Discover why your resume may be getting “ghosted” by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and learn step-by-step strategies to improve your ATS score, optimize your resume, and land more interviews in 2025.
Your Resume’s ATS Score is Like a Dating Profile — Here’s Why You’ve Been Ghosted
(The Ultimate Guide to Checking, Improving, and Crushing Your ATS Score in 2025)
Introduction — Did You Get Swiped Left by an ATS? Here’s Why
Picture it: you see your dream job. The position perfectly aligns with your skill set, the culture seems to be spot on, and you can envision yourself thriving there. You are so pumped and you toss your resume into the application portal… and nothing. Crickets.
You’ve been ghosted – not by a person, but by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
In 2025, almost all companies are utilizing ATS software to filter resumes before a human recruiter ever lays eyes on them. If your resume ATS score is low, your application may as well be invisible.
This guide will provide you with information on:
- What the ATS score is and the resume score is at
- Why a low score got you ghosted
- Free tools to check ATS score
- Step by step strategies for improving your resume ATS score
- Start showing up and getting interviews
At the end of this guide, your resume will be as appealing to ATS software as a perfect dating profile is to a human match.
What is an ATS Score?
An ATS score tells you how closely your resume aligns with a job description. Think of it like a score or measure of compatibility, like a dating application — the higher the number, the greater chance you have of being seen.
How ATS Scoring Works
- Parsing: The applicant tracking system reads your resume and simply extracts the text (not including images or tables); bad formatting may immediately drops your resume score.
- Keywords: the ATS scans the resume for keywords in the specific industry, skills and abilities, certifications, and job titles.
- Relevance scoring: the applicant tracking system also measures how relevant your experience is to the role.
- Formatting Metrics: the technology assumes that clear headings and legible fonts contribute to a better ATS CV score.
- Ranking: Your resume is compared to others, the higher your score the better chance of getting an interview.
Typical ATS Scoring Terms
- ATS Score of Resume: The measure of how well your resume reacts to the job posting.
- Resume ATS Score: Commonly the same as ATS score. Some systems indicate a design evaluation in addition to ATS score.
- ATS CV Score: Typically used for a job applications that are worldwide.
Your Resume is Like a Dating Profile
A low resume match score is like having a dating profile with a blurry picture, no bio and no hobbies. The algorithm swipes left!
Dating Profile vs. Resume
| Dating Profile Element | Resume Equivalent | An ATS Insight |
| Profile Picture | Resume Format | Has to be readable and ATS friendly |
| Bio | Summary | More relevant keywords to hook a recruiter |
| Interests | Skills & Keywords | Match the terms of the job description |
| Conversation Starters | Achievements | Quantifiable achievements set you apart |
| Swipe Right | Passing ATS | The more you match, the likelihood you get an interview |
If your resume is generic, you won’t even get to the human being stage — just like a lousy dating profile gets ignored!
Why You’re Getting Ghosted
Most candidates don’t realize that a low score when their resume is scanned through an ATS means they will probably never hear back.
Most Common Ways a Resume Fails at ATS
- Missing Keywords: Your ATS score is low if you don’t include job-relevant keywords that ATS will search for.
- Confusing Formatting: Columns, graphics, or strange fonts causes ATS to stumble through the resume, lowering the score.
- Wrong File Format: ATS prefers .docx or .doc files, not PDF or other image-heavy formats.
- Generic Language: Using generic phrases instead of quantifiable achievements lowers your score.
- Experiences Did Not Match Posting: You must show that your work experience meets the requirements specified in the advertisement.
How To Check Your ATS Score
You would not go on a first date without checking out the person’s profile. Do the same before applying by searching your ATS score online.
Free ATS Score Checkers
- ResumeScoreAI.com: The quickest and fastest ATS score checker free tool. In seconds, scan your resumes, receive a detailed plan to follow, and improve your resume score.
- Jobscan (limited scans): Good for keyword comparison
How To Use a Resume ATS Score Checker
- Upload your resume.
- Paste the job’s description.
- Check your resume ATS score.
- Follow recommendations to improve your formatting, keywords, and structure.
Bonus Tip: After each update of your resume, check your score again to see improvements!
The Anatomy of a High-Scoring Resume
A high ATS score is a mixture of content, format, and relevancy.
1. Headline
- Should have your name, contact information, and LinkedIn page.
- Do not use graphics or images.
2. Professional Summary
- 3–5 lines summarizing your experience.
- You should use some words from the job description in this section.
3. Skills section
- Bulleted list with hard and soft skills.
- Use terms from the posting to raise your ATS CV score.
4. Work History
- Use action verbs as well as numbers.
- Use words from the job posting.
5. Education and Certifications
- Degrees, certifications, and relevant courses.
- Use relatively standard format so that the ATS can parse it.
6. Keywords
- Use keywords in a natural way in the summary, work experience, and skills.
- Do not overuse keywords because then you may be penalized by the ATS.
Step-By-Step Guide: ATS Score Improvement
Step 1: Customize Each Application
Customize the content of your resume to the job. Use ResumeScoreAI.com to measure the similarity between your documents.
Step 2: “Match” Keywords
Pull relevant skills, tools, responsibilities, and other keywords in the job description. Match key words and phrases naturally to improve your resume ATS score checker outcome.
Step 3: Use ATS Formatting
Use default font styles (e.g., Arial, Calibri) and headings. Do not use any tables, luck diagrams, graphics or text boxes.
Step 4: Quantify Performance
Use Quantifiable Measurements to communicate your accomplishments (e.g., “Increased sales by 35% in 6 months”). Numbers grab the attention of an ATS for your resume, as well as that of recruiters.
Step 5: Test Last
Use multiple ATS score checker free tools to evaluate your resume. Check after each modification to establish your progress!
Common ATS Myths Dispelled
- Pretty Design is Attractive to ATS: False. You lower your resume score when you use images and tables.
- One Resume for All Jobs: False. Customizing to the job posting will increase resume ATS score.
- Soft Skills Don’t Count: False. The ATS assesses measurable soft skills with proven results.
International Applicants — Job Score
In countries outside of the United States, “resume” is often referred to as “CV.” With this in mind, the ATS Job score for your CV certainly matter for job applications in England, Europe, and Asia.
- Localize keywords and terms per region.
- Use ResumeScoreAI.com to check the ATS Job score of your CV before applying internationally.
Real-World Examples of ATS Job Score Success
Case Study 1: 55% to 92%
The job seeker had received multiple rejections prior to this job search. She had been using a resume ATS score checking tool and used optimizing techniques to include keywords from the job posting and was able to quantify her achievements for the ATS to confirm.
Result: The applicant received double the invitations to interview than in prior applications.
Case Study 2: International Job Application Process
The job seeker was having issues finding job success in England and applying for work at UK companies. The applicant checked the ATS Job score of her CV, localized terms to reflect UK terms in her resume, and was able to improve her resume’s resume ATS score.
Result: The candidate successfully landed her interview and was hired with a top firm in London.
Additional Guidance to Avoid Being Ghosted
- Keep resume to 1–2 pages
- Use plain language; avoid jargon
- Use keywords in meaningful ways
- Check your ATS score regularly at ResumeScoreAI.com and continue improving your score
- Update your resume regularly; ATS algorithms change all the time!
Future-Proofing Your Resume
ATS software is increasingly using AI. So, concentrate on:
- Actionable accomplishments (as opposed to generic keywords)
- Results-oriented content
- Regularly checking on your resume at ResumeScoreAI.com
A high ATS score will allow your resume to be visible and avoid being ghosted now and in the future.
Conclusion — Don’t Let Your Resume Get Ghosted!
Think of your resume like a dating profile — it needs to be fun for ATS and humans.
Check your ATS score, optimize your resume ATS score, and stop being ghosted on ResumeScoreAI.com. Update your resume today and get ready for the interviews you deserve.