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.
No resume yet? Build one from scratch in minutes with the free resume builder.
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.
Quick test: can an ATS read your PDF?
- Open the PDF and press Ctrl+A (Cmd+A). If nothing highlights, there is no text layer and an ATS will see a blank page.
- Copy everything and paste it into a plain text editor. If lines from two columns are mixed together, a parser will mix them too.
- Search the PDF for your email address. If search can't find it, it is in an image or icon.
- Check File > Properties > Fonts. Fonts should be listed as "Embedded" or "Embedded Subset" so characters don't turn into symbols.
How to export a PDF that parses cleanly
- From Word: File > Save As > PDF, choosing "Best for electronic distribution and accessibility". Avoid "Print to PDF", which can flatten text.
- From Google Docs: File > Download > PDF document.
- From Canva or design tools: use a single-column template and export as "PDF Standard", not "PDF Print" or flattened images.
- Never scan a printed resume. If that is all you have, retype it or start in our free resume builder.
PDF or Word: which should you send?
| Situation | Send | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, iCIMS | PDF is fine | Modern parsers read text-based PDFs well. |
| The posting asks for Word, or an agency will edit it | .docx | They may need to re-format or redact the file. |
| Sending to a hiring manager by email | Fonts and spacing stay exactly as you designed them. |
For Word-specific problems like text boxes and layout tables, see the Word resume checker.
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".