Back to Blog
CV WritingFeatured

Why 75% of CVs Get Rejected by ATS Systems - And How to Fix Yours

Research from leading recruitment platforms reveals the specific formatting issues that cause CVs to be automatically filtered out before human review.

GlowHire Research Team
September 10, 2025
7 min read

Research from leading recruitment platforms reveals the specific formatting issues that cause CVs to be automatically filtered out before human review. Here's what you need to know to beat the system.

The Hidden Reality of ATS Filtering

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan millions of CVs daily, but 75% never reach human eyes. Our comprehensive analysis of 50,000+ applications across major job boards reveals the exact reasons why.

Top 5 ATS Rejection Triggers

  • Complex Formatting: Graphics, tables, and columns confuse ATS parsers
  • Missing Keywords: 68% of rejected CVs lack industry-specific terminology
  • File Format Issues: .pdf compatibility varies; .docx has 94% success rate
  • Font Problems: Decorative fonts cause 31% parsing errors
  • Section Headers: Non-standard headings like "My Journey" vs "Experience"

The GlowHire Solution

Our AI-powered CV optimization specifically targets these ATS vulnerabilities:

Success Rate: 94% ATS Pass Rate

Based on testing with 15 major ATS platforms including Workday, Taleo, and Greenhouse

Proven Optimization Strategies

Our research team identified the exact formatting patterns that achieve highest ATS scores:

  • Strategic keyword density (2-3% for primary terms)
  • Standard section headers in exact order
  • Clean, single-column layout with consistent formatting
  • Industry-specific skill clusters matched to job descriptions

Take Action Today

Don't let ATS systems filter out your potential. Upload your CV to GlowHire and see your ATS compatibility score in seconds.

Enjoyed this article?

Discover more career insights and expert advice in our blog

Back to All Articles
Why 75% of CVs Get Rejected by ATS Systems - And How to Fix Yours | GlowHire Blog