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ATS Resume Test – See If Your Resume Passes

You don't need special software to find the most common problems. These four tests take about ten minutes and catch most issues before you apply.

Run the match test with a real job ad

First check is free. No account. Your CV / resume isn't stored.

Test 1: the plain-text test

Open your PDF, select all the text and paste it into a plain text editor. Read it from top to bottom.

• Does your name and contact information appear?
• Do job titles, employers and dates stay together in the right order?
• Is any text missing, for example skills inside a graphic?

If the pasted text is jumbled, a system reading the file may have the same problem. Simplify the layout.

Test 2: the file test

• Use .docx or a PDF exported from Word or Google Docs, unless the job ad asks for something else.
• Make sure you can select and copy text in the PDF. If you can't, it's an image.
• Use a clear file name, such as firstname-lastname-cv.pdf.

Test 3: the heading test

Check that your sections use headings people and systems recognise: Summary, Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications. Creative headings can make information harder to find.

Test 4: the match test

This is the one that matters most. Take the job ad and check:

1. Which requirements does it list first or repeat?
2. Where does your CV / resume show each of them, in words a reader would recognise?
3. Is your most relevant experience on the first page?

Our free check does this comparison for you and shows the requirements that aren't visible yet.

Questions

Will passing these tests guarantee an interview?

No. They remove avoidable problems. Whether you're invited still depends on how well your experience matches the role and how many others applied.

Is a two-column layout always a problem?

Not always, but it's a common source of reading-order issues. A single column is the safest choice.

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