When you’re applying for jobs today, your resume isn’t just being read by recruiters. It’s first being scanned, filtered, and ranked by software before a human ever sees it. This is where two terms often come into play: resume score and ATS score. Many job seekers assume these are the same, but they are actually quite different and understanding the difference can significantly increase your chances of getting interviews.
A resume that looks good to the human eye may still get rejected by Applicant Tracking Systems. On the other hand, a resume that passes ATS checks may still fail to impress a recruiter if it lacks clarity, accomplishment-driven wording, or strong formatting. The key is to balance both.
This blog breaks down the difference between resume score and ATS score, why each matters, and how you can improve both without confusion or frustration. The goal is to help you position your resume in a way that attracts attention from both machines and hiring managers.
What is a Resume Score?
A resume score is an evaluation of how well your resume is structured, written, formatted, and aligned with best practices for human readability. It focuses on whether your resume clearly communicates your skills and experience.
A resume score typically looks at:
- Clarity of writing and grammar
- Readability and layout
- Strength of accomplishment-based bullet points
- Skill relevance
- Keyword alignment with the job role
- Use of numbers and measurable results
- Tone and professional presentation
Think of this as the human-focused score. It reflects how compelling you appear as a candidate to a real recruiter.
A resume may score high here if it:
- Tells a strong story
- Uses strong verbs
- Highlights achievements instead of tasks
- Looks modern and polished
- Fits the expectations of your industry
However, even a high resume score doesn’t guarantee your resume can pass through automated filters. That’s where ATS scoring comes in.
What is an ATS Score?
An ATS score measures how well your resume is likely to perform when scanned by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These systems help companies sort and filter resumes automatically.
The ATS score focuses more on:
- Keyword matching with the job description
- Resume structure and formatting readability by software
- Use of appropriate section headings
- File format compatibility
- Avoiding elements that software cannot read (like tables or graphics)
This is the machine-focused score.
If your resume doesn’t include the right role-specific keywords, or if the formatting is incompatible, the ATS may mark your resume as “not relevant” even if you are extremely qualified.
Common ATS Issues:
- Using images, icons, or fancy resume designs
- Missing essential job-related keywords
- Saving resume in formats ATS cannot parse
- Using vague or generic phrases instead of specifics
A resume with a strong ATS score increases your chances of getting seen by a human.
Resume Score vs ATS Score: The Key Difference
The resume score and ATS score serve two different purposes, even though both influence your chances of getting an interview. A resume score is usually evaluated by human reviewers and focuses on how clearly your experience is presented, how structured your resume looks, and whether your achievements are communicated in a meaningful way.
In contrast, the ATS score is determined by software systems that scan your resume to check keyword relevance, formatting compatibility, and alignment with the job description. While the resume score helps you look impressive to recruiters, the ATS score ensures your resume actually gets seen by them. To perform well in today’s hiring process, you need to balance both your resume should be visually clear and also optimized for automated screening filters.
Key Points:
Resume Score (Human Focused)
- Reviewed by recruiters or hiring managers
- Focuses on readability and clarity
- Evaluates how achievements and responsibilities are presented
- Considers layout, structure, and tone
- Helps you impress the recruiter
ATS Score (Software/System Focused)
- Calculated by applicant tracking software
- Checks keyword match with the job description
- Requires clean, standard formatting
- Evaluates section headings and file compatibility
- Helps your resume get seen in the first place
Balance Both For Best Results:
- Write clearly for humans
- Optimize keywords and format for ATS
- Avoid overly “designed” resumes that ATS cannot read
- Use measurable achievements to create impact
Why Job Seekers Often Get Confused
Many candidates design beautiful resumes with creative visuals only to find out employers never saw them. Others focus so heavily on keywords that their resume reads like a list of buzzwords instead of a story.
A successful job applicant understands this balance:
- Write for humans,
- Format for ATS.
How Resume Checkers and ATS Checkers Help
Tools like a resume checker or an ATS checker help analyze your resume based on both human readability and machine requirements. These tools guide you on:
- Where you’re missing industry-specific keywords
- Which formatting choices may prevent ATS reading
- Whether your bullet points show real achievements
- How your resume structure compares to successful resumes
When used effectively, these tools help you optimize your document to increase interview chances.
Why Keywords Matter So Much
Every job posting contains hidden clues these are the keywords ATS is trained to detect. They may include:
- Job title (e.g., “Marketing Analyst”)
- Tools and technologies (e.g., “Google Analytics,” “SAP”)
- Skills (e.g., “project coordination,” “financial modeling”)
If your resume doesn’t reflect those key terms, ATS may assume you’re not qualified even if you are.
How to Improve Your ATS Score
Improving your ATS score is often more technical than creative. Here are steps you can follow:
1. Match Your Resume to the Job Description
Identify the most relevant keywords and place them naturally in:
- Skills section
- Work experience bullet points
- Professional summary
2. Use Standard Resume Headings
Avoid creative titles. Use standard labels such as:
- Work Experience
- Education
- Skills
- Certifications
3. Choose ATS-Friendly Formats
Save your resume as:
- PDF (if allowed)
- DOCX (safe for most ATS systems)
4. Avoid Graphics or Multi-Column Layouts
Keep your resume single-column to avoid parsing issues.
How to Improve Your Resume Score
Improving resume score is about storytelling and clarity.
Focus On:
- Using action verbs (e.g., led, built, delivered)
- Highlighting measurable results
- Keeping your resume concise
- Maintaining consistent formatting
- Writing clear, targeted summaries
Example Transformation:
Weak:
Handled customer issues.
Strong:
i) Resolved customer concerns and improved satisfaction ratings by 18% over six months.
ii) This shift demonstrates competence more convincingly.
How avua Helps Job Seekers Improve Both Scores
There are resume tools that support both visual clarity and ATS compatibility, and avua is one example that approaches this balance by guiding users on both resume structure and role-specific alignment.
- It provides resume score insights based on clarity, tone, and structure.
- It offers cv score and analysis to help match skills with job roles.
- Its approach helps job seekers refine language while still maintaining ATS readability.
This allows candidates to build resumes that are both human-friendly and system-ready.
Balancing ATS Score and Resume Score Together
To achieve the best results:
- Start with ATS alignment (keywords, clean structure).
- Then refine wording and storytelling to appeal to humans.
The goal is harmony:
- Structured enough for systems,
- Compelling enough for recruiters.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between resume score and ATS score is essential for anyone applying for jobs online. A resume that is visually appealing but lacks keyword alignment may never reach a recruiter’s desk. Meanwhile, a resume that is optimized only for ATS systems may feel generic and fail to stand out. The key is to build a resume that balances clarity, relevance, and structure. By using strong, measurable achievements and ensuring your resume matches the language of the job description, you increase your chances of being shortlisted. Improving both scores isn’t about rewriting your entire career story, it’s about communicating it more effectively to both software and people.
If you want support in balancing both readability and technical structure, you can explore tools like the avua resume builder, which helps ensure your formatting remains ATS-friendly while still allowing room for clear and meaningful storytelling. It’s a useful option if you want guidance without losing the personal tone in your resume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is a good resume score?
A good resume score usually falls between 70–90, indicating your resume is clear, structured well, and communicates your achievements effectively.
Q2. What is a good ATS score?
A strong ATS score is generally 80% or higher, meaning your resume aligns well with the job description and is formatted in a readable way for applicant tracking systems.
Q3. Can a resume pass ATS but fail with a recruiter?
Yes. A resume can be keyword-rich enough for ATS but still look generic or unclear to human reviewers. Balancing both is critical.
Q4. Should I customize my resume for every job application?
Yes. Even small adjustments to keywords and achievements can significantly improve your ATS and resume score for a specific role.
Q5. Are creative resumes bad for ATS?
Creative resumes often include images, text boxes, and multi-column layouts that ATS systems cannot read properly. These should be used only when handing your resume directly to a person, not when applying online.
