If you have checked your resume using an ATS resume scanner, you may have noticed that your ATS score often stays below 70. This can be frustrating, especially when you believe you are qualified for the job.

However, the issue is often not your experience it’s how your resume is structured and optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems. An ATS score below 70 is usually caused by using a generic, non-tailored resume, missing crucial job-specific keywords, or using complex formatting (tables, columns, images) that the system cannot parse. A score below 70 indicates low keyword relevance or poor readability.

How ATS Systems Evaluate Resumes

Applicant Tracking Systems are used by many companies to manage and filter job applications. These systems scan resumes and analyze several factors, including:

• Keyword relevance compared to the job description
• Resume structure and formatting
• Skills and experience alignment
• Education and Certification

The system then assigns a score or ranking based on how closely your resume matches the job requirements. Recruiters typically review the top-ranked resumes first.

Why Many Companies Set 70–80 as the Shortlisting Benchmark

While ATS scoring systems differ across platforms, many recruiters and hiring tools consider 70-80% as the benchmark for shortlisting candidates.

This threshold helps recruiters quickly filter hundreds of applications. For example, if a job receives 300+ application, the ATS may highlight only the resumes that best match the role.

However, scoring below 70 does not automatically mean rejection it simply means your resume may not match the job description strongly enough.

Common Reasons Your ATS Score Stays Low

There are three types of issues that effect your ATS Score: Resume Formatting Issues, Missing or Incorrect Keyword Issues, Weak or Generic Resume Content Issues.

1. Resume Formatting Issues That Affect ATS Parsing

Even if your skills match the job description, poor formatting can prevent an Applicant Tracking System from correctly reading your resume. ATS software converts resumes into plain text and then analyzes them for keywords, experience, and structure. If the formatting is complex, the system may misread or skip important information.

A. Complex Layouts (Tables, Columns, Graphics)

Modern resume templates often use design elements such as multi-column layouts, charts, or tables. While they look visually appealing, they can confuse ATS systems.

Many ATS tools read resumes from left to right and top to bottom. When multiple columns or tables are used, the system may read information in the wrong order or miss important details entirely.

Many candidates use two-column templates, tables, icons, or graphics downloaded from Canvas or design websites.

Problem:

• ATS systems read resumes as plain text
• Tables, columns, and icons break the parsing process.

Result:

• Skills or experience may not be detected correctly, lowering the ATS score.

Use a simple single-column resume format.

B. Headers, Footers, and Icons Causing Parsing Errors

Some resumes place contact information inside headers or footers. Unfortunately, certain ATS systems ignore these areas when scanning documents.

This means details such as your name, email address, or phone number may not be captured correctly.

Similarly, icons used for contact details or skills may prevent the ATS from recognizing the text properly.

Some resumes use creative headings like:

• “Career Journey”
• “What I Bring to the Table”
• “My Expertise”

Problem:

• ATS expects standard sections such as:
  • Work Experience
  • Skills
  • Education

Non-standard headings can confuse ATS systems and lower the score.

To avoid parsing issues:

• Place important information in the main body of the resume
• Avoid using icons for contact details
• Keep formatting simple and text-based

C. File Format Issues (PDF vs DOCX)

File format can also affect how well ATS systems read your resume.

Although many modern ATS platforms can process PDFs, some older systems still perform better with DOCX files.

Common file format issues include:

• Image-based PDFs that cannot be scanned properly
• Unusual formats like . pages or . txt
• Conversion errors when uploading documents

Using a standard DOCX or text-based PDF file helps ensure the ATS can read your resume correctly.

2. Missing or Incorrect Keywords

One of the biggest reasons resumes receive a low ATS score low is missing or poorly matched keywords. Most companies use an Applicant Tracking System to scan resumes for specific terms that match the job description. If your resume doesn’t contain those terms, the system may rank it lower even if you’re qualified for the role.

A. Match Your Resume with the Job Description

A common mistake is sending the same resume to multiple jobs without tailoring it.

Each job posting emphasizes different skills and experiences. When your resume does not reflect these priorities, ATS matching decreases.

Before applying, review the job description and adjust your resume to highlight:

• Relevant skills
• Similar responsibilities
• Tools or technologies mentioned in the posting

This small step can significantly improve ATS matching.

One of the biggest reasons ATS scores stay low is missing keywords. .

ATS systems compare your resume with the job description. If essential skills or tools are missing, the system may assume you lack those qualifications.

Many job seekers create one resume and send it to every job.

Problem:

• ATS matches resumes using exact keywords from the job description.

Example:

• Job description says ”SEO Specialist”
• Resume says ”Digital Marketing Expert”

Result:

• ATS may not match the keywords and reduce the score.

and your resume does not include these terms, your score may drop even if you have relevant experience.

B. Using General Keywords Instead of Job-Specific Terms

Many candidates use broad terms such as:

• “Marketing experience”
• “Project management skills”
• “Technical knowledge”

However, ATS systems look for specific keywords that appear in the job posting.

For example, instead of writing:

“Experienced in marketing campaigns”

you could write:

“Managed digital marketing campaigns using Google Ads and Facebook Ads.”

Specific terms improve keyword matching and increase your ATS score.

C. Keyword Placement and Frequency Problems

Even if you include relevant keywords, placement also matters.

Keywords should appear in:

• The skills section
• Work experience descriptions
• Professional summary

However, excessive repetition can look unnatural and may reduce resume quality. The goal is to integrate keywords naturally and strategically throughout the document.

3. Weak or Generic Resume Content

Even if your resume contains the right keywords, generic or weak content can still reduce your ATS score and hurt your chances of getting shortlisted. An Applicant Tracking System not only scans for keywords but also analyzes how relevant and meaningful the content is within your experience.

A. Responsibilities Instead of Achievements

Many resumes focus on job responsibilities instead of measurable outcomes.

For example:

Weak statement:

Responsible for managing social media accounts.

Stronger version:

Managed social media campaigns that increased engagement by 60% in six months.

Achievements demonstrate real impact and make your resume more competitive.

B. Lack of Measurable Metrics

Recruiters and ATS tools respond well to quantifiable results.

Metrics help highlight the value you delivered in previous roles.

Examples include:

• Increased sales by 35% in one year
• Reduced operational costs by $20,000 annually
• Improved website traffic by 70% through SEO strategies

Numbers make your contributions clearer and more convincing.

C. Bullet Points That Don’t Highlight Impact

Weak bullet points often lack clarity or results.

For example:

Handled customer service requests.

A stronger version would be:

Resolved 95% of customer issues within 24 hours, improving customer satisfaction scores.

Effective bullet points focus on results, improvements, and measurable impact.

D. Profile Fields Not Matching Resume Information

Many application systems ask candidates to fill out profile fields manually.

If the information entered in these fields does not match the resume, the ATS may treat them as separate data points.

For example:

• Resume lists “Marketing Specialist”
• Profile field says ”Marketing Executive”

Inconsistencies like this can affect scoring.

Keeping your profile and resume aligned helps maintain

Why a Low Score Doesn’t Always Mean You’re Unqualified

Many candidates with strong experience still receive low ATS scores. This usually happens because of issues like:

• Missing keywords from the job description
• Poor resume formatting
• Generic descriptions of work experience

In most cases, improving your resume structure and keyword alignment can significantly increase your score.

Conclusion

If your ATS score is stuck below 70, the problem is usually not a lack of qualifications. Most issues come from resume formatting, missing keywords, or weak content that fails to highlight measurable impact.

Applicant Tracking Systems rely heavily on structured data and keyword matching. When resumes are not optimized for these systems, qualified candidates can easily be overlooked.

By improving your resume’s formatting, incorporating job-specific keywords, and showcasing measurable achievements, you can significantly increase your chances of passing the first screening stage and getting noticed by recruiters.