How to score your own resume before sending it — what to look for

Before you send your resume anywhere, you should be able to assess it objectively. Here's a framework for scoring your own resume across the dimensions that actually matter to employers and ATS systems.

Keyword match (0-25 points)

Copy the job description into a word counter. Note the most frequent substantive words — skills, tools, methodologies, role titles. Then check how many appear naturally in your resume. If fewer than half are present, your keyword match is poor and your ATS score will reflect that. Target: 70%+ of key terms appearing at least once.

Achievement quantification (0-25 points)

Count your bullet points. How many include a specific number, percentage, dollar amount, or timeframe? If fewer than half your bullets are quantified, you're leaving impact on the table. Recruiters respond to outcomes, not responsibilities. Target: at least 60% of bullets quantified.

Relevance ordering (0-25 points)

Does your most relevant experience appear prominently? Is your professional summary specifically tailored to this role? Would a recruiter scanning for 6 seconds immediately see evidence of fit? If your most relevant achievements are buried halfway down the page, your relevance score suffers.

Formatting and readability (0-25 points)

Can the resume be parsed by ATS? Single column, standard headings, no tables or text boxes, consistent date formatting. Is it readable at a glance? Clear hierarchy, appropriate white space, consistent font sizes. A beautiful resume that can't be parsed is worse than a plain one that can.