The #1 Mistake That Gets Tech CVs Rejected (ATS-Friendly Fix)
Most companies parse CVs before a recruiter sees them. Use a single-column Word, Google Docs, or LaTeX file with standard headings. Canva columns and icons get tech CVs rejected in silence.
Most companies scan CVs before a recruiter sees them. If your file is not formatted for an Applicant Tracking System, it can be rejected in silence.
What Gets You Auto-Rejected
ATS software often fails when the CV:
- Was made in a design tool (Canva, Figma)
- Uses columns, text boxes, or complex layouts
- Includes icons or graphics (star ratings for skills)
- Packs text into headers/footers the parser skips
- Saves as an image PDF
Your CV should be a plain document (Word, Google Docs, or LaTeX) with clean text, standard headings, and bullet points.
A Layout That Survives the Six-Second Scan
- Single column
- Headings the parser knows: Experience, Education, Skills
- Role title, company, dates on one line
- XYZ bullets — <a href="/blog/how-to-write-senior-level-cv-bullets">senior bullet formula</a>
- Skills as words, not icon rows
- No photos (many EU firms also prefer this for bias reasons)
A clean LaTeX or Google Doc template is enough. You do not need a designer.
International Tech CV Mistakes We See Repeatedly
- Two pages of coursework and no production impact
- English mistakes in the first five lines
- A title that does not match the job (Programmer vs Software Engineer)
- Missing location / visa status when that is the whole point of the search
After It Parses
Humans still read. Tailor for the role — <a href="/blog/how-to-tailor-your-tech-cv-with-ai">tailor with AI</a> — and keep LinkedIn consistent — <a href="/blog/how-to-verify-skills-on-linkedin">LinkedIn skills</a>.
Pretty CVs win design contests. Plain CVs win interviews.
Frequently asked questions
What CV format passes ATS for software engineers?
Single-column, standard section titles, no text in images, no tables for layout. Word, Google Docs, or a simple LaTeX template.
Are Canva and Figma CVs bad for tech jobs?
They often are. Parsers miss columns and icons. A beautiful file that ATS cannot read never reaches the hiring manager.
Should I put visa sponsorship on my CV?
A single honest line helps recruiters not waste a loop. “Needs EU visa sponsorship” is better than hiding it until the offer.