1. Understand what is lowering the score

An ATS score is most useful when you read the reasons behind it. A single number cannot explain whether the problem is missing skills, weak role alignment, unclear formatting, or a lack of evidence. Start by separating the report into four buckets: keywords, skills, formatting, and experience match.

Then ask which gaps are real. A missing keyword may represent a skill you already have but described differently. It may also represent a genuine requirement you do not have. Only the first case should be solved by editing the resume. The second case should remain honest.

Best first actionChoose one job description, run the resume against that role, and fix the highest-impact gaps before changing smaller wording details.

2. Use the employer's language without stuffing

Job descriptions often repeat the role's most important tools, responsibilities, and outcomes. Use the same standard terminology when it accurately describes your experience. For example, if your resume says “built automated release workflows” and the role asks for “CI/CD,” you can write “built CI/CD release workflows” if that is true.

  • Use exact names for tools, platforms, certifications, and methods.
  • Include important phrases in experience or project bullets where you can prove them.
  • Avoid placing a long block of disconnected keywords at the bottom of the resume.
  • Do not add technologies you have only heard about but never used.

For a step-by-step method, read how to identify resume keywords from a job description.

3. Make the resume easier to parse

Clear structure helps both software and human reviewers. Use common headings such as Summary, Skills, Experience, Projects, Education, and Certifications. Keep dates consistent, use readable bullet points, and make sure important text is not stored only inside images.

Do

  • Use a simple one-column reading order.
  • Keep contact information as normal text.
  • Use consistent job titles and dates.

Avoid

  • Decorative skill bars without text labels.
  • Image-only PDFs or scanned resumes.
  • Complex tables that break reading order.

See the complete ATS-friendly resume format guide before redesigning the document.

4. Replace responsibilities with evidence

Relevant keywords help discovery, but evidence makes the resume credible. Rewrite vague bullets to show the action, the context, and the result. A useful bullet answers: what did you do, what did you use, and what changed?

Before: Responsible for improving application performance.

After: Reduced React dashboard load time by 32% by splitting large bundles, lazy-loading routes, and measuring Core Web Vitals.

Do not invent percentages. Use real counts, time saved, volume handled, accuracy improvements, or scope when those numbers are available. When exact numbers are confidential, describe scale honestly, such as “supported a five-person operations team” or “processed weekly reporting across 12 regions.”

5. Use a repeatable improvement workflow

  1. Save a master resume containing your complete experience.
  2. Create a copy for one target job.
  3. Highlight the role's repeated skills and responsibilities.
  4. Match truthful experience to those requirements.
  5. Run the revised resume through the ATS resume checker.
  6. Review every recommendation manually.
  7. Proofread the final document and confirm that it still sounds natural.

A higher score should be the result of a clearer and more relevant resume, not the goal by itself. The final version must remain accurate, readable, and persuasive to a person.

Check your targeted resume

Upload your resume, add the job description, and review the score, keyword gaps, skills, formatting, and improvement suggestions.

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ATS Scan AI Editorial Team

This guide provides general resume-preparation information. Employer systems and hiring decisions vary, so review every suggestion manually and keep all resume claims accurate.