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World Bank ATS Tips

How to get your resume past World Bank's Applicant Tracking System and into the hands of a recruiter.

Which ATS does World Bank use?

World Bank uses Custom as their Applicant Tracking System. This means your resume will be parsed and scored by Custom's algorithms before a human ever sees it.

Application Tips for World Bank

You're applying to the World Bank, so format your resume to fit their Custom ATS system. Use clear language and bullet points to highlight your achievements. The ATS system screens for specific keywords, so incorporate relevant terms from the job description.

And don't just stop at formatting - show the World Bank you share their values. Talk about your commitment to poverty reduction, sustainable development, and global cooperation. Highlight your experience working with governments, civil society, and private sector organizations. Mention your ability to work in a multicultural environment. This shows you're a candidate who's on board with the company's mission.

The World Bank loves numbers, so quantify your accomplishments. Instead of saying "increased efficiency," say "improved project delivery time by 30%." This demonstrates the impact of your work and shows you're results-driven. They also care about your ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing priorities. Be prepared to give examples of how you've handled these situations.

It's a collaborative culture at the World Bank, focused on achieving development goals and making a positive impact. To succeed, you need to be a team player who's comfortable working in a matrix organization and building relationships with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Be ready to talk about your experience working in a collaborative setting and communicating complex ideas simply.

So, you get selected for an interview - what then? Be prepared to answer behavioral questions about project management, stakeholder engagement, and data analysis. The interview process includes technical and behavioral questions, and maybe a presentation or case study. Check out the company's website and social media to get up to speed on current development challenges and priorities. Come ready to discuss your ideas and perspectives on these topics.

You should know what to expect.

The World Bank's interview process is thorough, and they want to know you're the right fit.

And that's not all - they'll also want to know how you handle tough situations, so be prepared to think on your feet.

Keywords That Resonate at World Bank

These terms reflect World Bank's culture and values. Naturally weaving them into your resume and cover letter signals cultural fit.

sustainabilitypoverty reductionglobal cooperationdiversityinclusioncollaborationresults-drivendevelopment

General ATS Formatting Rules

  • Use a clean, single-column layout — multi-column formats confuse most ATS parsers.
  • Stick to standard section headings: Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications.
  • Avoid images, tables, text boxes, and headers/footers — these are often stripped.
  • Submit as PDF unless the job posting specifically requests .docx.
  • Match keywords from the job description exactly — ATS scores keyword overlap.

Check your resume against World Bank's ATS

Huntly's ATS optimizer scores your resume and gives you specific suggestions to pass World Bank's system.

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