Everything you need to know about ATS resume scoring and optimization.
What is an ATS resume score?
An ATS (Applicant Tracking System) resume score measures how well your resume will perform when parsed by automated hiring software. Companies like Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and Lever use ATS to filter resumes before human review. A score of 80+ typically means your resume will pass initial screening, while scores below 60 often result in automatic rejection — regardless of your qualifications.
How do I check my resume score for free?
Simply upload your resume (PDF or DOCX) to our free ATS resume checker above. Within seconds, you'll receive a comprehensive resume score breakdown including format analysis, keyword optimization, and compatibility ratings for major ATS systems. No signup required for the basic score check.
What is a good ATS resume score?
A good ATS resume score is 80 or above out of 100. Here's how to interpret your score:
80-100 (Excellent): Your resume is well-optimized and should pass most ATS filters.
60-79 (Good): Acceptable but has room for improvement.
40-59 (Fair): Significant issues that may cause rejection.
Below 40 (Poor): Critical problems — most ATS systems will reject this resume.
Why do 85% of resumes get rejected by ATS?
Most resumes get rejected due to formatting issues (tables, graphics, text boxes, headers/footers), missing keywords, non-standard section headings, and poor structure. ATS systems struggle to parse creative layouts, causing qualified candidates to be filtered out before human review. Our resume score checker identifies these exact issues so you can fix them.
Which ATS systems does this checker support?
Our ATS resume checker analyzes your resume against the parsing behavior of the most popular ATS platforms: Workday (used by 50% of Fortune 500), Greenhouse (10,000+ companies), Taleo/Oracle (large enterprises), and Lever (fast-growing startups). Each system has different parsing quirks, and we show you compatibility ratings for all four.
How can I improve my resume score quickly?
The fastest ways to improve your ATS resume score:
1. Use a simple, single-column layout — avoid tables, graphics, and text boxes
2. Use standard section headers — "Experience" not "My Journey"
3. Add quantified achievements — numbers and percentages stand out
4. Include relevant keywords — match the job description language
5. Save as .docx or simple PDF — avoid scanned images