Let’s be honest—no matter how much experience you have, the job market in India has become fiercely competitive, especially for mid-senior professionals. You’re probably sending out dozens of applications, only to hear crickets. It’s frustrating, and it’s even worse when you don’t know why you’re getting ghosted. That’s where the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) comes in—and your ATS resume score can make or break your chances before a human recruiter ever lays eyes on your profile.

Today, I’m going to walk you through exactly what a good ATS score looks like, why it matters, and how you can improve yours so you’re not just another CV buried in a database.

Why Should Mid-Senior Professionals in India Care About ATS?

If you’re thinking, “I have 12 years of experience—surely I don’t need to worry about ATS,” let me stop you right there. Whether you’re applying to an MNC in Bangalore, a fast-growing startup in Gurgaon, or a reputed conglomerate in Mumbai, chances are your resume is going through an ATS filter.

Here’s why ATS matters so much:

• Volume of Applications: Recruiters are receiving hundreds of resumes per role.

• Automation: ATS parses, ranks, and filters resumes automatically.

• Keyword Relevance: Even if you’re highly qualified, your resume can be rejected if it lacks relevant keywords.

Think of ATS as a gatekeeper. It doesn’t care about your impressive track record unless your resume talks in the same language as the job description. Your ATS score is essentially your passport to the shortlist.

So, What Exactly Is an ATS Resume Score?

In simple terms, your ATS score is a percentage that reflects how closely your resume matches the job description. It’s determined by factors like:

• Keyword matches (skills, job titles, certifications)

• Overall relevance

• Formatting compatibility

• Readability and structure

Different ATS software has different scoring algorithms, but most systems work on a 0–100 scale.

What Is a Good ATS Score Range?

I know you’re here because you want a concrete answer, not a vague “it depends.” So here’s the practical benchmark:

• Below 50%: Low match. Very unlikely to get shortlisted.

• 50–65%: Moderate match. Possible, but risky.

• 65–80%: Strong match. Competitive in most cases.

• 80–100%: Excellent match. High probability of moving to human review.

Ideal Target:

For Indian mid-senior professionals applying to roles with high competition, you should aim for at least 75%, preferably 80% and above.

Why such a high bar? Because you’re not just competing against freshers—your peers have equally strong experience, and the ATS is ruthless in filtering.

Common Reasons Mid-Senior Professionals Get Low ATS Scores

You’d be surprised how often seasoned professionals get tripped up by seemingly minor mistakes. Let’s break down the common pitfalls:

Overly Designed Templates

• Fancy graphics, tables, or columns often confuse ATS parsing.

• Stick to clean, standard formats in Word or PDF.

Generic Descriptions

“Handled multiple projects” isn’t as powerful as “Managed SAP implementation projects with a 15-member cross-functional team.”

Missing Keywords

• If the job asks for “Stakeholder Management,” don’t just say “Client Coordination.”

• Mirror the language in the job description.

Wrong File Formats

• Some ATS systems don’t parse PDFs accurately.

• Always check the employer’s preferred file type.

Ignoring Job Titles

If the role is “Senior Project Manager,” and your title says only “Manager,” consider adding context (e.g., “Manager (Project Management)”).

How to Improve Your ATS Resume Score Step by Step

I won’t just tell you to “add keywords.” Here’s a concrete roadmap you can follow:

1. Start with the Job Description

Print out or copy the job description into a document. Highlight:

• Repeated keywords (e.g., Agile, SAP, Budgeting)

• Mandatory skills

• Certifications or qualifications

• Soft skills emphasized (e.g., Leadership, Communication)

This becomes your master keyword list.

2. Mirror the Language Naturally

Don’t just dump keywords randomly. Weave them organically into your achievements:

Before:

“Responsible for project delivery.”

After:

“Led Agile project delivery, managing a team of 10 to implement SAP solutions within budget and timeline.”

See the difference? The second version is keyword-rich and specific.

3. Use a Clean, ATS-Compatible Format

Avoid:

• Tables

• Headers/footers with important text

• Fancy fonts

Stick to:

• Standard headings (Professional Summary, Work Experience, Education, Skills)

• Bullet points

• Clear section separation

4. Optimize Your Professional Summary

Your summary should be a 3–4 line elevator pitch incorporating key terms:

Senior Project Manager with 12 years’ experience in Agile and Waterfall methodologies, specializing in SAP implementation, stakeholder management, and cross-functional team leadership.

This alone boosts your relevance score.

5. Include Both Acronyms and Full Forms

If the role mentions “ERP,” mention both:

• Expertise in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions including SAP and Oracle.

• This ensures the ATS catches the term, no matter which variant it’s scanning.

6. Validate Your Score Before Applying

Use ATS checkers like: https://nxtjob.ai/ats-resume-checker

Upload the JD and your resume, and see your score. Adjust until you hit at least 75–80%.

Does a High ATS Score Guarantee an Interview?

I wish I could tell you yes, but the reality is more nuanced. A strong ATS score increases your chances dramatically, but:

• Recruiters may still prioritize referrals.

• Your experience and compensation expectations must align.

• Your LinkedIn presence matters too.

Think of your ATS score as the foundation—without it, you won’t even get a foot in the door.

Additional Tips for Indian Professionals

Many mid-senior candidates in India overlook cultural and regional nuances. Here are a few extra pointers:

• International Companies: Use global terminology (e.g., “Talent Acquisition” instead of just “HR”).

• Indian Startups: Emphasize versatility and cross-functional skills.

• MNCs: Highlight process orientation, compliance, and certifications (PMP, ITIL).

Tailor your resume tone to the company culture.

Final Words: Take Ownership of Your ATS Success

If you’ve been wondering why your applications are vanishing into the void, now you know—ATS is often the silent judge behind the curtain. But you don’t have to feel powerless. Treat your resume like a living document. Customize it for every role, benchmark your ATS score before applying, and stay consistent with your branding across platforms.

And remember—if you’re a mid-senior professional, you have years of experience worth showcasing. The trick is making sure the software recognizes it before a recruiter does. When in doubt, revisit the job description and ask yourself: “Does my resume make it painfully obvious that I’m the ideal candidate?” If the answer is anything less than a resounding yes, keep tweaking.

You’ve worked hard to build your career. Don’t let a faceless algorithm stand in your way.