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 .

Mid-Level Litigation Associate

Icemiller · Columbus, OH

Join a team that’s winning cases, growing talent, and shaping the future of trial practice.

Ice Miller is seeking a mid-level Commercial Litigation Associate (4 to 6 years of experience) to join our Litigation Practice Group, preferably in our Columbus office. If you're looking for a place where your ideas matter, your development is taken seriously, and your work makes a tangible difference for clients, you will feel right at home here.

As part of our collaborative, nationally recognized litigation team, you’ll take on meaningful responsibility, lead teams, and contribute directly to strategy, execution, and client relationships. We value attorneys who want to build a career, and we’ll invest in your growth every step of the way.

What You’ll Do:

You’ll play a key role in driving cases forward and developing strategic solutions for business‑critical disputes. In this role, you will:

  • Own core aspects of complex litigation, from case assessment to pleadings, discovery strategy, motion practice, depositions, and oral advocacy
  • Lead and manage business disputes in federal and state courts and before arbitration panels
  • Shape case strategy, draft briefs and motions, and prepare fact and expert witnesses
  • Mentor and supervise junior team members, contributing to their development and strengthening our practice
  • Build trusted client relationships, serving as a strategic advisor to in-house counsel, executives, boards, and other decision-makers
  • Grow your practice, partnering with firm leadership on business development initiatives, proposals, client presentations, and new opportunities—with a clear and supported path to advancement

What You Bring:

  • J.D. from an accredited law school with strong academic credentials
  • 4+ years of experience practicing law in a law firm or in-house environment
  • Active law license in Ohio
  • Excellent writing, advocacy, and analytical skills
  • Business judgment, initiative, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
  • Must have permanent authorization to work in the United States

What We Offer:

  • Competitive compensation in a collegial, mid-size firm environment
  • Quality benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement programs
  • One-on-one career coaching and professional development programming
  • A supportive culture centered on mentorship, advancement, and innovation
  • The salary range for this position is $187,000 to $225,000 based on experience, plus opportunities for discretionary and hours-based bonus

Ice Miller LLP embraces a work environment that is collaborative, welcoming, and focused on growth.  To maintain our culture, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace where talented attorneys from all backgrounds serve our clients, focus on professional development, and perform to their highest potential. Ice Miller is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 

 

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