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 .

Project Manager

Ciena · Japan- Tokyo- Marunouchi

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact.

Are you ready to make a significant impact at Ciena? As a Project Manager, you will oversee the successful implementation of projects, ensuring all milestones and deliverables are met while fostering strong relationships with internal teams and customers. You’ll play a critical role in driving project success through effective planning, coordination, and communication. Join us and be part of a team that values collaboration, innovation, and excellence.

How you’ll make an impact:

  • Initiate and maintain project schedules based on information provided by Sales, Sales Engineers, and customers, ensuring accurate milestone dates are communicated throughout the project.
  • Coordinate with stakeholders across Implementation, Engineering, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance, and Partners to ensure deliverables are understood and ownership is established.
  • Actively manage project schedules and milestones using Microsoft Project, ensuring cohesive planning and resource allocation.
  • Provide primary project reporting for internal teams and external customers, including consolidated project profitability charts for executive reviews.
  • Identify, quantify, and mitigate risks while maintaining project documentation in compliance with Ciena Networks PM processes.
  • Organize and lead meetings and conference calls to evaluate progress and address issues, fostering positive customer relationships at the project level.
  • Manage project scope through implementation of the Change Management Plan, ensuring customer acceptance and project completion.

The must haves:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
  • 5+ years of experience in project management, preferably in telecommunications or technology sectors.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Project and other project management tools.
  • Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
  • Knowledge of risk management and change management processes.
  • Experience working with cross-functional teams and external customers.

Nice to have:

  • PMP certification or equivalent.
  • Familiarity with supply chain activities and resource planning.
  • Experience with Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and Responsibility Assignment Matrix.
  • Ability to generate periodic reports concerning project issues and progress status.
  • Previous experience managing vendor relationships and incorporating milestones into project plans.

#LI-SM #LI-Hybrid


At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard.  Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.

Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.

View full listing