Many Saudi students applying for internships or cooperative training unknowingly create CVs that ATS systems cannot parse correctly, especially when writing in Arabic. These automated screening tools rely on clean, predictable formatting to extract information. If your Arabic CV contains certain mistakes, it may never reach a human recruiter.
Mistake #1: Using tables for layout. Tables are often used to align sections, but ATS reads left-to-right and can jumble your text. Instead, use simple column layouts with clear headings and avoid any cell structures. Stick to standard section titles like 'الخبرات' or 'التعليم'.
Mistake #2: Including text boxes, images, or graphics. Logos, photos, or decorative elements cause parsing failures. ATS cannot read text inside images or complex shapes. Keep your CV entirely text-based, with no embedded visuals.
Mistake #3: Using non-standard Arabic fonts or special characters. Fonts like Traditional Arabic or decorative scripts may not be recognized. Use widely supported fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Also avoid bullet symbols not in Unicode; use simple dashes or asterisks.
Mistake #4: Mixing Arabic and English without proper alignment. If you include an English section, maintain left-to-right order and avoid right-to-left overrides. For bilingual CVs, place each language in a separate section with consistent direction. ATS may misread dates or skills if directionality is inconsistent.
Mistake #5: Incorrect date formats and missing keywords. ATS looks for standard date format (e.g., '2023-2024') and specific keywords like 'تدريب', 'متدرب', 'cooperative training', 'internship'. Use action verbs in both Arabic and English. Tailor your CV for each application by including relevant terms from the job description.
Fixing these mistakes is simple. Use a plain text editor or a professional CV builder designed for ATS compatibility. Our CV Builder for Saudi students automatically formats Arabic and English sections correctly, uses clean layouts, and suggests keywords. Try it free now to ensure your internship CV passes any ATS system.