Free career tool

Free ATS Resume Checker for a Smarter Job Search

Compare a PDF or DOCX resume with a real job description, then review an ATS-style match score, five missing keywords, and clear formatting checks without signing up.

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Key Takeaways: Free ATS Resume Checker

  • Free Instant Match Score: Compares PDF or DOCX resume text directly against job description requirements.
  • Missing Keywords Report: Highlights top 5 essential keywords missing from your CV for targeted editing.
  • 100% Private & Free: Guest uploads are processed instantly and never saved or shared with third parties.
1

Add your resume and target role

One free scan without registration

or drag and drop it here - maximum 5 MB
Minimum 100 characters0 / 20,000
Your report

See what the job description is asking for

Your result will show a job-specific match score, matched terms, five missing keywords, and basic readability checks.

  • Explainable keyword comparison
  • No invented experience or qualifications
  • No external AI processing
Before you apply

Use an ATS job search workflow, not keyword stuffing

A useful ATS check starts with one genuine vacancy. It should help you organize truthful evidence for that role, not turn your resume into a copy of the advertisement.

  1. 1

    Choose a real, active job

    Confirm the location, work authorization, experience, deadline, and official application source before tailoring anything.

  2. 2

    Compare the complete advert

    Paste responsibilities and requirements, not only the title. Upload a readable resume so the report can compare actual text.

  3. 3

    Improve evidence honestly

    Add a missing term only when it reflects real work. Support it with the project, tool, scope, result, or qualification that proves it.

  4. 4

    Apply and track the result

    Use the employer's official route, save the vacancy and version used, and record follow-up dates without assuming a score predicts selection.

A useful free core

Start with the report you need today

The scanner focuses on readable evidence in your resume. It does not manufacture claims, guarantee an interview, or pretend every employer uses one scoring formula.

Available now

Free guest scan

No registration required.

  • One resume scan
  • ATS-style score
  • Five missing keywords
  • Basic formatting report
Available now

Free candidate account

Save structured career information and create role-specific resume versions.

  • Guided online resume builder
  • Multiple tailored resume versions
  • PDF download and live preview
  • Saved jobs and application tracking
Explore the resume builder
Future services

Professional support

Optional services, not required to use the free checker.

  • Complete assisted resume rewriting
  • Expert review and premium templates
  • Mock interview sessions
  • Featured candidate profiles

How to match a resume to a job description

Start with a real job advertisement that you are qualified to pursue. The checker identifies terms that appear often in that advertisement and compares them with selectable text in your resume.

Use the result as a CV ATS checker, resume keyword scanner, or job-description match report. It shows whether your resume uses relevant language, but every change should remain accurate and supported by your real experience.

  1. Check the missing words in context. Add a skill only if you genuinely have it, then show where you used it.
  2. Keep standard headings. Clear Experience, Education, and Skills sections help both software and people scan the page.
  3. Keep evidence specific. Results, tools, scope, and outcomes are more useful than copying a block of job-ad text.

Use the step-by-step resume and job description matching guide for an evidence worksheet and practical examples. For a deeper employer-side explanation, read our ATS job search and candidate matching guide. When comparing offers, estimate likely net pay with the salary after tax calculator.

How the ATS-style score is calculated

The report uses an explainable scoring model rather than claiming access to an employer's private applicant tracking system. It identifies meaningful terms in the complete job description, checks which terms appear in readable resume text, and reviews common section and file-format signals.

Keyword coverage has the greatest influence because the report is specific to the job you paste. The score also considers whether the file exposes readable text and whether common sections such as Experience, Education, and Skills can be detected. It cannot assess references, interview performance, work authorization, or an employer's private knockout questions.

ATS resume checker questions

What is included in the free scan?

One guest scan includes an ATS-style match score, matched terms, up to five missing keywords, and a basic formatting report.

Does Hirings Online save my uploaded resume?

The public checker processes the file during the request. It does not attach the file to a profile or send its contents to an external AI provider.

Why can a scanned PDF fail?

Image-only PDFs do not contain selectable text. Run OCR or export the resume as a text-based PDF or DOCX, then scan it again.

How do I compare my resume with a job description?

Upload a readable PDF or DOCX and paste the complete job description. Review the matched terms and five keyword gaps, adding a missing term only when it truthfully reflects your skills or experience.

Does a higher score guarantee an interview?

No. Screening tools differ, and recruiters consider experience, evidence, eligibility, communication, and many other factors.

How is the ATS-style resume score calculated?

The score is a transparent heuristic based on job-specific keyword coverage, readable text, and common resume section signals. It is not an employer's private ATS score and should be used as practical editing guidance.

Can I use this as a CV checker?

Yes. Upload a readable PDF or DOCX CV and compare it with a complete job description. The term CV or resume changes by market, but the matching process is the same.

What is an ATS job search?

An ATS job search uses a real vacancy as the target, compares its requirements with your resume, and helps you prepare an accurate role-specific application. It does not mean copying every keyword or trying to manipulate employer screening.

Should I use the same resume for every ATS application?

Keep one accurate career record, but adjust the summary, evidence order, and relevant skills for each genuine vacancy. Never add experience or qualifications you do not have.