Guides · Updated 2026-10-25
How to check if your resume will pass an ATS
Short answer: To check whether your resume will pass an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), make sure it uses a simple single-column layout, standard section headings and real text (not images), and that it includes the key skills and job titles from the job description. Then run it through an ATS checker to get a score and a list of missing keywords, and fix those before applying.
What an ATS does
An Applicant Tracking System is software many employers use to collect applications, read resumes and rank or filter candidates before a recruiter looks at them. If the system can't read your resume properly, or it doesn't find the skills the job asks for, a strong candidate can be filtered out.
Formatting that ATS software reads well
Use a clean, single-column layout. Tables, text boxes, columns, icons and graphics can scramble the order of your text or hide it completely.
Use standard headings such as Work Experience, Education and Skills, so the system knows what each section is.
Keep contact details in the main body rather than in the page header or footer, use a common font, and save as a text-based PDF or DOCX (not a scanned image). Follow the file type the job posting asks for.
Match the job description
Read the posting and note the job title, hard skills, tools and certifications it mentions. Use the same wording in your resume where it's true for you; for example, if the job says "project management", don't only write "managed projects".
Write abbreviations in full at least once, like "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)". Don't stuff keywords or hide text; recruiters read the resume too.
Check it before you apply
An ATS checker reads your resume the way the software does and tells you what it found: an overall score, missing keywords, sections it couldn't read, and what to fix. Tailor and re-check your resume for each important application.
Resume Builder AI on iPhone gives you an instant ATS score with a clear PASS / FAIL verdict, section-by-section feedback and the keywords you're missing. Tap "Improve with AI" to rewrite it, or build a new resume from 18 ATS-friendly templates and export a PDF.
Get Resume Builder AI on the App Store Learn moreFrequently asked questions
How do I know if my resume is ATS friendly?
It should use a simple single-column layout, standard section headings and real text rather than images, with no important details in headers, footers, tables or text boxes. An ATS checker can confirm it and list any missing keywords.
Can an ATS read a PDF resume?
Most modern ATS software can read text-based PDFs. A scanned or image-only PDF can't be read. If the job posting asks for a specific file type, use that.
What is a good ATS score?
Scores vary between tools, but the aim is a resume the system can read fully that contains the main skills and titles from the job description. Use the score as a checklist of what to fix rather than a guarantee.
This guide is general information, not financial or career advice for your situation.