Resume ATS Score: What Is a Good Score and How to Improve Yours

# Resume ATS Score: What Is a Good Score and How to Improve Yours

When you apply for a job online, your resume is scanned by an Applicant Tracking System before a human sees it. The ATS score tells you how well your resume will perform in that first filter.

What Is an ATS Score?

An ATS score is a percentage that estimates how compatible your resume is with a typical Applicant Tracking System. It measures:

• Keyword match — does your resume contain the skills and terms from the job description?
• Formatting — can the ATS parse your resume without errors?
• Structure — are standard sections (Experience, Education, Skills) clearly labeled?
• Readability — is the text extractable (no images, tables, or text boxes)?

What Is a Good ATS Score?

| Score | Meaning |
|-------|---------|
| 90–100% | Excellent — highly likely to pass ATS screening |
| 75–89% | Good — minor improvements needed |
| 50–74% | Average — several issues to fix |
| Below 50% | Poor — likely to be filtered out |

Target: 80% or above for most applications. Some recruiters say 75% is the minimum, but higher is always safer.

Why Your Score Might Be Low

| Issue | Impact |
|-------|--------|
| Fancy formatting (tables, columns) | ATS cannot parse it |
| Missing keywords from job description | Low relevance score |
| Creative section names ("My Journey") | ATS cannot find Experience section |
| Header/footer content | Often ignored by ATS |
| PDF from design software | Text may not be extractable |
| No keywords at all | Near-zero match |

How to Improve Your ATS Score

1. Match the Job Description - Read the job posting carefully - Include exact phrases: "project management", "data analysis", "React.js" - Use both acronyms and full terms: "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)"

2. Use Standard Formatting - Single-column layout - Standard fonts: Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman - Simple bullet points (• or -) - No tables, text boxes, or graphics

3. Name Sections Clearly - "Professional Summary" or "Summary" - "Work Experience" or "Experience" - "Education" - "Skills" or "Technical Skills"

4. Quantify Achievements - "Increased sales by 35% in 6 months" - "Managed a team of 8 developers" - "Reduced costs by ₹12L annually"

5. Use the Right File Format - PDF (if ATS supports it) — most modern ATS do - .docx as backup - Test with a free checker before submitting

Check Your Score Now

Upload your resume to the free Resume ATS Checker to get your score and specific improvement suggestions.

You can also paste the job description for a tailored score that matches the specific role.

After Fixing — What Recruiters See

Most recruiters do not see a raw score. They see:

• Whether your resume was parsed successfully
• How well your skills match the job requirements
• Whether your experience level fits the role

A high ATS score means your resume reaches the recruiter's screen. After that, the content — achievements, clarity, and fit — determines whether you get the call.

Quick Checklist Before Every Application

• [ ] ATS score above 80%
• [ ] Keywords from the job description included
• [ ] Standard formatting (no tables or columns)
• [ ] Clear section headers
• [ ] Quantified achievements with numbers
• [ ] Correct file format (PDF or .docx)

Start by checking your current score with the Resume ATS Checker, fix the issues, and apply with confidence.