How Resume ATS Score is Calculated by AI in 2025

Have you ever wondered how your resume fares through the tech-savvy eyes of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)?

Increasingly, these ATS systems utilise AI which has completely changed how your resume ATS score was calculated earlier. And since human recruiters will now look at your resume only when AI has gone through it, it’s crucial in landing interviews, especially for software and AI engineers. Let’s dive in to unpack what resume ATS score means and why crafting your resume strategically is more important than ever.

What is Resume ATS Score and Why It Matters?

An ATS (Applicant Tracking System) is software that recruiters use to screen job applications before a human recruiter reviews them. It scans resumes and assigns an ATS score based on how well your resume matches a job description.

According to Resumeble, the average ATS score of resumes tested is only 37%, with only 3% crossing the 85% mark, often required by companies. This means the majority of resumes don’t make it past the ATS filter.

What this means for you: improving your ATS score of resume is the key to unlocking more interview opportunities. For software engineers and AI professionals, this is not just about keywords but the way your skills and experiences are presented.

Evolution of ATS Scoring: From Keywords to Natural Language

Earlier, ATS systems relied heavily on simple keyword matching. A resume would be scanned for exact skills like ‘Python’ or ‘Machine Learning.’ If a resume lacked these exact keywords, it often got rejected, regardless of overall candidate fit.

However, modern ATS systems are employing more sophisticated techniques. They now use natural language processing (NLP) and vector-based matching. Instead of just ticking off keywords, they understand context, synonyms, and the way phrases relate. This means your resume is scored on how well it semantically aligns with the job description.

Despite this evolution, keywords remain a cornerstone in ATS filtering mainly because recruiters rely on keyword hits for shortlisting candidates.

What does this mean for resume writing?

• Write more descriptive resumes explaining the projects you’ve worked on along with the technologies and skills you applied.
• Focus on contextualized keywords. For example, rather than listing ‘Backend Development’ only, describe the backend project and mention the programming languages, frameworks, databases, and problem-solving involved.

How to Write Descriptive Resume Content: A Backend Engineer Example

Instead of writing just this:

Backend Developer - Developed APIs using Node.js.

Try this detailed and descriptive approach:

Backend Engineer – Designed and implemented RESTful APIs using Node.js and Express, achieving a 40% increase in data throughput. Integrated MongoDB for efficient data storage, enhancing query performance by 30%. Collaborated with frontend engineers to optimize API responses, reducing latency by 25%.

This descriptive style helps ATS to pick up relevant skills naturally while giving recruiters a clearer picture of your expertise.

Practical Tips to Improve Your ATS Resume Score

1. Use ATS-friendly formatting: Avoid graphics, tables, and unconventional layouts that confuse ATS parsers.
2. Include clear section headers: Skills, Experience, Education, and Projects should be clearly labeled.
3. Utilize keywords meaningfully: Incorporate keywords from the job description in project descriptions and skill sections.
4. Quantify impact: Use numbers and metrics wherever possible to describe achievements.
5. Tailor each resume: Customize your resume to match the job requirements, highlighting relevant skills and experiences.

The Role of ATS Resume Scorers and Tools

ATS resume scorers simulate how an ATS analyzes your resume and provide scores along with actionable feedback. Tools like Resume Worded and Kickresume scan your resume for keyword match, structure, readability, and ATS compatibility.

While these tools give a good estimation, remember that no universal ATS score exists because every employer’s system and criteria differ. Instead, focus on creating a resume that:

• Reads naturally and provides substantive information about your skills.
• Incorporates contextually relevant keywords.
• Maintains a clean and ATS-friendly format.

Why You Should Care: A Data-Driven Perspective

With nearly 99% of Fortune 500 companies using ATS as a first filter, your resume’s ATS score strongly influences if you get to the next stage.

Research by Dianna Conover on LinkedIn highlights that ATS don’t evaluate your resume’s quality but its alignment with the job description, emphasizing keyword relevance and formatting.

The good news is, understanding this system takes you from being just another applicant to a well-targeted candidate. Are you ready to rethink your resume crafting strategy?

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Shift to Natural Language in Resumes

The future of resume assessment lies in the balance between intelligent parsing systems and recruiter preferences. For AI and software engineers, describing your projects comprehensively while incorporating relevant skills naturally is your best bet for a high resume ATS score.

Don’t just list keywords; craft stories about your technical journey, project challenges, and your impact. This dual approach aligns with advanced ATS algorithms and appeals to human recruiters who value clarity and detail.

For more insights on boosting your tech career, explore our guide on staying relevant in tech and system design for AI engineers.

What do you think? Is your resume ready to ace the ATS test in 2025?

Commonly asked questions (FAQs) on resume ATS scoring

What exactly is an ATS score and how is it calculated for software engineering resumes?

An ATS score represents how well your resume matches a specific job description. Modern ATS systems use two main approaches to calculate this score:

1. Keyword matching: Counting how many required skills and technologies from the job description appear in your resume.
2. Semantic analysis: Using NLP to understand context and relationships between terms (e.g., recognizing that “React.js” and “React” are related).

For software engineers, ATS systems typically look for:

• Programming languages (Python, Java, JavaScript)
• Frameworks/libraries (React, Angular, Django)
• Tools/platforms (AWS, Docker, Kubernetes)
• Methodologies (Agile, TDD, CI/CD)

Your resume’s score increases when these elements appear in context, not just as listed skills.

What’s the best file format for optimizing ATS scores?

For most ATS systems, a simple, cleanly formatted PDF is optimal because:

1. It maintains consistent formatting across devices
2. Modern ATS systems can parse PDFs effectively
3. It prevents accidental edits to your resume

However, ensure your PDF is:

• Created directly from a text editor (not scanned)
• Using standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
• Free from complex elements like text boxes or columns
• Properly tagged for accessibility (modern word processors do this automatically)

If a job application specifically requests a .docx file, provide that format instead.

What are the most common ATS mistakes software engineers make?

1. Overusing technical jargon without context: Listing every technology you’ve touched without showing how you’ve applied them
2. Image-based or overly designed resumes: Using infographics or complex layouts that ATS systems can’t parse
3. PDF formatting issues: Using PDF features like layers or embedded fonts that confuse some ATS systems
4. Inconsistent naming conventions: Switching between “JavaScript” and “JS” or “Amazon Web Services” and “AWS”
5. Missing job description keywords: Not customizing your resume for each application
6. Keyword stuffing: Artificially inserting keywords without meaningful context, which advanced ATS can detect

How should I format my technical skills section to maximize ATS scoring?

The most ATS-friendly approach is to organize your technical skills into clear categories:

TECHNICAL SKILLS
Languages: Java (8/11), Python (3.x), JavaScript (ES6+), TypeScript, SQL, HTML5/CSS3
Frameworks/Libraries: Spring Boot, React, Node.js, Express.js, JUnit, Jest
Tools: Git, Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins, AWS (EC2, S3, Lambda), Jira
Methodologies: Agile/Scrum, CI/CD, TDD, Microservices Architecture

This categorization helps both ATS systems and human reviewers quickly identify your technical stack. For senior roles, consider adding a “Proficiency” indicator (Advanced/Intermediate/Familiar) for key technologies.

Should I tailor my resume for different types of software engineering positions?

Absolutely. Try to focus on no more than two different software engineering roles.

Backend Engineer: Focus on server-side languages (Java, Python, Go), databases (SQL, NoSQL), API development, and system architecture

Frontend Engineer: Emphasize JavaScript frameworks (React, Angular, Vue), CSS, responsive design, and browser compatibility

Full Stack Engineer: Balance both frontend and backend technologies, highlighting your ability to work across the entire stack

DevOps Engineer: Highlight CI/CD pipelines, containerization, cloud platforms, and infrastructure as code

Customize your resume for each job application, prioritizing the technologies mentioned in the job description.

How do I optimize my resume if I’m transitioning into software engineering from another field?

For career changers, ATS optimization requires strategic emphasis on transferable skills and relevant projects:

1. Prioritize technical projects: Place personal projects, bootcamp work, or relevant coursework prominently
2. Translate previous experience: Phrase non-technical experience using relevant terminology (e.g., “Analyzed data to identify patterns” instead of “Reviewed information”)
3. Highlight technical education: Feature relevant courses, bootcamps, or self-learning paths prominently
4. Include problem-solving language: Use terms like “debugging,” “optimization,” and “systematic approach” to connect previous work to software engineering

The goal is ensuring the ATS can find sufficient technical keywords while showing human reviewers your potential to transition successfully.

How do ATS systems handle GitHub links and portfolio websites?

Most ATS systems will recognize and preserve URLs, but they typically don’t follow links or analyze external content. Chances are high that your GitHub profile or portfolio website won’t directly influence your ATS score.

However, including these links is still crucial because:

1. Once your resume passes the ATS, human reviewers will check these resources
2. Some advanced ATS systems flag resumes with portfolio links for priority review

Include a clean URL format: github.com/yourusername or yourportfolio.dev

Do certifications like AWS, Azure, or language-specific certifications improve ATS scores?

Yes, technical certifications can significantly boost your ATS score, especially for specialized roles. Plus, they also increase chances of shortlisting by human recruiters.

ATS systems typically recognize major certifications and their acronyms:

• Cloud certifications (AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Developer)
• Language certifications (Oracle Certified Java Programmer)
• Framework-specific certifications (Certified Kubernetes Administrator)

List certifications with their full official names followed by acronyms in parentheses, and include certification dates or numbers if they’re current.