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 .

Loan Officer Assistant (Licensed)

Lower · Remote-TX

Here at Lower, we believe homeownership is the key to building wealth, and we’re making it easier and more accessible than ever. As a mission-driven fintech, we simplify the home-buying process through cutting-edge technology and a seamless customer experience.

With tens of billions in funded home loans and top ratings on Trustpilot (4.8), Google (4.9), and Zillow (4.9), we’re a leader in the industry. But what truly sets us apart? Our people. Join us and be part of something bigger.

Job Description:

Lower is a top 25 tech-driven retail mortgage lender dedicated to helping more people achieve homeownership and build wealth through real estate. We combine innovative technology with a personalized, local lending approach, giving our branches and loan originators the tools, speed, and support to deliver an exceptional experience for borrowers and referral partners. Our focus is on simplifying the mortgage process, driving growth for our branches, and setting the standard for service in the retail mortgage industry.

We are seeking a highly experienced Licensed Loan Officer Assistant (LOA) to support a top-producing Mortgage Loan Originator in the Houston market. This role is ideal for a detail-oriented, proactive professional who thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume environment and has deep knowledge across multiple loan products.

The ideal candidate will act as a true partner to the originator—managing files from application through closing, ensuring exceptional borrower experience, and helping drive consistent, scalable production.

What you'll do:

  • Serve as the primary operational support for a high-producing Loan Originator
  • Take complete loan applications and manage files from initial disclosure through closing
  • Analyze borrower documentation (income, assets, credit, guidelines) for accuracy and completeness
  • Structure and package loans across Conventional, FHA, VA, and Non-QM programs
  • Communicate directly with borrowers, real estate agents, processors, underwriters, and title companies
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and investor guidelines
  • Proactively identify and resolve issues that could delay approval or closing
  • Maintain pipeline reports and ensure deadlines are consistently met
  • Deliver a white-glove borrower experience that supports referral-based growth

Who you are:

  • Active NMLS license (Texas required)
  • Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a Loan Officer Assistant or Loan Officer
  • Significant hands-on experience with:
    • Conventional
    • FHA
    • VA
    • Non-QM loan products
  • Strong understanding of underwriting guidelines and loan structuring
  • Proven ability to manage a high-volume pipeline with precision and urgency
  • Exceptional communication and organizational skills
  • High level of professionalism, accountability, and discretion

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience supporting a top-producing or high-volume originator
  • Non-QM expertise beyond bank statement loans (DSCR, asset-based, etc.)
  • Tech-savvy with Encompass experience
  • Self-starter mindset with the ability to anticipate needs and take ownership

Why you’ll love it:

  • You’ll feel rewarded for your work—both financially through uncapped commission and through knowing you’ve made a difference to your customers by helping them with one of the most important life decisions
  • Support a top producer with a consistent, high-quality pipeline
  • Long-term growth opportunity with a stable, successful originator
  • High autonomy and trust—your expertise will be valued and utilized
  • Fast-paced, rewarding role with meaningful impact on production and client satisfaction

When you join:

  • You’ll join a locally and nationally recognized best place to work that values promotion from within.
  • Plus:
    • Competitive compensation plan
    • Extended benefit offerings including:
      • Medical/dental/vision
      • Paid holidays 
      • Paid time off
      • Maternity/Paternity leave
      • Life insurance
      • Short- and long-term disability
      • 401K with company match
    • Discount on home mortgage refinances or purchases

Where you’ll work:

  • Houston, TX either on-site or hybrid capacity (based on your preference)

Compensation:

  • base + performance based incentives. OTE potential is $100k+

Lower provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Lower provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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