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 Chef / Cooks

ATS Resume Checker for Chef / Cook

Check your chef / cook 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 chef / cook keywords checked · Results in 30 seconds

Check My Chef / Cook Resume →See Chef / Cook Keywords

Free ATS Scan

No Credit Card

61 Keywords

Trusted by 3,000+ job seekers

What does ATS look for in a Chef / Cook resume?

Updated March 2026

22skills is a free ATS resume checker that scans chef / cook 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 chef and cook resumes prioritize named food safety certifications, kitchen systems, and culinary technique terms. The most commonly filtered terms include ServSafe Certification, HACCP, and food cost management. 22skills scans your chef resume against the job description to surface exactly which certification and kitchen keywords are missing.

Average Salary

$30,000 - $55,000

Job Growth

8% 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

Chef / Cook ATS Keywords to Check

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

Culinary Skills

Menu DevelopmentRecipe CostingFood PreparationKnife SkillsPlating and PresentationPortion ControlInventory ManagementFood Cost ControlCooking TechniquesSauce PreparationBakingGrillingSauteingBraising

Kitchen Operations & Systems

Point of Sale (POS) SystemsToast POSKitchen Display System (KDS)Inventory Management SoftwareScheduling SoftwareVendor Ordering SystemsLabor Cost ManagementPurchasingRecipe Management SoftwareReservation Systems (OpenTable)

Food Safety & Compliance

HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point)Food Handler CertificationServSafe CertificationHealth Department RegulationsSanitation StandardsAllergen AwarenessTemperature ControlCross-Contamination PreventionFood Storage StandardsOSHA Kitchen Safety

Certifications

ServSafe Manager CertificationCertified Executive Chef (CEC)Culinary Arts DegreeAllergen Awareness CertificationWine and Beverage CertificationNutrition CertificationCertified Sous Chef (CSC)Food Protection Manager Certification

Leadership & Team Management

Kitchen Staff SupervisionStaff TrainingShift SchedulingVendor RelationsMenu CostingTeam LeadershipPerformance ManagementCross-TrainingConflict ResolutionLine Cook Supervision

Soft Skills

Time ManagementCreativityAttention to DetailCommunicationMultitaskingStress ManagementPhysical StaminaAdaptabilityTeamwork

About the Chef / Cook Role

Chefs and cooks plan menus, prepare food, and oversee kitchen operations in restaurants, hotels, and catering settings. They manage food cost and inventory, train and supervise kitchen staff, and ensure compliance with food safety and sanitation standards. The role requires strong culinary technique, the ability to work efficiently under time pressure, and leadership skills to run an organized, safe kitchen during service.

Key Responsibilities ATS Screens For

Develop and cost menu items while managing overall food cost percentage
Prepare and plate dishes according to recipe and presentation standards
Supervise and train line cooks and kitchen staff during service
Maintain compliance with HACCP, ServSafe, and health department regulations
Manage inventory, vendor ordering, and kitchen supply levels
Coordinate kitchen workflow with front-of-house staff during peak service

Chef / Cook Career Path

Line Cook / Prep Cook (0-2 years)

Sous Chef (2-5 years)

Head Chef / Kitchen Manager (5-8 years)

Executive Chef (8-12 years)

Culinary Director or Restaurant Owner

Where Chef / Cooks 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.

Full-Service RestaurantsHotels and ResortsCatering ServicesInstitutional Food ServiceQuick-Service Restaurants

Salary range: $30,000 - $55,000 · 8% projected growth (2024-2034), per the U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024

Check your Chef / Cook resume now

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

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ATS Tips for Chef / Cook Resumes

Name your food safety certifications explicitly, such as "ServSafe Manager Certification" or "HACCP", these are standard ATS keywords in kitchen postings

Quantify kitchen scope: "Managed food cost at 28% while supervising a team of 8 line cooks" shows both financial and leadership impact

List the POS or kitchen display system used (Toast POS, Kitchen Display System) to match restaurant-specific ATS filters

Include specific cooking techniques and cuisine specialties rather than only listing "cooking" as a skill

Common Chef / Cook Resume Mistakes That Hurt ATS Scores

Not listing food safety certifications like ServSafe or HACCP by name

Omitting food cost percentage or budget management figures

Leaving out team size and supervisory scope when applicable

Failing to name the POS or kitchen display system used

Describing cooking generically instead of naming specific techniques and cuisine specialties

Chef / Cook ATS Resume Checker FAQ

What keywords do ATS systems look for in a chef or cook resume?

ATS systems scan chef and cook resumes for food safety certifications (ServSafe Certification, HACCP, Food Handler Certification), kitchen systems (Toast POS, Kitchen Display System, inventory management software), culinary skills (menu development, plating and presentation, portion control), and leadership terms (kitchen staff supervision, staff training). Restaurant group ATS platforms often filter directly on ServSafe or HACCP compliance status.

How important is ServSafe certification on a chef resume?

Very important, especially for management-level kitchen roles. ServSafe Manager Certification is a widely recognized credential that many restaurant and hotel employer ATS systems screen for directly, since it demonstrates food safety compliance knowledge required by health departments. List it in a Certifications section along with any HACCP training you have completed and keep it current.

Should I include food cost percentage on my resume?

Yes, if you managed a budget or menu costing responsibilities. A statement like "Managed food cost at 28% while supervising a team of 8 line cooks" combines a financial metric with a leadership scope, which is a strong signal for sous chef, head chef, and executive chef roles where cost control is a core responsibility.

Do I need to name the specific POS or kitchen system I used?

Yes. Naming the specific system, such as Toast POS or a Kitchen Display System, gives the ATS an exact keyword match rather than a vague mention of "restaurant software." Many restaurant groups standardize on one platform and list it explicitly in job postings, so matching the exact name improves your resume match rate significantly across applications.

ATS Checkers for Related Roles

🍽️Waiter / Server 💳Cashier 🎧Customer Service Representative

ATS Resume Checkers by Role

← Back to ATS Resume Checker · See all Chef / Cook resume keywords → · See a Chef / Cook resume example →

About this guide

This Chef / Cook 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 chef / cook job descriptions across Full-Service Restaurants, Hotels and Resorts, Catering Services, 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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