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 .

Data Analyst

Sia · Amsterdam, nl

Want to use data intelligently to deliver maximum value to clients? It's a challenge that suits you perfectly and energizes you. You're looking for challenges where you can not only advise but also deliver tangible results. You want to make a difference. Are you ready for the next phase? Ready to tackle and solve complex data challenges and further specialize in your data management field? Then we'd love to get to know you.

What you'll be doing at the client's site

As a Data Analyst, you'll play a key role with our clients. You'll advise on their data management, develop data strategies, and translate these into workable solutions to maximize the value of their data. You'll be involved in all phases of the project, from developing data governance frameworks to implementing data quality processes and advising on data analysis. Interested in a project like this?

Moreover:

  • You'll identify improvement opportunities through thorough analyses of data sources and processes.
  • You'll design and implement data architecture and models for improved interoperability and scalability.
  • You'll ensure more efficient and effective systems; you'll advise and support data integration, migration, and transformation projects.
  • You'll provide insights that support your clients in making the right business decisions.
  • You'll provide training and support to users to help them manage and use data effectively.

This is you

You're naturally curious, enjoy a bit of fun, but are also deadly serious when it comes to the content. Sound familiar? Great, that's what we appreciate in a colleague. Furthermore, in this role, we'd like you to:

  • Enjoy your work!
  • Enjoy collaborating with colleagues and clients on interesting issues. In fact, that's a key part of your job.
  • You want to develop yourself every day with your positive attitude and drive.
  • You have strong communication skills and, above all, understand the importance of listening. To the client, colleagues, and of course, yourself!
  • You don't do the same thing every day; you prefer diverse and complex projects.
  • You do what you promise. You're accurate and ensure your work is completed on time, without compromising on quality.
  • You're a true team player. As a part of our team, you can always count on support from your colleagues. Achievements are the result of successful collaboration, and we celebrate them together! We value this culture highly. What you bring

What you bring

  • Completed HBO (higher professional education) or WO (university education) degree
  • You speak fluent Dutch and English. If you speak German that's a plus!
  • At least one year of knowledge and experience with (meta)data management and data quality solutions
  • You possess relevant data and technical skills, such as data cleaning, data visualization, machine learning, knowledge of big data tools, and data warehousing. Knowledge of programming languages ​​is a plus!
  • You have a strong vision for data management within organizations.

 

What you can expect from us

Your development is our priority. Whether it’s through challenging projects, inspiring colleagues or personal growth, we invest in your success, every step of the way.

We offer:

  • An attractive salary that grows with your experience and performance.
  • A yearly bonus based on your individual and team results.
  • Sustainable and practical mobility options, whether you prefer to travel by train, bike, or your own vehicle.
  • A solid pension plan and additional benefits to support your well-being.
  • Freedom in where you work, from home, at the client’s office, or in one of our inspiring hubs in Amsterdam or Maastricht, including a home working allowance to make remote work comfortable.
  • 26 days of holiday per year, with the opportunity to earn extra days as your seniority grows.
  • Plenty of learning opportunities, from mentoring and training programs to international projects that broaden your perspective.
  • A strong community, where connection matters – we organize regular social and sports activities to celebrate successes together.

Do you have the drive and enthusiasm to help build our great company, and does this position sound like a perfect fit for you? We'd love to get to know you!

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a work permit for this position. 

Sia is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions, including hiring, promotion, remuneration, or disciplinary actions, are based solely on performance, competence, conduct, and business needs. 

Sia is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, remuneration, or discipline, are based solely on performance, competence, conduct, or business needs. 

Sia is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, remuneration, or discipline, are based solely on performance, competence, conduct, or business needs.