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 .

Legal Counsel (930880)

Equus · Louisville, KY, us

The Legal Counsel, Employment is a newly created role to support APM’s growth and continued development as the world’s leading human services provider. Coming from a strong employment background, this individual will play a key role in management of employment and labor matters associated with APM’s growing health portfolio. The role will also assist APM’s legal business partners in advice, disputes, claims and other matters affecting our diverse group of businesses. Knowledge or interest in commercial law would also be beneficial.

Creating Opportunities. Changing Lives. Equus Workforce Solutions® is the most comprehensive provider of workforce development services in North America, assisting over a million job seekers and thousands of employers annually. We are drivers and collaborators for workforce systems change, including quickly adapting to changes in legislation, job seeker demographics and market and industry changes. We work every day to change lives, advance economies and help communities thrive. If this is your passion, join us. Start here. Let us take you where you want to go. 

    Experience and Key Skills
    •    Experience as employment litigator or in-house employment legal counsel - essential.
    •    Privacy / technology / commercial law experience - desired.
    •    Admission and good standing to practice law in a US State - KY preferred, with ability to gain corporate counsel admission in KY required.
    •    Advanced skills in Microsoft Office suite of programs - essential.

    Capabilities
    •    Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written).
    •    Excellent analytical skills.
    •    Strong coordination and time management skills.
    •    Ability to engage and consult with multiple stakeholders.
    •    Highly versed in negotiating.
    •    High degree of self-motivation.
    •    Strong influencing, negotiating and relationship building skills.
    •    Strong attention to detail.
     

    All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

    Extensive standing, and sitting and continuous computer, phone, and deskwork required. Work will be primarily in a defined office environment with specified hours. Will require one on one and group interaction with individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds. Must be available for occasional out of office meetings, conferences, training, and other events as needed.

    Equus Workforce Solutions is a leading provider of workforce development services in North America. With a dedicated and passionate team, Equus puts the industry’s best practices to work by focusing on the development, design, and delivery of demand-driven workforce solutions.

    When you join Equus, you can expect extensive learning opportunities and networking programs. But most of all you can expect to make a lasting impact on the lives of others.

    At Equus we are strengthened by diversity. We are committed to providing a work environment in which everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. Equus Workforce Solutions is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, religion, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or reprisal or any other characteristic protected under state, federal, or local law.