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 .

Head of Finance

Elgin Energy · Dublin

Elgin Values

Core behavioural responsibilities for all employees
 

Agility We Lead with Agility  
Integrity We Act with Integrity
Excellence We Empower Excellence
CareWe Value Care

Job Description

Are you a strategic, results-driven finance leader ready to drive financial direction, performance, and influence high-level decision-making at Elgin?

We are seeking an experienced Head of Finance to lead our financial operations. As a key member of the leadership team, you will oversee financial planning, analysis, budgeting, and reporting, while driving efficiency, managing risk, and supporting sound decision-making across the organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned finance professional who thrives in a dynamic environment and is passionate about building strong teams, financial strategy, and making a lasting impact.

What You Will Do:

Leadership
  • Serve as a key member of the leadership team, driving strategic decision-making by delivering financial insight and analysis, and ensuring alignment with company KPIs and performance objectives.
M&A and Project Financing
  • Lead due diligence processes in respect of M&A activity, ensuring seamless post-acquisition integration into existing operations.
  • Collaborate with Tax to design and implement tax-efficient structures across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Partner with the transactions and corporate finance teams to manage partnerships with financial institutions and investors.
Financial Reporting and FP&A
  • Manage the financial operations and reporting of the group, overseeing group audit requirements and ensuring compliance objectives are achieved.
  • Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting to ensure alignment with strategic corporate goals.
  • Monitor financial performance, proactively identify risks, and implement corrective actions.
Risk Management & Compliance
  • Assist in the identification, assessment, and mitigation of financial, operational, and regulatory risks across the group.
  • Lead the Group Audit and Risk Committee, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the audit process and risk management structures.
  • Maintain full compliance with UK and European financial regulations, tax obligations, and industry standards.
  • Uphold strong internal controls, audit processes, and governance to safeguard financial integrity.
Stakeholder Relations & Investor Engagement
  • Build and maintain strong investor relationships, ensuring transparent and timely communication and reporting.
  • Lead the preparation and presentation of high-quality financial reports and investor materials.
  • Oversee financial integration and reporting for business expansion initiatives across Europe, ensuring consistency and compliance with group standards.
Team Leadership & Development
  • Lead and develop a high-performing finance team, cultivating a culture of accountability, excellence, and continuous improvement.
  • Design and scale a best-in-class finance function to support Elgin’s growth trajectory and evolving business needs.
  • Champion digital transformation by adopting and integrating advanced financial technologies to enhance efficiency, insight, and control.

Your profile

What You Will Need
  • ACA/ACCA preferred. Tax qualification (CTA/AITI member) a distinct advantage.
  • Demonstrable progressive financial leadership experience in a Head of Finance or Senior Finance role.
  • Proven experience developing and executing financial strategies in a high-growth environment.
  • Knowledge of project financing, capital markets, and corporate transactions; knowledge of the renewable energy sector is a distinct advantage.
  • Strong understanding of UK and European regulatory frameworks, tax structures, and financial reporting requirements.
  • Commercial acumen, with experience in process improvement, governance, and stakeholder management.
  • A track record of leading financial teams, driving process improvements, and fostering innovation.
  • Strong influencing, negotiation, and communication skills.
View full listing