How we test CV PDFs for ATS readability

A CV is ATS-readable when its text is extracted completely, key details appear in a traceable order and no information is conveyed by images alone. Because applicant tracking systems work differently, passing the test means good technical readability – not a guarantee of a particular ranking or an interview invitation.

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What the test covers

We assess the technical readability of the exported PDF, not the chances of success of an application. We check name and contact details, section headings, job titles, employers, date ranges, education, skills and the order of the extracted text.

Reproducible test procedure

A standardised test profile fills in all relevant CV sections.
The CV is exported as a text-based PDF using the template under review.
The PDF text is read with an independent text-extraction tool.
The output is compared against a fixed list of expected fields and special characters.
We also check visually whether page breaks cover or split content.

Pass criteria

All required fields are present in the extracted text.
Work experience and education stay chronologically traceable.
Headings and content are not mixed up unintelligibly.
Phone numbers, email addresses and dates remain unchanged.
UTF-8 characters such as ä, ö, ü, ß, ç, ğ, ı, İ and ş are reproduced correctly.
Essential information is not contained in images or icons alone.

Limits of the test

There is no single ATS standard and no test that covers every application portal. Some employers ask for DOCX instead of PDF or process their own mandatory fields, so always follow the file requirements stated in the job ad. The test also assesses neither the content nor keyword relevance, and it does not simulate automated candidate scoring.

Adapt the format to the country

Formats differ by country: US and Canadian applications usually use Letter paper with a “resume”, the UK and Australia expect A4 with a “CV” or “resume”, and credential names, phone formats and page limits differ. Adapt this guide to the country you are applying in.

Related CV guides

Optimise your CV for ATS How to write a CV properly Listing skills and keywords

FAQ

No. The test only confirms the technical readability of the PDF. Hiring decisions also depend on experience, qualifications, content and the rules of the individual employer.

No. A text-based PDF is often suitable, but the job ad may explicitly require DOCX or another format – that requirement always takes priority.

Errors with umlauts and other Unicode characters can distort names, places or qualifications, so accented and Turkish letters are explicitly part of the test set.

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