How to beat the algorithm when applying for a job

Often, when job seekers are unsuccessful in the first round of an application, they blame the hiring company’s artificial intelligence bots. As it turns out, they’re not far from the truth: 98% of organisations use applicant tracking systems (ATS) whose job is to scan applicants’ resumes and automatically eliminate those who don’t meet enough of the requirements.

This can be efficient for companies that receive large volumes of applications that would take HR managers weeks to wade through, but the downside is that 75% of resumes are rejected automatically by the ATS before a ‘real’ recruiter even sees them. This means that applicants who might have a valid reason for not meeting one of the required criteria, for example, might be rejected without being given a fair chance. The best way to get around the applicant tracking system hurdle, when looking for a job in the Netherlands, is to write a CV with the bots in mind – one that is optimised for what the ATS is trained to look for, and a motivation letter that explains inconsistencies or unusual entries in your CV.

In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about beating the ATS when you’re applying for a job.

Size and format of your CV

Start with the basics. Keep your CV under 2MB, unless the employer states otherwise. Even the strongest application can be rejected automatically if the file is too large.

Location still matters in the Netherlands. Many employers filter candidates based on commuting distance, especially where travel cost reimbursement applies. If you already live in the same city or region, make this clear on your CV.

Format is just as important. Most ATS systems used in 2026 work best with Word (.docx) files and PDFs.
Use a clean layout, 11–12pt font, left-aligned text, and standard fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. These choices help the ATS read your CV accurately and reduce the risk of misinterpretation.

Use clear, standard keywords

Not all ATS systems handle synonyms or creative job titles well. If your title was something like “Chief Happiness Officer” or “Marketing Rockstar”, add a standard equivalent such as HR Manager or Senior Marketing Manager.

Recruiters understand playful titles. ATS software often doesn’t. Using recognised job titles and skills significantly increases your chances of passing the first screening.

Tip for 2026: mirror the wording used in the job description, especially for skills, tools, and seniority level.

Use text, not images

ATS systems still struggle with images. Visual CVs may look good to humans but perform poorly in automated screening.

Avoid:

• Flags for languages

• Star ratings or progress bars

• Software or company logos

Instead, write everything in plain text:

• Languages: English (fluent), Dutch (intermediate), German (native)

• Software: Photoshop, Salesforce, HubSpot

If a recruiter searches for “Photoshop” or “German,” your CV will only appear if the word is written out.

Be mindful of your online presence

In the EU, including the Netherlands, GDPR limits automated social media screening. Most ATS systems do not legally scrape private social profiles.

However, recruiters almost always check LinkedIn, and sometimes other public platforms. Make sure your LinkedIn profile:

• Matches your CV

• Uses clear job titles

• Reflects a professional image

For personal platforms like Instagram or Facebook, either set them to private or ensure public content wouldn’t raise questions.

Write for humans as well as systems

Don’t write a CV only for bots. At Adams Multilingual Recruitment for example, we still take our time to review applications with care.

A good CV in 2026:

• Is easy to scan

• Uses clear headings

• Avoids keyword stuffing

• Tells a coherent career story

ATS-friendly does not mean unreadable. The goal is a CV that works for both technology and people.

If you’ve struggled with applications in the past, the reason may be technical rather than personal: unclear titles, image-heavy layouts, or vague wording that the ATS couldn’t interpret correctly.

Use the tips above to make your CV ATS-friendly and recruiter-ready.

Ready to apply?