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 .

Security Guard

Sfgiants · San Francisco

About the Team: The Security department actively oversees and protects all persons and things at Oracle Park, with focus on Detect, Deter, Defuse, and Report. You will enjoy being part of an iconic franchise in the Sports world and get to experience a company that believes in small teams for maximum impact; that strives to balance work and home life, that understands that this is a marathon, not a sprint; that continuously and purposefully builds an inclusive culture where everyone is able to do and be the best version of themselves. About the Role: The Security Guard helps maintain a safe and secure environment at Oracle Park for all guest and employees by patrolling and monitoring various premises in and around the Ballpark. Help process fans through magnetometers and/or Evolv Units for baseball games and other events at the facility. You’ll work closely with the Giants Guest Services, Grounds Crew, Ballpark Operations and Giants Enterprises departments that tie into the safety and security of Oracle Park. This role reports to the Security Manager and requires the ability to work autonomously. This position will be in our beautiful ballpark headquarters at 24 Willie Mays Plaza in San Francisco.    You’re Excited About This Opportunity Because…. ·You are passionate about executing safety and security protocols for Oracle Park. ·You will process guests quickly and efficiently through magnetometers, using a hand wand when necessary. ·You will have a unique ability to earn trust and work cross-functionally within the SF Giants organization. ·You will observe and report and assist with the flow of critical information to security leadership. ·You will monitor and control the movement of visitors and contractors entering and leaving the various entrances of Oracle Park and surrounding premises ·You will patrol areas assigned and ensure the safety of all guests and employees. ·You will observe and report unusual or suspicious activity at Oracle Park ·You will be familiar with the layout of Oracle Park, including exit points, stairwells and surrounding premises ·You will ensure that unauthorized personnel and guests do not access restricted areas in Oracle Park ·You will be aware of all current or special activities, functions for each particular game at the time of duty ·You will exemplify excellent customer service at all times   Qualifications ·Must be at least 18 years of age or older ·Minimum of 1-2 years of Security or law enforcement experience ·Organized, punctual and a team player ·Must understand, read, and be able to follow written instructions and follow verbal instructions ·Ability to work a flexible schedule based on department needs i.e. extended hours, weekends, nights and holidays ·Current/Valid Guard Card preferred  ·Ability to walk and stand for long periods of time ·Ability to deliver fact-based insights from technology, data, and incidents ·Conduct escorts to adjacent parking lots ·Great at driving and maintaining relationships with external and internal partners ·Outstanding communication and interactive skills ·Knowledge of business continuity and crisis management principles ·Experience with roving, heightened awareness, and observing and reporting ·Demonstrated work experience in physical and personal safety and security, with direct and demonstrable customer impact ·Demonstrated examples of initiative, creativity, innovation, and continuous performance improvement in active operations scenarios ·Extreme attention to detail in both written and oral communication ·Ability to manage challenges in a constantly changing, fast-paced environment ·Proven ability to foster and continually grow a culture of Trust, Honesty, and Integrity ·A passion for all things and people who are Giants! ·A keen sense of ownership, drive, and willingness to get it done ·Strong tolerance for ambiguity   We're excited about you because... ·You are an authentic, inspiring, and positive team member. ·You have a bias towards action and have an inner drive and commitment to excel in the pursuit of security objectives. ·You dare to take on ambitious goals, align on mutual accountability across teams, and make things happen.