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 .

Women in Construction

PCL Construction · United States

At PCL, we recognize and celebrate the crucial role that women play in driving innovation and forging new paths for future generations interested in exploring careers in science, technology, engineering, or math. We actively empower women to lead, innovate, and inspire.

We are dedicated to creating a supportive and dynamic environment where women can thrive. At PCL, women are at the forefront, leading some of the most groundbreaking projects and initiatives within the company. They are not only project pioneers but also champions of our core values, actively contributing to enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and the overall employee experience. Their leadership is instrumental in fostering a culture that supports working mothers and promotes work-life balance, demonstrating our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace for all.

Understanding the unique challenges faced by women in the industry, we have implemented comprehensive support systems designed to foster professional and personal growth. Our mentorship programs connect you with seasoned leaders who have a deep understanding of our business operations and are keen to share their insights and guidance. These relationships provide invaluable learning opportunities and a supportive network that can propel your career forward.

To further personalize our support, our sponsorship framework is designed to address your individual career aspirations and developmental needs. This tailored approach ensures that you receive the specific resources and guidance necessary to achieve your professional goals.

In addition to mentorship and sponsorship, our College of Construction equips you with an extensive suite of training programs. These programs cover technical skills, leadership development, and behavioral competencies, ensuring that you are well-prepared to excel in the construction industry and beyond.

Joining PCL means more than just securing a job; it represents an opportunity to be part of a community that values and invests in your future success. Our comprehensive total rewards package reflects our commitment to your well-being, both personally and professionally. We offer a competitive salary, annual bonuses, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, maternity coverage, robust retirement plans, and the exciting prospect of employee ownership opportunities. These benefits are part of our broader initiative to ensure that your hard work and contributions are acknowledged and rewarded, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in your work.

At PCL, we are not just building projects; we are building careers, communities, and a more inclusive future. Join us, and be part of a workplace where innovation thrives, diversity is celebrated, and every individual’s contribution is valued and recognized. Together, we can pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future in our industry.

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