Creating ATS-Friendly Resumes for Nigerian Job Market
Many Nigerian companies now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. If your CV isn't ATS-friendly, it may never reach a human recruiter - even if you're qualified. This guide shows you how to optimize.
What is an ATS?
An ATS (Applicant Tracking System) is software that scans, sorts, and ranks resumes before human review. Nigerian companies using ATS include:
- Major banks (GTBank, Access, Zenith, UBA)
- Tech companies (Andela, Interswitch, Flutterwave)
- FMCG companies (Nestlé, Unilever, P&G)
- Oil & Gas companies (Shell, Chevron, Total)
ATS-Friendly Formatting Rules
✅ DO:
- Use standard fonts: Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Georgia
- Simple section headings: "Work Experience", "Education", "Skills"
- Standard file format: DOCX or PDF (check job posting)
- Chronological format: Most recent first
- Clear contact info: Phone, email, LinkedIn at top
- Use bullet points: For achievements and responsibilities
- Include keywords: From job description
❌ DON'T:
- Graphics or images: ATS can't read them
- Tables or text boxes: Often scrambled by ATS
- Headers/footers: May not be scanned
- Fancy fonts: Script, decorative, or unusual fonts
- Columns: Can confuse parsing
- Abbreviations without context: Write "Bachelor of Science (BSc)"
Keyword Optimization
How to Find Keywords
- Read the job description carefully
- Note repeated skills and qualifications
- Include exact phrases (e.g., "Project Management", not just "Management")
- Use both acronyms and full terms (e.g., "BSc (Bachelor of Science)")
Where to Place Keywords
- Professional summary
- Skills section
- Work experience descriptions
- Job titles (if accurate)
ATS-Friendly Section Order
- Contact Information
- Professional Summary (2-3 sentences)
- Work Experience (reverse chronological)
- Education
- Skills
- Certifications (if applicable)
- Languages (if relevant)
Testing Your Resume
Free ATS Scanners
- Jobscan: Compare your resume to job description
- Resume Worded: Free ATS checker
- Copy-paste test: Paste your PDF into Notepad - if it looks scrambled, ATS will struggle
Quick Fixes for Common ATS Issues
Issue: Fancy resume template
Fix: Use HeadHunter.ng's ATS-friendly CV template instead
Issue: Skills not being recognized
Fix: List skills in a dedicated section with clear labels
Issue: Dates not parsing correctly
Fix: Use consistent format: "January 2020 - Present" or "01/2020 - Present"
Issue: Job titles unclear
Fix: Use standard titles: "Software Engineer" instead of "Code Ninja"
Example: Before vs After
❌ Before (ATS will struggle):
[Fancy header graphic] JOHN DOE | SOFTWARE DEVELOPER 🚀 Lagos • 081234567 • john@email.com
✅ After (ATS-friendly):
JOHN DOE Software Developer Phone: 081234567 | Email: john@email.com | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johndoe Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Nigerian-Specific Considerations
- Include NYSC completion status clearly
- List full degree names: "Bachelor of Science in Computer Science"
- Include professional memberships (e.g., "Member, Nigerian Institute of Management")
- Use Nigerian spelling (e.g., "organisation" not "organization")
Final Checklist
- ☐ File saved as DOCX or PDF
- ☐ No graphics, tables, or columns
- ☐ Standard section headings
- ☐ Keywords from job description included
- ☐ Contact info at top (not in header/footer)
- ☐ Consistent date formatting
- ☐ Standard fonts (11-12pt)
- ☐ File named professionally: "JohnDoe_Resume_SoftwareEngineer.pdf"
Pro Tip: Save two versions - one ATS-friendly for online applications, and one visually enhanced for in-person interviews or email submissions.