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 .

Process Engineer - Carbon

Etchinc · Baltimore, MD

ETCH is a startup commercializing a radically new and efficient decarbonization technology for the simultaneous greenhouse gas-free production of hydrogen and solid carbon from natural gas.  

The Process Engineer position at ETCH, INC will be focused on development and optimization of our current processes, as well as supporting our scale-up efforts. 

Primary duties include: the optimal design, performance, efficiency, and safety of the processes, while driving continuous improvements and innovations.

Other duties include:

  • Develop and implement equipment and strategies for handling both gaseous and solid materials
  • Monitor and analyze operational data, identifying opportunities for process optimization to maximize efficiency
  • Create process flow diagrams and conduct modeling/simulation of chemical systems
  • Test and refine process flow logistics to enhance operational efficiency
  • Collaborate with the technical and research teams to design and validate reactor modifications
  • Oversee design and development for future and larger-scale systems
  • Establish and track performance benchmarks and key performance indicators
  • Prevent workplace safety hazards by system recommendations, implementation, and routine inspections

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in Chemical Engineering or related field
  • 10+ years of experience in process engineering,
  • Experience in gas processing or solids handling industries, preferably with a focus on thermal carbon black, graphitic carbon, or similar carbon materials production
  • Background in thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Excellent communication and teamwork abilities
  • Must be able to work safely and follow safety precautions in industrial environments (temperature, humidity, noise, confined spaces, etc.).
  • Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects and provide strategic direction
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach
  • Experience with process simulation software and statistical analysis tools preferred
  • Knowledge of relevant industry standards and environmental regulations

The ability to work independently as well as in a team environment toward timely execution of goals is required.

ETCH is committed to equal opportunity for its employees. To that end, ETCH does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or other legally protected characteristic. ETCH is committed to providing qualified individuals access to all employment programs, benefits and activities on the basis of demonstrated ability, performance and merit without regard to personal factors that are irrelevant to the program involved.

Compensation commensurate with relevant experience.

View full listing