How to Improve Your ATS Score: A Step-by-Step Optimization Guide

So, you’ve discovered what your ATS score is, and maybe it isn't quite where you want it to be. Don't panic. A low score doesn't mean you lack the talent or experience for your dream job—it simply means your resume and the hiring algorithm aren’t speaking the same language yet.

Before optimizing your resume, it helps to understand how these scores work. Read our complete guide: What Is an ATS Score? Everything You Need to Know.

Optimizing your resume for Applicant Tracking Systems is a repeatable, straightforward process. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through exactly how to improve your ATS score step-by-step so you can bypass the digital gatekeepers and land your resume directly on the recruiter’s desk.

In this guide, you will learn

The 3 pillars of ATS optimization (Formatting, Keywords, and Structure).
A step-by-step checklist to elevate your score from "average" to "excellent."
Common pitfalls that accidentally destroy otherwise perfect resumes.
How to keep your resume human-friendly while satisfying the algorithm.

Step 1: Fix Your Resume Formatting (The Foundation)

Before the ATS can even begin analyzing your skills, it has to successfully read your file. If your formatting is overly complex, the system's parser will fail, resulting in a low score or immediate rejection.

To ensure the system can effortlessly parse your data, you must choose the right layout. Check out our deep dive: ATS Resume Format to understand which designs work best. If you want to learn more about the specific structural mistakes that trigger automatic filters, read our guide: Common Resume Mistakes.

ATS-Friendly Resume vs Complex Resume

Complex Resume (High Risk of Parsing Errors)

Multiple columns or complex grids
Text boxes and tables
Graphic icons and skill progress bars
Vital contact information hidden inside headers or footers

ATS-Friendly Resume (Safe & Highly Parsable)

Clean, single-column layout
Standard headings that machines recognize instantly (e.g., "Work Experience", "Education")
Simple text structure with no hidden text in graphics
Standard, professional fonts (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, or Georgia)

Step 2: Master the Art of Keyword Matching

Once the ATS can read your document, it looks for specific keywords. These are the hard skills, soft skills, tools, and certifications listed in the job description.

To raise your score, you must align your wording precisely with the job ad:

Analyze the Job Description: Highlight the repetitive words, required software, and top skills in the posting.
Match the Exact Spelling: If the job description asks for "Search Engine Optimization" and you only write "SEO," some older ATS algorithms might not make the connection. Use both the acronym and the spelled-out version: Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
Incorporate Keywords Naturally: Do not just write a massive list of keywords at the bottom of your resume in white font. Excessive keyword stuffing can hurt your chances and may make your resume appear unnatural to recruiters once it passes the initial system. Instead, integrate these skills naturally into your professional experience bullet points. If you want a deeper look at identifying these phrases, read our comprehensive guide: Resume Keywords.

Step 3: Match Your Resume Structure to the Job Description

Many job seekers make the mistake of using the exact same generic resume for fifty different applications. To get a competitive ATS score, you must customize your resume's structure for each specific role.

You can learn the best techniques for this process in our guide: Match Resume to Job Description.

Lead with your most relevant experience: The ATS doesn't just count keywords; it also weights them based on recency and context. Ensure your most relevant skills are used in the descriptions of your most recent roles.
Quantify your achievements: Instead of just listing responsibilities, use numbers. For example, change "Responsible for managing budgets" to "Managed a $15,000 project budget, delivering all milestones 10% under budget." This shows both the system and the human recruiter that you deliver real-world impact.

Want to see your improvements in real-time? Stop guessing which keywords you missed. Upload your updated resume to ResumeAI to get an instant, interactive compatibility score and step-by-step guidance on how to maximize your match rate: Scan and Optimize Your Resume on ResumeAI Now.

Step 4: Save and Export the Right File Type (PDF vs DOCX)

The final step in optimizing your ATS score is selecting the correct file format. This is a highly debated topic among job seekers, but the rules are simple:

The PDF Standard: Modern ATS platforms read PDF files flawlessly. PDFs are excellent because they lock your layout in place, ensuring human recruiters see exactly what you designed.
The DOCX Standard: If the application portal specifically requests a Microsoft Word file (.docx), always follow those instructions. Some older legacy ATS systems still parse Word documents slightly better than PDFs. If the portal does not specify, a clean, text-based PDF remains the professional standard.

Optimize Your Resume with ResumeAI

If you want to speed up this entire process, you can use our built-in platform to instantly diagnose and upgrade your document.

Upload Your Resume: Easily drag and drop your current resume file.
Compare with Job Description: Paste the target job description to analyze how well you match.
Get Score and Suggestions: Instantly view your score along with exact recommendations to improve.

Keep the Human in Mind

As you work to improve your ATS score, remember: you are optimizing for a machine, but you are writing for a human.

A perfect ATS score won't do you any good if a human recruiter opens your resume and finds a robotic, repetitive list of keywords that makes no sense to read. Your ultimate goal is to pass the machine filter with a highly competitive score, while keeping your bullet points engaging, narrative-driven, and impact-focused for the hiring manager.

Ready to see how your changes stack up right now? Head over to our automated scanner and see your live progress: Scan and Optimize Your Resume on ResumeAI Now.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good ATS score to aim for?

Generally, you should aim for an ATS score of 80% or higher. Landing in this range shows strong alignment with the job description without risking keyword stuffing. You can read more about how recruiters evaluate these thresholds in our guide: What Is a Good ATS Score?.

Can I get a 100% ATS score?

While it is technically possible, aiming for a perfect 100% is rarely necessary. A score of 80% to 90% is highly competitive and ensures your resume remains readable, natural, and engaging for human recruiters.

Does formatting affect the ATS score?

Yes, formatting has a major impact. If a system cannot parse your document due to text boxes, tables, columns, or complex graphics, it won't be able to read your keywords, which directly results in a low score or automatic rejection.

Study Path

What Is an ATS Score? → How to Improve Your ATS Score → What Is a Good ATS Score?

How to Improve Your ATS Score and Get More Resume Matches