What Is an ATS Resume Checker, and Why Do You Need One?
Did you know nine out of ten employers now use applicant tracking systems (ATS)? Recruiters utilize this tool to obtain, organize, and evaluate job applications for available positions. Specifically, they collect, scan, and rank resumes received from the applicants.
For job seekers, what does the ATS leverage imply? This means you should optimize your resume for ATS. This way, you can boost your chances of being selected for the next round and eventually getting hired. Tapping into an ATS resume checker is key!
This page tackles what you need to know about an ATS resume checker, including its key features. Read on to discover the reasons you need one and explore best practices for optimizing your resume.
What Is an ATS Resume Checker?
An ATS resume checker is precisely what it sounds like—a software application for checking resumes. However, there's more to it than you might think. Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), this tool can scan, analyze, and optimize resumes.
But how does the ATS resume checker work? This tool checks your resume's content, format, and keywords.
For one, it scans for specific keywords to match your skills with particular jobs. It also evaluates your resume formats to ensure content readability. Ultimately, it offers feedback to help you improve your resume.
What are the functions of an ATS resume checker? As a job seeker, discover its key features below.
Key features of an ATS Resume Checker
In a nutshell, an ATS resume checker examines your resume. However, it does more than that. This amazing tool offers the following features:
Image source: ChatGPT
- Keyword research helps you find the right words or phrases to match job descriptions. That way, your resume takes the spotlight and gets noticed!
- Formatting analysis checks if your resume is ATS-friendly by spotting format issues. What do the columns, fonts, or images look like? Are they easy on the eyes?
- Readability scoring rates how easy it is for your resume to get digested. The goal is to ensure it's understandable for both ATS and recruiters.
- Application feedback relies on conversational AI to give instant tips on what to improve. That way, you can increase your chances of getting picked for the next round of the screening process!
- Resume optimization helps you improve your resume. That way, it ranks higher in ATS scans and stands out in a sea of job market competition.
Here's the catch: An ATS-friendly resume is essential since many companies rely on ATS to filter applications. If your resume isn't optimized for this system, it might never reach recruiters.
For the uninitiated, an ATS tool helps recruiters sort and manage job applications. It scans resumes, looks for keywords, and keeps everything organized, making the entire recruitment process more efficient and effective.
Fortune Business Insights reported that the global ATS market could grow from $17.22 billion in 2025 to $30.51 billion by 2032. It's forecasted to expand at an 8.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), which means that the use of ATS in recruitment will continue to grow and expand.
Learn the top reasons you must use an ATS resume checker in the next section.
Why You Need an ATS Resume Checker
An ATS is specifically designed for recruitment, making it different from employee management platforms, project management tools, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
Meanwhile, an ATS resume checker is beneficial for examining and optimizing resumes for ATS.
While the former empowers the recruiters, the latter helps the job seekers. That said, here's why you should consider using an ATS resume checker before applying for a job:
1. It ensures your resume's ATS compatibility
As cited, big companies and top brands heavily rely on ATS for hiring. Nearly 99% of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS in their recruitment process. This AI-powered tool scans applicant resumes, reviews for job relevance, and determines candidate shortlists. As a job seeker, making your resume compatible with this system makes sense.
Reyansh Mestry, Head of Marketing at TopSource Worldwide, recommends using an ATS resume checker.
However, he advises aligning resumes with ATS by "using clear formatting, standard section headings, and job-specific keywords to ensure they pass the initial screening. A well-optimized resume not only gets past the ATS but also grabs a recruiter's attention faster."
2. It optimizes your resume for specific keywords
To begin, ATS scans for keywords relevant to the job descriptions to see which resumes match. If you use words or phrases aligned with the available position, you can get selected by the system and noticed by the recruiters. If not, you can perform keyword research and optimize your resume for ATS compatibility.
Adam Young, CEO and Founder of Event Tickets Center, suggests utilizing an ATS resume checker to identify and optimize for keyword relevance. "This tool helps you find and add keywords to match the job description. Pull key terms from the listing and naturally weave them into your resume. The right keywords can make a difference between getting shortlisted or overlooked."
3. It improves content formatting and readability
The ATS resume checker doesn't only scan for the resume content and its keywords. This tool is also capable of analyzing your content format. Is it well-structured and easy to digest? If not, the tool offers suggestions or recommendations for streamlining your resume. That way, you can fix the format to make it favorable to both the ATS and recruiters.
Murtaza Oklu, Owner of OMO Transfer, highlights the value of an ATS resume checker for content formatting.
He cites that this tool enables you to optimize your resume for content readability. "This tool helps you format your resume for better readability and clarity. It catches layout issues and suggests fixes to make your resume easy to scan. A clean, well-structured resume stands out to both ATS and recruiters."
4. It offers instant feedback for improvements
The ATS resume checker scans your resume content and format. However, it doesn't only review them and flag certain flaws. Instead, it offers substantial feedback for significant improvements. That way, you can optimize your resume, whether by adding relevant keywords, restructuring your format, or highlighting specific skills.
Maryanne Fiedler, Director of Marketing at Psychic Source, emphasizes the importance of an ATS resume checker for improvement feedback. "This tool does more than spot mistakes; It provides real-time insights to enhance your resume.
From refining structure to emphasizing key strengths, it helps you fine-tune each and every detail. Small adjustments can be the game-changer that gets you through the door."
5. It customizes your resume for specific jobs
Creating a generic resume is a big no-no since available job requirements vary from one type to another. The good news? An ATS resume checker lets you tailor your resume for a specific job.
However, choosing a reliable tool with this feature is key to a successful application. Fret not, as Select Software Review lists some of the best ATS systems in the market today.
Take it from Peter Čuček, Owner of Tuuli, who has his fair share of utilizing an ATS resume checker.
He says, "A one-size-fits-all resume won't cut it as each job has unique requirements. This tool helps you tailor your resume for specific roles, ensuring it aligns with what employers seek. Customization is the key to standing out in a crowded job market!"
6. It helps save time and effort in job applications
Did you know that job search fatigue is real? Nearly 75% of people say that job hunting is one of the most stressful things in life.
Think about it: The average job applicant has to send 162 applications to get an offer, and they only get one interview call for every six applications submitted. That's why you'd do what it takes to save time and effort from applying to avoid physical and mental exhaustion.
As such, Gary Hemming, Owner & Finance Director at ABC Finance, recommends using an ATS resume checker. "Job hunting can be exhausting, and applying for countless roles can quickly wear you out. This helps you streamline your applications, saving time and energy by ensuring your resume hits the mark every time. In short, apply smarter, not harder."
7. It boosts your chance of getting shortlisted and hired
Finally, your job application's ultimate goal is to get hired. Of course, your resume is the means to an end—it's the first step to getting picked by ATS and noticed by recruiters. With a well-optimized resume (organized format, comprehensible content, and relevant keywords), your application can go a long way!
Learn from David Haskins, CEO at WrongfulDeathLawyer.com. He suggests utilizing an ATS resume checker to boost your chance of getting shortlisted and hired. "The goal is simple—get noticed and land the job. This tool optimizes your resume to make sure it stands out. A polished resume gives you a real edge in today's competitive job market."
Best Practices for Optimizing Your Resume
In today's business landscape, it's easy to see employers use ATS of all kinds. The numbers don't lie: About 70% of large companies and 20% of SMBs use an ATS.
Three-quarters of recruiters (75%) use tech tools like ATS to improve hiring. And the good news? Nearly 95% claim that ATS has improved its recruitment process.
As a job seeker, it's crucial to optimize your resume for ATS, given its prevalent use across various industries. When doing so, strictly observe some resume do's and don'ts to increase your hiring success.
That said, here are some best practices for optimizing your resume:
- Go for simple formats. Use a clean, easy-to-read layout that ATS can scan without issues—simplicity is key!
- Stick to standard fonts. Choose fonts like Arial or Times New Roman to ensure readability. Be as professional as possible!
- Get rid of headers and footers. Avoid these elements since ATS may not read them correctly. Veer away from using them!
- Use standard section headings. Label sections with titles as clearly as possible. Here are examples: Work Experience, Educational Attainment, as well as Training, Certification, and License.
- Incorporate relevant keywords. Align your resume language with the job description to improve your ATS ranking. Keyword matching is the answer!
- Customize each resume: Tailor your resume for each job using relevant keywords and skills. Using a generic resume is a big no-no!
- Edit and proofread your resume. Check for typos, grammar mistakes, and clarity to ensure professionalism. Those lapses are such an eyesore for recruiters!
- Leverage an ATS resume checker. What better way to optimize your resume than to use this tool? It helps you review and improve your resume to ensure it's ATS-friendly!
Final Words
An ATS resume checker can examine your resume and optimize it for the tracking system.
Powered by AI, it offers impressive features such as keyword research, format analysis, content evaluation, application feedback, and resume optimization. Ultimately, this tool can increase your chance of getting selected, screened, and eventually hired!
As a job seeker, harness the power of AI-powered Loopcv. This platform can review your resume, match the right jobs, and optimize your application. Sign up today to get started!
