What is an ATS?
An applicant tracking system is the software employers use to collect and sort job applications. Most large US employers run applications through one, so your resume is usually read by software before a recruiter sees it. The system pulls out your name, contact details, jobs, education and skills, and recruiters then search and filter candidates by keywords, location and experience.
If the system can’t read your resume properly, your details can come out jumbled or missing, and you may not appear in a recruiter’s search even when you have the right experience.
What this checker looks at
- Can it be read: scanned or image-only resumes, text that turns into symbols because of a decorative font, and words that run together.
- Layout: two-column designs, tables, text boxes, page headers and footers, photos, icons and skill bars.
- Contact details: email, phone, city and state, and LinkedIn, and whether they sit where an ATS can find them.
- Sections: standard headings such as Summary, Work experience, Education and Skills.
- Content: length, dates, bullet points, numbers in your achievements, action verbs, and personal details that don’t belong on a US resume.
- Keywords: paste a job description and we compare it with your resume using more than 150 skills, tools and certifications.
Your file stays on your device
The checker runs in your web browser. Your resume is opened and read on your own phone or computer. It is not uploaded to our server, and nothing is kept after you close the page.
Resume tips for US jobs
- Keep it to one page if you have under 10 years of experience, and two pages at most.
- Use one column and save it as PDF or .docx. Fancy templates often confuse an ATS.
- Put your name, phone, email, City, State and LinkedIn in the first lines of the page, not in the page header.
- Leave out your photo, date of birth, marital status and Social Security number.
- Start each bullet with an action verb and add a number where you can: “Cut onboarding time by 30%”.
- Use the same words as the job description where they are true for you. Our resume keyword checker compares the two side by side.
Questions people ask
Is this ATS resume checker free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no limit on how many times you check.
What is a good ATS score?
85 or more means most systems should read your resume without trouble. Between 65 and 84, fix the items marked “Fix” first. Below 65, the layout or missing details could stop recruiters finding you. Every ATS reads files a little differently, so treat the score as a guide rather than a guarantee.
Should I upload my resume as PDF or Word?
Both work with most systems as long as the file is made from text and not scanned. Follow the employer’s instructions. If there are none, a simple PDF keeps your formatting.
Does an ATS reject resumes automatically?
Some systems screen out applications that fail knock-out questions, such as work authorization or a required license. More often, a resume that is hard to read simply ranks lower or doesn’t show up when a recruiter searches.
More tips are in our guide to writing a resume that gets interviews.