In this article7 min read
- What is an ATS and how does it work in 2026?
- The 6 most important adjustments to your CV
- What you risk if you do not optimise your CV
- Common mistakes by students and starters
- How Recruit a Student helps you find the right job
- Taking action now pays off
- Frequently asked questions
- A student agency with national coverage and local expertise
Would you like more interview invitations? Find out how to optimise your CV as a student or starter for the AI tools and ATS systems recruiters use in 2026.
You put your CV together carefully. Nice layout, clear language, everything neatly in order. And still: no response. What many students and starters do not know is that in many cases their CV is never seen by human eyes until it has passed through an algorithm first.
In 2026 most medium-sized and large employers process applications through an ATS (Applicant Tracking System), increasingly supplemented by AI tools that assess, rank and even reject CVs automatically. A CV that looks good to people does not always score well in such a system.
Good news: once you know how those systems work, you can respond to them sensibly. In this article you will find exactly what to do.
In short: in 2026 the majority of employers screen CVs automatically through ATS software and AI. As a starter or student you considerably improve your chance of an invitation by optimising your CV for keywords, structure and machine readability. Through Recruit a Student you also get personal advice and direct access to employers who are actively looking for your profile.
75%
of large employers use an ATS to filter applications
70%
of CVs are rejected by the ATS before a recruiter sees them
3x
more chance of an invitation with an ATS-optimised CV
What is an ATS and how does it work in 2026?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software with which employers manage applications. The system scans your CV for relevant keywords, assesses the structure and gives you a score based on the match with the vacancy.
In 2026 ATS systems are smarter than ever. Thanks to AI integration, CVs are not only scanned for individual words but also for context, skills and relevance. Popular systems such as Workday, Greenhouse and Recruitee now contain AI modules that rank CVs automatically.
What does this mean for you as a student or starter? That a beautifully designed CV with creative fonts and an infographic costs you more than it earns. Not with the recruiter, but with the algorithm that decides your chances first.
The 6 most important adjustments to your CV
1. Use the right keywords from the vacancy
ATS systems compare your CV literally with the vacancy text. The more terms match, the higher your score. Read the vacancy carefully and use exactly the same words for roles, skills and tools. Does it say “Microsoft Excel”? Write it out in full.
2. Write a strong summary at the top
ATS systems and AI tools look at your introduction first. Use that space to show in three to five sentences who you are, what you can do and what you are looking for, in language close to the vacancy. Mention your course of study, relevant tools and your ambition. A focused summary raises your match score considerably and then also catches the recruiter’s attention.
3. Choose a simple, ATS-friendly layout
Creative CVs with columns, icons and coloured blocks look attractive, but an ATS often cannot read them. The system gets confused and skips text. Choose a single-column design and a standard font such as Arial or Calibri. Save your CV as a Word file or a simple PDF with plain formatting.
4. Put your skills in a separate section
A clear “Skills” section helps ATS systems identify your competences quickly. List hard skills such as programs, languages and tools with their full names. Avoid graphic bars or star ratings for language levels, because an ATS does not read them. Use standard level indicators such as A2, B2 or C1 next to the language instead.
5. Describe experience with measurable results
AI tools are trained to recognise impact. Replace general descriptions with concrete figures and results. Instead of “helped with social media”, write “managed an Instagram account that grew from 400 to 1,200 followers in three months”. Little work experience? Then use course assignments, committee work or volunteering as examples and make the impact visible there too.
6. Adapt your CV for every application
Sending one standard CV to dozens of vacancies no longer works in 2026. ATS systems score relevance per vacancy. Make a strong base version and adjust the summary, keywords and most relevant experience for each application. That costs you ten to fifteen minutes, but it is the difference between an automatic rejection and an invitation to interview.
What you risk if you do not optimise your CV
- Invisible to recruiters: a CV that is not optimised does not pass the first filter. The recruiter never sees you, however strong your profile is.
- Missed opportunities: the best jobs and placements go quickly. Anyone whose CV is in order responds faster and more successfully.
- Frustration without feedback: ATS systems rarely send substantive rejections. You do not know why you were turned down, unless you understand the system.
“As a recruiter I always advise putting a good, professional photo on your CV, so that recruiters quickly get a picture of who you are. It is also important to use a clear layout, so that they can easily see what you have done and where your ambitions lie.”
Vincent, recruiter
Common mistakes by students and starters
Using a creative CV design. It is tempting, but risky for ATS readability. Save your creative portfolio for the interview.
Listing responsibilities without results. “Contributed to projects” says nothing about you. Be specific and measurable.
Using one CV for all applications. Every vacancy calls for an adapted version. Take the time for it.
Not taking keywords from the vacancy. The ATS compares literally. If the vacancy says “agile” and you write “flexible way of working”, you mean the same thing but lose points.
A PDF with graphic formatting. A nice template with columns is unreadable for many ATS systems. Keep your CV simple.
How Recruit a Student helps you find the right job
As a specialist student agency, Recruit a Student knows the labour market for starters inside out. We help you to a vacancy and also think with you about your profile and how best to present yourself.
- Personal CV advice from recruiters who deal with employers every day.
- Directly visible to employers actively looking for starters.
- More than 500 students went before you through our network.
- Active in logistics, retail, care, marketing, IT and more.
- Active since 2015, trusted by students and employers across Belgium and the Netherlands.
Taking action now pays off
The labour market for starters moves quickly. The best jobs and placements are often taken within days. Anyone who gets their CV in order now is ready to respond as soon as the right vacancy comes along.
Your CV can be a work in progress. Start today with the adjustments in this article and sign up with Recruit a Student. We connect you with employers who are actively looking for someone with your profile.
Sign up free of charge or see our current vacancies.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to make a different CV for every vacancy?
Not entirely. Adapting a good base version takes 10 to 15 minutes per application. Change the summary and make sure the keywords from the vacancy appear. That makes a big difference to your ATS score.
May I use an attractive, creative CV template?
For roles in design or communication a creative CV can impress the recruiter, but always add an ATS-friendly version as a Word file. Mention this in your cover letter.
How do I know which keywords to use?
Read the vacancy text carefully. Note the terms that appear several times or are described specifically. You can also use online tools that compare your CV with the vacancy automatically and give a match score.
What if I have little work experience?
Then use course assignments, group projects, volunteering, student jobs or committee work. Describe what you did and what it produced. Employers who hire starters know experience is limited; they look at your potential and your ability to learn.
Is a cover letter also checked by the ATS?
That differs per employer. Some ATS systems also scan the cover letter for keywords. So use the keywords from the vacancy in your letter too, and write with the role in mind.
A student agency with national coverage and local expertise
Recruit a Student combines a national network with the personal approach of a local agency. From our offices in the main student cities our recruiters are close to you. They know the local labour market, know which employers in your region are actively looking for starters and support you personally in your search.
Active in your region too: Recruit a Student is active across Belgium. With offices and recruitment channels throughout Flanders and Brussels we put you in touch with employers in your own region, wherever you study or live.
