Key Takeaways

  • 75% of U.S. employers use automated applicant tracking systems to screen resumes before a human reviews them (Harvard Business School & Accenture, 2021)
  • The most common ATS failures are missing keywords, incompatible formatting, and incorrect file types
  • ResumeGeni scores your resume across 8 parsing layers — modeled on the same steps enterprise ATS platforms like Workday, Greenhouse, and Taleo use to evaluate candidates

How ATS Resume Scoring Works

Applicant tracking systems parse your resume into structured data — extracting your name, contact info, work history, skills, and education — then score how well that data matches the job requirements. Many ATS rejections happen because the parser couldn't extract critical fields, not because the candidate wasn't qualified.

LayerWhat It ChecksWhy It Matters
Document extractionFile format, encoding, readabilityCorrupted or image-only PDFs fail immediately
Layout analysisTables, columns, headers, footersMulti-column layouts break field extraction
Section detectionExperience, education, skills headingsNon-standard headings cause sections to be missed
Field mappingName, email, phone, dates, titlesMissing contact info is a common cause of immediate rejection
Keyword matchingJob-specific terms, skills, certificationsKeyword overlap affects recruiter search visibility and ATS scoring
Chronology checkDate ordering, gap detectionReverse-chronological order is expected by most ATS
QuantificationMetrics, numbers, measurable outcomesQuantified achievements help human reviewers and some scoring models
Confidence scoringOverall parse quality and completenessLow-confidence parses get deprioritized in results

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ResumeGeni free?
Yes. ResumeGeni is currently in beta — ATS analysis, scoring, and initial improvement suggestions are free with no signup required. Full guidance and saved reports may require a free account.
What file formats are supported?
PDF, DOCX, DOC, TXT, RTF, ODT, and Apple Pages. PDF and DOCX are recommended for best ATS compatibility.
How is the ATS score calculated?
Your resume is processed through an 8-layer parsing pipeline that extracts structured data the same way enterprise ATS platforms do. The score reflects how completely and accurately your resume can be parsed, plus how well your content matches common ATS ranking criteria.
Can ATS read PDF resumes?
Yes, but not all PDFs are equal. Text-based PDFs parse well. Image-only PDFs (scanned documents) and PDFs with complex tables or multi-column layouts often fail ATS parsing. Our analyzer will flag these issues.
How do I improve my ATS score?
Focus on three areas: use a clean single-column format, include keywords from the job description naturally in your experience bullets, and ensure all sections (contact, experience, education, skills) use standard headings.

ATS Guides & Resources

Built by engineers with 12 years of experience building enterprise hiring technology at ZipRecruiter. Last updated .

Graphic Designer (Contractor)

Airia · Atlanta, GA

Who We Are:

At Airia, we're a team of innovators, technologists, and problem-solvers united by a shared vision: making enterprise AI accessible, secure and impactful. Our diverse team brings together deep expertise in artificial intelligence, enterprise software, and industry-specific knowledge to tackle the most pressing challenges facing modern businesses. We believe in responsible innovation, putting our customers' needs first, and building solutions that create lasting value.

Who You Are:

You are a creative and detail-oriented Graphic Designer with a passion for visual storytelling and branding. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and are able to transform complex ideas into compelling visuals. You have excellent communication skills and are adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality design solutions.

What You Will Do:

As a Graphic Designer at Airia, you will support the marketing team by creating engaging and visually appealing graphics and layouts for various marketing materials. This can be a part-time or full-time contract. 

Core Responsibilities:

  • Develop visual concepts and designs for digital and print marketing materials, including brochures, social media graphics, tradeshow booths, email campaigns, and web graphics.
  • Collaborate with the marketing team to ensure designs align with brand guidelines and effectively communicate key messages.
  • Create and edit visual content for presentations, infographics, and other promotional materials.
  • Stay updated on design trends and best practices to ensure innovative and effective design solutions.
  • Manage multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to deadlines and maintaining high-quality standards.

What We Need from You:

  • Proven experience as a Graphic Designer or in a similar role, with a strong portfolio showcasing your design skills and creativity.
  • Experience in designing enterprise, B2B marketing materials. 
  • Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
  • Experience designing Tradeshow booths and materials.
  • Strong understanding of typography, color theory, and layout principles.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
  • Excellent time management skills and the ability to handle multiple projects with varying deadlines.

Airia is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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