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 .

Associate Solutions Consultant - London

Appian · London, United Kingdom

Here at Appian, our values of Intensity and Excellence define who we are. We set high standards and live up to them, ensuring that everything we do is done with care and quality. We approach every challenge with ambition and commitment, holding ourselves and each other accountable to achieve the best results. When you join Appian, you’ll be part of a passionate team dedicated to accomplishing hard things, together.

 

Here at Appian, our values of Intensity and Excellence define who we are. We set high standards and live up to them, ensuring that everything we do is done with care and quality. We approach every challenge with ambition and commitment, holding ourselves and each other accountable to achieve the best results. When you join Appian, you’ll be part of a passionate team dedicated to accomplishing hard things, together.

Joining Appian means leading a next-generation presales organization that is shaping the future of enterprise automation. You’ll build and scale high-performing teams, drive business outcomes through disciplined execution, and develop the next generation of Appian’s solution consulting leaders.

As an Associate Solutions Consultant, you will actively participate in the technology evaluation stage of the sales process, working in conjunction with the sales team as a technical adviser and product expert. Using technical aptitude, creativity and business acumen, you will demonstrate the value that Appian’s platform can provide to its customers and prospects. Associate Solutions Consultants assist with sales strategy within target accounts by partnering with internal colleagues to assist in building customer relationships. 

This role is based at our ​headquarters in ​McLean, Virginia. Appian was built on a culture of in-person collaboration, which we believe is a key driver of our mission to be the best. Employees hired for this position are expected to be in the office 4-5 days a week to foster that culture and ensure we continue to thrive through shared ideas and teamwork. We believe being in the office provides more opportunities to come together and celebrate working with the exceptional people across Appian. 

To be successful in this role, you need: 

  • A passion for technology and its applicability to today’s business challenges
  • A creative approach to solving business problems
  • A self-starter personality, with a positive attitude and exceptional time management skills
  • The desire to assist with tasks like requirements analysis and system design
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to command a room during a presentation
  • The ability to engage and articulate product positioning to both business and technical users in competitive scenarios

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Computer Science, Engineering, Business Information Technology or related field of study
  • Technical depth Understand customer IT and business landscapes (ERP, CRM, data, workflow, AI, partner solutions).
  • Willingness to travel; 10% requirement to support customer engagement


Solutions Consulting (SC) 2.0 is the engine powering Appian’s growth. Our Solution Consultants are co-sellers, storytellers, and trusted advisors who partner with Account Executives to lead opportunities from the first discovery through transformation execution. SSCs combine technical mastery, business consulting, domain expertise, and storytelling excellence. They are accountable for pipeline creation, technical wins, and solution strategy — operating as entrepreneurial business owners within their territories.

SC 2.0 is the engine powering our vision. Appian’s Solutions Consulting team is in the midst of an exciting transformation—redefining what it means to be a trusted advisor in today’s fast-paced, mission-driven environment. Our SCs don’t just demo features—they tell stories, co-create with customers, and help shape strategy with technical credibility and business insight. Read More About SC 2.0 Here 

You can listen to our Global SC leader, Gregg Aldana discuss SC 2.0 here

Appian’s Game Changing Solutions Consulting Team - Do you enjoy solutioning with an award winning technology? Do you like working alongside the smartest and most creative people in the tech industry? Ready to take your career to the next level and have a tremendous amount of fun in the process? Come and join one of the most exciting, energetic and emerging areas of Appian that is poised to fuel the next stage of growth of this ambitious company and your career: Solutions Consulting.   The Global Solutions Consulting organization at Appian is a team like no other out there.  We are self-starters that are passionate about our mission and are redefining what it means to work in the Pre-Sales or Sale Engineering profession.  Whether you are a seasoned veteran of Solution Consulting for many years or looking to pursue a new career in this area, this is THE TEAM…..THE COMPANY and THE MOVEMENT you want to be a part of.  Appian Solution Consulting starts with the “Why” behind the mission critical solutions that are driving success for our customers.  Through a combination of creative persona-based storytelling, technical solutioning, and business consulting, Appian’s Solution Consultants are the driving force behind helping customers understand the business value that Appian’s technology can provide during the sales cycle and beyond.   Appian’s Solution Consultants are the trusted advisors for customers, partners, sales, product, marketing and the company’s leadership.




Tools and Resources 

  • Training and Development: During onboarding, we focus on equipping new hires with the skills and knowledge for success through department-specific training. Continuous learning is a central focus at Appian, with dedicated mentorship and the First-Friend program being widely utilized resources for new hires. 
  • Growth Opportunities: Appian provides a diverse array of growth and development opportunities, including our leadership program tailored for new and aspiring managers, a comprehensive library of specialized department training through Appian University, skills based training, and tuition reimbursement for those aiming to advance their education. This commitment ensures that employees have access to a holistic range of development opportunities.
  • Community: We’ll immerse you into our community rooted in respect starting on day one. Appian fosters inclusivity through our 8 employee-led affinity groups. These groups help employees build stronger internal and external networks by planning social, educational, and outreach activities to connect with Appianites and larger initiatives throughout the company.

About Appian

Appian is a software company that automates business processes. The Appian AI-Powered Process Platform includes everything you need to design, automate, and optimize even the most complex processes, from start to finish. The world's most innovative organizations trust Appian to improve their workflows, unify data, and optimize operations—resulting in better growth and superior customer experiences. For more information, visit appian.com. [Nasdaq: APPN]

Follow Appian: LinkedIn.

Appian is an equal opportunity employer that strives to attract and retain the best talent. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

Appian provides reasonable accommodations to applicants in accordance with all applicable laws. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [email protected]. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

Appian's Applicant & Candidate Privacy Notice  

Tools and Resources 

  • Training and Development: During onboarding, we focus on equipping new hires with the skills and knowledge for success through department-specific training. Continuous learning is a central focus at Appian, with dedicated mentorship and the First-Friend program being widely utilized resources for new hires. 
  • Growth Opportunities: Appian provides a diverse array of growth and development opportunities, including our leadership program tailored for new and aspiring managers, a comprehensive library of specialized department training through Appian University, skills based training, and tuition reimbursement for those aiming to advance their education. This commitment ensures that employees have access to a holistic range of development opportunities.
  • Community: We’ll immerse you into our community rooted in respect starting on day one. Appian fosters inclusivity through our 8 employee-led affinity groups. These groups help employees build stronger internal and external networks by planning social, educational, and outreach activities to connect with Appianites and larger initiatives throughout the company.

Benefits

Appian offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and financial future. Benefits may include health coverage, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free mental health support, life and disability insurance, an Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), a retirement/pension plan, wellness dollars, tuition reimbursement, family-forming benefits and more. Benefits vary by country—please ask your Talent Acquisition contact for details specific to the location you are applying to.

About Appian

Appian provides process automation technology. We automate complex processes in large enterprises and governments. Our platform is known for its unique reliability and scale. We’ve been automating processes for 25 years and understand enterprise operations like no one else. For more information, visit appian.com. [Nasdaq: APPN]

Follow Appian: LinkedIn, Youtube, Instagram, Facebook

Appian is an equal opportunity employer that strives to attract and retain the best talent. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

Appian provides reasonable accommodations to applicants in accordance with all applicable laws. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [email protected]. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.