ATS resume checker for Word (.docx) resumes
Word files are the most widely accepted resume format - Taleo and SuccessFactors even prefer them. Upload your .docx and we'll inspect the document structure itself for tables, text boxes and columns that trip up parsers.
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Every category shows its points and checks.
Keywords and requirements come from the posting.
Risky edits require your confirmation.
What we look for inside a Word resume
- Tables used for layout - many systems read cells out of order.
- Text boxes and shapes - often skipped completely.
- Section columns - Word's column layout can merge unrelated lines.
- Header and footer text - contact details placed there may be lost.
- Images and icons - ignored by the ATS, so key facts must also be in plain text.
Older .doc files can't be read reliably by modern systems; save as .docx first. After tailoring, you can download a clean single-column .docx built for ATS parsing.
How to fix a Word resume that fails parsing
- Turn on Show formatting marks (Ctrl+Shift+8 or Cmd+8) to spot hidden tables, section breaks and text boxes.
- Move anything inside a text box or shape into normal paragraphs, then delete the box.
- Replace layout tables with plain lines: put the job title, company and dates on one line separated by a pipe or tab.
- Copy your name, phone, email and LinkedIn URL out of the header into the first lines of the body.
- Use built-in heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2) for section names like Experience and Education so parsers can find them.
- Stick to common fonts such as Calibri, Arial or Georgia at 10 to 12 points, and save as .docx, not .doc or .odt.
Word or PDF: which should you send?
| Situation | Send | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The posting asks for Word | .docx | Some older systems and many staffing agencies edit or re-parse the file. |
| Taleo, SuccessFactors or an agency portal | .docx | These parse Word structure more reliably than PDF text extraction. |
| Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby | Either | Both work if the file is single-column with real text. |
| Emailing a person directly | Layout stays fixed on every screen. |
Not sure? Run both versions through the checker and send the one with the cleaner "What the ATS reads" output. For PDF-specific problems see the PDF 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".