Is 72 a Good ATS Score?

An ATS score of 72 is decent but not great. Most career experts recommend aiming for a score of 80 or higher to maximize your chances of passing automated screening. A score of 72 means your resume matches about 72% of the criteria the ATS is looking for, which puts you in the middle of the pack for most positions.

ATS scoring typically ranges from 0 to 100. Scores above 80 are considered strong matches. Scores between 60 and 80 indicate you meet some but not all requirements, and you may need to add more relevant keywords or adjust your formatting. Scores below 60 suggest significant gaps between your resume and the job description.

To improve your score from 72, start by comparing your resume to the job description side by side. Look for keywords, skills, and qualifications mentioned in the posting that are missing from your resume. Add these terms naturally where they truthfully apply to your experience.

Common quick fixes include adding the exact job title the posting uses (if applicable to your experience), including specific software or tools mentioned in the requirements, adding relevant certifications or education, using standard section headings that ATS systems recognize (like 'Work Experience' instead of 'Professional Journey'), and removing graphics, tables, or complex formatting that confuse ATS parsers.

Be careful not to keyword-stuff or misrepresent your qualifications. ATS systems increasingly detect manipulation, and human reviewers will catch dishonesty during interviews.

Practical takeaway: A score of 72 is a good start. Review the job description for missing keywords and add them naturally to push your score above 80.