Paste your resume and the job description below. Our free ATS resume checker compares the two, gives you a match score, and lists the keywords you’re missing—so you can fix gaps before you apply.
How to check your resume for ATS
- Paste the job description. Copy the full posting—duties, requirements, and preferred skills. The more complete the text, the clearer your keyword match will be.
- Paste your resume. Use plain text from your resume (or paste from a Word/Google Doc). The ATS resume checker reads the words on the page, the same way screening software does.
- Review your score and missing keywords. You’ll get a match score plus a list of terms from the job that don’t appear in your resume. Add the ones that truly fit your experience, then run the check again.
That’s the whole loop: paste, check, fix, recheck. No account required.
What an ATS resume checker actually looks at
Applicant tracking systems don’t “read” your career story the way a recruiter does. They parse text, map it to fields, and score how well you line up with the posting. Here’s what matters most when you run a check.
Keyword matching
This is the core of resume optimization for ATS. The tool compares words and phrases in the job description against your resume. If the posting asks for “SQL,” “stakeholder management,” or “Salesforce,” and those terms never appear in your document, your match drops—even if you’ve done the work under different wording.
Formatting that machines can parse
Complex tables, text boxes, headers/footers, and multi-column layouts can scramble how text is extracted. Clean section labels, standard fonts, and a simple top-to-bottom layout help the checker (and real ATS tools) see your content in order.
Clear resume sections
Standard headings—Experience, Education, Skills, Summary—help screening software place your information correctly. Unusual section names or long blocks of unbroken text make it harder for both the ATS and our checker to map your background to the job.
Job-title alignment
If the posting is for “Marketing Manager” and your recent titles are unrelated or vague, keyword matching alone won’t fully close the gap. Align titles and responsibility language with the role you’re targeting when it’s honest and accurate.
Our free tool focuses on ATS keyword matching: you get a score and a missing-keyword list. For a broader take on overall strength, you can also rate my resume or try our free AI resume checker.
ATS score explained — what a good score looks like
Your ATS score is a snapshot of how closely your resume’s wording lines up with that specific job description. It is not a hiring decision and it is not a guarantee you’ll get an interview. It’s a practical signal: are the right terms present, and where are the gaps?
A strong score usually means your resume already uses many of the same skills, tools, and responsibility phrases as the posting. You may still tweak a few missing keywords that match real experience.
A mid-range score often means you’re close but underusing the employer’s language. Scan the missing list. Add terms you can support with examples from your work—don’t paste buzzwords you can’t back up.
A low score usually means a mismatch of language or role focus. Either rewrite toward this posting’s requirements or confirm you’re applying to the right level and function.
Use the score as a checklist, not a grade. Recheck after each edit. Small, honest keyword updates often move the needle more than a full rewrite.
Why resumes get rejected before a human reads them
Many applications never reach a recruiter’s desk. Screening software filters for parseable text and relevance to the posting. When keywords are missing, sections are hard to extract, or the resume doesn’t align with the job’s stated needs, the file can be ranked low or set aside before anyone reads your story.
That’s why an ATS resume checker belongs at the end of your writing process—not as an afterthought. You’ve already built the content; this step confirms the job’s language is reflected where it should be. Run the check with the exact posting you’re applying to, fix gaps you can honestly claim, and submit with fewer blind spots.
Anxiety around “Will this pass ATS?” is normal. The fix is concrete: match the job’s vocabulary to your real experience, keep formatting simple, and verify before you hit Apply.
FAQ
Is there a free ATS resume checker?
Yes. ATS Rater’s ATS resume checker is free. Paste a job description and your resume text, then run the check. You’ll get a keyword match score and a list of missing terms—no signup required for the core match flow. Use it as often as you need while you revise.
What is a good ATS score?
A good ATS score means your resume already shares a large share of the job’s key skills and phrases. Aim to close honest gaps from the missing-keyword list rather than chasing a perfect number. Scores vary by posting length and how specific the employer’s wording is, so treat each score as job-specific feedback.
How do I check if my resume is ATS friendly?
Paste the job description and your resume into the tool above, then review the match score and missing keywords. Prefer a simple layout with clear section headings and plain text that parses cleanly. After edits, run the check again to confirm the terms you added actually improved the match.
Does an ATS resume checker work for any job?
It works for any role where you have a written job description and a text resume. Results are only as useful as the posting you paste—vague ads give vaguer matches. Industry and seniority don’t matter as much as clear requirements language you can compare against your experience.
Can I check my resume against a specific job description?
Yes. That’s exactly what this ATS resume checker is built for. Paste that posting’s full text with your resume, and you’ll see a match score plus keywords from that job that don’t appear in your document. Always check against the specific role you’re applying to, not a generic template.
Ready to see your match? Paste your resume and the job description above, hit Check ATS Match, and fix the gaps before you apply.