A score of 80+ is strong for Workday, Taleo & Greenhouse. Below 60? We'll show you exactly what to fix.
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How to Get a 90+ ATS Score for US Jobs
US ATS systems (Workday, Taleo, Greenhouse) rank resumes on keyword match, structure, and clarity. Here’s how to ace each:
1. Keyword Match
Use exact phrases from the job description. If they say "Stakeholder Management," don’t just write "Client Relations."
2. Standard Sections
Use clear headers: Experience, Education, Skills. Incomplete or creative section names hurt parsing.
3. Clean Format
Single column, no tables or graphics. Use Arial, Calibri, or similar. Parsers read plain, structured text best.
How ExpertResume Fixes ATS Issues
Most resumes fail ATS because of layout and naming. ExpertResume builds your resume to parse correctly:
Parsing-Friendly Structure
Single-column layout so ATS systems never jumble your text or skip sections.
Standard Section Headers
Headers like "Work Experience" and "Skills" so the ATS finds your data every time.
No Graphics or Tables
Pure, structured text that US ATS parsers read with high accuracy.
Keyword Optimization
AI helps you include the right keywords for the job and industry.
Top 5 Resume Parsing Errors That Hurt Your ATS Score
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Using Columns/Tables: Parsers read left-to-right. Two-column resumes often get jumbled, merging work experience with skills.
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Icons & Graphics: ATS cannot "see" logos or skill bars (e.g., 5/5 stars). Use text instead.
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Important Details in Header/Footer: Some older parsers ignore headers completely. Put contact info in the main body.
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Wrong File Format: Always use .DOCX or text-based .PDF. Never use image-based PDFs (Canva exports can sometimes be risky).
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Creative Section Names: Don't use "My Journey" or "Professional Arsenal". Use standard headers like "Experience" and "Skills".
✅ How to Fix It (The 80+ Score Formula)
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Use Standard Formatting: Stick to a clean, single-column layout.
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Keyword Stuffing (Smartly): Read the JD. If they ask for "Client Management", don't just write "Sales". Use the exact phrase.
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Spell Out Acronyms: Write "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)" so you rank for both.
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Standard Fonts: Use Arial, Calibri, or Roboto. Avoid fancy serif fonts that might confusing OCR.
Workday vs. Taleo vs. LinkedIn: How US ATS Scoring Differs
Workday
Focuses on keyword match and structured data. Use standard section names and avoid tables so your skills and experience parse correctly.
Taleo (Oracle)
Prioritizes job titles and company names. Clean, chronological format with clear headers works best.
LinkedIn / Indeed
Values keyword relevance and profile completeness. A resume that scores well here will align with what recruiters search for.
Pro Tip: Use a reverse-chronological format with a strong Skills section and clear Experience/Education headers to perform well across US ATS systems.
How to Improve Your ATS Score
"Why is my ATS score low even with a strong resume?" Usually it’s structure and keywords. Here’s how to improve for free:
Match Your Application: Your resume PDF should align with what you enter in job portals (e.g., LinkedIn, company career pages). Inconsistencies can hurt your ranking.
Specific Job Titles: Use precise titles like "Senior Product Manager" instead of "Manager" so ATS and recruiters can match you to the right roles.
Strong Summary: The first 2–3 lines of your resume often act as the "snippet" in search results. Use them to highlight key skills and experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good ATS score for US job applications?
A score of 80% or above is generally strong for most US ATS systems. Scores 60-79% need keyword optimization. Below 60% usually requires formatting fixes.
How is ATS score calculated by ExpertResume?
We analyze 4 factors: Parsing Rate, Keyword Matching, Section Identification, and Formatting Hygiene, similar to systems like Taleo and Workday.
What is a good ATS score for Fortune 500 companies?
Aim for 85%+. Large US employers use strict filters. Use single-column format and clear "Education" and "Skills" headers.
How do Workday and Taleo score resumes?
They parse resumes into structured data and rank by keyword match and profile completeness. Standard headers and no tables help.
Why do recruiters use ATS?
Recruiters get hundreds of applications per job. ATS filters to the top 10-20 candidates quickly. You need to optimize for the system first to reach a human.
How do I check my ATS score for free?
Upload your resume at the top of this page. We analyze it instantly and give you a detailed report for free.
Is 75 a good ATS score?
Yes. 75+ is good, 80+ is excellent. Below 60 means your resume needs work on formatting or keywords.
Can I improve my score for free?
Yes. Use standard fonts (Arial/Calibri), remove tables/columns, use standard headers, and add keywords from the job description.
Which resume format is best for ATS?
Reverse-chronological is best — most recent job first. Avoid purely functional or skills-only formats.
Best fonts for ATS?
Use Arial, Calibri, or Roboto. These work well with US ATS systems and job boards.
Can Canva resumes pass ATS?
Often no. Canva can export text as images or complex layers that parsers miss. Use an ATS-friendly builder or a clean Word/PDF.
Does this tool save my resume?
We prioritize privacy. We process your resume only to generate the score and insights and do not sell your data.
Don't Let an Algorithm Reject You
Your next role at a top US company could be one improved resume away. Check your score now and fix what’s holding you back.
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