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 .

Cytotechnologist

Labcorp · Jacksonville, Florida

***$2,500 Sign on Bonus (external candidates only)

Are you a certified Cytotechnologist?  Are you in school pursuing a Cytotechnologist degree/certification?  If so, Labcorp wants to speak with you about exciting opportunities to join our team as a Cytotechnologist at Ascension St. Vincent's Riverside Hospital in Jacksonville, FL. This will be a fast paced, customer focused, and challenging environment. Labcorp has a comprehensive benefits package and competitive compensation.

Work Schedule: Part time weekdays; 3x8 hour shifts

Benefits: Employees regularly scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week are eligible for comprehensive benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD/LTD, 401(k), Paid Time Off (PTO) or Flexible Time Off (FTO), Tuition Reimbursement and Employee Stock Purchase Plan.  Casual, PRN & Part Time employees regularly scheduled to work less than 20 hours are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan only. For more detailed information, please click here

Job Responsibilities:

  • Screen and evaluate any gynecologic and non-gynecologic specimens sent to the laboratory for the determination of possible malignant or related abnormal conditions
  • Screening of all liquid based cytology, both manual and imaged, as well as conventional slides
  • Perform microscopic evaluation of cytological specimens following laboratory procedures and policies
  • Ensure proper documentation of workload recording, including screening and non-screening activities as required by CLIA and laboratory guidelines
  • Maintain absolute integrity in the accurate performance and reporting of results
  • Meet slide screening requirements as per standard operating procedure
  • Finalize testing results into the computer in an accurate and timely manner
  • Provide backup for cytology processing and other tasks as needed
  • Comply with all safety, infection control and HIPAA policies

Requirements:

  • Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college/university
  • Successful completion of an accredited Cytology program
  • ASCP Cytotechnologist (CT) Certification is required
  • Florida Cytotechnologist license is required
  • Prior experience working in Cytology is preferred
  • ThinPrep and SurePath certifications is a plus
  • Must pass slide screening requirements and annual CAP proficiency test
  • Demonstrated understanding of Cyto preparation techniques
  • Automated and non-automated testing experience is preferred
  • Familiarity with laboratory information systems (LIS)
  • Ability to work independently or within a team
  • Highly organized and strong attention to detail
  • Strong communication skills; both written and verbal
  • Must be able to pass a standardized color vision screen

If you're looking for a career that offers opportunities for growth, continual development, professional challenge and the chance to make a real difference, apply today!

Labcorp is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer:

Labcorp strives for inclusion and belonging in the workforce and does not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind. We make employment decisions based on the needs of our business and the qualifications and merit of the individual. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), family or parental status, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, personal appearance, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic. Additionally, all qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable law. 

We encourage all to apply

If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance using our online tools to search and apply for jobs, or needs an accommodation, please visit our accessibility site or contact us at Labcorp Accessibility. For more information about how we collect and store your personal data, please see our Privacy Statement.