Questions and answers

What does the checker look at?

It reads the text layer and structure of your PDF. It looks for problems such as hidden characters, text a parser reads in the wrong order, missing section headings, inconsistent dates and file metadata that looks unfinished.

What doesn't the checker look at?

Most grammar, spelling and word choice. The exceptions are matters of formatting, such as abbreviations, or a phrase that is written two different ways (go-to-market and go to market, for example).

If my resume passes, will every applicant tracking system (ATS) read it correctly?

I can't say for sure. The checker does not run any vendor's software, and most vendors do not publish their list of gotchas. It finds problems that are known to cause trouble for parsers in general, and a particular system can still behave differently.

What can it fix for me?

Each fix it can make for your file is listed under “I can fix these”. It can:

• remove hidden characters that the export added
• turn a no-break space into an ordinary space
• redraw text that is stored upside down
• make joined letters (ligatures such as fi) read as plain letters
• repair a file that lists the same internal entry twice
• remove a stray character
• set or clear the document's title, author and other metadata

Why can't it fix everything?

Wording and layout can't be changed reliably inside a PDF while keeping the page looking the way you intended. Those items are listed under “Things to fix” in your resume editing tool, along with the change to make. Export a new PDF afterwards and check it again.

Will a fixed file look different?

It looks the same, except without the stray character you chose to remove. Before a fixed file is offered, the checker confirms that the text is the same apart from the characters it meant to change, that every page renders identically outside a removed character, and that the page count is unchanged. If any of those checks fails, your file is left as it was. If you see something weird, drop me a note at atscheck@pixillusion.com and tell me.

Which files can I upload?

A PDF of up to 5 MB and 10 pages that is not password-protected or encrypted (locked against changes). If you're not working with a PDF, export your resume to PDF before uploading.

Does it work for cover letters?

Yes. Checks that only apply to resumes are skipped.

Why does it say to try again later?

The service limits requests per minute and per day so that it can stay free. Each person can check up to 30 files a day. Wait a minute, or come back tomorrow if a daily limit has been reached.

Why does a check take a moment to start?

Before each check, your browser works on a small calculation for a moment. When the service is busy it takes longer. It makes automated floods of requests expensive, so the checker stays available for people. On a slower device it takes longer.

What happens to my file?

See the privacy disclosure.

Does it cost anything?

No.