ATS PDF Checker: Validate Text-Based PDFs & Fonts
Career Clarity Quiz • Last updated: Nov 20, 2025
Feeling invisible after applying? Start with the basics. Our ATS PDF check confirms your resume is text-based and parsable, then gives you an honest score with clear fixes—so recruiters can actually read your impact.
Scan Your Resume (Free) Get an Honest ATS ScoreIs My PDF Resume ATS-Friendly?
- Text-based, not scanned: You can highlight, search, and copy–paste the text. If not, ATS sees a blank page.
- Simple layout and fonts: Single column for core text, standard headings, and common fonts like Calibri or Arial—no heavy graphics or icon-based bullets.
- Exported from your editor: Save as PDF from Word or Google Docs (not via a phone photo). Keep a DOCX version ready for portals that prefer Word.
For country-specific examples of what “ATS-friendly” looks like in practice, see ATS Resume Checker India and Resume Checker Australia.
PDF vs Word (DOCX) for ATS
When PDF is a good idea:
- Most modern ATS and company portals accept PDFs and preserve your layout across devices.
- Your PDF passes the text tests above (selectable, searchable, copyable text).
- The job description or portal explicitly says “PDF or DOCX both allowed”.
When DOCX is safer:
- Older government or legacy systems that mention “Word document only”.
- When your exported PDF keeps breaking parsing tests or tanks your ATS score.
- When you use templates with complex shapes or elements that behave better in DOCX.
The easiest approach: keep a clean DOCX as your source of truth, run it through the WisGrowth Resume Scanner, then export a simple PDF for most roles and switch to DOCX if a portal complains.
Honest ATS Resume Checker (No Sugarcoating)
Reality first: a clean, text-based PDF matters—but it’s not the whole story. We’ll help you pass parsing and show proof of impact, so your resume reads like evidence, not buzzwords.
Five moves that work
- Use a simple layout: exported PDF or DOCX, standard headings, no multi-column body text.
- Write impact bullets: action verb + what you did + measurable result.
- Tailor lightly: mirror 1–2 target roles; reflect key terms naturally (no stuffing).
- Run the Honest ATS scan and fix the top 3 issues first.
- Add a 2-line Wins section highlighting outcomes (%, $, time saved).
Try this today: Rewrite one bullet to end with a number (e.g., "reduced churn by 12%").
We’re practical, honest, and on your side—clarity over noise, progress over perfection.
Human Review Still Matters
Getting to the top of the ATS queue is step one. A recruiter then skims for clarity, credibility, and outcomes. Replace fluffy bullets with measurable results (e.g., “Reduced cloud spend by 22% via rightsizing and auto-scaling” rather than “Worked on cost optimization”). If you want examples tailored to your profile, our deep analysis add-on and coaching can speed this up.
Next Steps
Start with a free scan, then pick a guide that fits your market and seniority. If you’re mid-career and pivoting, read mid-career resume mistakes. New to the job market? Try the fresher ATS resume checker. Compare improvements with the ATS resume score calculator or see local advice in ATS Resume Checker India and Resume Checker Australia.
FAQs
Quick Checklist Before You Apply
- Headline aligned: Your title mirrors the role (e.g., “Senior Product Manager”).
- Keywords present: Core skills from the JD appear naturally in bullets and the skills list.
- Impact bullets: End with numbers (%, $, time saved) tied to outcomes.
- Simple formatting: No tables/columns/icons that hide text from ATS.
- Readable layout: 10–12 pt font, clear section headings, adequate spacing.
Common Mistakes That Lower Your ATS Score
- Keyword stuffing: Repeating terms without context hurts readability and credibility.
- Creative titles: “Growth Wizard” won’t match recruiter searches. Use standard titles.
- Graphics-over-text: Skill bars and icons look nice but block parsers.
- PDF scans: Image-only resumes are unreadable—always export a text-based PDF.
Suggested Structure
Use a sequence that parses cleanly: Header (name, email, phone, city/region, LinkedIn) → Professional Summary (2–3 lines, role-aligned keywords) → Skills (grouped) → Experience (impact bullets) → Education → Certifications or Projects.
What recruiters actually scan for
Evidence tied to responsibilities—not just phrases. That’s why we combine a realistic ATS baseline with measurable bullets.
Traps to avoid
- Optimizing the resume before choosing a role family
- Inflating a score without adding outcomes
- Ignoring formatting constraints that break parsing
Action steps
- Take the Clarity Quiz
- Run the Honest ATS scan
- Rewrite three bullets with outcomes
- Apply to three aligned roles and save one proof artifact
Keep exploring
Read WisGrowth vs Others or visit the comparison hub.