Check how well your CV matches a specific job advert

Why a match score matters more than a 'good' CV

A CV can be well written and still score poorly against a specific advert simply because it uses different words for the same skills. If the advert asks for 'stakeholder management' and your CV says 'client relations', an ATS keyword search may not connect the two, even though you have the relevant experience.

The match score tool reads both documents the way an ATS or a recruiter skimming quickly would, comparing required skills, tools, certifications and seniority level, then returns a percentage score along with the specific terms that are missing or under-represented.

How the comparison works

The tool extracts the core requirements from the job advert, including hard skills (software, methodologies, certifications), soft skills, years of experience and education level, then checks each one against your CV text. Requirements mentioned near the top of the advert or repeated more than once are typically weighted more heavily, since employers tend to list their priorities first.

Reading your results

• Match score: an overall percentage indicating how closely your CV aligns with the advert
• Missing keywords: specific terms from the advert not currently found in your CV
• Strengths: requirements you already meet clearly
• Gaps: requirements you do not meet, with suggestions on how to address or reframe them
• Quick wins: small edits, like adding a keyword you already have relevant experience for but phrased differently

What counts as a good score

Adding keywords honestly

The goal is never to add a keyword you cannot back up in an interview. Instead, look for cases where you already have the underlying experience but described it differently. If you managed a shared inbox and handled escalations, and the advert asks for 'customer complaint resolution', it is accurate and effective to use that exact phrase.

Avoid keyword stuffing, such as listing a long block of unrelated terms at the bottom of the CV in white text or a tiny font. Modern ATS software and recruiters both recognise this tactic, and it can hurt rather than help your application.

What this tool will not tell you

A high match score does not guarantee an interview, since factors like your overall presentation, portfolio, or reference checks also matter. It also cannot judge cultural fit or salary expectations. Use the score as a strong signal about screening likelihood, not a full evaluation of your candidacy.

When to use CV vs Job Match instead of CV Review

Use this tool whenever you have an actual job advert in front of you. If you are exploring a type of role in general, without a specific vacancy, the CV Review tool is a better fit since it evaluates your CV against typical expectations for that role rather than one exact posting.