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 .

Senior User Researcher

Creditgenie · New York, NY

Company 

Credit Genie is a mobile-first financial wellness platform designed to help individuals take control of their financial future. We leverage artificial intelligence to provide personalized insights and are building a financial ecosystem by offering tools and services that provide instant access to cash, and building credit. Our goal is to empower every customer to achieve long-term financial stability.


Founded in 2019 by Ed Harycki, former Swift Capital Founder (acquired by PayPal in 2017). Backed by Khosla Ventures and led by industry pioneers from companies such as; PayPal, Square, and Cash App, we are well positioned to build the future of inclusive finance through cutting-edge technology and customer-centric solutions.

Overview


At Credit Genie, we build financial tools that improve people's lives — and research ensures we're solving the right problems. We're looking for a Senior User Researcher to lead how we understand our customers, their needs, and opportunities to improve. You'll own the full research lifecycle, from discovery to delivery, using a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods. This role requires someone who combines strong research rigor with creativity, moves quickly, and enjoys engaging directly with customers.

What you'll do

  • Own research strategy and roadmap for key product areas, prioritizing based on impact and risk.

  • Design and execute end-to-end studies, from scoping through synthesis and activation.

  • Conduct customer interviews, usability testing, surveys, and feedback sessions to uncover insights.

  • Blend qualitative and quantitative data to develop clear, actionable recommendations.

  • Partner cross-functionally with Product, Design, Engineering, and Data to influence decisions.

  • Translate research into compelling insights, frameworks, and artifacts that shape product direction.

  • Advocate for the customer in roadmap and strategy discussions.

  • Contribute to research operations, best practices, and mentorship.

Requirements

  • 5–8+ years of UX/User Research experience in product environments.

  • Strong mixed-methods expertise (qualitative and quantitative).

  • Proven ability to lead customer interviews and research initiatives end-to-end.

  • Excellent study design, analytical thinking, and communication skills.

  • Experience with common research and analytics tools.

  • High ownership, strong judgment, and ability to operate in ambiguity.

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.

Nice to have

  • Fintech or regulated industry experience.

  • Experience with advanced research methods (e.g., segmentation, experimentation).

  • Background in building or scaling research practices.

Success in this role

  • Research meaningfully influences product strategy and decisions.

  • Strong, ongoing feedback loops with customers.

  • Faster, more confident decision-making across teams.

  • High engagement from cross-functional partners.

Growth opportunities

  • Expand research across multiple product areas.

  • Build and lead a research team.

  • Shape Credit Genie's research practice and culture.

Benefits and Perks

Our goal is to provide a comprehensive offering of benefits and perks that promote better financial, mental, and physical wellness.

We believe working alongside each other in person is the best way to build a great product and foster a strong company culture. Our expectation is that employees are in the office five days a week, allowing for optimal collaboration, inclusivity, and productivity. At the same time, we understand that life happens and recognize the importance of flexibility. We are committed to supporting our employees when circumstances arise that require remote work or adjusted schedules. Our goal is to ensure everyone can effectively balance personal and professional responsibilities while maintaining our collaborative and productive environment.

Here are some highlights of our benefits and perks offerings, feel free to ask your recruiting partner for more details on our comprehensive offering for employees.

  • 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents on your first day of employment. 

  • Receive up to $100 per month in fitness reimbursement or enjoy a complimentary full membership to LifeTime Fitness or Equinox.

  • 401(k) with a 3.5% match and immediate vesting 

  • Meal program available for both lunch and dinner

  • Pre-tax benefits, including a $1,000 HSA match

  • Life and accidental insurance

  • Flexible PTO

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Base salary is just one part of your total compensation and rewards package at Credit Genie. You may also be eligible to participate in the bonus and equity programs. You will also have access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan with company match, short & long term disability insurance, life insurance, and flexible PTO along with many other benefits and perks.

Credit Genie is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer where we welcome and celebrate differences. We are committed to providing a workspace that is safe and inclusive, where everyone feels supported, connected, and inspired to do their best work. If you require any accommodations to participate in our recruitment process, please inform us of your needs when we contact you to schedule an interview.