What is an ATS Resume Score?
An ATS resume score is a numerical rating that an Applicant Tracking System assigns to your resume based on how well it matches a specific job description. The score is typically calculated by analyzing keyword matches, formatting compatibility, and section structure.
What is Considered a Good Score?
ATS scoring varies by platform, but here's a general benchmark:
| Score Range | Rating | What It Means | |-------------|--------|---------------| | 90-100 | Excellent | Highly optimized — strong match | | 75-89 | Good | Solid — minor improvements recommended | | 60-74 | Average | Needs work — several keywords missing | | 40-59 | Below Average | Major gaps — reformatting required | | Below 40 | Poor | Unlikely to pass initial screening |
Target: 80 or above for competitive job applications.
How ATS Scores Are Calculated
Keyword Match (50-60% of score)
The ATS extracts key terms from the job description and checks your resume for matches:
- Hard skills (technical tools, languages, certifications)
- Soft skills (leadership, communication, teamwork)
- Industry terms (specific to your field)
- Required qualifications (education, years of experience)
Formatting (20-30% of score)
Clean, ATS-friendly formatting earns higher scores:
- Single-column layout
- Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri)
- Clear section headings
- No tables, text boxes, or graphics
Structure (10-20% of score)
Proper section organization matters:
- Contact information at the top
- Standard section order
- Bullet points for achievements
- Consistent formatting throughout
How to Improve Your ATS Score
1. Match Keywords from the Job Description
Identify the top 15-20 keywords in the job posting and ensure they appear naturally in your resume. Don't keyword-stuff — it should read naturally.
2. Simplify Your Formatting
Use a clean, single-column template. Save as PDF. Avoid tables, columns, headers/footers with critical info, and graphics.
3. Use Standard Section Headings
Stick with: Professional Summary, Work Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications. Creative headings confuse ATS parsers.
4. Quantify Your Achievements
Numbers boost both ATS scores and human appeal. Instead of "Improved sales," write "Increased sales by 35% in Q2 2026."
5. Include a Skills Section
A dedicated skills section with both hard and soft skills makes it easy for ATS to identify your qualifications.
Check Your Score with Resumit AI
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