Free ATS Resume Checker
Your ATS score, missing keywords and top fixes in about a minute
Most large employers run applications through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS); Jobscan's research found one at 98% of Fortune 500 companies. Recruiters search and rank resumes inside it, so a resume that parses badly or lacks the job description's wording is rarely seen. FixerCV checks your resume against the job ad and tells you exactly what to fix.
What You Need to Know
An ATS stores, parses and ranks applications. Recruiters then search it by job title, skills and keywords.
Most ATS platforms don't reject resumes by themselves; knockout questions (work authorization, required licences) are the usual automatic filter.
A resume without the job description's wording is rarely rejected outright, but it is much less likely to appear in a recruiter's search.
Tables, text boxes, multi-column layouts and text inside images are the most common causes of parsing errors.
Using the job description's exact terms for skills and tools is the most reliable way to improve your match.
Tailoring your resume to each job matters more than any single formatting trick.
Most Common Mistakes
The problems that most often keep a CV from being shortlisted.
Using tables, columns, or text boxes
Many ATS parsers read text top to bottom. Multi-column layouts, tables and text boxes can scramble the order of your information or drop parts of it.
Missing job-specific keywords
Recruiters search the ATS using terms from the job description. If the job says 'project management' and your resume says 'project oversight', you may not appear in that search.
Using graphics, logos, or photos
Text inside an image can't be read by an ATS. If your contact details, skills or job titles sit in a graphic, the system won't capture them.
A file the parser can't read
Scanned or image-only PDFs can't be parsed, and unusual fonts can turn into garbled characters. Use a text-based PDF or .docx, and follow the format the employer asks for.
Generic resume sent to every job
A resume that isn't tailored to the job description matches fewer of the recruiter's search terms. Each application needs its keywords aligned with that role.
Missing standard section headers
Parsers look for sections like 'Work Experience', 'Education' and 'Skills'. Creative headers like 'My Journey' or 'What I've Done' can leave content unassigned.
Expert Tips
Use a single-column layout
Clean, single-column resumes parse reliably. Save the visual design for your portfolio; your resume needs to be machine-readable first.
Mirror the job description keywords
Read the job posting carefully and use the same language. If they say 'stakeholder management', use that phrase, not 'stakeholder engagement'.
Quantify your achievements
Real numbers make achievements concrete for the recruiter who opens your resume. 'Managed team' becomes 'Managed a team of 12 engineers delivering 3 products on schedule'.
Use standard section headers
Stick to Work Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications and Summary. These are the headings parsers expect.
Submit in the right format
Check whether the employer specifies a format. When in doubt, a clean .docx or a text-based PDF works with most systems.
Include a skills section with exact keywords
A dedicated Skills section puts the key terms in plain text where a search will find them, even if they also appear in your experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ATS resume checker?
An ATS (Applicant Tracking System) resume checker reviews your resume the way hiring software and recruiter searches do: keyword matches against the job description, formatting a parser can read, and completeness. It gives you a score from 0 to 100 so you can see what to fix before you apply.
Is FixerCV's ATS resume checker really free?
Yes. The check is free with no sign-up: you get your ATS score, your top issues and the first missing keywords. The full report with a rewritten resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile is $9.99 one-time.
How accurate is the ATS score?
No checker can reproduce every employer's ATS. Each system is configured differently and most don't give candidates a score at all. FixerCV's score is an AI estimate of how well your resume matches the job description and how cleanly it will parse. Treat it as a guide to what to fix, not a prediction of one company's decision.
Does an ATS automatically reject resumes?
Usually not on its own. Most ATS platforms store and parse every application, and recruiters search, filter and rank inside them. Automatic rejection mostly comes from knockout questions such as work authorization or a required licence. A resume that lacks the job's keywords isn't rejected by a robot, but it is much less likely to be found.
How do I make my resume ATS friendly?
Use a single-column layout, standard section headings, the job description's own wording for skills and tools, no tables or text inside images, and a text-based PDF or .docx file. FixerCV checks all of this and tells you exactly what to fix.