Free ATS Resume Checker
Build an ATS-friendly resume using selfcv's resume templates.
Click or drag file to this area to upload
Supported file types: .pdf, .doc, .docx, .txt
🧠 What is ATS?
ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System.
It is software used by employers and recruiters to:
- Collect, scan, filter, and rank job applications.
- Automatically decide which resumes are most relevant for a specific job based on keywords, skills, experience, and formatting.
🏢 Who Uses ATS?
- Companies of all sizes, especially medium to large ones.
- Recruitment agencies
- HR departments
- Government organizations
- Any organization that receives many job applications and wants to automate the screening process.
📍Where Is ATS Used in the Hiring Process?
- A company posts a job online (LinkedIn, Indeed, etc.).
- Candidates apply through the platform or the company’s career site.
- The application and resume go directly into the ATS system.
- The ATS scans the resume for:
- Job title matches
- Skills and keywords
- Work history and education
- Resume structure and formatting
- Only the resumes that score high (match well with the job description) get forwarded to the recruiter for review.
⚠️ Why ATS Matters to You as a Job Seeker:
If your resume is not optimized for ATS, it may:
- Be rejected automatically before a human ever sees it.
- Miss out on opportunities, even if you’re a strong match.
That’s why formatting, keyword usage, and structure matter a lot in modern job applications.
✅ Good Points (ATS-Friendly Resume Features)
| What to Include | Why it Helps |
|---|---|
| Simple formatting (no tables or columns) | ATS can easily parse plain text from single-column layouts. |
| Standard section headers | Use common titles like Work Experience, Education, Skills, etc. |
| Relevant keywords | Match words from the job description (e.g., "Angular", "CI/CD", "TypeScript"). |
| Bullet points for achievements | Improves readability and keyword scanning. |
| Clear job titles and dates | ATS systems look for structure: Title – Company – Date – Description. |
| Standard font (Arial, Calibri, etc.) | Prevents parsing issues with fancy fonts. |
| File format: PDF or DOCX | Both are acceptable if properly created (like your current PDF). |
| Contact info in text (not image) | ATS can recognize and extract email, phone, and LinkedIn profile. |
| No spelling errors | Misspelled keywords won't match job filters. |
| Consistent date formatting | Use MM/YYYY or Month YYYY format consistently. |
❌ Bad Points (What to Avoid)
| What to Avoid | Why it Hurts Your ATS Score |
|---|---|
| Tables, columns, or text boxes | Many ATS systems cannot read inside them — information may be skipped. |
| Images, icons, or logos | ATS ignores or misreads graphics, including social media icons. |
| Multiple font types and colors | Confuses parsing and can make your resume look unprofessional. |
| Header/footer text | Some ATS systems do not read content in headers or footers. |
| Uncommon section titles | Using titles like "My Journey" instead of "Work Experience" may be ignored. |
| Overuse of acronyms without explanation | Use full terms too: e.g., CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Delivery). |
| Missing job titles or companies | Incomplete experience entries can't be matched to job requirements. |
| Too generic content | Avoid vague descriptions like "Worked hard" — be specific and measurable. |
| Unstructured date ranges | Avoid "Present" without a start date; always include both dates. |
| Inconsistent formatting | Varying styles for different sections confuse ATS and hurt readability. |
