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 .

Co-op/Intern

Ceso · Columbus, OH

Are you a Survey Field Technician intern/co-op seeking purpose, challenge, and talented colleagues? With a diverse portfolio of residential, retail, commercial, and public programs, CESO has the opportunity for you to develop and learn hands on. We help coach our interns/co-ops to use their skills and talents to positively impact the world through service – to our coworkers, clients, and communities. At CESO, we empower our people to impact communities by bringing clients’ visions to life, if this speaks to you, let’s connect!  
 
At CESO, co-ops are an integral part of our company and are provided with opportunities that are both technically challenging and educationally stimulating. Under the guidance of the survey staff, you will be assigned to a team based on need and experience. You will have primary responsibilities that include: 
CESO is a principle-centered organization that aligns with strong service values, integrity, and authenticity.  We develop and inspire our Survey Field Technician interns/co-ops through training and coaching on the job.  You are an integral part of our company from day one of your rotation.  Our offices are welcoming spaces to collaborate with your teammates. In addition to a comprehensive intern/co-op program, we create memories and friendships through our employee and service events.

CESO, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This organization participates in E-Verify and is a drug-free workplace. Criminal background checks and drug/alcohol checks are required.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Assist with research of previous survey evidence, maps, deeds, physical evidence, and other records to obtain data needed for surveys
  • Clear brush and drive stakes using survey equipment
  • Operates survey equipment and records data according to CESO survey manual based on experience
  • Assist in flagging traffic on or around worksites
  • Records routine work data (ex: miles driven, daily reports, etc.)
  • Drive company vehicles to and from worksites
  • Perform other project duties as assigned

    • Position Requirements

  • High School diploma or GED required
  • Currently enrolled in Survey or Engineering classes or program preferred
  • Strong written, verbal, analytical and interpersonal skills required
  • Demonstrates flexibility in acceptance of assignments and schedule
  • Lift 25-50 pounds regularly
  • Preferred knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
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