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What is an ATS Score?
An ATS score is a numerical rating generated by software used by companies to manage job applications. This system scans your resume to see how well your skills, experience, and terminology align with the requirements listed in the job description. The software assigns a percentage or rank to your application based on these matches. Recruiters use these scores to filter through hundreds of applicants, prioritizing those who appear to be the best fit. If your score is too low, your resume may be filtered out of the process entirely before a human ever sees it.
Why this matters to you
Understanding this score is vital because it acts as a digital gatekeeper for your career. If you do not tailor your resume to match the specific language of a job posting, your application might be invisible to the hiring team. Optimizing your document for these systems ensures your qualifications reach the eyes of a recruiter rather than being lost in a database.
How you might hear this
The recruiter only shortlisted candidates with an ATS score above 70 percent for the first screening call.
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See how your CV performs against the ATS algorithms that screen candidates before a human ever reads your application.
Try the CV Optimiser →How AI job displacement actually works, what it means for your career, and what to do about it. Written by someone who has been in recruitment for 25 years.
When the Ground Shifts →A 39-page guide covering the whole search: beating the ATS, fixing your CV and LinkedIn, and walking into interviews prepared. Written by a recruiter.
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