How to Improve Your ATS Score: 10 Fixes That Work (2026)

You've run your resume through an ATS checker and got a 62% match. Now what? How do you actually improve that score without turning your resume into keyword soup?

Most job seekers make one of two mistakes: they either ignore the score and hope for the best, or they stuff their resume with keywords until it reads like a robot wrote it. The right approach is different — you strategically add relevant keywords where they fit naturally, fix formatting issues that confuse ATS parsers, and ensure your resume tells a clear story that both software and humans can understand.

This guide shows you exactly how to improve your ATS score step by step — from analyzing keyword gaps to fixing formatting errors — so your resume gets past the bots and in front of recruiters.

What Your ATS Score Actually Means

Most ATS checkers assign a 0-100% score based on:

• Keyword match: How many required skills, tools, and qualifications from the job description appear in your resume
• Formatting: Whether your resume uses ATS-friendly structure (no tables, graphics, or parsing errors)
• Section recognition: Whether the ATS correctly identifies your work experience, skills, and education

Score ranges:

• 90-100%: Excellent — you've covered most keywords and formatting is clean
• 80-89%: Strong — minor improvements needed
• 70-79%: Moderate — several keyword gaps or formatting issues
• Below 70%: Weak — significant work needed

Aim for 80%+[2]. But remember: a 95% score with weak content won't get you an interview. Humans still decide who to call.

Step 1: Identify Missing Keywords

Run your resume through an ATS checker (like ResumeBold's free ATS checker) and paste the job description. The tool will show which keywords are missing.

Focus on Hard Skills and Required Qualifications

Not all keywords are equally important. Prioritize:

• Technical skills: Programming languages (Python, Java), tools (Salesforce, Tableau), methodologies (Agile, Scrum)
• Required qualifications: Certifications (PMP, CPA), degrees, years of experience
• Job-specific terms: If the job says "customer success," don't just say "client relations"

Example:

Job description mentions: Python, SQL, Tableau, data visualization, machine learning

Your resume includes: Python, Excel, data analysis

Action: Add SQL, Tableau, and machine learning if you have experience with them. If you don't, focus on strengthening what you do have.

Where to Add Keywords

Don't just list them — integrate them naturally:

• Professional summary: "Data Analyst with 4 years of experience in SQL, Python, and Tableau..."
• Skills section: List tools and technologies in a dedicated section
• Work experience bullets: "Built Tableau dashboards analyzing 50K+ customer records..."

Step 2: Fix Formatting Issues

If your ATS score is low due to formatting errors, the system may not be parsing your resume correctly. Common issues:

Issue 1: Contact Info in Header/Footer

Problem: Many ATS systems ignore headers and footers, so your contact info might not be extracted.

Fix: Move your name, phone, email, and LinkedIn to the top of the main body (not in a header).

Issue 2: Tables or Text Boxes

Problem: ATS often can't parse tables, which means your work experience might get scrambled or lost.

Fix: Use a simple, single-column layout with text and bullet points.

Issue 3: Graphics, Logos, or Images

Problem: ATS can't read images. If you've added a photo, logo, or infographic, the ATS ignores it.

Fix: Remove all images. Use text only.

Issue 4: Unusual Section Headings

Problem: ATS scans for standard headings like "Work Experience" and "Education." If you use "Career Journey" or "My Professional Path," the ATS might not recognize it.

Fix: Use conventional headings: Work Experience, Skills, Education, Certifications.

Issue 5: Inconsistent Date Formats

Problem: ATS looks for date patterns to understand your employment timeline. If you use "2020-2023" for one job and "Jan 2021 - Mar 2024" for another, it may not parse correctly.

Fix: Use a consistent format: "January 2020 - March 2023" or "01/2020 - 03/2023"

Step 3: Optimize Your Skills Section

The Skills section is where ATS scans most heavily for keyword matches. Make it comprehensive and keyword-rich:

Bad example:

Skills: Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, Microsoft Office

These are vague and don't help you pass ATS filters for technical roles.

Good example:

Technical Skills: Python, SQL, Tableau, Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP), Google Analytics
Data Analysis: Statistical modeling, A/B testing, cohort analysis, data visualization
Tools: Salesforce, HubSpot, Looker, Jira

Organize by category if you have many skills, and list them exactly as they appear in the job description.

Step 4: Use Keywords in Context

Don't just list keywords — show how you used them in your work experience bullets.

Weak (keyword missing):

• Analyzed customer data to improve retention

Strong (keyword-rich):

• Used SQL and Python to analyze 100K+ customer records, identifying churn patterns that informed retention strategy; reduced churn by 18%

Keywords used: SQL, Python, customer records, churn, retention

The Formula

[Action Verb] + [Tool/Keyword] + [What You Did] + [Measurable Result]

Examples:

• "Built Tableau dashboards tracking KPIs across 5 departments, enabling data-driven decision-making that improved operational efficiency by 22%"
• "Led Scrum team of 8 engineers using Jira; delivered software project 3 weeks ahead of schedule and 15% under budget"
• "Managed Salesforce CRM for 200+ enterprise accounts, achieving 95% customer retention rate"

Step 5: Spell Out Acronyms (Then Use Them)

ATS systems sometimes don't recognize that "SEO" and "Search Engine Optimization" are the same thing. Play it safe:

First mention: "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)"

Subsequent mentions: "SEO"

This ensures the ATS catches both variations.

Step 6: Match Job Title Keywords

If the job posting says "Project Manager" but your title was "Program Coordinator," consider adding the industry-standard title:

Option 1: List both

Program Coordinator (Project Manager)

Option 2: Use the standard title in your summary

Project Manager with 5 years coordinating cross-functional programs...

This helps ATS recognize your role without misrepresenting your experience.

Step 7: Test Your Resume Again

After making changes, rerun your resume through the ATS checker:

1. Did your score improve?
2. Are the missing keywords now present?
3. Did the formatting issues get resolved?

Keep iterating until you hit 80%+.

What NOT to Do When Improving ATS Score

1. Don't Keyword-Stuff

Adding "Python" 15 times won't help. ATS systems detect keyword stuffing, and even if you pass the filter, a human recruiter will reject a resume that reads like spam[1].

2. Don't Add Skills You Don't Have

If the job wants "machine learning" and you've never done it, don't add it just to boost your score. You'll get caught in the interview.

3. Don't Hide Keywords in White Text

Some candidates add keywords in white text (invisible to humans). ATS systems detect this and may auto-reject you.

4. Don't Sacrifice Readability

Your resume still needs to impress a human. Don't cram so many keywords that your bullets become unreadable.

Common ATS Score Issues and Fixes

Issue: Score Below 70%

Likely cause: Major keyword gaps and/or formatting problems

Fix:

• Add missing hard skills to your Skills section
• Integrate keywords into your work bullets
• Fix formatting (remove tables, move contact info out of header)

Issue: Score 70-80%

Likely cause: Minor keyword gaps

Fix:

• Add 3-5 missing keywords where relevant
• Spell out acronyms
• Strengthen your Skills section

Issue: Score Above 80% But Still Not Getting Interviews

Likely cause: Your resume passes ATS but doesn't impress human recruiters

Fix:

• Strengthen your bullets with quantified achievements
• Make sure your resume tells a clear story
• Tailor your summary to the specific role

ATS Improvement Checklist

After optimizing:

• ☑ ATS score is 80% or higher
• ☑ All critical keywords from job description are included
• ☑ Keywords appear naturally in context (not just listed)
• ☑ Contact info is in main body (not header/footer)
• ☑ No tables, text boxes, or graphics
• ☑ Section headings are standard (Work Experience, Skills, Education)
• ☑ Dates are in consistent format
• ☑ Acronyms are spelled out on first use
• ☑ Skills section is comprehensive and organized
• ☑ Resume still reads well to a human

Final Thought: ATS Score is Step One, Not the Finish Line

Improving your ATS score gets your resume past the bots. But passing the filter doesn't guarantee an interview — that's decided by a human who's looking for clear achievements, relevant experience, and compelling storytelling.

So yes, optimize for ATS. But don't stop there. Make sure your resume is just as impressive to the recruiter who reads it after the ATS approves it.

Ready to improve your ATS score? Try ResumeBold's ATS checker and AI resume builder — it shows you exactly which keywords to add and helps you integrate them naturally into your bullets.

References

1. SHRM. (2024). Resume Keyword Matching in Applicant Tracking Systems. Retrieved from https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/talent-acquisition
2. SHRM. (2024). Resume Keyword Matching in Applicant Tracking Systems. Retrieved from https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/talent-acquisition