how to increase resume score

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AI Resume Checker: Get your resume score now.

Get your resume reviewed in an instant. Scan your resume for issues and see how it compares against other resumes in our database.

An AI resume review tool designed by recruiters.

Kickresume’s online resume checker was designed by a team of experienced recruiters, data analysts, and software engineers.

Find out your resume score, see how you compare.

Our resume checker puts your resume up against other resumes from our database that were written by people who got hired at the world’s top companies.

• Check how your resume score compares against the best
• Get a detailed resume review report
• Improve your CV with personalized tips

How do we calculate your resume score?

Our online resume checker grades your resume based on three different types of criteria. These were chosen based on what recruiters usually look for in a resume.

• Does the resume contain everything it should?
• Are you using the space effectively?
• Any overused expressions? Action verbs?

Improve your resume’s quality with a single click.

Each resume metric comes with a set of suggested resume revision tips that will help you quickly improve your resume and its overall strength.

• Accept suggested revisions with a single click
• Custom-tailored resume tips
• Increase your resume score & get hired faster

Get instant resume feedback from our AI recruiter.

Let our GPT-4-powered analyzer review your resume and go over its strongest and weakest points. The AI is meant to simulate a real recruiter’s resume feedback and will give you additional tips on how to make your CV stand out.

• Detailed analysis of your CV’s strongest and weakest points
• Simulates resume feedback from a real recruiter with AI
• Get tailored feedback for each version of your resume

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Is your resume good? Find out now!

Improve the quality of your resume with our AI resume checker and get hired faster.

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Your frequently asked questions.

If you don’t find answers to your questions here, don’t hesitate to ask. Our customer service team is always happy to help.

What is a resume checker?

In the most basic terms, a resume checker is an online tool using Artificial Intelligence that can help you answer questions like: “Is my resume good?” and “How can I make my resume better?”

The Kickresume AI resume checker can:

• Get your resume reviewed in an instant
• Scan your resume for issues
• Compare your resume against successful resumes in our database
• Grade your resume based on a selection of different criteria
• Give you personalized tips on how to fix any issues that it encounters
• Improve your resume’s quality with a single click

Is your resume good? Try the AI resume checker now !

How does a resume checker work?

A resume checker is an automated online tool using AI that scans your resume for issues and calculates a resume score. Our AI resume checker grades your resume based on three different types of criteria.

These were chosen based on what recruiters usually look for in a resume.

It then also provides personalized tips and guides on how to improve your resume.

Being a relatively simple AI resume review tool, it does not try to compete with professional human resume writers or editors. No resume checker can do that.

Still, it works well in helping you eliminate many common mistakes that job seekers often make in their resumes. Plus, our particular resume checker also compares your resume against other successful resumes in our database that were contributed by people who got hired with the help of Kickresume.

How to review a resume?

You can either ask a professional to do that (or at least a friend) or use a dedicated AI resume review tool — also known as a resume checker.

The Kickresume AI resume checker is an automated online tool using AI that can:

Is this resume checker a professional review service?

Kickresume’s Resume Checker is not a service, it’s a tool. In other words, if you’re looking for a real person to review your resume, this is not it.

On the other hand, our resume checker can give you instant resume feedback that can be still pretty useful.

Being a relatively simple resume review tool, our AI resume checker does not try to compete with professional human resume writers or editors. No resume checker can do that.

How to check my resume score?

To check your resume score, use the Kickresume AI resume checker , an automated online tool using Artificial Intelligence, which will test your resume for issues and give your resume a grade (or a score). You can usually improve this grade by following a set of readily available personalized tips and resume guides .

How to increase resume score?

Our AI resume checker grades your resume based on three different types of criteria:

Then it provides a set of suggested resume revision tips on how to fix any issues that it encounters tol help you quickly improve your resume. Plus, a detailed resume guide to provide more thorough help.

Hence, to increase your resume score, accept the suggested revisions and custom-tailored resume tips.

Jobscan > Get Your Resume Score | ATS Resume Checker and Grader

Is Your Resume Good Enough? Get Your Free Resume Score Instantly

Our AI-powered resume score checker helps you write the perfect resume by comparing your resume to the job listing you're interested in. Get expert feedback on how to improve your resume and show the recruiter why you're the perfect match.

Jobscan users have been hired by

AI-Powered Resume Score Checker

Our AI-powered system runs over 30 checks on your resume to make sure it’s optimized for what recruiters look for. This intelligent resume builder scores your resume content by prioritizing the most important elements so that you make the right changes.

Score Your Resume in Seconds

With just a few clicks, you can check your resume score against any job listing. Our tool analyzes your resume for hard skills, soft skills, education level, work experience, and other important keywords. Our resume rating system doesn’t just show job seekers like you how to write a better resume. It shows you how to tailor your resume for a specific job listing to increase your chances of getting an interview for that job.

Get Expert Insights from Recruiters

Our resume scoring tool includes expert insights from recruiters. We work with recruiters to ensure that our tool is up-to-date with the latest trends and requirements in the job market. You’ll get accurate and relevant feedback. Our resume check will reveal exactly what you need to do to optimize your resume.

Improve Your Resume's ATS Score

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are used by many top companies to help filter through resumes. Our ATS resume checker analyzes your resume and shows you how to make your resume more ATS-friendly. We’ll suggest changes to your resume’s formatting, including fonts and font size, margins, graphics, and more. You’ll have everything you need to improve your chances of getting noticed by a hiring manager.

“Jobscan helped me immensely. I applied to over 250 jobs over about 2 years and got only one job interview and no offer. I started using Jobscan, applied to only 12 jobs in 3 months and received 5 interviews and landed an awesome job. […] This software is incredible and worth every penny.”

“I was having a hard time getting interviews, and every single one I submitted after using the tool received a response – either a screening or an invitation to interview.”

Thelonious B.

“Anyone seriously looking for a job should sign up for this platform and put every single resume and cover letter through here before applying. The return on investment is unlike anything else!”

“Once I signed up for Jobscan, I ran my resume with a job that I had applied for previously and found the my resume was really lacking! I used Power Edit and suggestions to rework the resume and resent it to a company that I really had interest in! Almost immediately, I got a positive response and landed an interview!”

How to score your resume

From your Jobscan dashboard, upload your resume file into the scanner.

Paste the text of the job listing into the resume scanner.

Your report will score your resume on a scale from 1 to 100. The report will show you a detailed breakdown of where your resume needs to be improved. The report gives feedback based on hard skills, soft skills, education, formatting, searchability, and more. You’ll also see expert tips from recruiters on how to improve your resume score. Follow the steps to optimize your resume.

Update your resume document, click on the Upload and rescan button, then paste in the updated text of your resume. Your score will update. Continue this process with your resume until you reach a score of 75% or higher.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you score a resume.

Your resume score is based on your hard skills, education level (when an advanced degree is included in the job description), job title, soft skills, and other keywords. Your resume score report will also give feedback on word count, measurable results, and other relevant topics based on expert insights from recruiters.

How can I check my ATS score for free?

The best way to score your resume is with Jobscan. From your dashboard, upload your resume file and paste in the text of a job listing you want to apply for. Jobscan will scan your resume and give you a resume review score on a scale from 1-100.

What is a good resume score?

Your resume is scored on a scale of 1-100%. We recommend a score of at least 75% in order to increase your interview chances. The higher, the better!

Does resume score matter?

Your resume is your most important piece of job search collateral. Having a tailored and optimized resume using the correct resume format will significantly increase your chances of getting an interview. How good your resume is definitely matters!

What is the best ATS resume checker?

Jobscan is often recommended as one of the best ATS resume checkers available. It’s designed to help job seekers optimize their resumes by comparing them against job descriptions. By using algorithms similar to those used by ATS, Jobscan identifies and highlights keywords, skills, action verbs, and other critical elements that can increase a resume’s visibility to employers. Overall, it’s a better experience for resume writers than other software tools.

Explore More Features

High ATS Resume Score – 5 Easy Effective Hacks (in 2023)

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software system employers use to automatically scan and rank the resume of job applicants without human intervention. 

Most companies today use ATS to automate and simplify their hiring process. ATS does the first-level scoring for every job posting and selects the resume.

Resumes of qualified job seekers that pass the ATS screening then reach the recruiters/human desk for further screening. 

Optimizing your resume to pass the ATS screening process is pretty important. An ATS management score of 80% is generally considered very good, and it’s always better to have an 80% score than a mediocre one.

To improve your resume’s ATS score, follow these five simple hacks.

Resume Do’s and Dont’s For High ATS Score

When you submit your resume , the ATS uses its algorithm to determine which parts are most accurate and which are not. 

If your resume content looks garbled to ATS due to formatting issues, your resume will never get a high score and may not pass the ATS scrutiny, even if you have all the skillsets for that job opening. 

Correct formatting of your resume is crucial , and it’s good to understand what formatting works and what formatting does not work with ATS. Understanding this is crucial to get your resume pass the scanning phase and to get called for job interviews .

 Let’s go through the critical do’s and dont’s when updating your resume to get a high ATS score and to make it an ATS-compliant resume.

• Do not use Tables or Columns – Most ATS systems cannot recognize tables or columns. It’s best to omit such formats and keep your resume in a simple text format.
• Use Traditional Fonts – Keep this simple and stick to traditional serif or sans serif fonts. The best fonts with ATS are Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, Garamond, Cambria, Georgia, Helvetica, Verdana, Georgia, or Tahoma.
• Use Chronological Format – Functional resume formats don’t do well with ATS, so it is best to stick to a reverse-chronological formatted resume.
• Use Standard Headings – Use standard resume section headings like “Summary,” “Skills,” “Work Experience,” etc. Using non-standard headings like “What I’ve done so far” instead of “Work Experience” might result in low ATS scores.
• Use .doc or .pdf format – Save your resume in .docx or .pdf format, which is most compatible with ATS.
• Resume in First Person – This point is not essentially a Your Resume Summary should also include all of your responsibilities and achievements, so write in the first person.
• Scan resume using Resume Keyword Scanner – Finally, scan your resume using a Resume Keyword Scanner, like Resume Worded or Job Scan , to quickly identify any words or phrases that can be replaced with more powerful, effective ones. Such tools help you edit your resume faster for the best chance of success and secure interviews faster.

Correct formatting of your resume is crucial, and it’s good to understand what formatting works and what formatting does not work with ATS.

Resume Keywords for High ATS Score

Every industry has specific words and jargon, called “keywords,” understood by those working in that industry. Employers might use such keywords while creating job descriptions, which are ATS keywords used to identify potential candidates for a job listing.

Research a couple of job listings you’ll apply for, identify the relevant keywords that apply to your specific industry and job role, and include those in your resume .

Have the right keywords sprinkled on your resume to pass the ATS system’s rigorous scrutiny, so your resume gets shortlisted and goes to the hiring manager.

Let’s review some valuable tips on including keywords and optimizing your resume for ATS.

• Study Job Description – For every job role you apply to, read the job description carefully and take the time to analyze and research the requirements and company in more detail.
• Identify keywords using Wordcloud Generator – Use Wordcloud Generator to identify the most critical keywords (scroll to next section for Wordcloud Generator)
• Take Keywords from Job Description – The skills and experience in your resume should match the keywords used in the job description.
• Add Keywords to Resume – Include those keywords in your resume.
• Resume in Readable Format – Your resume must be readable to ATS software and to the hiring manager. Use an ATS-friendly resume template to create your resume.

Analyze Keywords in the Job Description using Wordcloud Generator

Modify and tailor your resume for every job application you send out for that specific job description. This makes your resume relevant to that job, and ATS would identify your resume as well-suited for that particular job description. 

ATS is a resume scanning software and it tries to match the keywords in the job description against applicant’s resume . The resume with matching keywords is scored high by Applicant Tracking Systems.

When you apply for a job, ATS usually ranks your resume and shortlists it for further screening by the hiring manager. Your objective is to get ATS to select your resume, and it’s not a random ‘hit and win’ process.

You have to be intentional to win the game. It does not require much work, but it takes some effort to get this right and is totally doable in a few minutes.

To ensure that your resume gets a high-ranking score from ATS, follow this simple four-step process when you apply for the next job opening.

Step 1: Study Job Description

Go to the website with job openings/job listings. Select and copy the job description and responsibilities.

Step 2: Get Keywords using WordCloud.

Go to Wordcloud Generator or any free word cloud generator website, and paste the job description. Wordcloud helps to give you a visual summary of the most common skillsets and terms used in the job description. 

Bigger word size indicates high frequency, and small word size means low occurrence. Hover over the high-frequency words to see each word’s count. 

Step 3: Add Keywords to your Resume

Edit your resume to include all the high-frequency words/terms summarized by word cloud. Include more occurrences of high-frequency words throughout your resume. 

Don’t spam or keyword stuff; you need to have a healthy balance of high-frequency words in a way that organically integrates into your overall resume. 

Upload your resume to Linkedin for better reach, and write a good LinkedIn summary. I find AI-based Linkedin Summary generators very helpful to create a good summary quickly.

Step 4: Run ATS Scan to get your Resume Score

Your resume is now ready. 

Run a final ATS scan on your resume to check your resume for ATS compatibility. See how your resume potentially scores in the real world. Many free ATS resume scan options are available to run “Test ATS scans” on your resume and get the score. 

ATS is a resume scanning software and it tries to match the keywords in the job description against every applicant’s resume. The resume with matching keywords is scored high by ATS.

Run ATS Scan to test and improve your Resume Score

You have already studied the job description at this stage, run wordcloud on the job description to get keywords, and include those in your customized resume.

You are now ready to run a Test ATS CV scan on your resume to get your ATS score, which would give you an idea of how your resume would be scored by ATS in the real world, and continue to update until you get a score of at least 80%.

Free ATS Resume Scanner

Skillsyncer.com provides a free option to scan resumes and score them against job descriptions. 

You can use free resume keyword scanners to give those final touches to your resume. Just follow the below step-by-step process:

Step 1: Go to Skillsyncer Resume Scanner

Step 2: Copy and paste the job description into the first box.

Step 3: Copy and paste your resume to the 2nd box. 

Step 4: Run the scan.

If your score is less than 80%, make recommended changes in your resume (usually will be to add a few highlighted keywords from the job description), and rescan. 

You can also get a free resume review online from websites like ResumeWorded, which offers free reviews.

• Upload your resume on the website and provide any additional details requested.
• Wait for the website to provide you with feedback on your resume.
• The entire process usually takes no more than a few hours, so you get access to valuable feedback quickly and easily.
• Update your resume with review comments.

Rerun the scan, rinse and repeat until you reach an 80% score, which is considered an excellent ATS score.

If your score is less than 80%, make recommended changes in your resume, rinse and repeat until you make it to an 80% score.

Don’t Over-optimize or Trick the ATS system

Once you have implemented the above hacks in your resume, and the scan shows your resume is 80% ATS compliant, you are good to go. Send out the job application with your ATS resume and cover letter.

Don’t over optimize the ATS-compliance process. Optimizing to get a perfect 100% score is not required, since you have to repeat this process for every job application you send out, and could eat up on your time.

Also, d o not try to cheat the ATS system by sprinkling invisible keywords (keywords in white font) in your resume to make your resume look like the perfect match for the job description.

Definitely optimize your resume for a good ATS score, but remember – the objective is not to get an ATS score of 100% using underhanded methods.

Once ATS selects a resume and sends it to recruiting manager, ATS highlights all the keywords in a different color. Scanning software has an ATS resume keyword scanner that can detect such practices and reject your resume. And due to some reason, if it passes the ATS scanner, hiring managers could quickly understand that your resume does not have the relevant skillsets listed, and they would take it off their shortlist.

No one would like to employ a candidate willing to cheat to achieve their targets. Remember – Optimize for a good ATS score if you feel you are a good fit for that job but don’t over-optimize or trick the ATS system.

Don’t try to cheat the ATS system by sprinkling invisible keywords (keywords in white font) in your resume, so as to make your resume look like the perfect match for the job description

Final Thoughts

You hit home runs not by chance but by preparation Roger Maris

In this article, we have covered critical tips to keep in mind when updating your resume and easy hacks you can implement today to make your resume ATS-compliant before applying for your next job.

Don’t overwork the job descriptions. This is where most applicants go wrong – don’t create a long list of bulleted points that’s not readable. 

Be sure to get the keywords from the job description. ATS looks for keywords while scanning, and you need to have these keywords in your relevant job titles, skill sets, or resume body.

Founder - Resume Guardian

Ever felt like you don't have the right information to find a job that matches your skills? I felt the same way for several years of my corporate career, until I learned how to focus more on result-producing activities to get desired job. My name is Vidya and I'm known as the friendly career specialist. Check out my best resume builder reviews and job search guides.

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Free ATS Resume Checker [4+ Free Tools And Step-By-Step Guide to Ace Your Score]

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Looking for a free resume checker? Look no further!

A resume checker, or resume scanner , can be super helpful when applying online, helping you optimize to the fullest and get past those pesky ATS programs. Plus, they can also help you identify skills that you either:

A) already mastered, but didn't showcase on your resume (yet!)

B) can improve to land the position you're targeting

In this article, we will compare multiple resume checkers, and, most importantly, share a step-by-step guide on how you can build an ATS-Friendly resume that will boost your application views. Finally, I'll share how you can land your dream job without even applying online (yup, that's right).

I recommend reading this piece from top-to-bottom but feel free to jump into any specific section:

• Why your application isn't getting views
• What is an ATS resume checker
• Frequently asked questions on resume checker
• The step-by-step guide to building an ATS-Friendly resume
• How to land a job without applying online 

Let's start by covering one of the most relevant issues in today's job-seeking landscape:

Why Your Application Isn't Being Viewed

I know the feeling. You've applied to dozens, maybe hundreds of jobs, and when you get to the “My Jobs” section on LinkedIn, you find that most of them haven't even been viewed.

You're not alone. When I was on the job hunt, I applied to 245 jobs on LinkedIn alone. My application was viewed by around 3-5. That was before I learned anything about ATS — short for “Applicant Tracking System” (which I'll dig into further in this article).

The truth is, the job-seeking funnel is tough:

You're going to need an awesome resume to face these odds. And an ATS resume checker can help you optimize your resume to the fullest and boost application views.

But, wait…

What Is an ATS Resume Checker?

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System, a software recruiters use to track candidates through their hiring process.

Think about it: companies receive hundreds, even thousands of resumes every day. So human resources have to rely on computer programs to filter candidates that are the best fit for the role.

Resume checkers can scan and score your resume for ATS and recommend improvements that will increase the chances of your application being viewed!

Frequently Asked Questions On Resume Checker

I know you probably have tons of questions, so let's get to some answers! First and foremost, you might be wondering…

Why is my resume getting rejected by ATS?

There are a few reasons your resume might be getting rejected by ATS, like:

• Inadequate use of file format (always go with PDF!)
• Missing contact information, like e-mail, phone number, and LinkedIn profile
• Missing job title for the target role
• Education requirements not matching
• Missing section headlines, like “Experience” and “Education”
• The date formatting not matching the recommended format
• Use of unknown characters

Plus, ATS and hiring managers also look for keywords to see if you are a good fit for the role. If there's a gap between the hard and soft skills you have listed in your resume and the ones required in the job description, then it is going to get a lot harder to get your application viewed.

How can I check if my resume is correct or not?

You can check your resume using an ATS resume scanner. These tools scan your resume, score them for ATS, and provide customized recommendations you can apply to your resume.

These tools also indicate the skills you'll want to highlight for the role you are applying for.

Take the example below that matches a content writer's resume for a role at a healthcare company. Using ResyMatch.io, we've identified the following gaps:

Even with traditional content marketing experience, there's definitely room to optimize and improve!

Which resume checker is best?

There are tons of resume checkers out there where you can check your ATS score for free. Below you can find 5 free resume checker tools and their pros and cons:

#1 ResyMatch.io

ResyMatch.io is Cultivated Culture's free resume checker tool. It scans and scores you're resume with any target job, and provides recommendations on how you can improve your resume!

✅ Easy to use: You can get your resume scanned by simply uploading your resume in PDF, Word Doc, or TXT, and copying and pasting the job description.

✅ Comprehensive: Provides ATS Best Practices, Hard & Soft skill match, and a sales index that will help you sell yourself once your resume lands on the hiring manager's desk.

❌ Requires a sign-up for a free account to get access to full results.

Try ResyMatch.io for free: 

Copy/paste or upload your resume here:

Click here to paste text

Upload a PDF, Word Doc, or TXT File

Paste the job post's details here:

Scan to compare and score your resume vs the job's description.

Scanning...

Zety allows you to review and score your resume online and provides instant feedback on how you can improve your resume.

✅ Adds recommendations based on your experience: Zety recommends adding relevant skills that match your experience.

✅ Easy to edit: You can easily add these skills to your resume, spell check, and edit templates & colors.

❌ Doesn't match with the specific target job you are applying for.

JobScan helps you optimize your resume for target roles highlighting key experience and skills.

✅ Easy to use: You can get your resume scanned in just a few steps.

✅ Comprehensive: Provides ATS Best Practices, Hard & Soft skill match, and recruiter tips.

#4 Resume Worded

Resume Worded provides instant feedback based on key criteria recruiters and hiring managers look for.

✅ Comprehensive: Provides feedback on Impact, Brevity, Style, and Skills. Offers improvement tools and AI-powered features to improve writing.

❌ Requires a sign-up for a free account to get access to full results and limits a variety of resources to Pro members.

#5 My Perfect Resume

My Perfect Resume allows you to scan your resume for issues and compare it against other resumes in their database.

✅ Comprehensive: Provides feedback on Customization, Spelling & Grammar, Word voice, Formatting, Optimal length, and Contact information.

❌ Requires a sign-up for a free account to get access to full results and doesn't match with the specific target job you are applying for.

All these options can be very helpful in optimizing your resume. Pick one or more to help you out and go ace your ATS score!

How To Build An ATS-Friendly Resume: A Step-By-Step Guide With Free Resources

Building a resume from scratch? Increase the odds of having your application viewed by crafting an ATS-Friendly resume from the get-go.

Before we get into the step-by-step guide, you should know…

This is what a job-winning resume that aces any resume checker looks like:

You should focus on a concise, one-page resume with a clean layout, that still brings in the most relevant information.

Sounds like a challenge? Don't worry, we've got you covered.

This step-by-step guide will help you build an ATS-Friendly resume in just a few steps!

#1 Use ResyBuild.io to get started

Layout can be one of the trickiest things in building a resume. Sure, you could use a template from Microsoft or Canva . But the thing with these templates is one extra line can sometimes mess up the entire formatting!

To avoid such issues, you should use a specific resume builder tool like ResyBuild.io , which will help you build a job-winning resume in no time.

Pick one of the templates below and start crafting your resume:

Free Job-Winning Resume Templates, Build Yours In No Time .

Choose a resume template below to get started:.

Once you've picked your template, you can either import your existing resume or start one from scratch!

#2 Place your personal info

Your personal information should include:

• Your first name
• Your last name
• Your email address
• Your phone number
• Your LinkedIn profile

Don't forget to customize your LinkedIn URL before you add it in there and optimize your LinkedIn profile. This guide provides 15+ LinkedIn profile tips to help you step up your game!

#3 Write an objective with 3-5 bullet points

Your resume objective should include the job title you are applying for and 3-5 bullet points of the most relevant experience you have. Here's an example:

The first bullet should be a one-sentence introduction, highlighting your experience and what you've accomplished.

Bullets 2-4 should bring in your greatest and most relevant achievements. Try adding measurable results to make them pop!

The last bullet can wrap up with a relevant “extracurricular” activity, like academic achievement, volunteer work, mentoring programs, and so on.

#4 Run your objective bullet points through ResyBullet.io

Your summary is probably the first thing recruiters will land their eyes on, so you should make sure they are eye-catching. Use ResyBullet.io to scan, score, and upgrade your resume bullets in just a few clicks!

Simply copy and paste your resume bullet and ResyBullet.io will score and recommend adjustments based on:

• Hard & Soft Skills
• Action Words
• Measurable Results
• Common Words

Aim at >60 scores for each bullet point and you will be good to go!

You can try ResyBullet.io for free below:

Free Resume Bullet Analyzer

Learn to write crazy effective resume bullets that grab attention, illustrate value, and actually get results., copy and paste your resume bullet to begin analysis:, #5 add your work experience and education.

Add the most relevant work experience for the role and highlight your greatest achievements. Be sure to:

• Add ~3 work experiences, focusing on the most relevant ones
• Add measurable results whenever possible
• Use bullet points to enhance readability

Don't forget to also include your education. If you don't have a bachelor's degree related to the role, online courses and certificates can be a great addition to this section!

#6 Add your hard and soft skills

Use this section to add the hard and soft skills that you have mastered and that are relevant to the role you are applying for.

You can scan the job description using ResyMatch.io to find the most relevant keywords. Simply copy and paste the job advert below to see the skills that are most required for the role:

To start, paste your target job description (or multiple job descriptions) into the box below:

Scan to help you identify keywords and skills within your target job description.

#7 Add your interests

This is the fun part! Add some of your personal, non-work-related interests so hiring managers can get to know you a little better. Just add 2-3 interests in a short sentence. Here's how I'd craft mine:

Creative writer, enthusiastic for philosophy, and amature runner currently training for a 10K.

#8 Finalize your resume's design

Once you've added all the info, it's time to finalize your resume's design. Tweak and Twitch to make it fit into one page and select the fonts and colors that you find best.

#9 Scan your resume to match with the job description

Once you're done, run your resume through a resume checker like ResyMatch.io , scanning and scoring it for ATS. If there are any adjustments, do back to ResyBuild.io and adjust accordingly!

#10 Proofread, download, and apply!

Once you're done, proofread your resume. I recommend installing the Grammarly extension to your browser so it highlights any typos or errors.

Then, download and start applying!

Want To Land Your Dream Job Without Applying Online?

Remember the funnel I showed you at the beginning of this article showing how many job applicants get to the interview? The one that says an average of 250 resumes will be submitted for the average role?

The thing is, even if you are geared up with a killer, ATS-proof resume, you're still facing tough odds. Only 2% of candidates who apply for a job online actually get an offer.

If you want to land your dream job, you are  going to need an awesome resume. But you don't necessarily have to apply online.

Want to learn how?

Check out the flagship guide, “ How To Get A Job Anywhere Without Applying Online “, to learn effective job-searching strategies for today's market.

Good luck out there!

Paula Martins

Paula is Cultivated Culture's amazing Editor and Content Manager. Her background is in journalism and she's transitioned from roles in education, to tech, to finance, and more. She blends her journalism background with her job search experience to share advice aimed at helping people like you land jobs they love without applying online.

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Resume Checker Is your resume good enough?

A free and fast AI resume checker doing 16 crucial checks to ensure your resume is ready to perform and get you interview callbacks.

Drop your resume here or choose a file. PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

Enhancv’s Resume Checker forms its ATS score with a two-tier system

When you’re applying for a job, there’s a high chance your resume will be screened through an applicant tracking system way before it finds its way on a recruiter’s screen. ATS helps hiring managers find the right candidates by searching for keywords and adding the resume to a database.

That’s why the success of your resume is highly dependent on how optimized your resume is for the job you’re applying for, the resume template you’re using, and what skills and keywords you have included.

The proportion of content we can interpret

Similar to an ATS, we analyze and attempt to comprehend your resume. The greater our understanding of your resume, the more effectively it aligns with a company’s ATS.

What our checker identifies

Although an ATS doesn’t look for spelling mistakes and poorly crafted content, recruitment managers certainly do. The second part of our score is based on the quantifiable achievements you have in your resume and the quality of the written content.

• Spearheaded and executed innovative marketing campaigns that resulted in a 30% increase in brand visibility and engagement within a six-month period.
• Successfully launched and expanded market presence into new demographics, leading to a 20% growth in customer acquisition and market share.

Our AI-powered resume checker goes beyond typos and punctuation

We’ve built-in ChatGPT to help you create a resume that’s tailored to the position you’re applying for.

Resume optimization checklist

We check for 16 crucial things across 5 different categories on your resume including content, file type, and keywords in the most important sections of your resume. Here’s a full list of the checks you’ll receive:

ATS parse rate

Repetition of words and phrases

Spelling and grammar

Quantifying impact in experience section with examples

File format and size

Resume length

Long bullet points with suggestions on how to shorten

Skills suggestion

Hard skills

Soft skills

Resume sections

Contact information

Essential sections

Personality showcase with tips on how to improve

Resume design

Email address

Usage of active voice

Usage of buzzwords and cliches

Rewrite your resume with AI

Get your resume rewritten by the world’s best AI engine (ChatGPT 4.0) in combination with tailored prompts and a fine-tuned model based on your resume and the job ad you’re applying for to save time.

Receive content suggestions based on the sections your resume currently has. Generate a resume summary or objective based on your experience. Get skills suggestions based on the industry you’re applying for. Omit buzzwords, filler words, and irrelevant content.

Get an ATS understanding check

Part of the resume checker score we assign is based on the parsability rate of your resume. We’ve reverse-engineered the most popular applicant tracking systems currently used and we look for signs of ATS compatibility.

For each resume uploaded, we look for skills and keywords connected to the job and industry you’re applying for, readable contact information, file type, and length. Then, we’ll give you suggestions on how to improve your resume.

Use the best resume builder in the industry

After receiving your checker score you can continue editing and improving your job application with Enhancv’s resume builder . Quickly add, reorder, or remove sections.

Tailor your resume based on the job posting you’re applying for. Ensure that you have the right keywords and skills to match with PDF formatting that an ATS can easily read.

Get your resume score now!

Upload your resume and you’ll get a personalized email with an actionable tasklist.

Loved by interviewers at

Enhancv Executive has changed my life: One week & four interviews later, I will be making 150% more doing the job I chose.

Your resume is an extension of yourself – make one that’s truly you, frequently asked questions, what is a resume checker.

A resume checker is a tool or software used to evaluate and improve resumes. It checks for proper formatting, relevant keywords (important for Applicant Tracking Systems), grammar and spelling errors, and content relevance.

Enhancv’s resume checker also assesses consistency in details, suggests customization for different industries, and provides feedback for improvement. We help ensure your resume meets current professional standards and trends and increase your chances of getting noticed by employers and recruiters.

How do I check my resume score?

Upload your resume to Enhancv’s Resume Checker. Once we run the check you will be redirected to another page where you can see your report with a score on the left side of the screen.

Keep in mind that there’s no such thing as an ATS score – no tool online that provides a score gives an actual score.

Enhancv’s resume report scoring system is based on two major things:

How do I improve my resume score?

A higher resume score can be achieved by improving key sections on your resume. Here’s what you can do:

How do I know my resume is ATS compliant?

To ensure your resume is ATS-compliant, integrate relevant keywords from the job description in a natural manner, use simple formatting with a clear layout, and stick to conventional headings like "Work Experience" and "Education”.

Unlike most advice on the internet, using a PDF from a dedicated resume builder like Enhancv is better than using a Word or doc file, as it ensures your formatting stays intact. Double-column resumes are just as good as single-column resumes and fonts don’t seem to matter that much as long as they’re easy to read.

Spell out acronyms alongside their full phrases, include a distinct skills section, maintain a consistent work history with clear job titles and employment periods, and meticulously proofread for errors.

What is a good ATS score?

Enhancv’s Resume Checker score is made by two factors combining 16 checks. If your resume scores higher than 80 you can count that it’s mostly good.

Keep in mind, however, that a score is one of many things you should be looking for. Key sections like contact information and experience should be immaculate. Make sure to review your resume in detail before applying for a job.

Can an ATS read PDFs?

Yes. We’ve conducted tests with the most popular applicant tracking systems and it seems that it’s a myth an ATS can’t read a PDF. In fact, PDFs have scored higher as they’re static files that once saved, can’t be edited.

How do I review my resume for errors?

It’s easier to get lost in the details of the separate sections, ignoring how they all come together in the final resume form. A complete resume review will help you focus on the full picture.

You’ll start to notice you’re either missing out on your skills section positioning or that it doesn’t align with your achievements. That’s why you need to take enough time for proofreading and quality checks.

What should I focus on when checking my resume?

We’ve read 1000s of resumes from our users and got the opinions of recruiters on which are the top mistakes people make when building their CV.

Here’s a list of the most commonly occurring mistakes on resumes:

Can I create a resume checklist?

Set up a checklist with every bit of information you want your resume to convey at the end. These may include:

• Extracurricular activities, relevant websites or projects

Once you have the rough content of your resume, compare it with the checklist so you don’t forget anything important.

Another point of reference should be the job description. All competencies, experience, and skills needed to do the job well are outlined there, so make sure what accomplishments you highlight match the job offer.

To sum up, your resume must answer the following questions:

Should I read my resume after writing it?

First off, make sure you don’t complete your application with only 30 minutes to spare before the deadline. For this tactic to work, you should start well in advance.

Take time to sleep on your resume, and return to it a couple of days later, or better yet, when you have already forgotten what you wrote.

It will feel like you’re an external reviewer and will spot mistakes that otherwise you’ll have omitted.

Does your resume checker serve other purposes?

Yes, Enhancv’s resume checker is also great for making a targeted resume for a specific job posting. It’s also a resume grammar checker and an overall resume critique that can help you find and fix your mistakes.

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The Best Ways to Optimize Your Resume to Make it Pass an ATS

That feeling is all too familiar…

You’ve hunted down the perfect job opening, made a killer custom resume and cover letter , uploaded your application online, and then you wait; wondering what it was that made the recruiting manager not call you back.

It’s likely that you know something about systems that can scan your resume into a computer system with the ability to reject applicants before a human even sets eyes on it.

The main reason for these systems is to sort through the massive amounts of resumes that land in the inbox of some companies.

The technology is known as an Applicant Tracking System , or ATS …

This means that before a real live human ever gets to look over your life’s work, it’s got to get past an ATS and the requirements that it’s programmed with.

Since we’re all human, hopefully, it’s pretty easy to get your resume through an ATS and under the eyes of a person who will appreciate your skills.

We’ve put together a handy guide with all the details you need to know about ATS and how to beat applicant tracking systems .

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) Explained

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a computer software program used by recruiters and hiring managers during the recruitment process.

If you wonder how applicant tracking systems can improve the selection process, let us explain it differently…

ATSs are a tool for recruiters to get through the important process of narrowing down potential recruits for their company.

So, what do applicant tracking systems look for?

The person or team dealing with the recruitment process set some rules about what they’re looking for in a resume and then they’ll set an Applicant Tracking System on to the pile of resumes they’ve received to see which ones make it into their hands.

There are scanning systems that the company will upload your CV or resume into and an algorithm will go through the text searching out keywords, then grouping them into categories such as:

• Contact details
• Skills, etc.

And these details get stored in a database; all of this is part of the ATS.

Large companies will get a lot of resumes submitted even without a job being advertised, so when an opening comes up the recruiter will search through the ATS to find resumes or CVs that fit the job description based on a score.

Next, the person dealing with the recruiting process will choose the resumes with high scores to go to the following stage of recruiting.

To pick your way through to the top of the Applicant Tracking System isn’t rocket science.

The key to getting to the stage where a person reads about your best bits is a well-written resume that takes account of how an ATS algorithm functions.

More details coming up…

Pro-Tip No matter how stellar your resume or CV is, you might not get called in for an interview purely because your application isn’t optimized for ATSs. Using simple tips and hacks you can boost your chances of getting through the door.

Creating an ATS-friendly Resume

Now that you know how employers use applicant tracking systems it’s time to find out how to pass applicant tracking systems …

Having the right content in your resume to get a high score on an ATS is massively important. You also need to be sure that an ATS is able to easily make sense of the details you include and be able to sort it into information for your potential employer to easily read.

The good news is, a resume format that works well on an ATS looks very similar to a resume format that will appeal to a recruiter too.

• Just like us, an ATS reads your resume from left to right and from the top down; make sure you remember this when choosing a format. You need to make sure your contact information goes at the top , and you need to start your work history section with your most recent or current job
• When considering whether to use one of the three most common resume formats - functional, chronological and combination - you should note that ATSs work best with the latter two because in functional it takes skills out of context and doesn’t categorize information under standard headings.

In a nutshell, an ATS wants to “see” pretty much the same thing human eyes want to see. If you can get your resume or CV past an Applicant Tracking System you’re on track to impress the actual people who’ll be looking at it, too.

Check out the simple tips and tricks to customize your resume that are coming up. We’re going to teach you how to think like an ATS.

Pro-Tip It’s useful to use the exact same keywords in your resume that you find in the job description. You can split them between sentences but make sure each important keyword matches exactly. This is a simple trick to get through ATS processing.

Keep It Nice and Simple

With so many options available, you might want to add some jazz to your resume, mixing up your fonts and colors and even adding images, particularly when trying to land a job in the creative industry.

It’s perfectly understandable; you want to be unique, after all…

The sad fact is when you apply to a company that has an ATS as part of their recruitment process, adding design flourishes will put you down toward the bottom of the list.

You need to keep your resume looking clean, clear, and simple to score well on an ATS, here’s how…

• Choose the keywords . Pick out the keywords that identify in the job listing and allocate them to your resume sections.
• Pick a resume design that shows clear hierarchy and formatting . Making your resume look unusual with complex designs and layouts will confuse the majority of ATSs.
• Keep your colors simple . You should note that an ATS is going to read your text as all one color, be sure that a change in color doesn’t affect any of the meaning in your resume.
• Simplify your formatting . You’re going to confuse the algorithm in the ATS when you use symbols, logos, text boxes, graphics, and tables.
• Make your bullet points clear . There’s no need for intricate symbols and characters for your bullets. The simple options are best, like a square or an open or solid circle.
• Stick to the pertinent information . Anything more than ten years old can be skipped, and hiring managers only want to know about what’s relevant.
• Target your resume title . Look at the language used in the job advert and match your job history to it, if you use “manager” and the company is looking for a “leader” you could miss out.
• Steer clear of headers and footers . Information outside of the standard text areas can get missed by an ATS so keep your text within the main body of your resume to be safe.
• Stick to common fonts . It’s better to use standard fonts instead of unusual ones. As a rule of thumb, if you’ve had to download a font it’s probably not going to pass an ATS.
• Make your resume file name your own . When you include your name in the file name, an ATS will find it easier to read your resume.

Pro-Tip The header and footer areas aren’t the places for important details. A lot of Applicant Tracking Systems only read within standard margins so they won’t “look at” the information at the very top or bottom of your document.

Watch Your Formatting

You’re probably thinking…

There are so many formats (for example txt, .pdf, .doc, .rtf, etc.), what’s the right one for your resume?

A typical ATS won’t accept some types of file formats. You need to submit your resume or CV in the file format that the company specifies. Usually, you’ll find companies want a Word file, .docx, or a PDF file, .pdf. Check over the instructions in the job posting so you can make your application exactly how they want.

What if I want to make my titles quirky and creative?

It’s best that you avoid doing that too…

Applicant Tracking Systems are programmed to look for certain words so you should stick with the standard section titles as much as possible. Some classic titles you can use would be:

• Contact information
• Professional experience (Work experience)
• Skills (Key skills)
• Education history
• Licenses etc.

What about tables and columns?

The easy answer: try to avoid tables and be careful with columns.

Here are more details…

Tables generally can’t be read by an ATS, so if you put your key information into a table because you think it looks easier to digest, the ATS isn’t going to be able to “read” your information and feed it into the database.

Also, be careful using columns.

An ATS scans top to bottom, left to right, so not all of them can handle your resume using columns.

If you really need to use columns to get your important details on the first page, write clearly with decent margins and indents.

When your resume goes directly to an HR email, go for any format you want; if you’re uploading to a website and want to be cautious you can use the single-column format to be sure.

Pro-Tip You need to avoid the standard pitfalls that come with working within an ATS, but bear in mind there will be a real living person who ultimately looks at your resume once the system has analyzed it. Your document needs to be pleasing to the eye and help the hiring manager navigate your information easily.

Check Your Spelling and Punctuation

That’s a tad obvious, isn’t it?

Of course, a recruiter isn’t going to be happy with any spelling issues, but it could cause more issues than that. Even if you get just one letter or punctuation mark in the wrong place, you could dash your chances of getting past an ATS. After all the work you put in, it’d be such a shame to fall at that hurdle.

A human is able to make a judgment call on small resume mistakes and be able to decipher your intended meaning. An ATS computer program? They have no heart, only an algorithm.

Get your resume typed up and check it over more than once, give yourself a few hours' pause before reading it through again. You can even rope in a buddy to check it over once more; every set of eyes will help.

At the end of the resume writing process, you want to have a resume that has zero errors.

Pro-Tip A lot of the ATSs and bots can also make their way through a cover letter . Mind this while writing it and don’t forget to use relevant information as well as keywords there.

Even ideal candidates can get overlooked for a role if their resume or CV isn’t optimized to get through an Applicant Tracking System; no human may ever see it…

The simple fact is that most employers nowadays use an ATS package to sift through applicants for a role. The computer system can “read” through the document you submit and scores it based on the words it finds.

By the time the hiring manager gets involved in the process, the computer will simply complete a search of a database and ping up the ones that scored highest for them to check out.

An ATS is the security guard for your dream job. To get to the really fun and rewarding part of meeting the hiring manager at an interview, you need to get past them first.

Let’s go through the rights and wrongs when it comes to writing to please ATS software.

• Use standard fonts and simple formatting
• Use keywords from the job posting and mirror the advert language for your job titles
• Save your file as a .docx or .pdf
• Use margins and paddings in the text to make it readable
• Proofread your resume, to have perfect spelling and grammar
• Include special characters or symbols
• Use the header or footer space for important information
• Use any sort of images
• Add tables if you don’t apply directly to HR
• Let any error slip past you

The best advice for anyone writing a resume is to tailor the content to each job that you’re applying for and be certain you’ve used every trick in the book to get through the ATS stage.

The best resumes have well-written paragraphs with logical formatting. To make sure you’re getting it right, take advantage of our professional resume maker to build your document easily and give you an effective launchpad for your dream job. Sign up now 👈

Wondering what the photo for your resume looks like? What’s the do’s and don’ts? Are there any exceptions? Find out in our guide below.

Not sure what resume keywords are? Know the words you need but don’t know how to use them to beat applicant trackers? We’ve got the answers, and plenty more!

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We developed the resume score to give job seekers an easy, accurate mechanism to make sure their resume is in good shape, before they apply.

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The Resume Checker uses a scoring system that factors in a variety of data points from different types of resume information. Some of these include:

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Using this criteria, we grade your resume on a scale of 0-100%, according to best practices that have been proven to drive hiring decisions.

A good resume score is 80% or higher.

This means that your current resume version aligns with most of the recommended best practices, and is not missing any vital information.

While we recommend addressing all of the issues that are highlighted by in the resume analysis, they won’t always have equal importance.

The exact order of priority will depend on your particular situation and which position you're applying for, but we urge you to address the issues from the “Resume Structure” group first if present. These issues are related to missing sections, missing information, or information that lacks completeness.

You want to maximize every inch of your resume to make the greatest possible impact/impression, so we suggest first making sure that your resume has all of the information it needs. Once you’ve taken care of that, then move on to updating/optimizing the information in the best possible way.

The Resume Checker analyzes your resume on many of the same factors and criteria that the ATS looks for.

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How good is your resume, find out instantly. upload your resume and our free resume scanner will evaluate it against key criteria hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ats) look for. get actionable feedback on how to improve your resume's success rate..

Turn your resume into an interview magnet

Get a free ats resume scan, powered by artifical intelligence, companies often receive hundreds of resumes for every job posting they put out. they and their hiring managers don't have the time to go through each resume individually, so they use software, often called applicant tracking systems (ats), to filter through all the resumes they receive. you need to make sure your resume is read correctly by these ats and resume screening software. if it is not, your resume could get instantly rejected by these systems and never make its way to a recruiter or hiring manager. our resume scanner evaluates whether your resume will be read correctly by ats, i.e. if it is ats compliant. in addition, it also gives you detailed feedback on key criteria recruiters and hiring managers look for, for free., how do i make sure my resume is ats-compliant, here are some guidelines you should follow to ensure your resume gets correctly scanned by all applicant tracking systems..

Use standard section titles : Label your work experience and education sections with conventional section titles. For example, use "Professional Experience" instead of "My career in a nutshell".

Use standard fonts : Some newer fonts convert letters to special characters which often get scanned incorrectly by ATS. Where possible, stick to a standard font (Garamond, Arial, Calibri) where possible.

Single-column layouts : Modern ATS are better at scanning multi-column layout but there are several ATS that fail at reading multi-column resumes in the way you'd expect it to.

No tables : Tables rarely get parsed correctly. Use tabs and right/left aligns to structure your resume instead.

No scanned documents, pictures or diagrams : Your resume's text must be highlightable and readable. Avoid using images or diagrams in your resume - this includes pie charts and graphs too!

Find out if your resume passes the ATS resume test

💡  tip: score my resume was built with all applicant tracking systems in mind and acts as a powerful ats resume test. if it is scanned correctly by our platform, you can be confident it will also be processed correctly by all ats..

An example of an ATS friendly resume template that is readable by ATS and resume scanners

Here are the guidelines we outlined above in practice. notice the clean single-column design and how fancy formatting like tables, diagrams and graphs have been stripped out. ats resume scanners either ignore these or read them incorrectly. you want to make sure you stick to text and a standard font with minimal use of special characters. similarly, notice how this resume also uses standard section titles, such as "experience" and "education". resume scanners specifically look out for these core sections and you want to make sure they're easy to find. bonus tip: use reverse chronological order for your dates. many applicant tracking systems try to find your most recent work experience and assumes your resume is in reverse chronological order (i.e. most recent first)., the importance of resume keywords, if you're reading until this point, you've understood how to make your resume readable and scanned correctly by applicant tracking systems, or ats. this is a great start - well done however, you're not done yet. you need to now make sure these resume scanners actually rank your resume highly. let's back up for a bit. if you recall at the start of this page, we discussed that companies use ats to filter down the number of applicants they receive. they filter resumes by looking for keywords that match the job description. fortunately for you, our resume keyword scanner helps you identify the right keywords to include on your resume. this tool helps you test your resume against a specific job description, enabling you to optimize for that posting (and of course, dramatically increase your success rate)..

What tests does our ATS resume scanner run?

We'll scan your resume in 30 seconds and evaluate it against a range of criteria that recruiters and hiring managers consider important. our resume test goes even deeper than an ats scan, and gives you feedback on many other areas of your resume such as impact, soft skills and brevity. this enables you to identify gaps on your resume so you can fix them., unlimited ats resume scans, you get several free uploads to our resume scanner. if you have different versions of your resumes (and you should, especially if you are applying to different industries), you can test each of your resumes through our resume scanner. this allows you to evaluate all versions of your resume for not only ats friendliness, but also other key criteria (like impact, hard skills and core competencies), to make sure you get as many interviews as possible. to get started, upload your resume in pdf. if you're wondering if pdfs can be read by ats, the answer is yes unless specified, always use pdf. all ats can read them perfectly as long as you stick to the guidelines we've outlined above - i.e. ensure your resume is not a scan, is not an image and uses standard formatting (it should ideally have been exported by google docs or microsoft word)., an effective free resume scanner, as of 2024, our free resume scanner has supported 5 million job seekers globally. it's an effective platform to determine: whether you have a scannable resume : find out if your resume will be scanned correctly by an applicant tracking system. are your achievements read correctly find out instantly. your ats readability : check that your work experience and skills are identified correctly. note that if your work experience isn't detected correctly, an ats may auto-flag you as unemployed — you want to avoid this since you might automatically get rejected. how well your resume matches the job description : you will be given a resume score, which will help you understand if your resume covers all the right keywords and recruiter checks. you'll also get access to our advanced ai resume writer, which will enhance your resume's existing content and turn it into professional content you can use on your resume. you'll never have to ever ask, "is my resume good enough". you'll know it is..

The most complete resume toolkit

Targeted resume, try our resume keyword scanner which scans both your resume and the job description you're applying to (like an ats would)., linkedin review, get actionable insights on how to improve your linkedin profile by using our linkedin profile checker., ats resume templates, download ats friendly resume templates that are perfectly readable and compatible with all ats., get your free ats resume scan in 30 seconds, get actionable steps to revamp your resume and land more interviews using our free ai-powered tool.,    optimize your resume for resume screeners, in 2024, your resume will almost certainly pass through an automated screener before it reaches a hiring manager. find out how strong your resume is at getting past this ats software..

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• Highlighting Writing Skills...

Highlighting Writing Skills on Your Resume

11 min read · Updated on April 22, 2024

Do you know how to prove your writing skills in a resume?

In today's competitive labor market, it can sometimes be difficult to differentiate yourself from other job candidates. To successfully compete, you need to make sure that your resume delivers a powerfully compelling message that makes a positive first impression on hiring managers. One way to enhance your resume narrative is to include your relevant writing skills.

In this post, we will explain the following: 

Why writing skills are important in so many different industries

We'll examine the different types of writing abilities that employers may be looking for

We will also help you learn how to match your skills to your desired job role

We'll show you how to use achievements to highlight writing skills in your resume

We'll provide some examples showing you how to include writing skills in a resume and offer some tips you can use to enhance your writing ability

What are writing skills, and why are they important?

Many job seekers assume that they only need to include writing skills in a resume if they're seeking a job that involves a lot of writing. Obviously, the ability to communicate through the written word is an essential skill for people who create marketing presentations, reports, legal briefs, and similar documents. At the same time, though, those same skills are invaluable assets in many other fields as well.

That's because writing skills enable you to communicate ideas in a convincing way. People who possess these skills are often proficient in a wide array of communication styles, including everything from persuasive writing to the use of descriptive, technical, or creative writing. Effective writers also tend to excel in the use of good writing structure, grammar, punctuation, and messaging tone.

Employers who see writing skills on a resume will recognize you as someone whose communication skills can provide real value to any team. That's true whether you're seeking a job as a copywriter or pursuing a role in marketing, accounting, or management. 

The bottom line is clear: even if you're not seeking a job that regularly requires great writing skills, highlighting them in your resume can help set you apart from rival job seekers.

Types of writing skills for a resume

At this point, you might be wondering just how detailed you should be when describing your writing skills in your resume. The reality is that there are a host of distinct writing skills that can benefit you in various job roles. Let's take a moment and review some of the most common writing skills that employers might want to see:

Fundamental writing skills like grammar, punctuation, etc.

Business writing

Creative writing

Content writing

Technical writing

Email composition

Report writing

Grant writing

Collaborative writing

Media content creation

Social media writing

Presentation writing

Brand management

How to identify the right writing skills for the job

Before you just start listing different writing skills on your resume, it's important to ensure that you're aligning those skills with the employer's needs. The easiest way to do that is to use your research skills to examine the job posting and any role description you can find. 

Which specific writing skills are listed as required qualifications? 

What terms are used to describe those abilities? 

Create a list of all those skill requirements and focus on including them in your resume's skill section.

It can also be helpful to search the Internet for similar job resumes to see which skills are typically listed as core competencies. That can provide useful insight into what employers want to see from candidates in your field.

It's also vital to make sure you're using the same terms the employer used in their job posting since those terms may be keywords needed to satisfy applicant tracking systems, or ATS. 

You'll want to include those keywords throughout your resume to ensure the ATS software finds them during the automated screening process. That can improve your resume's chances of being seen by a hiring manager.

Use achievements to demonstrate your writing skills on a resume

As you create your list of writing skills, always focus on skills that you can demonstrate by referencing specific experiences and accomplishments. Employers understand that anyone can claim to possess certain skills. However, only truly skilled individuals will be able to back up those claims with real-life achievements. By citing those skills in the summary and work experience sections of your resume, you can more effectively demonstrate how your writing skills create real value for employers.

The following tips can help you create powerful achievement statements that demonstrate your writing skills in your resume.

Select writing skills that have achieved real results

Make sure that you include achievements that show how the writing skills in your resume were used to produce real results for employers. Your focus should be on using achievements to prove your skills. For example, if you've used those abilities to create client presentations that helped close deals, create an accomplishment statement that highlights that achievement.

Quantify the value your skills have provided

It is also vital that you quantify your achievements by including real numbers that reflect the value your skills can bring to any organization. Those numbers can demonstrate the amount of revenue that your writing skills helped to generate, increases in online engagement, time savings, cost reductions, or any other measurable achievement that contributed to your employers' profitability, productivity, and operational efficiency.

Create achievement statements

If you really want to make sure that employers understand the value of your writing skills, you can highlight those abilities throughout your resume. Obviously, you'll want to include some of the most prominent writing skills within your core competencies section, and in the bullet point achievements that you include in your professional experience section. For maximum impact, you can also include an achievement statement in your summary that emphasizes those skills.

Below, we'll show you how to highlight your writing skills in each of those key sections.Writing skills in your core competencies section

As you might imagine, your core competencies, or skills section, can be a great place to highlight these writing abilities. You can include some of your core writing skills in this section, along with other key technical abilities and relevant soft skills. Remember to use bullet points for your list and use two or three columns to format the section. 

Some of the key soft skills that complement writing expertise include:

Communication

Search engine optimization

Adaptability

Research techniques

Time management

Social media management

The ability to connect with audiences

Try to include a mix of these hard and soft skills. That will help employers understand that you not only have the technical abilities to perform the job but also possess the interpersonal skills you'll need to work effectively with others.

Related post : Soft Skills Explained - and the Top 7 for Your Resume

Writing skills in your resume summary

Your resume summary is another fantastic place to highlight writing skills in your resume. Obviously, it's one of the first things many employers read, and serves as your introduction to the reader. If writing skills are an important part of your resume narrative, you need to include some mention of them in this vital summary paragraph. 

The best way to do that is to add an achievement statement that demonstrates those talents. For example:

Dynamic Marketing Manager with 9 years of experience in strategic campaign development, team building, and project implementation. Skilled content creator with proficiency in online branding, search engine optimization strategies, and increased website traffic and sales engagement. Created multi-tiered email and social media content that reached 20,000 new customers monthly, increasing customer engagement by 22% and leading to a 17% boost in sales.

In that sample summary statement, the last sentence highlights the candidate's writing skills, providing hard numbers that quantify how their content provided real benefits to the employer. If you can create solid achievement statements that demonstrate this type of value, your accomplishments will help to convince employers that you have the skills you claim to possess.

Related post : Resume Profile Explained (with Examples)

Writing skills in your work experience section

It will come as no surprise that the best place to highlight and prove writing skills on your resume is in your work experience section. Here, you will want to use bullet-point achievement statements that quantify your results. For each job title you've included in this section, add between four and six of these bullet-point accomplishments using real numbers that demonstrate your value proposition.

Related post : 47 Accomplishment Examples for Your Resume: Expert Picks

How to list writing skills on a resume: examples

Below are some examples of the types of achievements you can include in these bullet point statements.

• Wrote ABC Corp. Sales Training Manual, revising onboarding and training techniques to reduce onboarding time by 17%; improved new salesperson sales results by 22% in their first six months on the job.
• Created presentation content for Alpha Bank proposed merger, helping overcome M&A negotiation barriers and facilitating $100 million acquisition.
• Crafted more than 500 blog posts, website landing pages, and email campaigns in two years, credited with 130% increase in customer online traffic and 12% increase in sales revenue.

You get the point. The key is to focus on your writing contributions, describing the challenge you faced, what you did to overcome that obstacle, and defining the results. 

If you find yourself struggling to condense those narratives into brief achievement statements, check out a related post: How to Create an Effective STAR Method Resume (With Examples) .

Tips to improve your writing skills

You may find it interesting to know that even professional writers actively work to further develop their writing skills. The reality is that everyone can benefit from continuing to develop their written communication skills, and that includes those who only use these skills on an occasional basis. 

So, how can you develop your writing skills to ensure that you have the abilities needed to make a great impression on employers? Below are some tips to guide you in that question.

1.     Return to the basics

Spend some time reacquainting yourself with writing fundamentals like grammar, spelling, and punctuation. You can find free resources online or take a class at a local community college if you need additional help.

2.     Read more

Believe it or not, regular reading is one of the biggest secrets to effective writing. Immerse yourself in the written word and pay attention to how other writers communicate to their audiences.

3.     Learn to use outlines

Another secret to effective writing is to learn how to create outlines. Before you begin to write any complex document, always start with an outline that provides a clear structure for your narrative.

4.     Practice writing

This cannot be emphasized enough: if you want to be a better writer, you have no choice but to write. Write something every day to ensure that your skills are constantly being used. Practice won't make you perfect, but it will make you better.

5.     Get used to creating drafts

Never assume that the first words you write will be your finished product. Instead, take your ideas and get them out of your head and into your document to create a first draft. Once that's done, you can go back and revise that content as much as needed to create the right message.

6.     Always do your homework

Don't underestimate the power of research. By doing your homework before you start writing, you can ensure that you write with conviction and authority. Readers are drawn to authentic content.

7.     Don't be afraid to delete unnecessary content

Never be afraid to delete words, sentences, or entire paragraphs that contribute little to your narrative. The best writers are always willing to abandon content that isn't achieving their goals.

Enhance your job search by including writing skills in your resume

When you want to highlight your writing skills on a resume, it's not enough to just say that you possess those abilities. Instead, you need to demonstrate those skills by providing real examples of measurable achievements. If you can do that, you'll have an easier time proving those writing skills to employers – which can help differentiate you from rival job seekers and improve your odds of landing an interview and job offer!

Want to make sure that the writing skills in your resume effectively convey your writing talent? Get a free resume review from our team of experts today!

Recommended reading:

Seven Key Resume Sections and How to Organize Them

11 Key Things to Put on Your Resume

17 Resume Tips to Get Seen and Hired Faster

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

Why You Lose When You Lie on Your Resume: Learning From Mina Chang

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USMNT crashes out of Copa America in group stage

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The United States was eliminated from the Copa America with a 1-0 loss to Uruguay on Mathias Olivera's questionable second-half goal on Monday night, a defeat that will increase pressure on the U.S. Soccer Federation to remove coach Gregg Berhalter before the 2026 World Cup.

Uruguay scored in the 66th minute when Nicolas De La Cruz swung a free kick in front of the U.S. goal. Matt Turner parried a header by Ronald Araujo, who outjumped defender Tim Ream, but the rebound went right to Olivera and he tapped the ball in with his left foot.

Olivera appeared to be offside on the initial header but the goal stood after a video review.

Using a lineup of players entirely from European clubs, Berhalter and the U.S. hoped to show the team had advanced since its round-of-16 elimination against the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup. Instead, the U.S. opened with a 2-0 win over lowly Bolivia and was upset 2-1 by Panama, putting it in a tough situation Monday night.

"We had a good start and brought a lot of energy but at the end of the day, just not enough quality," U.S. captain Christian Pulisic said. "I felt like we gave it everything but we just couldn’t score."

Three minutes before Uruguay scored, the U.S. was in position to advance when Bruno Miranda tied the score for Bolivia against Panama in a game that started simultaneously in Orlando, Florida. But Panama went on to a 3-1 victory and claimed the second spot in Group C behind Uruguay.

Berhalter was rehired in June 2023 and given a contract through the 2026, which the U.S. will co-host with Canada and Mexico. But despite a lineup that included Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams, the U.S. failed to even match its last Copa America appearance, when it lost to Argentina in the 2016 quarterfinals.

The U.S. next plays September friendlies against Canada and New Zealand.

Uruguay played without coach Marcelo Biesla, suspended for sending his team out late for the second half of its first two games. Diego Reyes and Pablo Quiroga were in charge on a mild but humid night in Kansas City.

Berhalter and the Americans knew their situation was dire — Pulisic at one point said they would need to play "the best game of our lives" to advance — and they looked like a team with nothing to lose for most of the first half.

It was one marked by physical play and questionable calls.

Folarin Balogun, who had two goals already in the tournament, bore the brunt of several challenges. He was left calling for help after a collision with Uruguayan goalkeeper Sergio Rochet, then was left rolling on the field after Araujo's challenge later in the half. Balogun eventually had to leave with a hip pointer and Ricardo Pepi took his place.

Uruguay lost Maximiliano Araujo earlier in the half after a scary collision with Ream near the U.S. goal. He had to be taken off the field on a stretcher, though he was able to move his arms before heading up the tunnel.

In the middle of the chaos was 32-year-old Peruvian referee Kevin Ortega, who made several questionable calls that hurt the U.S. during the game.

The first came when Ortega began to pull out a yellow card and stop play, then allowed it to resume — while still holding the card — as Uruguay nearly scored on an attack. The second came when the U.S. had a clear advantage after a hand ball on Uruguay, but the Peruvian referee eventually blew his whistle and called the play back for a free kick.

Antonee Robinson called it "amateur hour" but lamented the Americans' failure to rise above the referee.

"The result is on us," he said, "and we weren't good enough."

Uruguay started to apply more pressure midway through the second half, then had the Americans in desperation mode after Olivera found the back of the net. And while the U.S. had a few good runs, and a couple of good opportunities in the box, a team that had such big expectations was unable to find the two goals it needed — or even one.

"I mean, now it's just about getting a little bit of rest and regrouping and finding an identity again, and we have some big things ahead," Pulisic said. "We're going to look forward to that."

• Yelich leaves game against Cubs with back tightness
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The Full Score Tuesday 23 July 2024

Conductor Martin Fröst leads the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra in Felix Mendelssohn's third symphony in today's Full Score concert.

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Title: Symphony for Percussion 3

Composer: Ewazen, Eric

Performer(s): Texas Christian University Percussion Ensemble & Brian A. West

Album: Escape Velocity

Duration: 4:44

Title: A Reliquary for William Blake: 14. Piping Down the Valleys Wild

Composer: Ayton, Will

Performer(s): Parthenia

Album: A Reliquary for William Blake

Duration: 3:37

Title: Octet in F (3rd Movementn) Allegro vivace

Composer: Schubert, Franz

Performer(s): Gidon Kremer (violin)

Album: The Many Musics of Gidon Kremer - Disk 2

Duration: 6:00

Title: Piano Sonata in E minor (2nd movement) Andante molto

Composer: Grieg, Edvard

Performer(s): Leif Ove Andsnes (piano)

Album: Grieg: Piano Sonata/Lyric Pieces - Leif Ove Andsnes (Recordno: 0777 7 59300 2 3)

Duration: 4:48

Title: Befreit

Composer: Strauss, Richard

Performer(s): Kiri Te Kanawa (sop)

Album: Strauss: Kiri Te Kanawa

Duration: 5:09

Title: opening

Composer: Armstrong, Craig

Performer(s): Studio Orchestra

Album: Far from the Madding Crowd (OST 2015)

Duration: 4:39

Title: Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56 (Scottish)

Composer: Mendelssohn, Felix

Performer(s): Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra

Album: Recorded at Berwaldhallen, Stockholm 10/04/2024

Duration: 38:31

Title: O Radiant Dawn (Strathclyde Motets)

Composer: MacMillan, James

Performer(s): The Sixteen & Harry Christophers

Album: James MacMillan: Miserere

Duration: 3:22

Title: Mounsier's Almaine (Byrd)

Composer: Byrd, William

Performer(s): The Early Music Consort of London

Album: The Early Music Consort Of London, David Munrow ‎– Renaissance Dance

Duration: 2:33

Title: String Quartet No.2 in A minor (4th movement Allegro con brio)

Composer: Hamilton Harty, Herbert

Performer(s): Goldner String Quartet

Album: Hamilton Harty: String Quartets

Duration: 6:13

Title: My Lagan Love

Composer: Harty, Hamilton

Performer(s): Peter Tuite (piano)

Album: RTÉ Recording for Composing the Island 2016

Duration: 3:36

Title: Vltava

Composer: Smetana, Bedrich

Performer(s): Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Album: Ma Vlast Smetana

Duration: 12:06

Title: Es lebt' eine Vilja (Act II)

Composer: Lehar, Franz

Performer(s): Lucia Popp (soprano)

Album: The Very Best of Lucia Popp

Duration: 5:48

Title: Arabesque Valsante

Composer: Levitzky, Mischa

Performer(s): Philippe Cassard (piano)

Album: Beethoven: Quartet Op. 16 in flat and quartet WoO36 No. 3 in C major - Philippe Cassard

Duration: 3:20

Title: The Spider and the Fly (from Johnson Over Jordan)

Composer: Britten, Benjamin

Performer(s): John Constable (piano), Gregory Knowles (percussion)

Album: Britten's Blues & Cabaret Songs

Duration: 4:07

Title: Symphony No.8 in D minor (4th Movement) Toccata (moderato maestoso)

Composer: Vaughan Williams, Ralph

Performer(s): Not Available

Album: Vaughan Williams: A London Symphony, Symphony No. 8 - Vernon Handley

Duration: 4:45

Title: Non piangere, Liu... Ah! Per l'ultima volta!

Composer: Puccini, Giacomo

Performer(s): Placido Domingo (tenor)

Album: Turandot

Duration: 5:40

Title: Chi Passa per'sta strada

Composer: Azzaiolo, Filippo

Performer(s): Yo-Yo Ma (Cello)

Album: The Essential Yo-Yo Ma CD2

Duration: 4:41

Title: Overture : Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail

Composer: Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus

Performer(s): La Cetra Barockorchester Basel

Album: Mozart Overtures (Recordno: 4779445)

Duration: 5:38

Title: Suite Espanola (1st movement) Granada

Composer: Albeniz, Isaac

Performer(s): Simon Dinnigan (guitar)

Album: Favourite Guitar Works - Simon Dinnigan

Duration: 5:15

Title: Song For Athene

Composer: Tavener, John

Performer(s): Gabrieli

Album: Classical Collection: The Essential Moderns

Duration: 6:26

Title: L'embarquement pour Cythere

Composer: Poulenc, Francis

Performer(s): Lucille Chung (piano)

Album: Poulenc: Works for Piano Solo and Duo. Lucille Chung/Alessio Bax

Duration: 2:16

Title: Zorba's Suite-Ballet: Finale

Composer: Theodorakis, Mikis

Performer(s): Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra

Album: World Encores

Duration: 4:34