Creating an ATS friendly entry level CV requires a different strategy than writing a resume for experienced professionals. Entry level candidates often have limited work history, so the CV must highlight skills, education, internships, projects, and transferable abilities in a format that Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can easily read and evaluate.
Modern hiring pipelines rely heavily on ATS software, resume parsing systems, and keyword-based screening to filter applicants before a recruiter reviews the CV. If an entry level resume is not structured correctly, it may be rejected automatically even when the candidate has the right potential.
This guide explains how to create an ATS optimized entry level CV template that improves visibility in applicant tracking systems while presenting a clear professional profile to hiring managers.
The goal is to provide a complete ATS-friendly resume structure designed specifically for entry level job seekers.
Before a recruiter sees an application, most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems such as Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, Lever, or iCIMS to scan and rank resumes.
ATS systems typically evaluate:
job title relevance
education background
skills that match the job description
internship or project experience
keyword matches related to the role
resume structure and readability
chronological information
The system extracts structured data from the resume, including:
Below is a clean, ATS-compatible entry level CV template designed to pass resume screening systems.
Name
City, Country
Phone Number
Professional Email
LinkedIn Profile
The header should remain simple because ATS systems extract contact information automatically.
Avoid including:
profile photos
icons or graphics
multiple columns
personal details such as date of birth or marital status
A clear header ensures the ATS can properly identify the candidate’s contact details and profile information.
A resume summary or career objective introduces the candidate and provides context for recruiters.
Example:
Motivated entry level professional with strong analytical and problem-solving skills seeking an opportunity to contribute to a dynamic organization. Recently completed a degree in Business Administration with experience in research projects, team collaboration, and data analysis. Eager to apply academic knowledge, organizational skills, and attention to detail to support operational and strategic initiatives.
A strong entry level summary should include:
educational background
key skills
career goals
relevant academic or internship experience
This section helps ATS systems identify role-related keywords and helps recruiters quickly understand the candidate’s focus.
The skills section is critical for ATS ranking because systems scan it for keyword matches related to the job description.
Communication Skills
Team Collaboration
Problem Solving
Time Management
Research and Analysis
Data Entry
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint
Project Coordination
Critical Thinking
Customer Service
Administrative Support
Attention to Detail
Adaptability
Organizational Skills
These skills commonly appear in entry level job descriptions across multiple industries.
Technical tools improve ATS keyword matching and demonstrate practical abilities.
Examples include:
For entry level candidates, the education section is often the strongest qualification and should appear near the top of the CV.
Bachelor of Business Administration
University of Amsterdam
Graduated: 2024
Relevant coursework:
Business Strategy
Data Analysis
Financial Management
Organizational Behavior
Marketing Principles
Academic achievements:
Internships demonstrate practical experience and should be highlighted clearly.
Marketing Intern
XYZ Digital Agency
June 2023 – September 2023
Key responsibilities and achievements:
Assisted in preparing marketing campaign reports and performance analysis.
Conducted research on market trends and competitor strategies.
Supported social media content planning and campaign coordination.
Collaborated with marketing teams to improve campaign engagement metrics.
Even short internships can demonstrate workplace readiness and transferable skills.
Students and recent graduates can strengthen their resume by including academic projects related to their field.
Market Research Project
University of Amsterdam
Project contributions:
Conducted customer survey research to analyze consumer purchasing behavior.
Analyzed data using Excel and statistical analysis techniques.
Presented findings and strategic recommendations to faculty panel.
Academic projects demonstrate:
analytical thinking
teamwork
Entry level candidates may include part-time work, volunteer experience, or extracurricular involvement.
Customer Service Assistant
Retail Store
2022 – 2023
Responsibilities:
Assisted customers with product inquiries and purchases.
Maintained organized inventory records and store displays.
Resolved customer concerns while maintaining a positive experience.
Even non-professional roles demonstrate communication, reliability, and teamwork skills.
Certifications can strengthen an entry level CV by showing initiative and skill development.
Examples:
Google Data Analytics Certificate
Microsoft Excel Certification
Project Management Fundamentals
Digital Marketing Certification
Certifications improve ATS visibility and show commitment to professional growth.
Proper formatting ensures that ATS systems can correctly parse the resume.
simple fonts such as Arial or Calibri
standard section headings
consistent bullet formatting
chronological work history
tables and text boxes
images or graphics
ATS systems rank resumes based on keyword alignment with job descriptions.
entry level professional
administrative support
data analysis
project coordination
research assistant
business analysis
customer support
team collaboration
report preparation
process improvement
entry level business analyst
entry level administrative assistant
entry level data analyst
recent graduate resume
entry level operations assistant
Including these phrases helps recruiters find candidates in ATS database searches.
Many entry level candidates unintentionally create resumes that fail automated screening.
Graphic-heavy resumes may look appealing but often break ATS systems.
Avoid:
design templates with columns
infographic-style resumes
resume graphics or icons
If a job description mentions skills like:
data analysis
project coordination
An ATS friendly entry level CV has three key characteristics.
First, the resume uses simple structure and clear headings that allow ATS software to extract information accurately.
Second, the resume includes relevant job-specific keywords that align with the employer’s job description.
Third, the resume demonstrates skills, academic achievements, and practical experiences that show potential value.
Important elements include:
structured resume sections
role-related keywords
internship or project experience
education details
measurable achievements when possible
These factors improve both ATS ranking and recruiter evaluation.
Entry level resumes frequently fail ATS screening due to structural issues rather than lack of qualifications.
Common problems include:
missing keywords from job descriptions
creative resume formatting that breaks parsing
vague descriptions of skills or projects
incomplete education information
Improving resume structure and keyword alignment significantly increases the chance of passing automated resume screening.
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education details
work experience
skills
certifications
If the resume formatting prevents proper data extraction, the ATS may fail to parse the document correctly, reducing the candidate’s match score.
Entry level candidates often apply to large volumes of jobs, and companies receive hundreds of applications. ATS systems help recruiters prioritize candidates whose resumes contain relevant keywords and clear structure.
To ensure ATS compatibility:
use simple formatting
include job-relevant keywords
structure sections clearly
avoid graphics or complex design elements
An ATS-friendly resume increases the likelihood that the application passes the automated screening stage.
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
Google Workspace
Power BI
SQL (basic level)
CRM systems
data analysis tools
Even basic technical proficiency can strengthen an entry level resume.
Graduated with Honors
Dean’s List 2023
Student leadership participation
Listing coursework and academic achievements helps recruiters understand the candidate’s foundational knowledge.
presentation skills
research ability
These qualities are highly valued in entry level hiring decisions.
multi-column layouts
icons and design elements
These design features often cause resume parsing errors in ATS systems.
customer service
those keywords should appear naturally in the resume.
ATS systems rely on predictable headings such as:
Education
Work Experience
Skills
Non-standard headings may prevent the ATS from correctly categorizing resume information.
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