Software Engineer Resume — ATS Checker & Skill Keywords | WisGrowth
We help you move calmly and quickly: pick a lane, fix parsing issues honestly, and build weekly proof that compels interviews.
Start Clarity Quiz Honest ATS ScoreHonest ATS Resume Checker (No Sugarcoating)
Ship, scale, solve. Your resume shouldn’t just list languages—it should prove you own systems end-to-end. Metrics, impact, and clarity make recruiters trust you can deliver.
Quick SWE Resume Checklist
- Lead with stack + scope: “Built X using Y, serving Z users”.
- Show debugging/scale: “Reduced p95 latency 40%”.
- Open-source/side project? Add 1 line with stars/downloads.
- Highlight collaboration: PRs reviewed, cross-team work.
- End with wins: promotions, hackathon awards, patents.
WisGrowth is your clarity companion—turn the role you want into a story that gets callbacks.
Will your resume get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and in front of a real recruiter? WisGrowth gives you an honest, recruiter-grade ATS score with specific, practical fixes. No inflated results. If your resume scores 62%, you’ll see exactly why—and how to move it to the 70–80% range quickly.
Our approach blends two realities: first, your document must be cleanly parsed by ATS; second, it must persuade a human with impact and relevance. We check parsing quality, keyword match to a job description, section structure, action-oriented bullets, readability, and format hazards like tables/columns/icons that break parsers.
How the WisGrowth ATS Score Works
- Parsing quality: Contact info, headings, titles, dates parsed reliably.
- Keyword match: Paste the job description; we surface keyword gaps and skills density.
- Readability: Flags filler, passive voice, and run-ons that hide impact.
- Format & structure: Catches tables/columns that make text invisible to parsers.
- Role alignment: Highlights top fit roles (Backend, Full-Stack, Platform, Data).
Try It in 60 Seconds
- Open the WisGrowth Resume Scanner.
- Upload a PDF or DOCX (simple layouts parse best).
- (Optional) Paste the job description for personalized keyword checks.
- Review your exact ATS score and prioritized fixes.
- Re-scan after edits, aim for 70%+, and apply.
Software Engineer Keywords & Bullet Examples
Core stacks: Java, Python, Go, TypeScript/JavaScript, C#, React, Node.js, Spring, Django, .NET, GraphQL, REST, gRPC, Kubernetes, Docker, AWS/Azure/GCP, CI/CD, Terraform, Microservices, Postgres/MySQL/NoSQL, Kafka.
Impact bullets (templates):
- Built [service] with [tech], handling [X req/s]; reduced p95 latency by [Y%].
- Migrated [monolith part] to microservice on [K8s/cloud], cutting deploy time from [A] to [B].
- Implemented [caching/indices] to improve throughput by [Z%] on [DB].
- Set up CI/CD (GitHub Actions/Jenkins) for tests + canary deploys, lowering rollbacks by [N%].
Top ATS Problems We Fix
- Missing keywords: Your resume says “micro-frontends,” JD says “React/TypeScript.” We flag the gap so wording aligns naturally.
- Hidden text: Tables/columns/images can make content unreadable to ATS.
- Vague bullets: Duties without outcomes; we nudge toward measurable, impact-first rewrites.
- Over-styling: Icons/graphics/skill bars reduce parsability and score.
What Makes WisGrowth Different
Transparency. Many scanners exaggerate. We don’t. You’ll get a precise score, recruiter-grade checks, and guidance tuned to real SWE hiring flows.
Human Review Still Matters
Once ATS ranks you near the top, a recruiter skim-reads for clarity, credibility, and outcomes. Swap fluffy bullets for results (e.g., “Cut p95 latency 38% by async I/O + batching”). Our deep analysis add-on includes tailored examples and a fast feedback loop.
Next Steps
Start with a free scan, then tailor for your target stack/seniority. If you’re mid-career or pivoting, see mid-career resume mistakes. New to the market? Try the fresher ATS resume checker.
FAQs
- Is this scanner free?
- Yes, you can run a free ATS scan and see your honest score. Unlock the deep report if you want tailored examples and keyword expansions.
- Will a PDF work?
- Text-based PDFs work great. If parsing fails, upload the DOCX export and try again.
- Do I need a different resume for every job?
- Not a full rewrite—just tune the headline, skills, and 2–3 bullets to mirror the job description.
- What score should I target?
- 70%+ is a solid benchmark. Many candidates hit it after 1–2 quick edits from the recommendations.
Quick Checklist Before You Apply
- Headline aligned: “Backend Engineer (Java/Kafka)” beats “Software Ninja”.
- Keywords present: Core stack terms from the JD appear naturally.
- Impact bullets: Use %, req/s, ms, cost/time saved.
- Simple formatting: Avoid tables/columns/icons that hide text.
- Readable layout: 10–12pt font, clear headings, adequate spacing.
Common Mistakes That Lower Your ATS Score
- Keyword stuffing: Repeating terms without context hurts readability.
- Creative titles: “Code Wizard” won’t match “Software Engineer”.
- Graphics-over-text: Skill bars/icons hide content from parsers.
- PDF scans: Export a text-based PDF—scans are unreadable.
FAQ
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.