Free Online Resume Checker
Instantly catch formatting errors, typos, and ATS compatibility issues. Scan your resume in 30 seconds and get actionable feedback to ensure it's flawless before you hit send.
Why Use a Resume Checker?
30-Second Scan
Instant analysis with detailed feedback on what needs fixing. No waiting for manual reviews.
Format Validation
Ensure your layout is machine-readable and displays correctly across all PDF viewers and ATS systems.
ATS Compatibility
Test how your resume performs against Applicant Tracking Systems that filter 75% of applications.
Error Detection
Catch typos, inconsistent formatting, missing sections, and broken links that spell-check misses.
Impact Score
Get a quantitative score based on content strength, keywords, and achievement-focus.
Actionable Feedback
Not just what's wrong—specific suggestions on exactly how to fix every issue.
Don't Let Simple Mistakes Cost You the Job
Recruiters spend an average of only 6 seconds looking at a resume. If they spot a typo, formatting glitch, or ATS issue, your application is likely headed for the rejection pile—no matter how qualified you are. A free resume checker helps you eliminate these risks before it's too late.
The Harsh Reality
76% of resumes are rejected immediately for typos or formatting errors. Most job seekers don't even know their resume has issues until they've applied to 50+ jobs with zero callbacks.
Using a resume checker before each application ensures you're always putting your best foot forward.
What Our Resume Checker Analyzes
A professional resume check covers multiple critical areas. Here's what our checker evaluates:
1. Technical Health & Formatting
File format compatibility
PDF vs DOCX compatibility, ensuring no corruption
Font consistency
Same font family throughout, readable sizes (10-12pt body text)
Margin alignment
Proper spacing (0.5-1 inch margins), no text cut-off
Date formatting
Consistent format throughout (e.g., 'Jan 2020' or '01/2020'—never mixed)
Bullet point consistency
Same bullet style (•, -, or ◦) across entire document
Page length
1 page for 0-10 years experience, 2 pages for 10+ years
2. ATS Compatibility
Parseable structure
No tables, text boxes, headers/footers, or columns that confuse ATS
Standard section headings
'Experience', 'Education', 'Skills'—not creative names like 'My Journey'
Hidden text detection
No white text, watermarks, or graphics with embedded text
Contact information placement
Phone, email, LinkedIn in standard top location
Keyword density
Sufficient industry keywords without stuffing
3. Content Quality
Achievement vs. responsibility ratio
At least 70% achievement-focused bullets with measurable outcomes
Action verb strength
Strong verbs (Led, Increased, Built) vs weak passive phrases
Quantification
Numbers, percentages, dollar amounts throughout
Professional summary
Compelling 2-4 sentence summary with metrics
Keywords for target role
Industry-specific terms and required skills present
4. Grammar & Spelling
Typos and misspellings
Including commonly confused words (e.g., 'lead' vs 'led')
Grammar errors
Subject-verb agreement, tense consistency
Punctuation
Consistent use of periods at end of bullets (all or none)
Capitalization
Job titles, company names, proper nouns
Pronoun usage
No first-person pronouns (I, me, my, we)
5. Completeness Check
Contact information
Name, phone, email, location, LinkedIn (all working)
Experience section
All former roles have: company, title, dates, 3-5 bullets
Education section
Degree, institution, graduation date (or expected)
Skills section
Relevant technical and soft skills listed
Date ranges
No unexplained employment gaps over 3 months
Common Issues Found by Resume Checkers
Inconsistent Date Formatting
HighExample: Jan 2020 - Present mixed with 03/2018 - 12/2019
✅ Fix: Choose ONE format and apply throughout. Recommended: 'Month Year' (e.g., 'Jan 2020')
Tables and Text Boxes
CriticalExample: Using Word tables to create columns or text boxes for sections
✅ Fix: Remove all tables and text boxes. Use simple, single-column layout with standard text formatting.
Missing Metrics
HighExample: 'Improved team productivity' without numbers
✅ Fix: Add quantification: 'Improved team productivity 40%, reducing project delivery time from 8 to 5 weeks'
Generic Professional Summary
MediumExample: 'Hardworking professional seeking new opportunities'
✅ Fix: Specific: 'Data Scientist with 6 years building ML models that increased prediction accuracy 35% and reduced costs $2M annually'
Typos in Company Names or Titles
CriticalExample: 'Gogle' instead of 'Google' or 'Manger' instead of 'Manager'
✅ Fix: Triple-check every company name and job title. Have someone else proofread.
Broken or Missing Contact Information
CriticalExample: LinkedIn link doesn't work, email has typo, missing phone number
✅ Fix: Verify ALL links open correctly. Test your email by sending yourself a message.
Non-Standard Section Names
HighExample: 'My Career Journey' instead of 'Experience'
✅ Fix: Use standard headings ATS systems recognize: Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications
Inconsistent Bullet Points
MediumExample: Some bullets end with periods, others don't
✅ Fix: Choose: ALL bullets have periods OR NONE have periods. Be 100% consistent.
Weak Action Verbs
MediumExample: 'Was responsible for managing' or 'Helped with'
✅ Fix: Use strong verbs: 'Managed', 'Led', 'Spearheaded', 'Increased', 'Reduced', 'Built'
Too Long or Too Short
MediumExample: 3 pages for mid-level role OR half a page for 10 years experience
✅ Fix: Target: 1 page (0-10 years), 2 pages (10+ years). Every line should add value.
How to Use a Resume Checker Effectively
Best Practices for Resume Checking
Check BEFORE every application
Don't assume your resume is still perfect from last time. Jobs evolve, and so should your resume.
Run multiple checker tools
Different tools catch different issues. Use 2-3 checkers for comprehensive coverage.
Fix issues in order of severity
Critical issues first (broken ATS, typos), then high (missing metrics), then medium (weak verbs).
Recheck after every edit
Sometimes fixing one issue creates another. Always run a final check before saving your PDF.
Get a human second opinion
After automated checking, have someone else read it. Humans catch context issues machines miss.
Save a checklist-approved version
Name your file: 'FirstName_LastName_Resume_Checked_Jan2026.pdf' so you know it's been vetted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate are resume checkers?
Automated resume checkers are highly accurate (95%+) for technical issues like formatting, ATS compatibility, and grammar. However, they're less effective at evaluating subjective elements like narrative quality or career positioning. Use checkers for technical validation, then get human feedback for strategic advice.
Are free resume checkers as good as paid ones?
Free checkers are excellent for basic scans—grammar, formatting, ATS issues. Paid checkers often add deeper analysis (keyword optimization, industry benchmarking, custom feedback). For most job seekers, free checkers provide sufficient value. Upgrade if you're in a competitive field or senior role.
How often should I check my resume?
Check your resume in three scenarios: 1) Before EVERY application (catch any accidental changes), 2) After significant updates (new job, certification, skills), 3) Quarterly maintenance (even if not actively job searching). Takes 30 seconds and prevents embarrassing errors.
Will checking my resume guarantee I pass ATS?
While no tool can guarantee 100% ATS success (systems vary), a good resume checker dramatically increases your odds from ~25% pass rate to 70-80%. The key is following ALL recommendations, especially around formatting and standard section names.
What's the difference between a resume checker and resume scanner?
A resume checker finds errors and issues to fix. A resume scanner simulates how ATS systems parse your data. Use both: checker first to fix problems, then scanner to verify ATS can read it correctly.
Can I trust automated grammar checking?
Automated grammar tools catch 85-90% of errors but aren't perfect. They miss context-specific mistakes (e.g., 'led' vs 'lead') and industry jargon. Always do a manual proofread AND have someone else review—humans catch what machines miss.
Do resume checkers work for all industries?
Yes, core checks (formatting, ATS, grammar) apply universally. However, keyword and content recommendations may be generic. For specialized fields (academia, creative industries, tech), supplement automated checking with industry-specific resources or human experts.
What if my checker finds 20+ issues?
Don't panic! Most resumes have 15-30 improvable items on first check. Tackle systematically: 1) Critical issues first (ATS blockers, typos), 2) High priority (missing metrics, weak verbs), 3) Medium (minor formatting tweaks). You'll see dramatic improvement after addressing just the top 10.
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