What is an ATS resume checker?

An ATS resume checker analyzes your resume against a specific job description and returns a keyword match score from 0 to 100%. According to the Jobscan 2024 ATS Usage Report, 98.4% of Fortune 500 companies use applicant tracking systems to rank candidates before a recruiter reviews them. 22skills runs the check in under 30 seconds and returns your score plus a prioritized list of missing keywords.

Is the ATS resume checker free?

Yes. 22skills gives you 1 free ATS scan with no signup and no credit card. A free account raises the limit to 5 scans per month. Pro is $14.99/month (or $39 per quarter) with unlimited scans and AI-powered resume rewriting, compared to Jobscan at $49.95/month for similar scan volume.

What is a good ATS score?

Aim for 70% or higher to clear most automated filters, and 80% or above for senior roles or postings with heavy competition. Below 60% usually means several required skills from the job description are missing. See the full guide: What ATS score do you need?

Can I run my resume through an actual ATS?

Not directly. Employers' systems are not open to candidates. An ATS checker simulates the two things those systems do with your file: parse the text and match it against the job description. That is what 22skills tests, and it is why the result predicts whether you pass the keyword filter.

Why is my resume being rejected by the ATS?

The most common reasons are missing keywords from the job description, formatting the parser cannot read (tables, text boxes, multi-column layouts, graphics), non-standard section headings, and skills spelled differently than the posting spells them. Greenhouse reported an average of 244 applications per job opening in March 2026, so those mismatches decide who gets read. One scan shows all of them.

Should I upload a PDF or a DOCX?

Either works with modern systems as long as the file contains selectable text. If the posting asks for a specific format, follow it. Otherwise a text-based PDF keeps your layout stable across systems. Never upload a scanned image or a design-tool export that flattens text into graphics. 22skills accepts PDF uploads and pasted text.

Do I need a different resume for every job?

You do not need to rewrite your history, but you should tailor the summary, skills section, and top bullet points to each posting. Tailoring is what moves a score from the sixties into the eighties. 22skills is built for that loop: scan, add missing keywords, rescan, apply. Start from one master resume and create a tailored version per job.

How does keyword matching work?

22skills uses exact matching (case-insensitive) and fuzzy matching with a Levenshtein distance of two or fewer edits, so "Javascript" and "JavaScript" count as one keyword and minor misspellings are not penalized. The dictionary holds 500+ ATS keywords with synonyms and variants. Keywords marked as required in the posting weigh more than nice-to-haves. More in How ATS software works.

What is the difference between a resume scanner and a resume checker?

In practice the terms are used interchangeably. A scanner reads your file the way a parser does; a checker also compares it with a job description and scores the match. 22skills does both in one scan: it parses your PDF or text, then scores it against the posting you paste.

Which applicant tracking systems does this cover?

The checker does not imitate one vendor. Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, Taleo, SAP SuccessFactors, and iCIMS all parse slightly differently, but they share the same signals: keyword match, recognizable sections, and readable text. 22skills tests those shared signals, which is what transfers between systems.

How does this compare to checking my resume with ChatGPT?

You can paste both documents into ChatGPT and ask for feedback, but you get unstructured text, no consistent score, and nothing saved between applications. 22skills runs the same class of AI models inside a fixed pipeline that returns a 0 to 100% score, matched and missing keyword lists, and prioritized suggestions, and keeps your history so you can track improvements across versions.

Are free ATS checkers accurate?

Only if they compare your resume with the real job description. A checker that grades formatting alone misses the main reason resumes are filtered out: missing keywords from the specific posting. 22skills runs the same AI models on the free tier as on Pro and matches against 500+ ATS keywords, so a free scan uses the same scoring engine as a paid one. The only difference is scan volume.

Yes. Anonymous scans are not stored. With an account, your analyses are stored in the EU and only you can see them. You can delete your account and all data at any time. We never sell resumes, share them with recruiters, or train models on them. See Security.

What is the best free ATS resume checker?

The best free checker scores your resume against a specific job description rather than giving a generic format grade. 22skills returns a job-targeted score, your matched and missing keywords, and prioritized fixes on the free tier. Many alternatives call themselves free but gate the job-targeted analysis behind a paid plan (Jobscan from $49.95/month, Resume Worded Pro $49/month). Compare: Best ATS resume scanners in 2026.

🎨 ATS Checker for Graphic Designers

ATS Resume Checker for Graphic Designer

Check your graphic designer resume for ATS compatibility. Scan against 61 role-specific keywords, get your ATS score, and see exactly what's missing.

Free scan, no signup needed · 61 graphic designer keywords checked · Results in 30 seconds

Check My Graphic Designer Resume →See Graphic Designer Keywords

Free ATS Scan

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61 Keywords

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What does ATS look for in a Graphic Designer resume?

Updated March 2026

22skills is a free ATS resume checker that scans graphic designer resumes against job descriptions, checking 61 role-specific keywords across 6 categories. It shows exactly which keywords are missing and provides an ATS compatibility score (0-100%).

ATS systems screening graphic designer resumes look for specific design software, deliverable types, and production terminology mentioned in the job posting. The most commonly filtered terms include Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Figma, and brand identity design. 22skills scans your graphic designer resume against the job description and shows exactly which software, design, and production keywords are missing.

Average Salary

$40,000 - $62,000

Job Growth

3% projected growth (2024-2034), per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

ATS Keywords Tracked

Salary and growth data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024

Graphic Designer ATS Keywords to Check

These are the keywords ATS systems scan for in graphic designer resumes. Use 22skills to check which ones your resume is missing.

Design Skills

Brand Identity DesignLogo DesignTypographyLayout DesignColor TheoryPrint DesignDigital DesignPackaging DesignIllustrationIcon DesignInfographic DesignMarketing Collateral DesignUI Design

Software & Tools

Adobe PhotoshopAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe XDFigmaSketchCanvaAdobe After EffectsAdobe Premiere ProCorelDRAWProcreateAdobe Creative Cloud

Web & Digital Design

Web DesignResponsive DesignSocial Media GraphicsEmail Template DesignLanding Page DesignMotion GraphicsWireframingPrototypingVideo Editing

Print & Production

PrepressPrint ProductionFile Preparation for PrintColor CorrectionCMYK/RGB Color ManagementLarge Format PrintingDie-Cut DesignBleed and Trim SetupVector Graphics

Process & Collaboration

Design BriefsClient PresentationsBrand GuidelinesStyle Guide DevelopmentDesign CritiqueRevision ManagementCross-functional CollaborationProject Management Software (Asana, Monday.com)

Soft Skills

CreativityAttention to DetailTime ManagementCommunication SkillsAdaptabilityProblem SolvingCollaborationFeedback ReceptivenessOrganizationVisual Storytelling

About the Graphic Designer Role

Graphic Designers create visual content for brands across print and digital channels, including logos, marketing collateral, social media graphics, and packaging. They use tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma to translate design briefs into polished, on-brand deliverables. The role requires strong visual and typographic skills, attention to production detail, and the ability to incorporate feedback from clients or stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities ATS Screens For

Design brand identity assets including logos, style guides, and marketing collateral
Create layouts for print and digital materials using Adobe Creative Cloud tools
Develop social media graphics, email templates, and landing page visuals
Collaborate with marketing and product teams to interpret design briefs
Prepare final files for print production, ensuring correct color and bleed settings
Present design concepts to clients or stakeholders and incorporate feedback through revisions

Graphic Designer Career Path

Junior Graphic Designer / Design Intern (0-2 years)

Graphic Designer (2-5 years)

Senior Graphic Designer (5-8 years)

Art Director or Design Lead (8-12 years)

Creative Director

Where Graphic Designers Are Hired

Each industry uses different ATS systems and prioritizes different keywords. Tailor your resume to the specific industry and company you're applying to.

Advertising & Marketing AgenciesPublishingTechnology CompaniesRetail & E-commerceDesign Studios

Salary range: $40,000 - $62,000 · 3% projected growth (2024-2034), per the U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024

Check your Graphic Designer resume now

Paste your resume and a graphic designer job description. Get your ATS score and see which of these 61 keywords you're missing.

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ATS Tips for Graphic Designer Resumes

Name the specific design software used, such as Adobe Illustrator, Figma, or Adobe InDesign, since these are high-frequency ATS keywords

Include a portfolio link prominently, since many hiring managers screen manually after ATS keyword matching

List both print and digital design experience separately if you have both, since postings vary in emphasis

Mention brand guideline or style guide development, which signals senior-level design ownership

Common Graphic Designer Resume Mistakes That Hurt ATS Scores

Not naming specific software used, such as Adobe Illustrator or Figma

Submitting a resume without a link to an online portfolio

Listing "designed graphics" generically instead of specific deliverables (logos, packaging, social media graphics)

Omitting print production knowledge for roles that require both print and digital design

Failing to mention brand guideline or style guide development experience

Graphic Designer ATS Resume Checker FAQ

What ATS keywords do graphic designer job postings filter for?

Graphic designer postings commonly filter for software (Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Figma, Adobe XD), design deliverables (brand identity design, logo design, packaging design, infographic design), digital skills (web design, social media graphics, motion graphics), and production terms (prepress, print production, color correction). Match the specific software and deliverables named in the job posting, since agencies and in-house teams often specialize in different tool stacks.

Does a graphic designer resume need to mention Figma or just Adobe tools?

It depends on the role. Traditional print and brand design roles often emphasize Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop, while digital product and UI-focused roles increasingly require Figma or Adobe XD. List every tool you are proficient in, since job postings vary significantly in which platform they filter for, and many design teams now use both Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma together across a single project workflow.

How do I show design impact on a graphic designer resume for ATS?

Pair the keyword with a specific outcome, for example: "Redesigned brand identity and packaging design for a product line, contributing to a 20 percent increase in retail shelf visibility." This captures keywords like brand identity design and packaging design for ATS matching while demonstrating business impact beyond a simple task list, which is what separates strong design resumes from generic ones.

How should I format a graphic designer resume for ATS?

Use a clean single-column layout with headings such as Summary, Skills, Experience, and Portfolio. List your software proficiencies and design specialties in the Skills section, and repeat specific terms like motion graphics or print production within your experience bullets. Include a portfolio link, and avoid overly designed resume templates that ATS parsers may fail to read correctly, even if they look impressive to a human eye.

ATS Checkers for Related Roles

✏️UX Designer 📣Marketing Manager 🎯Product Manager

ATS Resume Checkers by Role

← Back to ATS Resume Checker · See all Graphic Designer resume keywords → · See a Graphic Designer resume example →

About this guide

This Graphic Designer ATS keyword guide is maintained by the 22skills team and updated regularly based on analysis of real job postings and ATS screening patterns. Keywords are sourced from active graphic designer job descriptions across Advertising & Marketing Agencies, Publishing, Technology Companies, and other industries. Salary and job growth data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Last reviewed: March 2026.

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