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 .

System Administrator

Magnolia · Waco, Tx

SUMMARY 

At Magnolia, the System Administrator is responsible for ensuring the stable operation of IT systems and infrastructure. This includes planning, developing, installing, configuring, maintaining, supporting, and optimizing servers, cloud services, user accounts, and enterprise applications. This position works from Magnolia Headquarters in Waco, Texas. It reports to the IT Operations Manager and has no supervisory responsibilities.   

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Perform systems design and capacity planning for IT infrastructure* 
  • Create and maintain automation scripts (PowerShell, Python) for user management, reporting, and routine administrative tasks* 
  • Maintain identity and access across hybrid environments, including Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), local Active Directory, and related sync tools* 
  • Install and maintain cloud-based and on-premises systems, including Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and local servers supporting security and camera systems*  
  • Ensure system backups are completed and tested regularly; manage system documentation using Confluence and Bitbucket* 
  • Provide second-level technical support for user issues related to accounts, devices, software, email, authentication, and printing* 
  • Diagnose problems with equipment and perform equipment repair or upgrades as necessary* 
  • Respond to system-related security alerts and vulnerability reports in coordination with the SOC and internal IT teams* 
  • Support the transition and ongoing operation of systems developed by other teams, including EDI Processes, and other operational functions.  
  • Conduct research on products, services, protocols, and standards in support of network procurement and development efforts 
  • Collaborate with vendors to resolve escalated support issues and maintain service relationships 
  • Assist with security configuration and troubleshooting as part of broader IT operations 
  • Perform other duties as assigned 

*Metrics evaluated on Performance Review 

 COMPETENCIES 

  • Teamwork: Contribute to a team environment supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Work effectively with others, be a team player and contribute toward team goals. 
  • Critical Thinking: Propose creative solutions within specific specialization. Ability to analyze data, trends, and patterns. 
  • Expertise: Expert in knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques relevant to specialization. Able to develop expertise in related area(s). 
  • Communication: Actively engage in listening to teammates and guests and be open to feedback from guests, peers, and management. 
  • Guest Focus: Ability to proactively understand and meet guest needs, ensuring a personalized and guest-centric experience. 
  • Strategy and Goal Setting: Approach change with positivity and curiosity. Know your role in achieving team goals.  
  • Hard skills: Proficiency in PowerShell and Python scripting, Active Directory administration, Microsoft 365 and Azure administration, system backup and recovery solutions, and IT service management tools required. 

ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS 

  • Bachelor's degree from a 4-year college or university preferred 
  • 2-4 years of experience with a related degree, 4-7 years of experience with a non-related degree, or 5+ years of industry experience preferred 
  • Experience with LAN/WLAN/WAN/SD WAN architectures, networking and routing protocols, VoIP, firewall and proxy administration, and DNS and DHCP server administration required   
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104), Microsoft Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate (MD-102), CompTIA Security+, or other applicable certifications preferred 
  • Must be available to be on call as business needs require 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and arms to reach, handle, feel; utilize fine motor dexterity of fingers; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.   

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS  

Magnolia is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances. 

This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description at any time.