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 .

Inside Sales Representative

Chubb · Halifax, NS, ca

  • Manage incoming requests from your Senior Fire Systems Sales Leader, responding in a complete and timely manner.
  • Proactively reach out to potential customers via phone, email, and other channels to generate sales opportunities.
  • Support the Senior Fire Systems Sales Leader by providing information to conduct product demonstrations and presentations to showcase our offerings and address customer needs.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with clients to ensure customer satisfaction and maximize retention.
  • Collaborate with the sales team to develop and execute strategies for achieving sales targets and objectives.
  • Utilize CRM software to manage leads, track sales activities, maintain accurate records and create invoices following delivery.
  • Review, monitor, and follow up on open customer orders, providing lead times and updated information as required.
  • Incoming deficiency quoting and customer follow-up for timely resolution
  • Assist in releasing equipment for immediate delivery
  • RMA and Change Order request activity, processing and follow-up.
  • Assist with communicating project schedules when required.
  • Experience in inside sales, field sales, or account management in a B2B environment.
  • Experience in fire protection, safety, industrial sales, or technical service is considered an asset.
  • Proficient in MS Office, CRM systems, and inventory management systems.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a professional demeanor.
  • Passion for sales, relationship-building, and working in a target-driven environment.
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle is required.

More about the position:

  • Ability to work with minimal supervision.
  • Excellent time management skills; able to work under pressure.
  • Solid analytical, organizational, and communications skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills; effective at building relationships

Our offerings include:

  • Competitive compensation and benefit package
  • Vehicle allowance and gas card
  • RRSP matching
  • Employee Discounts
  • Learning and Development opportunities
  • Reward and Recognition Program
  • A culture of performance & accountability
  • A supportive and positive team environment

Background Check Requirements:

As a condition of employment, this position may be subject to the successful completion of the following pre-employment conditions:

  • Criminal Background Check
  • Reference Check

We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace for all. If you are contacted for a job opportunity, please advise us of any accommodations needed to ensure fair and equitable access throughout the recruitment and selection process.