Understanding Applicant Tracking Systems to Succeed with Your Remote Job Applications

The rise of remote work has opened up opportunities for jobseekers across Africa. However, with this increased access comes heightened competition. Employers now receive hundreds, sometimes thousands, of applications for a single remote role. To manage this flood of applications, many remote companies tend to use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

This article explains what ATS is, how it works, common mistakes to avoid, and how you can optimise your CV to succeed in remote job applications.

What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a type of recruitment software used by employers to receive and manage job applications.

The purpose of ATS is to:

• Streamline the hiring process.
• Filter large volumes of resumes efficiently.
• Rank candidates based on keywords, qualifications, and job fit.

Some popular ATS platforms used by companies worldwide include Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, Lever, SmartRecruiters, BambooHR and iCIMS. Large corporations, remote-first startups, and even mid-sized companies rely on these systems to ensure only the best-matched candidates are considered further.

Understanding How ATS Works

To succeed with your remote job applications, it helps to know how ATS screens and filters resumes. These are some important things you need to know about how applicant tracking systems work;

Resume Scanning and Parsing
The ATS scans submitted CVs and converts them into structured data, pulling out details like your work history, skills, and education.

Keyword Matching and Ranking
The system compares your CV against the job description. If your CV contains key terms (for example, “remote collaboration,” “Excel reporting,” “project management”), you rank higher.

Filtering Applications
ATS can be set to automatically reject candidates who don’t meet minimum criteria such as years of experience, certifications, or location.

Why Qualified Candidates Get Rejected
Many applicants are highly capable but still fail because their CVs are formatted poorly, missing keywords, or contain elements the ATS cannot read. This highlights the importance of preparing an ATS-friendly CV.

Common Mistakes Applicants Make When Applying via ATS

Even strong candidates can lose opportunities because of avoidable errors. The most common mistakes include:

• Using too much fancy CVs: CVs with graphics, images, and too much creative designs often confuse ATS systems.
• Poorly structured CVs: Missing headings like “Work Experience” or “Education” can prevent parsing.
• Generic CVs: Submitting one CV for all applications without tailoring it to specific job descriptions.

These mistakes mean your CV might never reach a human recruiter.

How to Optimise Your CV for ATS and Ensure It Doesn’t Get Rejected

The good news is that you can significantly improve your chances by following a few simple strategies:

Use Professional, Clean Formatting
Stick to simple fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman), clear section headings, and consistent spacing.

Use ATS-Friendly CV Formats
Most ATS systems handle Word documents (.docx) better, though some accept PDFs. Always check application instructions. For sample professional formats, explore ATS-friendly templates here.

Tailor Your CV to the Job Description
Incorporate keywords and phrases directly from the job listing. If the employer mentions “remote project coordination,” ensure those exact words appear naturally in your CV.

Avoid Elements that Break ATS Parsing
Tables, charts, images, and unusual formatting often confuse ATS. Keep it text-based and straightforward.

Things You Can Do to Improve Chances of Beating ATS When Submitting Applications for Remote Positions

Beyond CV formatting, there are specific strategies remote jobseekers should apply:

• Prepare Your CV in a Professional Format: Always optimise for readability and ATS compliance.
• Highlight Remote Work Experience: Even freelance, internship, or volunteer remote work should be included.
• Showcase Remote Skills: Mention tools and skills like Slack, Zoom, Trello, Asana, time management, communication, and digital literacy.
• Test Your CV Against Job Descriptions: Use the Remote4Africa Job Fit Analysis tool to see how well your CV aligns with specific roles and get recommendations to improve your job match.

By doing these, you position yourself not only to pass ATS filters but also to impress human recruiters once your application gets reviewed.

For remote jobseekers, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are both a challenge and an opportunity. While they can filter you out before a recruiter even sees your CV, they also give you a clear path: prepare an ATS-optimised CV, tailor it to each application, and highlight your remote-friendly skills.

Many applicants get frustrated with rejections, not realising that the problem lies in how their resumes are structured, not their skills. By avoiding common mistakes and making your CV ATS-compliant, you drastically improve your chances of landing your dream remote job.