Frequently Asked Questions

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software used by employers to collect, scan, organize, and rank job applications. Over 98% of Fortune 500 companies and 75% of all employers use ATS to filter resumes before human review. The system scans for keywords, qualifications, and formatting to determine which candidates move forward.

ATS systems work in three main steps: 1) Parsing - extracting text from your resume and categorizing it into fields (contact info, experience, skills, education). 2) Keyword Matching - comparing your resume content against the job description requirements. 3) Ranking - assigning a score based on how well you match the job criteria. Only top-scoring candidates typically get human review.

Studies suggest that up to 75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a human ever sees them. This happens due to missing keywords, poor formatting, incorrect file types, or simply not meeting the minimum qualifications specified in the job posting.

Yes, increasingly so. While nearly all large companies use ATS, about 35-50% of small-to-medium businesses now use some form of applicant tracking. Popular options for smaller companies include Greenhouse, Lever, JazzHR, and even simple solutions built into job boards.

Our tool extracts keywords from the job description you provide, then compares them against your resume text. It identifies: 1) Matched keywords already in your resume. 2) Missing keywords you should add. 3) Match percentage showing your keyword coverage. We also filter by job role to ensure you only see relevant recommendations.

Yes! Our core keyword matching tool is 100% free with unlimited scans. We believe basic ATS optimization should be accessible to everyone. We may introduce premium AI features in the future, but the keyword matcher will always remain free.

Yes! You can upload PDF or DOCX resume files directly. Our tool will extract the text and compare it against your target job description. You can also paste your resume text directly if you prefer.

We currently support 8 major tech roles: Junior Frontend Developer, Senior Frontend Developer, Junior Backend Developer, Senior Backend Developer, Full Stack Developer, DevOps Engineer, Data Scientist, and Mobile Developer. Each role has specific keyword weightings to give you accurate recommendations.

No. All processing happens in your browser. We don't store your resume, job descriptions, or any personal information. Your data never leaves your device. This is a client-side tool designed with privacy in mind.

Focus on quality over quantity. Aim to naturally include the top 15-20 most important keywords from the job description. These are typically: the primary programming languages/technologies, required frameworks, must-have skills, and any certifications mentioned. Don't keyword stuff—context matters.

Yes! Use the exact phrasing when possible. If the job says 'Project Management,' don't write 'managed projects.' ATS systems often do literal matching, so mirroring the exact terms increases your match rate. Include both acronyms and full terms (e.g., 'Search Engine Optimization (SEO)').

.DOCX is the safest choice for ATS compatibility. PDF files can work but sometimes cause parsing issues depending on how they were created. Never use .jpg, .png, or other image formats. If a company specifically requests PDF, test it with an ATS checker first.

Usually, yes. Graphics, images, tables, multiple columns, and creative formatting often break ATS parsing. The system may see jumbled text or blank sections. Stick to clean, single-column layouts with standard fonts and clear section headings for best results.

Absolutely. Tailored resumes typically score 40% higher than generic ones. You don't need to rewrite everything—focus on: 1) Adjusting your summary/objective. 2) Reordering skills to match job priorities. 3) Adding specific keywords from that job posting. Our tool helps identify exactly which keywords to add.

No! This is considered 'keyword stuffing' and modern ATS systems detect it. Your application may be flagged as spam or automatically rejected. Some companies have policies against this and may blacklist applicants who try it. Always include keywords naturally within visible content.

Keywords are just one factor. Other reasons include: 1) Formatting issues the ATS can't parse. 2) Missing minimum qualifications (years of experience, degree requirements). 3) Keywords in the wrong context. 4) Misspellings. 5) Using headers/footers that get skipped. Use our tool to check keyword coverage, and review our formatting guide.

No! Many ATS systems skip or can't properly parse header and footer content. Place your name, email, phone number, LinkedIn URL, and location (city, state) in the main body of your resume at the top.

We're currently developing AI-powered semantic matching that understands synonyms and related terms (e.g., knowing that 'React' and 'ReactJS' are the same). We're also building automatic role detection from job descriptions and smart suggestion generation. These features will be available soon.

Some advanced AI features will be part of a Pro tier to cover the costs of AI processing. However, we're committed to keeping core functionality free. The basic keyword matcher, missing keyword detection, and role-based filtering will always be free.

Our tool works on all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. We recommend using an up-to-date browser version for the best experience.

Yes! The tool is fully responsive and works on smartphones and tablets. However, for the best experience when reviewing detailed keyword analysis, we recommend using a desktop or laptop.

PDF parsing depends on how the PDF was created. If your PDF is image-based (scanned document) rather than text-based, we can't extract the text. Try saving your resume as a new PDF from Word or Google Docs to ensure it contains selectable text.