1. Application Documents
Self-prepared application documents may be used, provided they meet the employer’s requirements and are appropriately prepared for the recruitment process of the respective country.
However, it is important to understand that simply having a CV is not always enough. Many employers and recruitment agencies (and their number is increasing) use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and other automated screening tools as part of the initial recruitment process. These systems may assess the structure, formatting, keywords, job relevance and other characteristics of an application before it reaches a recruiter or hiring manager.
A CV that is difficult for an ATS to read, poorly structured, or insufficiently aligned with the advertised position may be filtered out (crossed out from the list of candidates automatically) or even pass the screening, then receive less consideration during the initial screening stage.
Poorly structured application documents can make it harder for automated screening systems and recruiters to identify a candidate’s relevant qualifications, skills, and experience.
A professionally prepared CV can be a better option for candidates who want to present their qualifications, skills, and experience in a clear, structured, and compelling way. An experienced CV specialist can help tailor the document to the expectations of the relevant job market and the specific position. This can improve the presentation of a candidate’s profile, although it cannot guarantee that an application will pass an ATS screening, receive a human review, or lead to an interview or job offer.
Candidates are always free to prepare their own documents or seek professional assistance from a provider of their choice.
If your CV does not meet an employer’s ATS screening criteria, it may reduce your chances of progressing to the next stage. Depending on the employer’s recruitment process, your application may not reach a human reviewer.
2. Why does ATS compatibility matter?
A strong CV needs to work on two levels:
- For the recruitment system – it should be clearly structured, readable by ATS software and appropriately aligned with the requirements and keywords of the position.
- For the recruiter or employer – once the application reaches a human reviewer, the CV should clearly communicate your relevant experience, qualifications and suitability for the specific role.
For this reason, a professionally prepared CV is not simply about making the document look better. It is about presenting your experience in a format that is suitable for the recruitment process and tailored to the position you are applying for.
ATS compatibility and CV assessment
ATS and resume-scoring tools may provide an indication of how closely a CV matches a particular vacancy. As a general guideline, a higher compatibility score can indicate stronger alignment with the advertised position.
However, scoring methods vary between systems and should be treated as an indication rather than a universal pass/fail standard.
The most important factors include:
– relevant keywords and terminology from the vacancy;
– clear and ATS-readable formatting;
– appropriate job title and professional terminology;
– relevant skills and qualifications;
– alignment between the CV and the specific position;
– clear presentation of professional experience and achievements.
Why do we recommend professional assistance?
We recommend a professional document preparation service that can assist with both application documents and, where applicable, visa-related paperwork and supporting documentation.
The service can:
– prepare your documents according to generally accepted CV conventions in the specific country;
– optimize the CV structure and formatting for ATS compatibility;
– identify and incorporate relevant terminology and keywords from the vacancy;
– tailor your CV to the specific employer and position;
– help reduce formatting, structural and other formal errors;
– provide assistance with visa-related and supporting documents where applicable.
The service can also assist with a wider range of supporting documents, including more than 15 documents where applicable, depending on the requirements of the individual application.
Can I prepare my own documents?
Yes. You are free to prepare and submit your own application documents.
However, if you choose to do so, we recommend paying particular attention to ATS compatibility, local resume conventions and the specific requirements of the employer and vacancy.
A professionally prepared and targeted application can help ensure that your qualifications are presented clearly, that your CV is easier for recruitment systems to process, and that your profile is more effectively aligned with the position.
Important information about the recommended service
The recommended document preparation service is provided by an independent partner. We may receive a referral commission if you choose to use their services.
Your decision to use the service is entirely voluntary and does not influence the employer’s recruitment process. You may also choose to prepare your own documents.
We believe that professionally prepared application documents can help you present your qualifications more clearly and effectively. The detailed questionnaire will explore your skills, work experience, training, and other relevant background. With great depth and fine details—which are, however, very important! This process can help identify valuable information you may have overlooked and bring relevant strengths to the attention of potential employers.
However, it is fair to point out that professional document preparation can improve the structure, presentation and relevance of your application, but it cannot guarantee an interview, job offer or successful recruitment outcome. It depends a lot on where you send your documents and to what extent the employer is willing to hire employees from your country. Please also review the positions in the JFF / Job From Friends listing.
A professional document preparation service (provided by an independent partner):
