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 .

Help Desk Specialist

Strongpointpartners · 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 Overview:
Strongpoint Partners is seeking two highly motivated Help Desk Technicians to join our IT team. This role provides frontline technical support to end users and plays a key role in ensuring the reliable operation of hardware, software, and network systems. The ideal candidate is a strong troubleshooter with excellent communication skills and a customer-first approach to problem-solving.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is intended to follow a hybrid work model with the expectation of in-office work ~2-4 days per week out of our Riverwoods, IL and/or downtown Chicago offices.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Provide Tier 1 and Tier 2 technical support to end users, ensuring timely and effective resolution of issues.
  • Troubleshoot and support Microsoft Office 365 applications and services.
  • Build, configure, and deploy laptops managed through Microsoft Intune.
  • Diagnose and resolve local network and VPN connectivity issues.
  • Provision and manage user accounts in Office 365, including permissions and security settings.
  • Ensure endpoint security tools and controls are active, compliant, and functioning properly.
  • Maintain accurate hardware and software asset records within the ITSM system.
  • Escalate high-priority or complex incidents to management or higher-level support as needed.
  • Deliver exceptional customer service and communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical users.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • 3-5+ years of proven experience in a Help Desk or IT Support role.
  • Strong working knowledge of Office 365 administration and troubleshooting.
  • Experience with Microsoft Intune or similar device management tools.
  • Solid understanding of networking fundamentals, including VPN technologies.
  • Familiarity with ITSM tools and asset management best practices.
  • Ability to prioritize tasks and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in a related field.
  • CompTIA A+, Network+, and/or Microsoft certifications.
  • Experience supporting users in an enterprise IT environment.

Pay Transparency Statement:

The anticipated pay range for this position is $55,000-$65,000 annually.

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.

 

 

 

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