Using White Font on a CV to Trick ATS

If someone told you there was a way to guarantee your CV is picked out by ATS scanning software, you'd be interested. If they then told you this method involves hiding a string of keywords in your CV using white font - invisible to the human eye but readable by automated software - would you still be interested?

This article explains what the white font trick is, why it used to work, and why using it in 2026 is likely to do far more damage than good.

What are Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)?

ATS are used to automate the recruitment process by removing the human element from initial candidate selection. Recruiters use ATS to build job descriptions that are integrated into application portals. Candidates upload their CV directly, which is then filtered by the system's algorithms before any human sees it.

What's Wrong with ATS?

For candidates and CV writers alike, ATS can be deeply frustrating. Even though they are now near-universal, they are far from perfect. If the formatting of your CV isn't right, the ATS will struggle to parse it correctly. They dislike text boxes, complex formatting, and heavy use of colour. You could be the ideal candidate - but a simple formatting error can prevent you from being considered at all.

How Does the White Font Trick Work?

The basic principle is straightforward: fill the empty spaces of your CV with text written in white font. Invisible on a white page, but readable by an ATS scanning for keywords. Some candidates have even copied entire job descriptions word-for-word into their CV using white text, artificially inflating how many times key terms appear and making themselves seem more relevant than they are.

Here is a typical example of how it works in practice:

In the above example, the skills and experience required include communication skills, experience across the marcomms mix and strong copywriting abilities. A candidate using white text to manipulate the ATS would seed those exact phrases throughout their CV in white font, artificially increasing their keyword match score.

Does the White Font Trick Still Work?

It used to. But ATS technology has evolved significantly. Modern systems are specifically designed to detect hidden text, font colour manipulation, and keyword stuffing. What once slipped through unnoticed now triggers automatic flags in many platforms.

Can I Check My CV Against an ATS?

This is one of the most common questions we receive. The honest answer is: not reliably. There are pushing 200 different ATS platforms in active use, and they all parse and score CVs in slightly different ways. Oracle Cloud (previously Taleo) remains a major player in enterprise recruitment. Other widely used systems include Workday, Greenhouse, iCIMS, and Lever. There is no single test that covers them all.

What Should You Do Instead?