If you're stuck at 30-40%, the issue likely isn't keywords—it's parsing failure. The ATS literally cannot read your resume correctly, or your sections are being mapped to the wrong data fields.

Here's a technical reset to get you above 80%:

1. Fix the Parsing Killers (Likely Your Main Problem)

Strip ALL formatting immediately:

• No tables, text boxes, or columns (even 2-column layouts). ATS reads left-to-right, top-to-bottom. Columns often stack text nonsensically (e.g., "Skills: Python" becomes "Skills:P ython").
• No headers or footers. Contact info often lives there and gets stripped completely, leaving a "blank" resume.
• No graphics, icons, or charts. That "skill bar" graphic reads as empty space or gibberish text.
• Standard fonts only: Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Georgia, or Garamond. No custom fonts.

Test this now: Copy-paste your resume into a plain text document (Notepad/TextEdit). If it looks like a jumbled mess, the ATS sees a jumbled mess.

2. Use ATS-Standard Section Headers

ATS扫描 for specific field markers. Non-standard headers dump your experience into the void.

Use these exact headers:

• Professional Experience or Work Experience (not "Career Journey" or "What I've Done")
• Education (not "Academic Background")
• Skills or Technical Skills (not "Competencies" or "Expertise")

3. Optimize for Semantic Search (Not Just Keywords)

Modern ATS (and AI tools like Eightfold or Phenom) use contextual matching, not just word counting.

Don't just list keywords—mirror the job description's phrasing:

• If JD says: "Manage cross-functional teams to deliver SaaS products"
• Don't write: "Led groups to launch software"
• Write: "Managed cross-functional teams to deliver SaaS products" (verbatim where truthful)

Use the "Noun-Verb-Noun" method: Take 3-5 requirements from the JD and rewrite your bullets to use their exact noun phrases:

• JD: "Budget oversight"
• Your bullet: "Budget oversight for $1M annual operating budget..."

4. Technical File & Format Fixes

File Type Strategy:

• Apply with .docx unless specified otherwise. Older ATS (Taleo, older Workday instances) parse Word better than PDF.
• If using PDF: Ensure it's "text-based" (highlight text in the PDF—if you can't highlight it, it's an image and ATS sees blank space).

Date Formatting (Critical for Experience Parsing): Use Month Year – Month Year consistently:

• ✅ January 2020 – March 2023
• ❌ 2020-2023 or Present or Current (some ATS reject "Present")

Location Format: City, ST (or fully spelled state). Avoid abbreviations like "NYC" or "SF."

5. The "Single Column" Rewrite Protocol

Rewrite your resume following this exact structure:

6. Test with a "Real" ATS Simulation

Free online checkers often use basic regex matching. Try these instead:

• Jobscan.co (most accurate for modern ATS logic)
• Resume Worded (checks for parsing issues)
• Skillsyncer (good for keyword density)

Manual test: Apply to a job at a company you don't want, using your new resume. Log into their career portal if possible to see how your data populated. If your "Current Job" field is empty or wrong, you have a parsing issue.

7. The "Keyword Saturation" Rule

Aim for 60-70% keyword density for hard skills:

• If the JD lists "Project Management," "PMP," "Agile," "Scrum," and "Stakeholder Management"
• Your resume needs at least 3 of those 5 mentioned 2-3 times each in context (not just a list).

Acronym strategy: First mention: Project Management Professional (PMP) Second mention: PMP

What industry/role are you targeting, and which specific ATS checker gave you the 30-40% score?

Also, are you using a template from Canva, Etsy, or a resume builder site? Those are usually the culprits behind parsing failures in that score range.

If you paste one of your current bullet points and a snippet from a job description you're applying to, I can show you exactly how to rewrite it for 90%+ matching.

Boost Your ATS Score: Step-by-Step Action Plan (2026 Edition)

You've tried basic tips like keywords and simple fonts, but scores stuck at 30-40% often mean hidden parsing errors or incomplete keyword integration. ATS checkers (e.g., Jobscan, ResumeWorded) simulate real systems like Taleo or Workday, but low scores usually stem from formatting that breaks text extraction—content gets jumbled, sections misread, or keywords ignored. Aim for 80%+ by fixing these surgically.

Step 1: Diagnose Your Resume (5-10 Minutes)

• Paste into Notepad/TextEdit: Copy your resume text (Ctrl+A, Ctrl+C). If it's garbled, reordered, or missing chunks (e.g., bullets turn to lines), parsing fails—this is your #1 issue.
• Test Multiple Checkers:

  Tool	Free Tier Limit	Best For
  Jobscan	5 scans/month	Keyword match % vs. specific JD (upload both)
  ResumeWorded	Unlimited	Overall score + ATS simulation
  Klaxos Free Scanner or ChatGPT/Gemini	Unlimited	Hard skills gap analysis (prompt: "Act as ATS: List top 10 missing hard skills from this JD vs. resume")

• Target: 75-80% match. Note exact feedback (e.g., "missing keywords: Python, Agile").

Step 2: Strip & Rebuild Formatting (15-20 Minutes – Fixes 70% of Low Scores)

Common culprits: Fancy elements ATS can't parse, causing "invisible" content.

1. Start Fresh: Use Google Docs or Word ATS template (search "ATS resume template Google Docs"). Single-column only.
2. File & Font:
   • Save as .docx (not PDF unless specified—PDFs fail older ATS).
   • Font: Arial/Calibri, 10-12pt body, 14pt headers. One font only.
3. Avoid Parsing Killers:

   Mistake	Why Low Score	Fix
   Tables/columns/graphics/photos	Content skipped/merged	Delete all; use plain text.
   Headers/footers (e.g., name/logo)	Ignored entirely	Put contact in top body; 1" margins, no extras.
   Fancy bullets (stars/arrows)	Turn to gibberish	Use standard • or - .
   Inconsistent dates	Can't calculate experience	"Jan 2023 – Present" everywhere (MM/YYYY).
   Non-standard headings	Sections misplaced	Exact: "Professional Summary", "Work Experience", "Skills", "Education".

4. Proofread: Fix typos—ATS misreads them as junk.

Quick Test: After fixes, re-paste to Notepad. Clean? Good.

Step 3: Keyword Mastery (20-30 Minutes Per Job – Gets You to 80%)

Basic keywords aren't enough—exact phrasing + strategic placement.

1. Extract 10-15 Keywords: From JD, prioritize hard skills (e.g., "Salesforce CRM", "Python scripting", "Six Sigma"). Use both full + acronym (e.g., "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)").
2. Place High-Impact:
   • Summary (top 3-5): "Results-driven [Job Title] skilled in [Keyword1], [Keyword2], delivering [metric]."
   • Skills Section (dedicated, bulleted): List 8-12 exact matches.
   • Experience Bullets: Start with action verb + keyword + metric (e.g., "Optimized Salesforce workflows, reducing processing time 40%."). Repeat key ones 2-3x naturally.
3. No Stuffing: Weave in context. Honest only!
4. Tailor Every Time: 80% match = addressing ~80% of JD requirements.

Step 4: Perfect Structure (10 Minutes)

• Reverse-chronological (hybrid OK if experience-focused).
• 1 page (2 max for seniors).
• Left-aligned, black text.

Step 5: Test, Iterate, Apply (Ongoing)

1. Run through Jobscan + JD → Tweak → Retest until 80%.
2. Apply within 48 hours of posting (ATS prioritizes fresh).
3. Track: Note which versions get responses.

2026 Advanced Tips:

• AI ATS scans context—pair keywords with results (e.g., "Led Agile sprints using Jira, boosting velocity 25%").
• Tools like SkillSyncer for auto-keyword pull.
• For tech/marketing: Use industry lists (e.g., 50+ AI skills from Extern.com).

Follow this: Scores jump 40-50% typically. You'll pass filters and reach humans.

Next Steps? What's the job/industry you're targeting? Which checker shows 30-40 (e.g., Jobscan score details)? Share a redacted snippet (e.g., one experience section or JD link) for personalized tweaks!