Free ATS Resume Checker
Paste your resume text below to see how well it might perform in standard Applicant Tracking Systems. Get instant, actionable recommendations.
Paste Your Resume Text
Copy all text from your PDF or Word document and paste it here.
ATS systems vary between employers and software providers. This tool checks your resume against common ATS-friendly formatting practices and is intended as a helpful guide, not a guarantee.
Recommendations to Improve
What Is ATS?
An ATS (Applicant Tracking System) is software used by companies to collect, sort, scan, and rank job applications. Before a human recruiter ever sees your resume, it is often parsed by an ATS. These systems read text, not design. If your resume contains complex formatting, the ATS might fail to extract your information, resulting in an automatic rejection.
Common ATS Resume Mistakes
- Using tables or columns: ATS parsers read left to right, top to bottom. Columns can cause text to jumble together.
- Missing standard section headings: If you use "My Journey" instead of "Experience", the ATS might not categorize your work history.
- Graphic-heavy design: Graphics, charts, and progress bars cannot be read by most ATS software.
- Images instead of text: Text embedded in images is invisible to ATS.
- Missing contact info: Ensure your phone number and email are in standard formats.
How to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly
- Use a clean, single-column layout.
- Stick to standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills).
- Ensure everything is real, selectable text (not images).
- Include keywords directly from the job description you are applying for.
- Use our free ATS-safe templates →