoid Completely

• two column templates
• tables
• text boxes
• icons
• decorative elements
• Canva templates with hidden formatting
• image based CVs (ATS cannot read them)

Test your CV by copy pasting it into a plain text editor.
If the order collapses, the ATS will not read it correctly.

6. Use AI as a Strict CV Coach

Paste your CV and the job description into an AI tool and ask:

• “Which required skills are missing”
• “Why would they not hire me”
• “Which gaps need addressing”

AI is excellent for gap spotting, as long as you don’t fabricate skills you don’t have.

7. Avoid These Fatal ATS Mistakes

• fancy designs
• header images
• multiple columns
• saving as PNG or JPG
• unusual section labels (use “Experience”, “Skills”, “Education”)
• listing skills only in a sidebar (ATS may ignore sidebars)

Simple always wins.

8. How RecruitHer Supports EdTech Candidates

If you want to stand out in EdTech, you need more than a readable CV. You need a document that clearly shows:

• impact in education
• understanding of learners and institutions
• cross functional collaboration skills
• experience with EdTech tools
• sector aligned language

This is what hiring managers look for first.

If you need some tailored guidance for your CV and LinkedIn profile you can book:

A One Hour CV + LinkedIn Audit

Perfect if you want to refine your positioning and increase interview conversions.

A Complete Job Preparation Package

For candidates who want support with CV, LinkedIn, interview prep, and positioning in the EdTech market.

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Book a free 30-mins consultation call with RecruitHer.

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