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 .

Accounting Intern

Strongpoint Partners · Chicago, IL

Who we are:

Strongpoint Partners is tech-enabled retirement services platform serving small- to mid-sized businesses with integrated retirement third party administration, recordkeeping, payroll, and HR solutions. Recognized as one of Inc. 5000’s Fastest Growing Private Companies in America and certified as a Great Place to Work, Strongpoint offers a suite of services that prioritizes accuracy, compliance, and reduction of regulatory risk for its clients, delivered by local client success teams that understand the nuances of the markets they serve. With a coast-to-coast network of 19 leading firms including HowardSimon ("HSR"), Jocelyn Pension Consulting ("JPC"), Retirement Strategies Group (“RSG”), Retirement Planners and Administrators (“RPA”), Pension Financial Services (“PFS”), Pollard & Associates ("PA"), Carlson Quinn ("CQ"), SI GROUP ("SIG"), Retirement Planning Consulting Group (“RPCG”), Karel-Gordon & Associates ("KGA"), Cash Balance Actuaries ("CBA"), Pension Consultants, Inc. (“PCI”), Actuaries Unlimited (“AUI”), California Retirement Plans (“CRP”), Benefit Equity ("BEI"), United Benefit Pensions, Inc. ("UBP"), Creative Retirement Systems ("CRS"), Associated Pension Consultants ("APC"), Allied Consultants, Inc. ("ACI"), American Retirement Plan Services, LLC (“ARPS”), and SMS Retirement (“SMS”). Strongpoint Partners combines a relentless passion for service and innovation with the experience and expertise required to make retirement work for everyone. For more information, please visit: www.strongpointpartners.com.  

Position Summary:

We are seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Accounting Intern to join our team. This role offers hands-on experience in a professional accounting environment, providing exposure to a range of accounting functions such as accounts payable and receivable, reconciliations, reporting, and general ledger maintenance. The ideal candidate will be eager to learn, organized, and comfortable working with numbers and spreadsheets.

***PLEASE NOTE: This is a part-time internship (approximately 20 hours per week) based in our downtown Chicago office. The position follows a hybrid work model, with a few half days per week in the office and the remainder of the work completed remotely. We are seeking candidates who are able to work from May through August 2026.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Assist with accounts payable and accounts receivable processing.
  • Support month-end and year-end closing procedures.
  • Help prepare and maintain financial reports, spreadsheets, and journal entries.
  • Perform bank and account reconciliations under supervision.
  • Assist with data entry, filing, and document organization.
  • Support audits and budget tracking as needed.
  • Conduct research and analysis to support the accounting team.
  • Help ensure compliance with company policies and accounting standards.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
  • Basic understanding of GAAP and financial principles preferred.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and familiarity with accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, NetSuite, or similar) is a plus.
  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Excellent organizational and communication skills.
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

What You’ll Gain

  • Practical experience in day-to-day accounting operations.
  • Mentorship from experienced accounting professionals.
  • Insight into financial reporting and business operations.
  • The opportunity to develop technical and professional skills that support a future career in accounting or finance.

Pay Transparency Statement:

The anticipated pay range for this position is $18-$20/hour.

At Strongpoint Partners, our salary ranges reflect the minimum and maximum base pay for the posted position applicable to all locations across the US. Within the posted salary range, individual pay is determined by the geographic location, job related skills, experience, education, and certifications. Our total compensation package includes base pay plus a comprehensive benefits program.

 

Our Value-Driven Employee Experience:

  • Flexible Workplace – Hybrid and remote options available for many roles.
  • Unlimited PTO – Competitive paid time off, including flexible & unlimited options.
  • Inclusive Environment – A culture that values diversity, collaboration, and respect.
  • Growth Opportunities – Support for ongoing learning and career development.
  • Comprehensive Benefits – Health, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage.
  • Workplace Perks – Incentive bonus programs, flexible hours, & more.

**Specific benefits and programs may vary by partner and position.

 

 

 

View full listing