What is an ATS-friendly resume, and how to check yours for free
The basics
What an ATS is
An ATS-friendly resume is a resume that hiring software can read correctly, and you can check yours for free on ResumeDB if you built it there.
ATS stands for applicant tracking system. It is software that some companies use to store and sort resumes. It reads the file and picks out your name, job titles, dates and skills. A person then looks at what it found.
Not every employer uses one, and we cannot say how any one company uses it. A resume that is easy to read helps with software and with people.
What helps
What makes a resume easy for software to read
Software reads a resume from top to bottom, line by line. A simple resume is easier to read the right way.
- One column from top to bottom.
- Standard headings, such as Experience, Education and Skills.
- A plain font in a normal size.
- Real text in the file, not a photo or a scan of a page.
- Dates written in the same style everywhere.
- Your job title, tools and skills written as words.
What goes wrong
Common problems that make a resume hard to read
Common problem
Tables and side-by-side columns
Software can read the cells in the wrong order, or miss them.
Do this instead
Keep everything in one column.
Common problem
Text inside pictures, or a photo of a resume
Software cannot read words that are part of an image.
Do this instead
Use a file with real text, such as a PDF made from a document.
Common problem
Creative headings such as “My journey”
Software looks for the usual headings to sort your details.
Do this instead
Use Experience, Education and Skills.
Common problem
Dates in different styles, and spelling slips
They make your details harder to read, for software and for people.
Do this instead
Pick one date style and read the resume once more before you send it.
How it works
How to check your resume's ATS score on ResumeDB
ResumeDB's resume builder is free, and you can download your resume as a PDF or a Word file. A resume built on ResumeDB gets a free ATS score from My Resume, with a list of exact fixes.
Build your resume
Open the free resume builder and sign in with Google. Upload your old resume to fill in the form, or start from a sample.
Open My Resume
When your resume is built, go to My Resume and tap Check ATS score.
Read your score and fixes
You see a score out of 100 and a list of what to fix. Tap Edit Resume to change a point, then build again.
What you get
What the free ATS check gives you
A score out of 100
It comes from a fixed set of checks, not from opinion, so the same resume gets the same score.
A list of exact fixes
Each point that lost marks comes with what to change, using words from your own resume.
A saved result
Open it again any time. Viewing a saved result is free and does not use up a check.
A few checks a day
There is a daily limit on new checks, so make your fixes before you check again.
Check again after a rebuild
If you change your resume and build it again, it is checked again.
Good to know
The free ATS check is for resumes built on ResumeDB
The ATS score is only for a resume you built on ResumeDB. We do not score a file that was made somewhere else.
If you already have a resume, you do not need to type it again. Upload it into the free resume builder. It reads your PDF, DOC or DOCX file and fills in the form for you. Check it, build it, and then check the score from My Resume.
FAQ
Common questions
What is an ATS-friendly resume?
It is a resume that hiring software can read correctly. It has one column, clear section headings such as Experience and Education, a plain font, and no tables or text inside pictures. Your job title, dates and skills are written in words, so the software can pick them up as you wrote them.
How can I check my resume's ATS score for free?
Build your resume on ResumeDB, then open My Resume and tap Check ATS score. A resume built on ResumeDB gets a free ATS score from My Resume, with a list of exact fixes. The score is out of 100. You get a few checks a day, and your result is saved, so viewing it again is free.
Can I check an ATS score for a resume I did not build on ResumeDB?
No. The free ATS score is only for resumes built on ResumeDB. If you already have a resume, upload it into the builder first. The builder reads your PDF, DOC or DOCX file and fills in the form for you. Then build it and check the score from My Resume.
Will the same resume always get the same score?
Yes. The score comes from a fixed set of checks, not from opinion, so the same resume gets the same score. If you change your resume and build it again, it is checked again. A high score does not promise a job or a call. It only means that software can read your resume.
Related reading
- Upload your resume
- Build a resume
- Get found by recruiters
- Jobs near home in Mumbai
- Resume ready: your next step
- Free resume builder
- Resume for freshers
- How to write a clean resume
- Which resume style to choose: Classic or Modern
- Interview tips: before, during and after
- How to present yourself at an interview
- Why small details on your resume matter
- Where to upload your resume to get a job in Mumbai