Best Resume Checkers & Writing Tips For an ATS-Friendly Resume

It’s not an easy task to write a resume or CV - not to mention, making it flawless and perfect. For that reason, resume checkers are designed. They help job seekers scan, score, and analyze resumes in terms of content, format, design, and more. Some free resume scanners even provide you with suggestions and tips on how you can strengthen your resume. 

With the popular use of the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) in many companies, an ATS resume checker or resume keyword scanner is important to evaluate if your resume is a good match for the specific position.

Let’s dive in to see what you can benefit from online resume checkers and scanners, as well as how to write an ATS-friendly resume.

Simply put, a resume checker is a application or online platform that you can use to check your resume. An ATS resume checker scans  your resume for keywords for the role you are applying for, evaluates its overall performance, and provides you with feedback. You can edit your resume accordingly and better its chances of passing the ATS the company uses.

There are resume checkers focusing on varying aspects of your resume, and the primary focus of each resume scanning tool is oftentimes reflected in its name. Some examples include:

• ATS Resume Scanner
• ATS Checker
• Resume Keyword Scanner
• Resume Grammar Check

So when you search for an online research checker, pay attention to its name and make sure it fits your needs. If you want to know whether your resume contains enough keywords, you need to look for an ATS resume checker. On the other hand, if it's grammar and typos that you're worried about, what you need is a resume grammar checker.

Job hunting has always been a challenge for everyone. You not only have to compete with other candidates but also beat the bot, like Applicant Tracking System. What’s more, you may not have a second chance to apply for the job. Thus, it's important to check what score your resume would get in an actual ATS once you’ve finished writing it.

In general, online resume checkers and scanners work in the same way. It's pretty straightforward. All you need to do is upload your resume/CV and the job description of the position you’re applying for, and the resume checker will analyze it instantly. Some sites might require you to create a free account to use it or leave your email to which the result will be sent.

Below are some elements that free resume checkers scans for:

• Format: word count, file type, sentence length 
• Compliance with ATS
• Use of words: keywords from the job descriptions, words to avoid using, or repeated words
• Standard sections that need to cover
• Design and layout
• Grammar and spelling check

Aside from these, different resume checkers may provide additional feedback and even expert suggestions on how to write a powerful resume. 

1. CakeResume

First launched as a resume builder, CakeResume now provides a wide range of job hunting tools and help you develop your personal brand. One of them is CakeResume online resume checker. You can use it to better match your resume with a specific job posting.

Here’s how:

STEP 1: Copy and paste the content of your resume or choose an existing resume on CakeResume. 

STEP 2: Copy and paste the job title and description from the job you’re applying for. 

STEP 3: Click “Start Analyzing” to view the result.  

PROS:

• Fast, easy, and simple to use
• Display the match rate between your resume content and the job ad
• Focus on keyword optimization 

CONS:

• Need to upgrade your plan for more details
• Lack further guidance to improve your resume
  

2. Jobscan

Jobscan is specifically developed to help job seekers learning how to optimize their CVs or resumes for specific job postings. 

PROS:

• User-friendly and simple to use
• Provide details related to word count, measurable results, and words to avoid
• Evaluate section headings, date formatting, and paragraph length

CONS:

• limited resume scans per month for a free acount

3. Enhancv

Enhancv offers feedback on the structure, grammar, spelling, and keywords in your CV/resume, helping you bypass resume scanners successfully.

PROS:

• Result is ready within 2 minutes with details on format, content, and design
  

CONS:

• Allow only one resume in the free trial
• More expensive than other online resume checkers

4. Zety

As one of the leading online resume builders across the globe, Zety allows you to scan and check your resume score in just minutes.

PROS:

• Scans your grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Provides extra tips about relevant skills and keywords

CONS:

• Need to pay extra to ensure your resume meets your needs

5. Live Career

Resume Check is an outstanding feature on Live Career that helps ensure your resume/CV is error-free and fully customized for the job opening. 

PROS:

• Accept a variety of file types, including .doc, .docx, .pdf, .html, .rtf, .txt.
• Focus on the most 30 common errors in resumes/CVs (e.g., formatting, word choice, measurable results, etc.)

CONS:

• Confusing pricing terms
• High rates
• Poor technical support
• Slower operation speed compared to other resume score checkers
  

6. Resume Shine

As the name says, Resume Shine is a resume score checker that gives you a fair idea of the quality and how recruiters think about it. You can also pay to get expert help to further enhance your resume/CV.

PROS:

• Accept a variety of file types, including .pdf, .doc, .docx, .txt.
• Cover all key sections in a resume, which are summary & objective, education, work experience, skills, contact, and format

CONS:

• Vague suggestions
• Different scoring for the same resume
  

7. Rezi

Rezi is an AI-powered platform that helps resume writers like you focus on the content instead of formatting. Known as an ATS resume scanner, it also gives you some suggestions about inserting efficient keywords to get through applicant tracking systems.

PROS:

• Focus on keyword optimization 

CONS:

• Only one resume in the free version
• No access without a subscription
  

8. Resumeworded.com

Designed by top recruiters, online resume checker Resume Worded allows you to compare your resume with professional CVs. This way, you can optimize your resume and tailor it to the specific position you're applying for.

PROS:

• Powered with AI
• Provides you with tailored feedback on both your resume and LinkedIn profile

CONS:

• Free trial only

9. Kick Resume

On Kick Resume, once your resume and cover letter are done, the resume scanner can proofread your documents. 

PROS:

• Resume is reviewed within 60 seconds
•  Designed beautifully and provides many specific details

CONS:

• Have to create an account to use the service
• Limited features for the free trial

10. Zip Job

Zip Job is a professional free resume scanner that matches job customers to a certified resume writer who also uses ATS to screen resumes.

PROS:

• Upload resumes directly to the platform without copy-pasting
• The review is very comprehensive, including the topics that both hiring managers and recruiters care about

CONS:

• Review results sent via email within 48 hours

💡 Tailor the resume to the job description.

Even if the job titles are identical, the job duties and requirements might vary between different companies and industries. Hence, make sure your resume content matches with the job description of the position opening. This way, you can demonstrate your qualifications for the job and maintain the relevancy of your resume. 

💡 Use keywords from the job description.

Applicant Tracking System scans a resume's content for specific keywords from a specific job ad to determine its relevance to the position opening. That’s why you can increase your chance of getting through the resume screening by inserting relevant keywords. 

These keywords can be found in the following sections in the job description: 

• Job overview 
• Responsibilities and duties 
• Requirements 

So, for example:

Then...

💡 Standardize the sections/headings. 

Most ATS resume scanners will even go over your resume’s headings, so make sure you label them by default. 

Here’s how to do it right:

• Contact 
• Resume Profile/About Me
• Professional Summary/Personal Statement
• Work Experience
• Education
• Skills

💡 Avoid using graphics.

ATS will be unable to read images, charts, and other graphics. So, avoid these when creating your resume otherwise they may cause parsing errors in the ATS.

Also, do not overuse graphical templates, shading, or coloring. When it comes to ATS scanners, the more simple, the better.

💡 Send your resume in the right format. 

Not only the employer but also ATS prefer a resume in .doc or .pdf. A Word document is by far most easily read by the majority of ATS, while modern ATS can also read a .pdf file. 

Sending your resume in PDF seems to be the safer bet as the readers won’t encounter any formatting errors.