Free ATS CV Checker
Upload your CV and see what applicant tracking software actually reads. You get a scored breakdown and specific fixes, free in about 30 seconds.
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What the CV check covers
Whether you call it a CV or a resume, screening software treats it the same way: parse, match, rank, filter. The checker scores your document on:
- Parseability: can an ATS actually read your layout, sections, and contact details, or do tables, columns, and graphics scramble them?
- Keyword alignment: does your CV use the terms your target role screens for, including both acronym and spelled-out forms?
- Role and company fit: how well your experience matches the specific job and company you're targeting, including company-values alignment.
- Impact and language: quantified achievements vs duty lists, clarity, action verbs, and consistency.
One CV-specific note: conventions like photos, date of birth, or decorative templates (common in some countries) add ATS parsing risk without adding screening value. Our position is simple: plain, structured formatting is a feature, not a limitation. If you're applying to the US market with an international CV, the checker flags exactly what to adjust.
How it works
- Upload your CV: PDF or DOCX, one or two pages, any region's format.
- Set your target role and company: the keyword and fit analysis is scored against the job you want.
- Fix what's flagged: parsing issues, missing keywords, weak bullets, prioritized. First full analysis free, no card required.
Looking for the resume-flavored version of this page? Same tool, same analysis: free resume checker and ATS resume checker.
CV checker FAQ
Does the checker work for CVs or just resumes?
Both. Upload your CV as a PDF or DOCX and it's analyzed the same way: parsing and formatting checks, keyword alignment against your target role, plus content feedback on impact and language. The advice adapts to what you upload: a two-page CV isn't penalized for being a CV.
What's the difference between a CV and a resume?
In the US, a resume is a short (1-2 page) targeted summary, while 'CV' usually means a longer academic document. In the UK, Ireland, Europe, India, and most other countries, 'CV' simply means what Americans call a resume. Applicant tracking systems treat both the same way: they parse the document into structured data and rank it against the role.
Do employers really screen CVs with software?
Yes. 98% of Fortune 500 companies use an applicant tracking system, and up to 75% of applications are filtered out before a person reads them, usually for parsing or keyword reasons the checker flags.
What makes a CV fail ATS screening?
The same things that break resumes: tables, text boxes, and multi-column layouts the parser can't read; photos and graphics; non-standard section headers; contact details in the header/footer; image-based PDFs; and missing role keywords. CVs have one extra trap: some regional CV conventions (photo, date of birth, long personal statements) add parsing risk without helping you in ATS-screened applications.
Is the CV checker free?
Yes. Your first full analysis is free with no card: overall score plus breakdowns for role alignment, ATS readiness, impact, keywords, and language quality. Unlimited checks come with Pro; see Pricing.
Should my CV be one page or two?
Length matters less than parseability and relevance. Two well-structured pages beat one crammed page. If you're weighing it, our guide on resume length covers the evidence.
Related guides: how long your CV should be, the two-page question, and how ATS screening works.