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 .

Director of Survey

Atwellgroup · Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

Who We Are

Atwell, LLC is a bold leader in the consulting, engineering, and construction services industry, delivering a broad range of creative solutions to clients in the real estate & land development, and energy markets. We have a strong national presence and a diverse, award-winning project portfolio. Atwell is a privately owned company, with 2,000+ passionate team members across 70+ locations and growing!

Atwell, LLC is a proud recipient of the following 2025 awards:

  • Ten consecutive years in a row as a “Best Place to Work” by Zweig Group (#11)
  • Recognized as #70 in the ENR Top 500 Design Firms, ranked in every region
  • Recognized in Crain's “Fast 50” as one of the fastest-growing companies (#14)
  • Recognized as the 2025 ENR Design Firm of the year for the Southeastern US

Are you a seasoned leader with a passion for surveying excellence? As the guiding force behind our survey projects, your expertise will shape our future.

Responsibilities: 

  • Strategic Planning: Develop and execute an annual Project Manager Business Plan, guiding our survey efforts towards excellence.
  • Client Collaboration: Collaborate closely with clients and management to define project objectives and create comprehensive proposals.
  • Contractual Wizard: Ensure strong contractual relationships with clients, negotiating and securing signed agreements before project kick-off.
  • Financial Stewardship: Manage project invoicing and accounts receivable collection, ensuring alignment with contractual agreements.
  • Communication Catalyst: Foster internal communication, sharing information, and encouraging dialogue across teams, sectors, and our organization.
  • Client Relationships: Cultivate strong client relationships, keeping them informed and addressing concerns promptly.
  • Business Development: Drive growth through marketing support, presentations, proposal follow-ups, and nurturing client relationships.
  • Project Documentation: Maintain efficient project documentation and collaboration via web-based software.
  • Team Mentorship: Coach, counsel, and mentor team members, empowering their professional growth.
  • Systematic Excellence: Maintain accurate project inputs, ensuring adherence to our quality standards.
  • Continuous Learning: Stay updated with industry trends, attending workshops, reviewing publications, and participating in professional societies.
  • Performance Pioneer: Achieve performance objectives, meeting or exceeding designated targets related to chargeability, invoicing ratio, revenue goals, and more.
  • Technical Proficiency: Apply fundamental survey and engineering concepts independently as needed.
  • Team Orchestrator: Assist in organizing the project team, assigning responsibilities, and collaborating with sub-consultants when necessary.
  • Analytical Insight: Analyze project information and trends, intervening to ensure project objectives are met.
  • Financial Guru: Contribute to financial objectives by managing budgets, schedules, expenditures, and invoicing.
  • Results Reporter: Report project outcomes to management and provide insights for continuous improvement.
  • Collaborative Maestro: Work with stakeholders to define timeframes, budgets, staffing, and project schedules.
  • Team Player: Contribute to our team-oriented environment, achieving collective results.

Qualifications: 

  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with strong listening abilities.
  • Proven experience in survey project management and leadership roles.
  • Ability to independently apply fundamental engineering, environmental, land planning, and survey concepts.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills to handle multiple projects and deadlines.
  • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with clients and stakeholders.
  • Strong business acumen and ability to contribute to business development efforts.
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field (surveying, engineering, or similar) is required; advanced degree is a plus.
  • Professional licensure/certification 

Join our team and be part of a company that values innovation, collaboration, and excellence. Together, we will make a difference in the surveying industry while advancing your career. 

#LI-WW1

 

Atwell Benefits: To attract and retain the best professionals in the industry, we aim to provide an excellent working environment and a progressive benefits program designed to support your personal and professional needs.

Work/Life:

  • Generous Paid Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Flexible work schedules are available for some positions
  • Tenure Awards — Travel Vouchers to see the world based on your travel preferences

Compensation:

  • Competitive Compensation packages 
  • Annual bonuses, spot bonuses and peer recognition awards
  • 401K match - 1:1 up to 4% of compensation 
  • Tuition Assistance<