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 .

Job Application

Piling Inc · United States

Job Application

Piling, Inc. is always interested in employing experienced:

  • Crawler Crane Operators with NCCCO certification and pile driving experience
  • Pile Drivers with rigging and pile driving experience
  • Pile Driving Foremen & Superintendents
  • Other crafts such as Truck Drivers with heavy haul experience and endorsements
  • Safety personnel that have the experience and certifications to be an asset to our organization

Benefits include:

  • Insurance for the employee
  • Participation in a 401K after meeting the required employment time

We are an equal opportunity company.

To apply for a job at Piling Inc., please fill out the employment application form below.

    Date:

    First Name (required):

    Middle Name:

    Last Name (required):

    Street Adress:

    Apt No:

    City:

    State:

    Zip Code:

    Position Applying For (hold control key to select multiple):
    CDL Truck driverGeneral LaborPile DriverPile Driver WelderPile Driving Crane Operator (NCCCO LBC Certified)Estimator/ Project ManagerOther

    Years of Experience:

    Salary Desired:

    Willing to work out of town?:
    YesNo

    Willing to work overtime?:
    YesNo

    Are you 18 or older?:
    YesNo

    Telephone Number (required):

    E-mail Address:

    Safety Council

    Do you have a current Safety Council Card?
    YesNo

    If yes, list what site specific classes and what site specific training you have?

    From which Safety Council?

    Do you have a TWIC card?
    YesNo

    Have you applied for one?
    YesNoN/A

    Education

    Highest level achieved:
    High School(GED) High SchoolTrade SchoolBusiness SchoolVocational TrainingMilitary TrainingCollege/University

    Highest grade completed:
    9101112

    Did you graduate:
    YesNo

    Name and address of high school:

    List any other training or skills:

    The job for which you are applying may require walking, climbing, bending, twisting, reaching, and lifting 50 pounds plus or minus. Are you capable of performing the functions of the job for which you are applying with or without reasonable accommodations?
    YesNo

    Have you ever been discharged from a position for making threats, fighting, or any incidents involving violence?
    YesNo

    Are you legally authorized to work in the United States of America? (Proof of applicants legal right to work in the USA will be required after being (hired)
    YesNo

    Employment History

    Company 1 Name:

    From:

    To:

    Salary:

    Position Held:

    Phone Number:

    Supervisors Name:

    Reason for leaving?

    Company 2 Name:

    From:

    To:

    Salary:

    Position Held:

    Phone Number:

    Supervisors Name:

    Reason for Leaving?

    Company 3 Name:

    From:

    To:

    Salary:

    Position Held:

    Phone Number:

    Supervisors Name:

    Reason for Leaving?

    Reference 1:

    Occupation:

    Phone Number:

    Years Known:

    Reference 2:

    Occupation:

    Phone Number:

    Years Known:

    Reference 3:

    Occupation:

    Phone Number:

    Years Known:

    I understand that Piling, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate in any phase of employment. This application is not an offer of employment or contract. Any employment with Piling, Inc. is on an at-will basis. If hired, I or company may terminate the employment relationship at any or without notice or cause.

    I certify that the information given in this employment application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. By my signature, I give full author Piling, Inc. to verify any and all information for the purposes of employment. If further authorize Piling, Inc. to contact my previous employers for employ references. I release Piling, Inc. from any liability associated with contacting my previous employers.

    In accordance with the requirements of section 1681(b)(2) of Title 15 of the United States Code, commonly known as the Consumer Credit Protection. Company hereby notifies me that it may obtain a report concerning my credit history and criminal records for employment purposes. Before taking an action based in whole or in part upon such a report, the Company will provide me with a copy of the report and a description of my rights as a consumer the Consumer Credit Protection Act. By signing below, I acknowledge that I consent, voluntarily and without coercion and duress, to procurement of a report detailing my credit history and criminal record and acknowledge my understanding of the terms of this disclosure. I further release Piling, Inc. from liability in connection with the obtaining of such reports for the purpose provided herein.

    I accept these terms:
    YesNo

    Date:

    Δ