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 .

Scientist II/Senior Scientist Nonclinical Development

Epicbio · South San Francisco, California, United States

Who Are We?

Our company is based on the science of our founder, Stanley Qi, one of the original CRISPR co-inventors who then furthered the technology so that DNA does not need to be cut to accomplish gene regulation. Instead, we regulate the epigenome to suppress and activate multiple genes simultaneously. We are further evolving the platform and leveraging its strengths to address unmet medical needs. 

We are looking for exceptional team members who want an active role in building a rapidly growing biotech.

Position: Scientist II/Senior Scientist Nonclinical Development

Location: South San Francisco, CA

Reports to: VP of Therapeutics

Job Summary

Position Overview:

Our company is seeking an experienced Nonclinical Development Scientist II/Senior Scientist with a deep understanding of gene therapy and regulatory agency requirements. The ideal candidate will have preclinical experience in the field of gene therapy and be able to lead the development of products from the research stage through to clinical trials. The role will involve working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure the successful development of gene therapy products that meet regulatory standards and effectively translate scientific discoveries into clinical practice. Reporting to the VP of Therapeutics, this role will deliver strategic and hands-on nonclinical development, working closely with Platform Development, Bioanalytical, and CMC teams.

What you will accomplish

  • Design, oversee, perform and interpret in vivo nonclinical studies (non-GLP and GLP), including proof-of-concepts, pharmacology, biodistribution, and toxicology studies within established timelines.
  • Manage CROs and external partners
  • Write, review, and edit preclinical study reports and nonclinical sections of regulatory submissions
  • Partner with platform development scientists to inform candidate selection strategy
  • Develop PD biomarker strategy across programs and work closely with bioanalytical scientists to ensure efficient hands-off 
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of regulatory guidance 
  • Communicate effectively with Key Opinion Leader (KOLs) to maintain up to date understanding of the literature.
  • Develop strategies for preclinical development, including the identification and management of risks and opportunities.

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. or equivalent in medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, or related discipline, with a minimum of 5 years of related experience in biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry 
  • Demonstrated experience working with regulatory agencies, including leading interactions with FDA, EMA, and/or other relevant agencies.
  • Strong preclinical experience in gene therapy.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with CRO and to collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners, including regulatory agencies, academic institutions, and biotech companies.
  • Bioanalytical experience is preferred

Technical Requirements and Skills: 

  • Understanding of gene therapy and CRISPR based technologies.
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to effectively present scientific data and communicate complex scientific concepts to a wide range of stakeholders.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to effectively identify and address complex scientific and regulatory issues.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.

 

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $130,000 to $160,000 USD annually. This salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on various factors, including, without limitation, individual education, experience, tenure, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data, including potential adjustments for geographic location. 

Epicrispr Biotechnologies is an early-stage biotechnology company developing a novel technology platform that can provide safe and persistent control of targeted gene regulation. Our proprietary platform represents an entirely new class of therapeutics that can be leveraged to treat severe disease across numerous therapeutic areas, including complex diseases impacted by multiple genes.

Epicrispr Biotechnologies provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.