If you've used an ATS checker, you've seen the score. A number between 0 and 100 that claims to tell you how likely your CV is to pass automated screening.
But what does it actually measure? And more importantly — how do you improve it?
What an ATS Score Is (and Isn't)
An ATS score is an estimate of how well your CV matches a specific job description, based on the same criteria that commercial Applicant Tracking Systems use to rank candidates.
It is not:
- A guarantee of getting an interview
- A measure of your overall quality as a candidate
- One universal standard (different ATS platforms weight things differently)
It is useful as:
- A quick diagnostic to identify obvious gaps
- A way to compare two versions of your CV against the same role
- A forcing mechanism to ensure you've addressed the key requirements
What Goes Into an ATS Score?
Most ATS scoring models evaluate three main dimensions:
1. Keyword Match (typically 40–50% of score)
Does your CV contain the specific words and phrases from the job description? This includes:
- Technical skills (languages, frameworks, tools)
- Soft skills explicitly mentioned ("communication", "stakeholder management")
- Certifications and qualifications
- Job title variations
2. Experience Relevance (typically 30–35% of score)
Do your past roles and experience descriptions align with what the job requires? ATS systems look at:
- Industry match
- Seniority level
- Responsibilities that overlap with the job posting
- Years of experience in relevant areas
3. Skills Alignment (typically 20–25% of score)
Does your dedicated skills section mirror the job's requirements? This includes both required and preferred skills from the posting.
How TailorCV Calculates Your Score
TailorCV's ATS scoring analyses your CV against the job description across all three dimensions and returns:
- An overall score (0–100)
- Per-dimension scores for Keyword Match, Experience Relevance, and Skills Alignment
- Specific strengths — what's already working
- Specific improvements — exact changes to make
What Score Do You Need?
As a general guide:
| Score | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 85–100 | Excellent — strongly competitive |
| 70–84 | Good — likely to pass filtering |
| 55–69 | Moderate — may be filtered out |
| Below 55 | Poor — needs significant work |
Most recruiters set their ATS shortlist threshold between 60–75 depending on role volume. For competitive positions, aim for 80+.
8 Ways to Improve Your ATS Score
1. Use the Exact Keywords from the Job Description
Don't paraphrase. If the job says "content management system (CMS)", use that phrase exactly — not "web publishing platform". ATS systems match tokens, not concepts.
2. Include Skills You Actually Have
Go through the job's required and preferred skills lists. Add every skill you genuinely have to your skills section, using the exact terminology in the posting.
3. Rewrite Your Professional Summary
Your summary appears first in your CV and should read like a response to the job description. Include the target job title, 3–4 core keywords, and a statement of relevant experience level.
4. Quantify Experience Bullet Points
ATS systems (and the recruiters who review ATS-filtered CVs) respond better to specific, metric-driven bullet points. "Reduced API response time by 60%" is stronger than "improved API performance".
5. Eliminate Formatting That Confuses Parsers
ATS parsers struggle with:
- Multi-column layouts
- Tables
- Headers/footers with important contact info
- Embedded graphics or logos
- Unusual fonts or symbols
Use a clean, single-column template (like TailorCV's Classic or Jake Ryan templates).
6. Match Your Job Titles to Industry Norms
If your official title was "Digital Transformation Lead" but you're applying for "Product Manager" roles, add the relevant role title in context — e.g., "Digital Transformation Lead (Product Management focus)".
7. Don't Keyword-Stuff
Listing "Python Python Python" or hiding white keywords in white text are old tricks that ATS systems now penalise. Keywords must appear in meaningful context within your experience descriptions.
8. Tailor for Every Application
This is the most impactful change you can make. A CV tailored to a specific role will almost always score 20–30 points higher than a generic one. That difference is the difference between being filtered out and being shortlisted.
The Fastest Way to Improve Your Score
The process of manually checking keyword matching, rewriting bullet points, and adjusting your skills section for every role is time-consuming.
TailorCV automates this entire process:
- Upload your CV
- Paste the job description
- Get a tailored CV and your before/after ATS scores immediately
Most users see their ATS score improve by 25–40 points after tailoring.
One Last Thing
An ATS score is a starting point, not a destination. The goal isn't to game the system — it's to make sure your genuine skills and experience are communicated in a way the system can actually recognise. Do that, and the score will follow.
Written by
TailorCV Team