What Is ATS?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that 99% of Fortune 500 companies use to filter resumes before a human ever sees them. ATS scoring is how this software ranks your resume based on how well it matches the job description.
Why ATS Matters
If your resume doesn't pass the ATS, it goes straight to the rejection pile no matter how qualified you are. Studies show that 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before reaching a recruiter.
How ATS Scoring Works
ATS software scans your resume for:
- Keywords: Skills, tools, and qualifications mentioned in the job description
- Format: Clean, parseable formatting without complex tables or graphics
- Structure: Standard sections like Experience, Education, Skills
- Relevance: How closely your experience matches the role
FAANG ATS Criteria
Top tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta use advanced ATS systems that evaluate:
- Technical skills match. Do you have the required tech stack?
- Experience relevance. Have you done similar work before?
- Quantified achievements. Did you measure your impact?
- Action verbs. Did you use strong, specific verbs?
- Keyword density. Are the right terms present naturally?
How to Improve Your ATS Score
- Mirror the job description. Use the same keywords they use.
- Use standard section headers. "Experience" not "My Journey".
- Avoid tables and graphics. ATS can't parse them.
- Quantify your impact. "Reduced load time by 40%" not "Improved performance".
- Save as PDF or DOCX. These are the most ATS-friendly formats.
Check Your Score
Use our free ATS score checker to see how your resume performs against FAANG criteria. Get instant feedback and improvement suggestions.
