It parses
The ATS pulls the text out of your file and sorts it into fields: contact details, jobs, dates, education and skills. Tables, text boxes and graphics can break this step.
Free ATS resume checker
Check Your Resume Against the ATS.
See your resume the way applicant tracking systems read it. Get a checklist of what to fix and the keywords you're missing while you write, and an AI score when you want one.
- Free forever plan
- Checklist updates as you type
- No credit card needed
ATS check · example
85 / 100
Almost there
1 quick fix left
What is an ATS?
Software Reads Your Resume First.
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is the software companies use to collect and sort job applications. Most large employers and many small ones use one. Before a recruiter sees your resume, the ATS turns it into plain text, files each part into fields and ranks you against the job. If it can't read your layout, or your resume is missing the words the job asks for, you can be filtered out even when you're a great fit.
It ranks
Your resume is compared with the job description. Matching skills, job titles and keywords push you up the list. Missing ones push you down.
A human decides
Recruiters usually review the top of the list first, often for just a few seconds each. Clear structure and strong bullets win that skim.
What you get
A Resume That Gets Read.
The checker looks at your resume the way screening software and recruiters do, and tells you in plain words what to improve.
Readable by any ATS
Find layout problems that stop screening software from reading your resume.
Stronger bullet points
Spot weak lines and turn them into clear achievements.
The right keywords
Make sure your skills match what employers search for.
Nothing that doesn't add up
Catch gaps and contradictions in your dates, titles and claims before a recruiter does.
Clean, confident language
Find typos, clichés and weak phrasing that make a resume easy to skip.
Fixes in one click
Every issue links to the exact line, so you can fix it right on the page.
Live checks
Fix Problems As You Type.
Your checklist and the tips under each field update with every change, so you see straight away when a bullet gets stronger or a section is missing. When you want a score, the ATS check rates your resume from 0 to 100: how screening software reads it, what a recruiter would flag and, with a job ad, the keywords you’re missing.
- A checklist that updates as you type
- An AI score from 0 to 100 when you ask for one
- Plain-language fixes, not jargon
Job match
Find the Keywords You're Missing.
Paste the job description and the AI compares it with your resume. You get a match score, the keywords you already cover, the ones you're missing and tips on where to add them, so the ATS ranks you higher for that job.
- Works with any job ad, in any field
- Shows why you fit and where you fall short
- Pairs with the AI rewriter to add keywords naturally
Plain-text view
See What the Robot Sees.
Switch to the plain-text view to read your resume exactly as a parser extracts it: no columns, no colors, just text in reading order. If something looks scrambled there, it will look scrambled to the ATS too.
See ATS-Friendly TemplatesHow it works
Check Your Resume in 4 Steps.
- 1
Create a free account
Sign up in seconds. No credit card needed.
- 2
Add your resume
Type it in, start from an example, or import your old PDF or Word file with AI.
- 3
Read your score
Click ATS Review above your resume to see your score by category and every fix.
- 4
Fix and export
Work through the fixes, then download a clean, readable PDF.
ATS formatting tips
Do This, Not That.
Do
- Use standard headings like “Work Experience”, “Education” and “Skills”.
- Keep one clear reading order, top to bottom.
- Use the exact words from the job ad where they honestly apply.
- Write dates consistently, like 03/2022 – Present.
- Save as a text-based PDF unless the employer asks for Word.
Avoid
- Putting key details inside images, text boxes or headers and footers.
- Creative headings like “My Journey” instead of “Experience”.
- Skill bars and star ratings instead of words.
- Scanned or image-only PDFs the parser can’t read.
- Stuffing keywords in white text. Recruiters notice, and it backfires.
Want more? Read our guides on the CVHancer blog, or see how formats change in our resume formats by country.
FAQQuestions?
Questions?
Answered.
Still unsure? Our team answers every message, usually within one business day.
Contact SupportIs the ATS resume checker free?
Yes. The free Starter plan includes the live ATS checklist for one resume, plus a PDF export. It also comes with 20 AI credits, enough to match your resume to two job ads.
Will a high score guarantee I pass every ATS?
No tool can promise that, because every company configures its ATS differently. A high score means your resume is easy to parse and follows the practices that screening software and recruiters reward, which gives you the best chance.
Can I check my resume against a specific job?
Yes. Paste the job description into Job Match and the AI shows a match score, the keywords you already have, the ones you are missing and how to tailor your resume.
Which file format is best for an ATS?
A text-based PDF works with almost every modern ATS and keeps your layout intact. CVHancer exports exactly that. If an employer asks for Word, follow their instructions.
Guides to common resume problems
Overlapping jobsResume inconsistenciesYears of experienceDates and background checksTwo-column resumes and ATSHeadline vs job titleResume with no experienceProfessional summaryResume bullet pointsResume lengthResume format guideChronological vs functionalEmployment gapsInternships on a resumeProjects on a resumeCertifications on a resumeSkills on a resumeFirst job resumeResume mistakes
Get Your Free ATS Score.
Start with the free plan: one resume, live ATS checks and a PDF export. The ATS check is free, and your AI credits cover your first job matches.