Review of Toptal Resume checker for ATS compliance and resume development tools
Toptal Resume is an online resume platform created by Toptal. Their ATS resume checker is built according to real recruiter insights and industry requirements.
Unlike other resume checkers, this tool is specially designed for technical job applications. It analyzes every aspect of such applications in-depth, including formatting, keyword usage, impact, and more.
Explore this guide to learn more about Toptal Resume’s tools, their features, and the advantages and disadvantages.
Confused about a good resume document? Learn more through ProResumes blogs.
What type of job applicants should use the Toptal Resume checker before submitting their application?
The TopTal Resume checker is built by recruiters who have real-world tech hiring knowledge. It is best for individuals who are software engineers, data scientists, developers, and more.
The makers of this platform and tool have reviewed more than 2.7 million job applications. Moreover, they’ve also conducted around 120,000 job interviews in the Tech field.
The background of the makers and their insights about recruiting are one of the major unique propositions of this tool.
What is the process of using the Toptal Resume scanner for checking ATS compliance?
According to Toptal Resumes’ claim, the ATS checker analyzes job applications like the company’s software or a recruiter. If you’re working in the tech industry and want to ensure the readability of your document before submission, follow these steps:
Upload the resume
The first step is to find the official website of the resume platform and open the resume ATS checker webpage. The job applicants can easily spot the drag-and-drop area to upload their existing resume. However, one should only use a 5MB PDF or Word document.
Moreover, job applicants who don’t have a resume should use the AI resume builder to create one first.
Enter the work position
After the resume uploads, the platform requires the applicant to share the target work position. If you’re unaware of the target work position or job title, include the current one. This step is important to customize the scan according to your professional level and industry.
Get a resume evaluation
The complete resume analysis takes approximately 15 minutes for completion. Moreover, the tool detects your email address from the resume and sends the resume review report to the applicant. The review report includes the overall ranking, separate element ranking, and suggestions for improvement.
What are the main elements covered during ATS resume scanning by the Toptal Resume checker?
The resume analysis by Toptal Resume covers the following categories and scores them separately for the applicants:
Target job fit
Before the resume scanning, the ATS checker requires details like the applicant’s work position of the applicant or job title. This helps the scanner in analyzing the details of your resume according to the target work position. The resume checker compares your resume with the best ones from the industry having similar job titles.
Keyword analysis
The resume checker analyzes the document for missing keywords according to the work position. It also suggests the missing keywords along with the suggestions in the resume review report.
Achievements and impacts
The resume scanner analyzes the resume sections like work experience and professional summary for results-focused language. It verifies the impact of the bullet points and recommends that applicants include measurable results through metrics and numbers.
Formatting and ATS readiness
The scanner also analyzes major formatting of the resume. This includes resume format, resume font, file type, layout, and more. The Toptal Resume checker highlights all the major formatting issues and ATS readiness to help the application beat the bots.
Language and communication
The ATS score checker compares the applicant’s resume with the best ones from the industry to analyze language. It completely scans the document for the right tone and professionalism conveyed through the resume content.
Personal and professional data
The resume checker also analyzes the details of the applicant in the resume, including active contact information and social accounts. Moreover, the scanner analyzes the date formatting in the resume according to the regional standards followed by the industry.
Background and expertise
The scanner also analyzes the relevance of the content in your resume according to the industry standards. It highlights the level of resume content and details required according to your professional level, with the help of the job title.
How to use the AI resume builder from Toptal Resume?
Don’t have an existing resume document? You can create one with the help of the AI resume builder by following these steps:
Choose a resume template
The Toptal Resume platform provides a collection of ATS-friendly resume templates for various industries. These templates are also approved by the recruiters and hiring managers. So, the first thing is to select one of the templates that aligns with your role and industry.
Moreover, the candidates who already have an existing resume can easily update it through the AI resume builder.
Share career details
The second step is to provide authentic and relevant details for all the resume sections, including:
- Contact information
- Resume summary
- Work experience
- Education
- Skills
- Additional sections
The resume builder carefully adds all the important details to the resume template in a structured and organized manner. Moreover, the tool also ensures that the layout is readable for human readers and applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Download the resume
Once your resume is completed, review it properly or use the ATS resume checker. The job applicants are also required to sign up for the Toptal Resume user account to download the finalized version of their resume. The final version of the resume can be downloaded in the PDF or DOCX version.
What is the purpose of the cover letter generator by Toptal Resume, and how does it work?
The cover letter generator is a free tool that is provided to help job seekers who are stuck. It utilizes AI technology to help with the quick development of the cover letter by following these steps:
- The cover letter generator creates a targeted document for better results. It requires the target job title and job description for working on a draft.
- The applicants can also share their resume to get a more personalized cover letter for the target job.
- The job applicants can easily download their cover letter in a PDF file format.
What are the main benefits of using the resume tools by Toptal Resume?
The users who have utilized the services of this platform experienced the following benefits:
Industry-focused analysis
This ATS checker is ideal for tech professionals since the algorithm of the tool is trained with technical industry standards. Moreover, it helps the applicants in analyzing resume issues like a lack of keywords and measurable impact.
It also provides a list of strong skills that should be included in a resume according to the applicant’s professional expertise.
ATS-friendly resume templates
Toptal Resume claims to provide ATS-friendly resume templates that can easily beat the applicant tracking system. These resume templates not only look organized and professional for recruiters but are also easily parsed by automated screeners.
AI-based resume optimization
The tools like AI resume builder and cover letter generator utilize AI technology to tailor the documents. The AI suggestions are impactful and help the applicant with resume content optimization and keyword matching.
Quick resume review
The resume review is provided to the applicant via email within a few minutes. This feature is a benefit for users who want urgent resume optimization services.
Free resume scanning
The ATS resume checker provides a limited number of free resume scans. These resume reports cover all the basic optimization for automated systems with scores.
Actionable insights
The tool utilizes data from recruiter insights and AI technology to provide actionable advice for applicants. These suggestions can be applied to job applications to improve their compatibility with automated systems.
What are the disadvantages of using the resume services from Toptal Resume?
Apart from the advantages offered by Toptal Resume, here’s a list of some major drawbacks too:
Generic resume analysis
The biggest issue with this resume scanning tool is a generic resume score. Similar to the other online resume checkers, Toptal Resume is also not linked to any ATS software used by organizations.
This simply means that having a high ATS score by this software doesn’t guarantee a high score from the target organization’s software.
Focus on the tech industry
The focus on the technical industry by this tool is both a benefit and a drawback. The algorithms are trained according to the practices and resume requirements for tech-based roles. This makes the tool useless for professionals belonging to other industries and job positions.
Keyword stuffing issue
Since the checker is built with AI technology, the suggestions it provides for optimization can be inaccurate at times. Moreover, many applicants end up stuffing keywords in their resume to get a high ATS score. These applications are often too robotic for human resume readers.
Doesn’t guarantee hiring
Many applicants think that having a good ATS score with an online tool is the ultimate approval. Getting a good score from these tools only means that your resume application can be easily parsed by an ATS.
However, getting a recruiter’s approval and a job interview chance depends on factors like your experience, resume content, and impact.
What are the premium services offered by Toptal Resume for job seekers?
Toptal Resume offers an unlimited subscription, which includes perks like the following:
- Unlimited resume generation
- Unlimited resume downloads
- Unlimited resume evaluations
- Unlimited cover letter generation
The job applicants can subscribe to the unlimited subscription package for $2.95 per week. After these 7 days, the resume company will eventually charge $19.95 every month from the user’s bank account.
The applicants who don’t want their subscription renewal after 7 days should cancel it from their user account.
Are you still relying on ATS resume score checkers instead of optimizing your resume content? Get in touch with ProResumes and get a free resume review and an actual ATS scan to refine your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the common misconceptions regarding ATS resume checkers?
We have observed a surge of online ATS resume checkers with the advancement of AI technology. However, many applicants believe in some misconceptions regarding these tools, which are very different from reality.
The common misconceptions include the following:
- ATS resume checkers just count keywords: Keyword optimization is one of the main elements analyzed during the scan by such tools. However, it is not the only element. The best ATS resume checkers analyze the application for formatting, content, impact, and readability issues as well.
- ATS checkers are an all-in-one solution: The job seekers expect a one-stop solution for good and optimized applications. However, the resume platforms can’t offer a full-fledged solution for all the resume requirements.
Moreover, every tool offers a unique element that’s better than others, but still lacks several things.
- Recruiters will select applications that clear the ATS scan: Due to all the noise regarding the ATS optimization and scanning, applicants have stopped focusing on the resume content. However, passing an ATS scan doesn’t guarantee an interview if your resume lacks impact and readability for human screening.
Q. Are the free online resume scanning tools reliable?
Yes, many online and some of the best ATS resume checkers like Jobscan and Resume Worded are reliable. These platforms provide resume ranks and AI-based insights to improve the applications according to best industry practices.
Q. Why do most of the Tech resumes fail at the time of ATS screening?
Job applicants in the tech industry often face ATS rejection because of the following resume mistakes:
- Wrong file type: According to the general information, many applicants submit their resumes in either PDF or Word format because of compatibility. However, some of the candidates submit PDF files that are unreadable, which often breaks the application during parsing.
- Parsing errors: Rigid ATS scanners like Workday can’t read the applications with complex formatting. It is necessary for applicants to ensure a clear and simple structure and layout for their applications. Moreover, they should stick to readable resume fonts and consistent styles.
- Non-standard headings: Many job applicants use non-standard headings for the resume sections, which are not readable for ATS software. For example, you should use “professional summary or resume summary” instead of using “About me”.
- Wrong or missing keywords: The ATS software mostly scans a resume on the basis of its alignment with the job description. However, if the application lacks essential keywords from the job description, it eventually gets rejected. Moreover, the overuse of keywords and inclusion of irrelevant phrases can also impact your ATS score.
Q. Why should job seekers avoid getting obsessed with a perfect ATS score?
Many job applicants worry about getting a good ATS score due to the rank achieved by online resume checkers. However, this should be avoided because sometimes a low ATS score is due to the lack of alignment with the tool’s requirements.
However, the issue with these resume review tools is that they often train their algorithms with biased data. This is why many applicants receive low scores, because the platform wants to compel users to purchase their solution.
Q. Is the Toptal Resume scanner better than the Jobscan and Resume Worded ATS scanner?
According to customer reviews, Jobscan and Resume Worded are the best ATS resume checkers. These applications not only cover the formatting, readability, and keyword issues but also provide smart optimization tips.
However, the premium features offered by these resume platforms come at a cost. These features are in the paid packages with $49.95 monthly charges for Jobscan and $49 per month for Resume Worded.
Meanwhile, the Toptal Resume checker’s advanced features, like actionable feedback, are part of their paid version. However, their monthly charges are around $19.95 per month for the users, which is a lot cheaper than the other resume tools.
Moreover, this resume checker also offers more benefits for professionals who are a part of the Tech industry. Considering this, the applicants who want advanced suggestions and advice should use the other scanners. Meanwhile, Tech professionals and those with a tight budget can try Toptal Resume scanning.