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 .

Track Supervisor

Cn360 · Valemount, British Columbia, CA

At CN, everyday brings new and exciting challenges. You can expect an interesting environment where you’re part of making sure our business is running optimally and safely―helping keep the economy on track. We provide the kind of paid training and opportunities that long-term careers are built on and we recognize hard workers who strive to make a difference. You will be able to thrive in our close-knit, safety-focused culture working together as ONE TEAM. The careers we offer are meaningful because the work we do matters. Join us! Job Summary The Track Supervisor - Canada is responsible for managing the operations of an assigned territory that involves track inspection and repairs as well as replacing rails, ties, switches and ballasts. Main Responsibilities · Manage engineering operations as outlined in CN’s operating plan · Supervise a team of Assistant Track Supervisors who are responsible for rail inspection · Supervise and manage activities of track gangs, track inspectors, and hyrail operations · Manage engineering operations which includes enforcing compliance with safe work procedures, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) guidelines, and CN policies and regulations · Lead people with clear direction and goals while providing coaching and guidance to employees through regular performance monitoring · Apply collective agreement and company policies by conducting investigations, recommending corrective actions, and responding to grievances · Ensure compliance with Transport Canada rules and regulations · Manage budgets and workforce productivity within CN policies and the Five Guiding Principles · Ensure clear communication of track condition and daily production information to senior management in order to make adjustments · Participate in activities related to derailments and disruptions in service, while working with Transportation and Mechanical to determine cause and future prevention Working Conditions The role will be partially performed in an office environment as well as outdoors in various types of weather and environmental conditions with irregular hours, including nights, weekends and holidays. The position may be relocated if necessary. The role requires travelling (50%+), at times without advance notice. Due to the nature of the role, the incumbent must be able to meet tight deadlines, handle pressure and manage stress. The position requires responding to unexpected and emergency situations, and being able to lift up to 70 lbs. Requirements Experience Relevant Work Experience · Safety compliance experience · Experience in troubleshooting and problem solving · Relevant work experience in similar working conditions or in a regulatory or safety environment · Budget management experience · Labour Relations experience (i.e. interpretation of collective agreements, response to grievances, negotiations with union representatives, discipline, etc.)* · Experience as an Assistant Track Supervisor and in construction program supervision · Experience supervising a unionized workforce Education/Certification/Designation · High School Diploma · Post-Secondary Diploma* · Valid driver’s licence · Have received courses and training required for inspection and railroad Operations *Any knowledge for any of the above would be considered as an asset Competencies · Follows safety procedures, information security instructions and Environmental, principles to lead by example · Identifies risks and anticipates impacts to ensure a safe and secure environment · Displays a customer centric attitude · Leverages feedback and coaching to improve performance · Tracks metrics to achieve ambitious targets and holds self and others accountable to meet performance expectations · Shares timely information within and across functions to get things done effectively · Inspires others with impactful communications and adapts to the audience · Deals with pressure and change by staying calm to quickly adapt to changes · Responds with agility and reacts quickly · Shows initiative and empowers others to raise CN’s collective game Technical Skills/Knowledge · General Microsoft Computer skills* · Conducting investigations after an accident* *Any knowledge for any of the above would be considered as an asset