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 .

Client Report Services - Senior Analyst

Callan · Portland, OR, or San Francisco, CA

About the Position Callan is seeking a new team member to join our Client Report Services (CRS) team in the following Callan locations:   Portland, OR, or San Francisco headquarters. As a senior analyst at Callan, a leading independent investment consulting firm, you will have an opportunity to support some of the largest, most sophisticated institutional investors in the U.S., including pension and defined contribution plans, endowments, foundations, insurance companies, and health care organizations. Our goal is to identify a candidate with a genuine interest in investments, data analysis, and reporting, has intellectual curiosity, strong project and time management skills and a true appreciation for the value of building strong, trusted relationships with clients and fellow Callan colleagues.    Please note: This position will be expected to work a hybrid schedule, with approximately one to two (1-2) days a week in the office.   As a senior analyst in CRS, you will generate investment measurement reports for clients, providing important insights into their portfolio performance. Along the way, you will hone the fundamentals of investment measurement reporting, learn the specific needs of large institutional investors, and build critical skills to take your career to the next level.   ·        Working among more than 20 investment professionals who make up the CRS group, you will produce investment reports for about 10 large institutional clients. This includes all phases of report generation using proprietary systems, as well as third-party data vendors.   ·        A key part of your day will involve collaborating with the Callan general consultant and clients. You will also serve as a mentor to junior analysts and assist with group projects/enhancements.   ·        Over time, you will develop an area of specialization, depending on your interest and skills (e.g., private equity, real assets, ESG, defined contribution, quality control, and software testing).   Approximately 75% of your time is dedicated to client reporting with the balance focused on mentoring and departmental items.   What’s Unique about This Role? Callan believes our organization and culture are made stronger through a broad array of perspectives and experiences. Collaborating with various teams throughout the company, you will work with some of the highest-quality and most complex clients in the country to help them achieve their investment goals. Along with having an appreciation for Callan’s unique and collaborative culture, your ability to demonstrate success in the skill sets we seek is of greater importance than your years of experience.   Primary Duties:   Data Collection and Evaluation: ·          Calculate returns using custodial statements ·          Reconcile returns with investment managers ·          Obtain client information from investment managers/recordkeepers ·          Generate portfolio characteristics ·          Verify dividends/capital changes   Production of Investment Measurement Reports: ·          Interact with clients and consultants on report content ·          Check returns and analysis for content and reasonability ·          Respond to special requests ·          Obtain non-custodial information for mutual/commingled/real estate/private equity funds ·          Generate custom reports using various proprietary software programs   Mentorship and Department Resource: ·          Mentor junior analysts through training, review of quarterly work product, and ongoing interaction ·          Assist with CRS group training through research and education of complex topics or new reporting features (e.g., attribution analysis, overlay programs, GASB 67 reporting ) ·          Provide input regarding department enhancements (e.g., education/training, processes, workflow, deliverables) ·          Participate in new technology testing ·          Contribute to research projects and publish deliverables with other specialists/departments   Job Skills and Requirements   Skills: ·          Excellent and effective interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills ·          Build and maintain relationships internally and externally ·          Advanced technical skills with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Access   Characteristics: ·          Strong interest in investments, data analysis, and reporting ·          Resourceful and self-motivated and great deal of patience ·          Responsive, detail-oriented, and accurate with the ability to meet deadlines ·          Ability to work independently in an unstructured environment managing multiple deadlines   Education and Experience: ·          Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in finance, statistics, mathematics, or related degree ·          Experience of 5-7+ years in the investment industry or performance background preferred ·          Interest in obtaining CIPM or CFA designation ·          Mentoring experience preferred   Compensation, Benefits & Training   At Callan, you can expect: ·          A generous compensation and benefits package, including base salary, bonus, 401(k) matching, profit-sharing, health/medical/dental/vision benefits, monthly communications stipend, tuition assistance, and more ·          Training for all Callan databases, research, and other systems ·          Access to team-building events, community outreach opportunities, and wellness events As an employee-owned firm, Callan is committed to giving long-term successful professionals an opportunity to become equity partners. Visit www.callan.com/careers to learn more about Callan’s culture, benefits, and more.