> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.arco.careers/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How arco Scores Your Job Matches

> Learn how arco calculates match scores from 0 to 100 using your profile, CV, and the full job posting. Understand what each color means and how to improve your scores.

Every job arco shows you carries a score from 0 to 100. The score answers a simple question: based on your experience, would you be a real candidate for this specific role? It is not a keyword match. arco reads the full job posting and assesses it against your profile and your CV.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Green (High)" color="#4A9D6F" icon="check-circle">
    Strong fit. Your experience lines up with what the employer is asking for.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Gold (Middle)" color="#D4A017" icon="eye">
    Plausible fit with gaps. Worth a look, and likely worth tailoring your CV before applying.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Coral (Low)" color="#E07A5F" icon="circle-x">
    Weak fit. Usually a level mismatch, a discipline mismatch, or a hard requirement you don't meet.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## What goes into your score

arco weighs several factors when scoring each role:

* **Your profile answers** — target roles, experience level, location, salary expectations, company stage, work type, and anything in the free-text field.
* **Your CV, if uploaded.** This is the biggest single factor in accuracy. arco extracts your full history.
* **Relevant experience, not total experience.** If you've had a 13-year career but 8 of those years are in the discipline a job is asking for, arco scores against the 8.
* **The posting itself** — requirements, seniority, responsibilities, and stated conditions.

## Why a score might look lower than you expect

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="No CV uploaded">
    Upload your CV and scores get sharper. Without it, arco relies only on your profile answers.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Level mismatch">
    A Lead role scored against a mid-level CV will score low even if the discipline is a perfect match.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Discipline mismatch">
    A UX Researcher posting scored against a Product Design CV will reflect that gap honestly.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Hard requirement you don't meet">
    Language, certification, or clearance requirements pull scores down significantly.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Tip>
  The scores are meant to be honest. arco doesn't grade generously. A low score is information, not a verdict on you.
</Tip>

## Improving your score on a specific job

Use the AI Coach's [Guided Optimization](/ai-coach/guided-optimization) to get tailored suggestions for a specific role.

## Related articles

* [Red and Green Flags](/job-matches/red-and-green-flags)
* [How Your CV Affects Your Scores](/your-cv/how-your-cv-affects-scores)
* [My Scores Look Wrong](/troubleshooting/scores-look-wrong)