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 .

Civil Structural Engineer

KBR · Richmond, Virginia

Title:

Civil Structural Engineer

KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) provides holistic and value-added solutions across the entire asset life cycle. These include world-class licensed process technologies, differentiated advisory services, deep technical domain expertise, energy transition solutions, high-end design capabilities, and smart solutions to optimize planned and operating assets.

KBR is looking for a Civil Structural Engineer to independently apply advanced engineering techniques, make decisions on engineering problems and methods, and represent the organization in client meetings to resolve important challenges. You will be expected to work both independently as a Civil Structural Architectural Engineer (CSA) and in coordination with other discipline designers to provide technical guidance and produce CSA project deliverables.   

This position is located at a client site in Richmond, VA with work expected to be completed at site unless required to travel.  Relocation may be offered for candidates outside the region. 

Functional job responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

  • Responsible for drafting CSA drawings

  • Responsible for technical content on issued for construction civil structural drawings

  • Responsible for preparing structural calculations

  • Responsible for preparing construction specifications & scope of work

  • Responsible for developing repair plans & recommendations based on field work

  • Responsible for answering technical queries regarding CSA design

Required Education, Experience, & Skills:

  • BS degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

  • 10+ years of related experience

  • It’s preferred that the candidate be a Professional Engineer licensed for Virginia, or have the ability to complete this certification within 6 months

  • Experience in structural and civil engineering at industrial sites is preferred

  • Ability to model and analyze using either STAAD or RISA 3D

  • Experience using 2D drafting software such as MicroStation or AutoCAD

  • Experience writing scope of works

  • This role may require up to 10% travel as part of the job responsibilities

Physical Qualifications

  • Work is located at a working plant and requires exposure to ambient temperature extremes

  • Work will require walking the plant property

  • Work may require using and wearing personal protective equipment such as fire-retardant clothing, hearing and eye protection, hard hat and steel-toed boots

  • Day-to-day physical requirements involve standard office activities including sitting/standing for extended periods of time, attending meetings, use of keyboard and mouse repetitively, lifting and carrying less than 20 lbs. frequently, etc.

  • Work requires moderate physical exertion including walking to operating areas and walking up stairs. 

  • Employee may occasionally need to climb a scaffold with fall protection to undertake an inspection.

Decarbonization – Energy Transition – Sustainability

KBR Benefits​

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.​

Click here to learn more:  KBR Benefits

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture.  These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company.  That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together. 

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

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