What Is an ATS Score?
An ATS score (also called a resume match score or compatibility score) is a percentage that represents how well your resume matches a specific job description. It's calculated by ATS software — and increasingly by AI-powered tools — to rank candidates before human review.
A score of 80% means your resume contains 80% of the keywords, skills, and qualifications the employer is looking for.
How ATS Scores Are Calculated
Modern ATS systems evaluate multiple factors:
1. Keyword Match (40–50% of score)
The most heavily weighted factor. Does your resume contain the exact terms from the job description?
2. Skills Alignment (20–25% of score)
Are the specific skills listed in the job requirements present in your resume?
3. Experience Relevance (15–20% of score)
Do your job titles, responsibilities, and years of experience match what's required?
4. Education Match (10–15% of score)
Does your education level and field match the requirements?
5. Format Compatibility (5–10% of score)
Can the ATS actually parse your resume? Formatting issues can tank an otherwise strong resume.
ATS Score Benchmarks
| Score Range | Status | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 90–100% | Excellent | Top-tier candidate, likely to advance |
| 75–89% | Strong | Good match, competitive candidate |
| 60–74% | Moderate | Needs improvement to be competitive |
| 45–59% | Weak | Significant gaps in keyword/skill match |
| Below 45% | Poor | Unlikely to pass initial screening |
The Fastest Ways to Improve Your ATS Score
Quick Wins (Can improve score by 10–20%)
1. Add missing keywords from the job description Compare your resume to the job posting side-by-side. Add any missing required skills, tools, or qualifications.
2. Use exact phrases, not synonyms If the job says "cross-functional collaboration," use that exact phrase — not "interdepartmental teamwork."
3. Expand your skills section Create a dedicated skills section with all relevant technical and soft skills. ATS systems scan this section heavily.
4. Fix formatting issues Remove tables, text boxes, headers/footers, and multi-column layouts that confuse parsers.
Medium Effort (Can improve score by 20–35%)
5. Rewrite your professional summary Your summary should mirror the job description's language and highlight your most relevant qualifications.
6. Quantify achievements Replace vague statements with specific, measurable outcomes. This improves both ATS scoring and human review.
7. Align job titles If your actual title differs from the industry standard, consider adding the standard title in parentheses.
High Impact (Can improve score by 35%+)
8. Tailor your resume for each application A generic resume will score 50–60% on most jobs. A tailored resume can score 85%+.
9. Use AI optimization Tools like ResumeAI analyze your resume against the specific job description and rewrite it to maximize keyword match while maintaining authenticity.
Common Questions About ATS Scores
Q: Should I keyword-stuff my resume to get a higher score? No. Modern ATS systems and AI can detect keyword stuffing. More importantly, when your resume reaches a human, stuffed keywords look unprofessional.
Q: Does a high ATS score guarantee an interview? No — but a low score almost guarantees rejection. Think of ATS optimization as the minimum requirement to be considered.
Q: How often should I check my ATS score? For every application. A resume optimized for one job may score 45% on another. Customization is key.
The Bottom Line
Your ATS score is your resume's first test. Fail it, and your qualifications never matter. Pass it, and you earn the right to be evaluated by a human.
The good news: improving your ATS score is learnable, systematic, and increasingly automatable with AI tools.