ATS resume checker for PDF resumes
PDFs look the same everywhere, but not every PDF is readable by an ATS. Upload yours to see the exact text a tracking system extracts and whether columns, graphics or scanned pages are hiding your experience.
Create a free Connecting Odds account to score your resume against any job, get fixes and download a tailored copy.
Every category shows its points and checks.
Keywords and requirements come from the posting.
Risky edits require your confirmation.
When a PDF resume fails an ATS
- Scanned or image PDFs — there's no text layer, so the ATS sees an empty page. Export from Word or Google Docs instead of scanning.
- Two-column templates — text is often read across both columns line by line, mixing job titles with skills. A single column is safest.
- Icons for contact details — a phone icon with no "Phone" label, or an email inside an image, can't be read.
- Text in headers and footers — some systems skip it entirely.
Our checker flags these automatically and shows the parsed text in the "What the ATS reads" tab, so you can compare it with what you intended.
How your ATS score is calculated
Transparent rules decide the number — the same resume and job always get the same score, and every check shows the points it's worth. AI is used only to read the posting's keywords and suggest wording.
Must-have and nice-to-have skills from the posting, weighted by importance and repetition, with synonyms and context.
Whether your resume uses the title recruiters will search for.
Years of experience, degree level, certifications and clearance vs the posting.
Bullets with numbers, percentages, money or scale, and strong action verbs.
File type, readable text, tables, columns, text boxes, images, header/footer text.
Experience, Education, Skills and Summary with standard headings.
Email, phone, location and LinkedIn link.
Weak phrases, clichés, repeated openings, first-person pronouns.
Word count suited to the role.
Check while you apply
Every job on Connecting Odds has a "Check my ATS score first" link next to Apply — it loads the job and your profile resume for you. Browse jobs.
Tuned to the employer's system
When a job applies through Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, iCIMS, Taleo or SmartRecruiters you get tips for that system.
Honest by design
We never add employers, dates, degrees, skills or numbers you don't have. Risky suggestions are flagged "only apply if true".