Free CV checker
Check your CV the way an ATS reads it.
Upload your CV and get a score, what an applicant tracking system finds when it reads it, and the top three fixes to make first. Add a job ad if you like, and see how well you match it.
Free. No signup. PDF or Word, up to 5 MB.
Your CV stays private. We never sell your data.
What we check
Four questions every employer's software asks.
Can an ATS read it?
Columns, tables, text boxes and words inside images can scramble what an ATS pulls out. We check your CV comes through in one piece.
Is anything missing?
Contact details, dates, a skills section, your education. The things an ATS sorts you by, and the gaps that drop you down the list.
What to fix first?
Your top three fixes, in the order they matter, each with what to change and why. Sign up free and the rest unlock too.
Does it match the job?
Paste a job ad after your check, and see your match and the words from the ad your CV doesn't use yet.
What is an ATS?
Software often reads your CV before a person does.
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is the software employers and job sites use to collect applications. It pulls the text out of your CV, sorts it into your details, work history, education and skills, and compares it with what the job ad asks for, so recruiters can search and rank everyone who applied.
If it can't read your layout, or can't find the words the ad uses, your CV can sink down the list however good you are. The check shows you what it sees.
Where you'll meet one
- Job sites
- SEEKTrade Me JobsLinkedInIndeed
- Hiring systems
- WorkdaySuccessFactorsGreenhouseLeverWorkable
Your score
One number, and what to do about it.
Your score out of 100 weighs two things: whether an ATS can read your CV, and whether it has what employers look for. A CV an ATS can't read scores low whatever it says, so readability comes first.
80 to 100
In good shape
An ATS can read it and it has what employers look for. Tailor it to each job and send it.
50 to 79
Needs work
It reads, but something important is missing or hard to find. The top fixes show what first.
0 to 49
Needs attention
An ATS may not read it properly, so a person may never see it. Start with the first fix.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
Something else on your mind? Email support@smartcvs.ai and a person will reply.
Is the CV checker really free?
Yes. There's nothing to sign up for and no card to enter: upload your CV and see your score, what an ATS finds and your top three fixes. There's a limit of a few free checks a day on each device, so the check stays fast for everyone.
What is an ATS, and why does it matter?
An applicant tracking system is the software employers and job sites use to collect and sort applications. It reads your CV, pulls out your details, work history and skills, and ranks you against the job ad. If it can't read your CV properly, a person may never see it.
Which files can I check?
A PDF or a Word document (.docx), up to 5 MB. If your CV is a scan or a picture, or you don't have the file to hand, paste its text instead.
Can I check my CV against a job ad?
Yes. After your check, paste a job ad to see how well your CV matches it and which of its words your CV doesn't use yet. Sign up free, and SmartCVs tailors your CV to that ad from your real experience.
What happens to my CV after the check?
It's used for your check, and kept only so you can carry it into a free account without uploading it again. If you don't sign up, it's deleted automatically. It's never sold, and never used to train AI.
CV or resume, which do I need?
For most jobs they're the same thing: a short document that sells you for one role. New Zealand, Australia, the UK and most countries call it a CV. The US and Canada call it a resume, and use "CV" for a longer academic record. Whichever you call it, SmartCVs makes the short, tailored kind employers ask for.
Is my data safe?
Your CV stays private to your account and we never sell your data. The AI we use runs with zero data retention, so it doesn't keep your CV or train on it. You can close your account at any time, and ask us to erase everything in it.
How we keep your data safeMake your next application the one that gets read.
Upload your CV and see what's holding it back. Then tailor it to the job in one click.
Free. No signup. PDF or Word.
Questions first? Email support@smartcvs.ai.