Frequently Asked Questions

An ATS resume checker analyzes your resume for compatibility with Applicant Tracking Systems — the software used by most employers to filter and rank job applications automatically. Our tool checks your resume's formatting, section structure, contact information, and (optionally) keyword match against a job description, then provides a compatibility score with specific improvement suggestions.

The score provides directional guidance based on patterns common to major ATS platforms (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, Lever, iCIMS). Since each ATS has its own parsing engine, no external tool can perfectly replicate every system. However, the factors we analyze — formatting, sections, keywords, and contact info — are universally important across all ATS platforms.

Yes, completely free. No signup, no account, no hidden fees, and no usage limits. You can run as many analyses as you need.

No. All processing happens in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your resume text is never sent to any server, stored in any database, or shared with anyone. When you close the page, the data is gone.

Yes. The tool is fully responsive and works on mobile devices, tablets, and desktops. You can paste text, upload files, and view results on any screen size.

We support PDF, DOCX, and TXT files. For PDFs, the text must be extractable (not a scanned image). DOCX is recommended for the most reliable parsing. You can also paste your resume text directly.

Yes. Over 97% of Fortune 500 companies and approximately 75% of all employers use some form of ATS. Even smaller companies increasingly adopt ATS as affordable cloud-based options become available. If you're applying online through a company's career page or a job board, your resume almost certainly passes through an ATS.

An ATS receives your resume file, extracts the text content, identifies sections (experience, education, skills), parses contact information, and then matches your qualifications against the job posting's requirements. It scores and ranks candidates based on keyword relevance, skills match, experience level, and other criteria set by the employer.

Major ATS platforms include Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, Taleo (Oracle), iCIMS, BambooHR, JazzHR, Breezy HR, SmartRecruiters, and Jobvite. Each has different parsing capabilities, which is why optimizing for general compatibility is important.

Most modern ATS can read text-based PDFs (created from Word, Google Docs, or similar tools). However, scanned/image PDFs cannot be parsed. Some older ATS versions may have trouble with certain PDF encodings. To be safe, DOCX is the most universally compatible format.

ATS typically extracts: your name, contact details (email, phone, location), work experience (titles, companies, dates, descriptions), education (degree, institution, dates), skills, certifications, and any other structured sections. This information populates your candidate profile in the employer's system.

Use a single-column layout with standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills, Summary). Avoid tables, text boxes, headers/footers, graphics, and multi-column layouts. Use standard fonts, consistent bullet points, and recognizable date formats. DOCX format is safest, followed by text-based PDF.

There's no magic number. Focus on naturally incorporating the most important keywords from the specific job description — required skills, tools, certifications, and job-specific terminology. Aim for 60-80% match with the job posting. Never stuff keywords unnaturally or hide them in white text.

Yes, ideally. Tailoring your resume to match each job description's specific keywords and requirements significantly improves your ATS score. At minimum, adjust your skills section and summary to highlight the most relevant qualifications for each role.

Creative designs with graphics, multi-column layouts, and non-standard formatting generally perform poorly in ATS parsing. For online applications, use a clean, simple format. Save creative designs for direct-to-recruiter submissions, portfolio sites, or networking events where ATS isn't involved.

ATS doesn't have strict length requirements, but the common guidance is: 1 page for early career (0-5 years), 2 pages for mid-career (5-15 years), and potentially 3 pages for senior/executive roles. The key is including enough relevant content to match job requirements without padding.

A professional summary is recommended. It provides additional keyword real estate and helps both ATS and human readers quickly understand your profile. Objectives are generally less effective unless you're a new graduate or career changer. Keep it to 2-4 sentences focused on your value proposition.

No. No tool can guarantee interviews or job offers. A well-optimized resume improves your chances of passing initial ATS screening, but hiring decisions depend on many factors: your qualifications, competition, timing, recruiter preferences, and the specific employer's criteria. This tool helps with one important step in the process.

Aim for 80+ for best results. Scores above 80 indicate strong ATS compatibility. Scores between 65-79 are good but have room for improvement. Below 65 suggests significant issues that should be addressed before applying online.

The keyword match component (35% of the score when a job description is provided) depends on how well your resume's content matches the specific job posting. Different roles require different keywords, so your score will naturally vary by position. This is expected and highlights where you need to tailor your resume.

Yes. After running an analysis, you can download a detailed text report that includes your scores, detected issues, keyword analysis, and optimization suggestions. Use this as a checklist when revising your resume.