Applying for jobs today is very different from ten or even five years ago. Most companies don’t start by having a person read your CV. Nowadays, they use an ATS (Applicant Tracking System), a piece of software that scans applications and decides who goes through to the next round. This is both scary and exciting: scary because so many applications get rejected before a person sees them, exciting because once you know the rules, you can play the system. That’s why I designed this ATS friendly CV B1 lesson to help learners understand the process and apply the rules in their own job applications.
This lesson came about after I went looking for an up-to-date video on how to apply for jobs. When I found one recommending that applicants should call companies one by one and ask for vacancies😐(have a look for yourselves!).
That advice felt outdated, so I created this session instead. I designed this lesson after coming across a practical article on Novorésumé. The session introduces B1 students to modern hiring tools like ATS, looks at the challenges these systems create, and provides clear strategies to make CVs more effective. It’s especially useful for Business English learners who are currently job-hunting or who want to better understand how today’s hiring process works.
If this sounds interesting, scroll to the end of the post to download the presentation, worksheet, and teacher’s notes. I’ve also created two more lessons on job interview preparation: Introduction to Job Interviews and a class on Soft Skills, which work perfectly as follow-ups to this session.
Warmer: Infographic Reaction
Start with two infographics, which you can also find on Novorésumé‘s article 10 Expert Tips to Beat Any Applicant Tracking System in 2025 about ATS (how many companies use it, and how many CVs are rejected).
Students answer three simple questions: What is ATS? What do the numbers mean? How does it make you feel about applying for a job? This stage is quick but powerful, and most importantly, it raises awareness and sparks discussion on the reality of job applications today.
Reading for Gist: Nine Ways to Beat the ATS
Students read a simplified version of the article 10 Expert Tips to Beat Any Applicant Tracking System in 2025, adapted to B1 level. Their task is to match the headings to the tips mentioned in the article. Tips include using the right CV format, simple layout, keywords from the job ad, proofreading, and sending the file in the correct format.
Vocabulary: Key Job Application Terms
Next, students focus on six essential words: ATS, keywords, layout, proofread, tailor, and template. They work with B1-friendly definitions and examples, helping them build vocabulary that’s practical and useful.
Reading for Detail: Checking Understanding with Detail Questions
Finish the reading stage of the class by answering challenging comprehension questions about the adapted article. Students choose between two possible answers for each question, which makes them focus on the precise meaning of the text and think critically about the advice given. This step helps consolidate their understanding of the CV tips.
Post-Reading Discussion: Which Tips Matter Most?
Sudents move into a guided discussion that makes the lesson personal and reflective. First, they choose the two (or more) CV tips they find most useful and explain why, encouraging them to connect the reading with their own career goals. Then, they debate whether it’s fair for computers (ATS) to decide which CVs go forward, a question that often sparks strong opinions.
Analysis: Model CV
Before writing their own, students look at a professional CV sample. Their task is to connect the tips they read about to what they see in the CV. For example, reverse chronological format, clear layout, and correct job titles.
Now it’s time to put everything into practice. Students choose a job they would like to apply for (real or imagined) and draft their own CV, following the ATS-friendly rules.
Students swap CVs with a partner. They underline keywords, check if the main sections are included, and give feedback on how ATS-friendly the CV looks.
Group Discussion: AI vs. Human Contact
The lesson finishes with a big-picture question: Will computers and AI eventually decide who gets jobs, or will human contact always remain essential? This discussion invites students to think critically about the future of work while practising speculation and expressing opinions. It’s a motivating way to close the class, as learners connect the lesson topic to wider issues of technology, fairness, and the human side of employment.
This ATS friendly CV B1 lesson isn’t just a Business English task – it’s a real-life skill builder. Students leave class more confident about applying for jobs, more aware of how companies screen candidates, and with a clearer sense of how to present themselves.
If you want a lesson that blends language practice with career skills, this one is ideal. Scroll down to download the presentation, worksheet, and teacher’s notes and help your learners get one step closer to their dream job.
What do you think, should AI and ATS decide who gets an interview, or should humans always make the first decision?
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