What Is an ATS Score? How to Check and Improve Yours

What Is an ATS Score?

An ATS (Applicant Tracking System) score is a numerical value that represents how well your resume matches a specific job description. Most large companies use ATS software to filter resumes before they ever reach a human recruiter.

Your ATS score is typically calculated based on:

• Keyword matches — How many skills, qualifications, and terms from the job description appear in your resume
• Formatting compatibility — Whether your resume can be parsed correctly by the ATS
• Section relevance — Whether your experience and education sections align with the job requirements

Why Your ATS Score Matters

According to industry studies, 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a recruiter sees them. A low ATS score means your application is being filtered out — not because you're unqualified, but because your resume isn't optimized for the system reading it.

Many qualified candidates never get interviews simply because their resume doesn't contain the right keywords in the right places.

How to Check Your ATS Score

The most effective way to check your ATS score is to use a dedicated resume scanner:

1. Copy the job description you're applying for
2. Upload or paste your resume into the scanner
3. Review your match score across different categories (hard skills, soft skills, experience, education)
4. Identify missing keywords — these are the terms recruiters are looking for that your resume doesn't currently include

How to Improve Your ATS Score

1. Match Keywords from the Job Description

Read the job description carefully and identify the key skills, tools, and qualifications mentioned. If you have those skills, make sure they appear in your resume using the same terminology.

2. Use Standard Section Headings

ATS systems look for standard section headers like "Work Experience," "Education," "Skills," and "Certifications." Avoid creative headings that may confuse the parser.

3. Avoid Tables and Graphics

Many ATS systems cannot read text inside tables or interpret graphics. Stick to a clean, text-based layout.

4. Use Both Acronyms and Full Names

If the job description mentions "CI/CD," include both "CI/CD" and "Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment" in your resume.

5. Quantify Your Achievements

Use numbers and metrics to describe your accomplishments. "Improved deployment frequency by 60%" is more impactful than "Improved deployment processes."

Repolish Does the Work for You

Instead of manually optimizing your resume for each job application, Repolish automates the entire process. Just paste a job description, upload your resume, and Repolish will:

• Analyze your current match score
• Identify missing keywords
• Generate an optimized version with every change explained
• Let you approve or reject each suggestion

Try Repolish for free →