How to Test If Your Resume Passes ATS: A Complete Guide

Ensure Your Resume Gets Through Before You Hit Submit

You've invested countless hours perfecting your resume, but how can you be certain it will pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)? Testing your resume before hitting 'submit' could be the difference between landing an interview and disappearing into the black hole of online applications. This step-by-step guide will help you verify your resume is ATS-ready, ensuring it reaches human eyes.

Why Testing Matters

Submitting an untested resume is like sending a letter without a stamp—it might never get delivered. Here’s why testing is crucial:

• Formatting Issues: Over 75% of resumes fail initial ATS screening due to formatting errors.
• Missing Section Detection: ATS software scans resumes for specific information, and missing sections can lead to automatic disqualification.
• Keyword Gaps: Not using the right keywords can mean your resume doesn't match the job description, leading to rejection.
• File Format Compatibility: Different ATS platforms accept different file types; knowing which ones work best is key.

Spending just 10 minutes testing your resume can save you weeks of frustration.

Method 1: The Plain Text Test

This straightforward technique reveals how your resume might appear after ATS parsing.
Steps to Execute:

1. Open your resume in its original format.
2. Select all content (Ctrl+A or Cmd+A).
3. Copy the content (Ctrl+C or Cmd+C).
4. Open a plain text editor (Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on Mac in plain text mode).
5. Paste the content (Ctrl+V or Cmd+V).

What to Look For:

• Contact information should be at the top and easy to read.
• Section headings need to be clearly identifiable.
• Work experience should follow a logical order.
• Bullet points should be preserved (even if they appear as dashes or asterisks).
• All content must be present in the correct order.

Red Flags:

• Jumbled or scrambled text.
• Missing sections.
• Random characters or symbols.
• Content appearing out of order.
• Merged information from different columns.

If your resume looks organized in plain text, it will likely parse well in most ATS.

Method 2: PDF Text Selection Test

If you plan to submit your resume as a PDF, ensure the text is extractable.
Steps to Execute:

1. Open your PDF resume.
2. Try to select and highlight text.
3. Copy a section and paste it into a text document.

What to Look For:

• Text should highlight smoothly.
• Copied text should paste accurately.
• No strange characters or formatting issues.

Red Flags:

• Unable to select text (indicates an image-based PDF).
• Characters change when pasted.
• Spacing or order issues in pasted content.

Image-based PDFs cannot be parsed by ATS, so convert them to text-based formats if necessary.

Method 3: Online ATS Simulation Tools

Several online tools can simulate ATS parsing and provide feedback:

• Jobscan: Limited free scans available.
• Resume Worded: Basic analysis offered.
• TopResume: Free review available.

What These Tools Typically Check:

• Keyword match percentage.
• Formatting issues.
• Missing sections.
• ATS compatibility score.
• Suggestions for improvement.

How to Use Them Effectively:

1. Upload your resume.
2. Upload or paste the job description.
3. Review the match score and recommendations.
4. Make adjustments based on feedback.
5. Re-test to confirm improvements.

Method 4: Keyword Comparison Test

Manually compare your resume against the job requirements.
Steps to Execute:

1. Print or copy the job description.
2. Highlight all required skills, qualifications, and keywords.
3. Check your resume for each highlighted term.
4. Note which keywords are missing.
5. Add missing keywords where you can do so honestly.

Create a Simple Tracking Spreadsheet:

Method 5: File Format Testing

Test how your resume appears in different formats.
Steps to Execute:

1. Save your resume as .docx, .pdf, and .txt.
2. Open each version and compare content.
3. Note any differences or issues.
4. Determine which format presents best.

Some application systems will automatically convert files, so knowing how your resume handles conversion is vital.

Method 6: The Recruiter Perspective Test

Put yourself in the shoes of a recruiter searching their ATS database:

• What search terms would a recruiter use for this position?
• Are those exact terms in my resume?
• Would my resume appear in search results?
• How would my resume rank against competitors?

If you can’t imagine your resume surfacing in relevant searches, it’s time for optimization.

Method 7: Professional ATS Analysis

Services like Jobfolio offer professional-grade ATS analysis that goes beyond basic tools.
Benefits of Professional Analysis:

• Sophisticated parsing simulation.
• Industry-specific keyword recommendations.
• Detailed formatting feedback.
• Comparison against successful resumes.
• Actionable improvement suggestions.

While free tools provide a starting point, professional analysis often catches issues that simpler tools miss.

Creating an ATS Testing Checklist

Before submitting any application, run through this checklist:
Format Check:

• File saved in appropriate format (.docx or approved PDF).
• Single-column layout.
• Standard fonts used throughout.
• No graphics, images, or tables.
• All content in the main body (not headers/footers).

Content Check:

• Contact information complete and at top.
• Standard section headings used.
• Dates formatted consistently.
• Key job description terms included.
• Spelling verified for all keywords.

Parsing Check:

• Plain text test passed.
• PDF text is selectable (if applicable).
• ATS simulation tool run.
• Keyword match percentage acceptable.

Understanding Test Results

When using ATS simulation tools, you’ll typically see scores and recommendations.
Good Scores (Aim for These):

• Keyword match: 70% or higher.
• ATS compatibility: "High" or "Excellent".
• Format score: "Compatible" or "Optimized".

What Low Scores Mean:

• Below 50% keyword match: Major keyword gaps.
• Poor compatibility: Formatting issues need attention.
• Multiple warnings: Several problems requiring fixes.

Focus on addressing genuine issues while maintaining an authentic, readable resume—perfection isn't the goal.

Testing for Different ATS Platforms

Different companies use different ATS platforms, each with its quirks.
Major ATS Platforms:

• Workday: Widely used by large corporations.
• Greenhouse: Popular with tech companies.
• Lever: Common in startups.
• iCIMS: Used across many industries.
• Taleo: Oracle's enterprise solution.

Adhering to best practices ensures broad compatibility, as the formatting rules that work for one system generally work for others.

When to Re-Test

Re-test your resume whenever you:

• Make significant content changes.
• Apply to a substantially different type of role.
• Convert to a new file format.
• Receive consistent rejections despite strong qualifications.
• Learn about new ATS best practices.

How Jobfolio Simplifies Testing

Jobfolio integrates ATS testing directly into our resume-building process. As you create your resume, our tools automatically check for compatibility issues, keyword optimization, and formatting problems. You receive real-time feedback, ensuring your final resume is ready to succeed.

Conclusion

Testing your resume for ATS compatibility isn't just a good idea; it's essential. By employing these methods before submitting applications, you can catch problems that would otherwise silently eliminate you from consideration. Take the time to test, refine, and verify. Your future self will thank you when the interview invitations start rolling in!

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For more tips on crafting an ATS-friendly resume, check out our guide on Create Your Resume or use our ATS Checker to ensure your document meets industry standards.

Additional Resources

• Jobscan’s ATS Optimization Guide
• The Ultimate Guide to Resume Formatting
• How to Tailor Your Resume for Every Job

Meta Description

Ensure your resume passes ATS screening with our complete guide. Learn actionable methods to test your resume effectively and boost your chances of landing an interview!