{"id":145,"date":"2026-10-26T12:45:32","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T12:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/43.199.144.95\/?page_id=145"},"modified":"2026-11-04T09:12:26","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T09:12:26","slug":"ats-resume-optimisation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/offplication.duckdns.org\/?page_id=145","title":{"rendered":"ATS resume optimisation: 8 rules that get you past the scan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\" style=\"white-space: normal;\">Writing an ATS-friendly CV for graduate jobs in Hong Kong starts with clear formatting, relevant keywords and accurate examples of your skills. This guide explains eight practical CV rules, common mistakes to avoid and how to prepare your application using free templates and a final checklist.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<section id=\"section-0\">\n<h2>What is an ATS?<\/h2>\n<p>An applicant tracking system helps an employer collect and organise applications. Different systems work differently; there is no universal pass score. A readable CV helps both software and the recruiter. Always follow the file and document instructions in the actual vacancy.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section id=\"section-1\">\n<h2>8 ATS-Friendly CV Formatting Rules<\/h2>\n<p>Use one column for automated applications. Use standard headings such as Education and Experience. Submit the requested file format, using a text-based PDF when permitted. Reflect relevant skills from the job description truthfully. Start evidence bullets with clear action verbs. Quantify outcomes when you can support the numbers. Avoid placing essential content inside tables or text boxes. Use consistent, unambiguous dates.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section id=\"section-2\">\n<h2>Keywords that matter<\/h2>\n<p>Compare three relevant graduate job descriptions. Make a short list of repeated skills, tools and responsibilities. Beside each, write an example from a project, part-time role or society. Include only skills you can explain. For example, describe how you used Excel to reconcile a society budget rather than listing analytical skills without evidence.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section id=\"section-3\">\n<h2>Templates to download<\/h2>\n<p>The one-page Word template is intended as a simple starting point. The two-column PDF is a visual networking example; it may be less suitable for automated parsing. Check any employer requirements and test that copied text stays in the intended order.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section id=\"section-4\">\n<h2>STAR interview framework<\/h2>\n<p>Situation: our society event registration records were inconsistent. Task: I needed a clear attendance estimate. Action: I cleaned duplicate records, checked ambiguous entries with the team and created a shared spreadsheet. Result: the committee could plan seating from one agreed list. Replace this illustrative example with your own accurate outcome.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section id=\"section-5\">\n<h2>Final checklist before applying<\/h2>\n<p>Proofread names, dates and links. Check that your email works and your file opens correctly. Keep one clear target role in mind. Save the final job description alongside your CV so you can prepare for a later interview.<\/p>\n<p><label class=\"article-check\"><input type=\"checkbox\" data-check=\"ats-resume-optimisation-0\">Clear headings and contact details<\/label><label class=\"article-check\"><input type=\"checkbox\" data-check=\"ats-resume-optimisation-1\">Examples relevant to the target role<\/label><label class=\"article-check\"><input type=\"checkbox\" data-check=\"ats-resume-optimisation-2\">Accurate dates and working links<\/label><label class=\"article-check\"><input type=\"checkbox\" data-check=\"ats-resume-optimisation-3\">No unsupported claims<\/label><\/p><\/section>\n\n\n\n<section id=\"downloads\">\n<h2>Free templates<\/h2>\n<p>Use these editable examples as a starting point. Replace all placeholder text and check the employer\u2019s instructions.<\/p>\n<div class=\"download-list\"><a class=\"btn secondary-btn\" href=\"\/assets\/downloads\/graduate-cv.docx\">One-page CV \u00b7 DOCX \u2193<\/a><a class=\"btn secondary-btn\" href=\"\/assets\/downloads\/graduate-cv.pdf\">Two-column CV \u00b7 PDF \u2193<\/a><a class=\"btn secondary-btn\" href=\"\/assets\/downloads\/star-worksheet.pdf\">STAR worksheet \u00b7 PDF \u2193<\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"article-next\">\n<h2>Put this into practice<\/h2>\n<p>Explore a real employer\u2019s requirements, then bring your draft to a coaching conversation.<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn primary-btn\" href=\"\/jobs\/\">Explore graduate pathways \u2192<\/a><a class=\"text-link\" href=\"\/coaches\/\">Find a coach \u2192<\/a><\/p><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Writing an ATS-friendly CV for graduate jobs in Hong Kong starts with clear formatting, relevant keywords and accurate examples of your skills. This guide explains eight practical CV rules, common mistakes to avoid and how to prepare your application using free templates and a final checklist. What is an ATS? An applicant tracking system helps [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":72,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-145","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/offplication.duckdns.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/145","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/offplication.duckdns.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/offplication.duckdns.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offplication.duckdns.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offplication.duckdns.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=145"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/offplication.duckdns.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/145\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1199,"href":"https:\/\/offplication.duckdns.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/145\/revisions\/1199"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offplication.duckdns.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/72"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/offplication.duckdns.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}