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 .

Structural/Graphic Designer

BCI · Reno, NV

Position Purpose:

Support development and growth through innovation, efficiency, and creative packaging design.

 

Duties & Responsibilities:

Tasks related to this position may vary and are not limited to those listed below:

 

  • Follow established safety rules, policies and procedures at all times.
  • Work with vendors on tooling, ink, and various design/production supplies.
  • Check in and service tooling such as cutting dies and printing plates.
  • Problem-solve with all departments to support efficient and safe manufacturing processes.
  • Full-time role in an office/design department setting.

 

Structural Design

  • Developing and designing structural solutions for corrugated packaging and displays.
  • Working with customer service and production team on creating and maintaining schematics vital to the workflow of manufacturing.
  • Designing manufacturing and shipping corrugated samples for the sales team and customers.

 

Graphic Design

  • Creating, adjusting, and preparing art files for a wide array of printing methods.
  • Creating, adjusting, and maintaining design and production forms.
  • Work with other departments to create innovative graphics solutions.

 

Sales and Marketing

  • Assisting in the growth of business by developing relationships with customers, and working with sales to effectively use design graphics as a sales tool.
  • Understanding marketing plans and assisting sales with growth opportunities.

 

Additional Responsibilities

  • Working with vendors on tooling, ink, and various design/production supplies.
  • Checking in and servicing tooling such as cutting dies and printing plates.
  • Problem solving with all departments to support efficient and safe manufacturing processes.
  • Other duties as assigned.

 

Desired Skills and Behavioral Strengths:

  • Basic knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud (primary Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop).
  • Basic knowledge of CAD software.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Prior work experience in the corrugated industry is a plus.
  • CAD table experience.
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, trouble-shooting and creative abilities.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

 

Desired Qualifications and Experience:

  • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree from accredited university with an emphasis in graphic design and/or structural/packaging design.
  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.
  • Good knowledge and grasp on graphic design concepts.
  • Aptitude for 3D visualization and design.
  • Attention to detail with ability to rapidly change focus between tasks and projects.
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
  • Results-oriented and able to work both independently and within a team environment.
  • Mathematically inclined

 

About BCI:

Buckeye Corrugated, Inc. (BCI) is a privately held, employee-owned company with twelve (12) corrugated manufacturing facilities, providing an extensive range of corrugated packaging products. Located in ten states, our services and capabilities include custom-designed corrugated packaging, point-of-purchase displays, point-of-sale packaging along with fulfillment and logistics. Simply stated, we do not just make boxes. We build the means to shape impressions and influence perceptions.

 

BCI provides competitive pay and a robust benefits package including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision and life insurance, disability benefits, 401(k), paid time off and holidays, as well as a bonus plan and opportunity for employee stock ownership.

Position Purpose:

Support development and growth through innovation, efficiency, and creative packaging design.

 

Duties & Responsibilities:

Tasks related to this position may vary and are not limited to those listed below:

 

  • Follow established safety rules, policies and procedures at all times.
  • Work with vendors on tooling, ink, and various design/production supplies.
  • Check in and service tooling such as cutting dies and printing plates.
  • Problem-solve with all departments to support efficient and safe manufacturing processes.
  • Full-time role in an office/design department setting.

 

Structural Design

  • Developing and designing structural solutions for corrugated packaging and displays.
  • Working with customer service and production team on creating and maintaining schematics vital to the workflow of manufacturing.
  • Designing manufacturing and shipping corrugated samples for the sales team and customers.

 

Graphic Design

  • Creating, adjusting, and preparing art files for a wide array of printing methods.
  • Creating, adjusting, and maintaining design and production forms.
  • Work with other departments to create innovative graphics solutions.

 

Sales and Marketing

  • Assisting in the growth of business by developing relationships with customers, and working with sales to effectively use design graphics as a sales tool.
  • Understanding marketing plans and assisting sales with growth opportunities.

 

Additional Responsibilities

  • Working with vendors on tooling, ink, and various design/production supplies.
  • Checking in and servicing tooling such as cutting dies and printing plates.
  • Problem solving with all departments to support efficient and safe manufacturing processes.
  • Other duties as assigned.

 

Desired Skills and Behavioral Strengths:

  • Basic knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud (primary Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop).
  • Basic knowledge of CAD software.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Prior work experience in the corrugated industry is a plus.
  • CAD table experience.
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, trouble-shooting and creative abilities.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

 

Desired Qualifications and Experience:

  • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree from accredited university with an emphasis in graphic design and/or structural/packaging design.
  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.
  • Good knowledge and grasp on graphic design concepts.
  • Aptitude for 3D visualization and design.
  • Attention to detail with ability to rapidly change focus between tasks and projects.
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
  • Results-oriented and able to work both independently and within a team environment.
  • Mathematically inclined

 

About BCI:

Buckeye Corrugated, Inc. (BCI) is a privately held, employee-owned company with twelve (12) corrugated manufacturing facilities, providing an extensive range of corrugated packaging products. Located in ten states, our services and capabilities include custom-designed corrugated packaging, point-of-purchase displays, point-of-sale packaging along with fulfillment and logistics. Simply stated, we do not just make boxes. We build the means to shape impressions and influence perceptions.

 

BCI provides competitive pay and a robust benefits package including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision and life insurance, disability benefits, 401(k), paid time off and holidays, as well as a bonus plan and opportunity for employee stock ownership.