Preparing Resumes (PDF Tips)

Updated 11 June 2026

Overview

The analyzer needs selectable text to understand a resume. If a PDF is just an image (a scan or photo), the system can’t detect keywords or experience, and scores may be missing or low. Text-based PDFs exported from Word or Google Docs work best and are the industry standard for applicant tracking systems (ATS).

How It Works

The analyzer attempts to extract selectable text from each PDF. If a text layer exists, it reads content and looks for your keywords and experience indicators. If the PDF is only an image (no text layer), the analyzer can’t find matches. Using OCR can add a text layer, but quality varies—ask for original text-based exports when possible.

Step-by-Step Guide

Fields Table

Field Explanations

Resume Text

The extracted text used for scoring. Empty/garbled text results in weak scoring.

AI Score

Depends on readable content; improves when resumes contain real, parsable text.

Tips

Common Mistakes

Image

Preparing Resumes (PDF Tips)