Your alignment score tells you how closely a specific job matches your declared target role. Think of it as measuring the "distance" between where you want to be and what this particular opportunity offers. Here's what each score range really means for your career journey.
Your alignment score tells you how closely a specific job matches your declared target role. Think of it as measuring the "distance" between where you want to be and what this particular opportunity offers. Here's what each score range really means for your career journey.
What alignment score actually measures
Unlike your fit score (which predicts your chances of getting hired), your alignment score measures how well this role matches your stated career goals. A 50 alignment score isn't "bad"—it just means you're considering a transition that involves some meaningful changes.
Unlike your fit score (which predicts your chances of getting hired), your alignment score measures how well this role matches your stated career goals. A 50 alignment score isn't "bad"—it just means you're considering a transition that involves some meaningful changes.
Breaking down the score ranges
10-40: Major transitions
10 (Critically Misaligned): Roles exist in completely different domains with no transferable skills or overlap.
20 (Minimal Connection): Vastly different functions but may share 1-2 basic workplace skills (communication, etc.).
25 (Distant Relation): Different industries and functions but some foundational business skills overlap.
30 (Limited Overlap): Shares some general professional competencies but requires major career pivot.
40 (Weak Alignment): Some relevant skills transfer but significant gaps in core function or industry knowledge.
50-70: Manageable shifts
50 (Moderate Connection): Reasonable skill overlap but still represents a notable career transition.
60 (Adequate Similarity): Clear skill transfer with manageable transition requirements.
70 (Good Alignment): Strong skill overlap, minor adjustments needed for target role.
75-100: Familiar territory
75 (Solid Match): Very similar roles with good transferable experience.
80 (Strong Alignment): Same function or industry with minor differences in scope/level.
85 (High Similarity): Nearly identical roles with small variations in environment or responsibility.
90 (Exceptional Match): Same core function and industry, minimal differences.
95 (Near-Perfect Fit): Virtually identical roles with only cosmetic differences in title/company.
100 (Exact Match): Perfect alignment with target role—function, industry, seniority, and mandate.
Why lower scores aren't necessarily bad
Here's the thing: a 50 alignment score might actually represent an exciting growth opportunity. Career transitions often involve stepping into adjacent roles that help you build new skills and expand your expertise.
The key is being intentional about it. If you're seeing alignment scores in the 25-50 range, ask yourself:
Is this transition part of a longer-term career strategy?
Will this role help you build skills for your ultimate target?
Are you ready for the learning curve that comes with a career shift?
What this means for your applications
75-100 alignment: You're in familiar territory. Focus on demonstrating why you're the best candidate for this specific version of your target role, highlighting your direct experience.
50-70 alignment: You're considering a manageable shift. Spend extra time in your application explaining why this transition makes sense for your career trajectory and how your current skills transfer effectively.
25-50 alignment: You're exploring a more significant pivot. Be prepared to tell a compelling story about why this change aligns with your goals and how you'll bridge any skill gaps.
10-25 alignment: This is a major career change. Make sure you're clear on why you want to make this leap and have a solid plan for how you'll succeed in this new territory.
Using alignment scores strategically
Think of your alignment score as a navigation tool, not a judgment. Higher scores mean you're staying close to familiar territory, while lower scores indicate you're exploring new professional horizons.
Both paths have merit—it just depends on where you are in your career journey and what you're trying to achieve. Sometimes the most rewarding opportunities come from roles with moderate alignment scores that push you to grow in new directions.
Next steps
Ready to explore roles at different alignment levels? Start by filtering your job search by alignment score ranges that match your current career strategy. If you're looking to grow within your expertise, focus on 75+ scores. If you're ready for a manageable transition, don't be afraid to explore those 50-70 opportunities that could open new doors.
Curious about fit scores? See this related article.
