Sending one resume to every job is quick, but it often leaves out the skills an employer is looking for, even when you have them. A simple check takes about 20 minutes per application: compare your resume with the job advert, find the gaps, and fix only those that truthfully apply to you. Here is how to do that for free, and how to read the results sensibly.
What you need
- Your resume as plain text. Open your document, select everything, and copy it.
- The full job advert, including the responsibilities and requirements. If it might disappear, save a copy.
- The free ATS Resume Checker. It runs in your browser, so nothing you paste is uploaded.
Step 1: Run the first check
Paste your resume into the first box and the job description into the second, then select Analyse match. You will need at least about 30 words of resume and 20 words of job description. You will then see a match score, a verdict, a list of missing and matched keywords, and a set of structure checks.
Step 2: Understand how the score works
The score is out of 100 and has two parts:
| Part | Weight | What it looks at |
|---|---|---|
| Keyword match | 70% | Up to 25 of the most frequent meaningful words in the advert. Words repeated more often count for more. |
| Structure and quality | 30% | Email, phone number, Experience, Education and Skills headings, length of 250 to 1,000 words, at least 5 numbers, at least 4 action verbs, and no table characters. |
The verdict is Strong match at 75 or above, Moderate match from 55 to 74, and Needs work below 55.
For example, suppose the words you match make up 60% of the keyword weight, and you earn 20 of the 23 structure points. Your score is (0.6 × 70) + (20 ÷ 23 × 30) = 68, a moderate match. Lifting the keyword share to 80% would bring it to 82.
Keep the score in perspective. It's a guide built on keywords and formatting. It isn't the method of any real applicant tracking system, and employers use many different systems. A high score can't promise an interview, and a lower one doesn't mean you shouldn't apply.
Step 3: Sort the missing keywords
This is the most useful step. The tool picks words by how often they appear, so some will matter and others won't. Sort the missing list into four groups:
| Group | Example | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| You have it and said it differently | The advert says "stakeholder management"; you wrote "worked with departments" | Use the employer's wording |
| You have it and left it out | You use Power BI but didn't mention it | Add it with an example of how you used it |
| You don't have it | The advert asks for SAP, and you haven't used it | Leave it out, and mention any related experience honestly in your cover letter |
| It isn't a real skill | The company's name, a city, or general words such as "business" | Ignore it |
Step 4: Know the tool's blind spots
Like any simple checker, it can flag a word even when you have covered the idea:
- Word forms: if the advert says "managing" and you wrote "managed", it may be listed as missing. Don't rewrite a good sentence just to satisfy the tool.
- Abbreviations: "KPI" and "key performance indicators" are separate to the checker. Spelling it out once, as "Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)", covers both forms.
- Synonyms: it can't tell that "recruitment" and "hiring" mean nearly the same thing, so you need to judge these yourself.
- Meaning: it only checks that a word appears. Mentioning "budgeting" isn't the same as showing you managed a budget, and only a person can judge how strong your evidence is.
Step 5: Put keywords where they count
A list of keywords at the bottom might raise your score, but it won't persuade a recruiter. Put each one where it shows real experience:
- Summary: your job title and the two or three skills that matter most for this role.
- Skills: specific tools and methods that you can discuss at interview.
- Experience: the strongest place, because it shows the skill in action.
Here's a before and after, using made-up details:
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| Worked with different departments on reports | Led stakeholder management across sales, finance and supply chain for monthly performance reports |
| Made dashboards for managers | Built Power BI dashboards that gave 15 managers a weekly view of sales against target |
Use only details that are true for you, because you may be asked to explain them at interview.
Step 6: Fix the structure warnings
- Missing email or phone: place them in the main body of the page, near the top.
- Missing headings: use plain labels such as "Experience", "Education" and "Skills".
- Too short or too long: below 250 words, add more about your achievements. Above 1,000, cut older or less relevant detail.
- Too few numbers: add team sizes, volumes, time saved or results, wherever you honestly can.
- Too few action verbs: begin bullets with words such as "Led", "Improved" or "Delivered".
- Table characters: rebuild the resume in a simple single-column layout. The Resume Builder does this for you.
Step 7: Check again, then stop
Paste in your edited resume and run it once more. Then read it as a recruiter would. If a sentence now sounds forced, restore it, even if your score drops a little. A natural, honest resume with a score of 70 is better than a stuffed one at 95.
Save each version under a clear name, such as "Firstname-Lastname-Sales-Analyst.pdf", so you know which version went to which employer.
Mistakes to avoid
- Chasing 100: matching every word usually means copying the advert. Your resume should sound like you.
- Hiding keywords: white or tiny text can show up when a recruiter views the extracted text, which can cost you their trust.
- Claiming skills you don't have: it might get you past a filter, but it won't get you through an interview.
- Stopping at the score: your application still needs a clear summary, and often a good cover letter.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good ATS score?
On this tool, 75 or above is labelled a strong match and 55 to 74 a moderate one. There is no universal standard, because other tools and real tracking systems work differently.
Is the resume checker really free?
Yes. There's no sign-up, and your text stays in your browser.
Can I upload a PDF or Word file?
No. Paste your resume as plain text. Copying from a PDF is also a useful test: if the text comes out jumbled, an employer's system may struggle with it too.
Will a high score get me an interview?
No score can promise that. It only shows that your resume shares language with the advert and has a sound structure. Your experience and how well it fits the role matter most.
For more on layouts and file formats, read how to write an ATS-friendly resume.
This article is general information, not professional advice. See the disclaimer.