ATS Score Checker
Upload your CV to see how well it performs with Applicant Tracking Systems.
Check Your CV's ATS Score
Sign in or create a free account to use our AI-powered ATS checker and get instant feedback on your CV.
🔒 Your CV is processed securely and not stored permanently.
How It Works
Upload Your CV for Scoring
Upload your CV in PDF or Word format. Our scoring engine analyses your document against multiple criteria used by South African employers and applicant tracking systems.
Receive Your StarterScore Report
Get a detailed breakdown of your CV's strengths and weaknesses across key areas including formatting, content quality, keyword optimisation, and ATS compatibility with a score out of 100.
Follow Personalised Recommendations
Review actionable recommendations tailored to your specific CV. Each suggestion explains what to improve and why it matters for your job search success in the South African market.
Why Use the ATS Score Checker
Before you submit your CV to another employer, find out exactly how it measures up with our StarterScore analysis tool. Many job seekers in South Africa send out dozens of applications without understanding why they are not getting responses. The problem is often not their qualifications or experience but how their CV presents that information. Our StarterScore tool provides an objective, detailed assessment of your CV across the criteria that matter most to South African employers and applicant tracking systems. You receive a score out of 100 along with a comprehensive breakdown covering formatting, content quality, keyword optimisation, section completeness, and ATS compatibility. Each area includes specific, actionable recommendations that tell you exactly what to improve and why it matters. Applicant tracking systems are used by the majority of large South African employers to filter applications before a human recruiter ever sees them. If your CV is not optimised for these systems, it may be automatically rejected regardless of your qualifications. Our scoring tool identifies ATS compatibility issues and helps you fix them before they cost you opportunities. Understanding your CV's strengths and weaknesses is the first step toward a more effective job search strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the StarterScore measure?
The StarterScore evaluates your CV across multiple criteria including formatting quality, content strength, keyword optimisation, section completeness, and ATS compatibility, giving you a comprehensive score out of 100.
What is a good StarterScore?
A score above 70 indicates a strong CV that should perform well with both human recruiters and applicant tracking systems. Scores below 50 suggest significant improvements are needed before submitting applications.
How can I improve my StarterScore?
The report includes specific, actionable recommendations for each scoring area. Focus on the areas with the lowest scores first for the biggest improvement. You can also use our CV Revamp tool to automatically enhance your CV based on the findings.
Does the score account for South African job market standards?
Yes. Our scoring criteria are calibrated specifically for the South African job market, taking into account local employer expectations, common ATS systems used by SA companies, and regional CV formatting conventions.
Can I score my CV multiple times after making changes?
Absolutely. We encourage you to score your CV, make the recommended improvements, and then score it again to track your progress. Many users see significant score improvements after implementing just a few changes.
What is ATS compatibility and why does it matter?
Applicant Tracking Systems are software used by most large South African employers to automatically screen CVs before a recruiter sees them. If your CV is not ATS-compatible, it may be rejected automatically regardless of your qualifications. Our score identifies and helps you fix ATS issues.
ATS Checker Tips
- Run your StarterScore analysis before every major job application to ensure your CV is optimised for that specific opportunity and industry.
- Pay special attention to the ATS compatibility section — many qualified candidates are rejected by automated systems due to formatting issues that are easy to fix.
- Use the keyword recommendations to align your CV language with the terminology used in your target industry and job descriptions.
- Review the formatting feedback carefully — consistent fonts, clear section headings, and proper spacing significantly improve both readability and ATS parsing.
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