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 .

Sales Representative, Surgical Technologies - NorthWest Italy

Stryker · Milano, Italy

Work Flexibility: Field-based

Territory: Northwest Italy (Lombardia & parts of Piemonte) 
Location: Lombardia preferred (ideally Milano) 


Field-based | Travel ~80% | OR presence for demos (1–2 weeks depending on plan) 

Stryker is seeking a motivated and strategic Sales Representative to support the growth of our Surgical Technologies portfolio across Northwest Italy. This is a key role focused on developing a region with significant long-term potential, working closely with hospitals, surgeons, and cross-functional teams to introduce innovative solutions and build strong customer partnerships. 

Surgical Technologies: Surgical Technologies | Stryker 

Role Overview 

You will be responsible for establishing and expanding our presence across Lombardia and selected areas of Piemonte. This includes identifying new customers, managing existing accounts, presenting solutions, and supporting demos in the OR when required. The region is still developing, so success will depend on your ability to combine perseverance, structured planning, and strong communication with a consultative approach. 

Key Responsibilities 

  • Expand the Surgical Technologies portfolio through both new business development and effective account management. 

  • Execute quarterly and annual business plans with a focus on long-term territory growth. 

  • Engage consistently with key hospital stakeholders — surgeons, theatre staff, biomedical teams, procurement and administration. 

  • Support OR-based product demonstrations and evaluations as needed. 

  • Ensure accurate management of demo kits, pricing, contracts, and reporting. 

  • Educate customers on product updates, clinical applications, and workflow benefits. 

  • Represent Stryker at trade shows, exhibits, and educational events. 

  • Collaborate with regional and product management teams to optimise territory performance. 

  • Maintain adherence to compliance, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. 

Minimum Qualifications 

  • Strong communication skills with multiple hospital stakeholders. 

  • Working level of English. 

  • Understanding of the hospital environment. 

  • Demonstrated interest in sales and customer engagement. 

  • A Bachelor’s degree (in medical, scientific, technical, or commercial studies preferred) 

Preferred Qualifications 

  • Experience in capital equipment or solution-based sales. 

  • Ability to think strategically and build a long-term territory plan. 

  • Exposure to hospital procurement processes or clinical pathways. 

  • Both junior and senior candidates will be considered, based on potential. 

  • Candidates with a nursing or clinical background are welcome, provided they bring a strong commercial mindset. 

Ideal Profile 

We are looking for someone who is: 

  • Patient and structured, comfortable with a territory that grows progressively over time. 

  • Proactive and curious, keen to understand hospital dynamics and competitive landscapes. 

  • Persuasive and confident, able to introduce new solutions in settings where awareness may be limited. 

  • Resilient, especially in the first year of development. 

  • Motivated by innovation and sustainability, with a genuine interest in improving workflow efficiency and patient outcomes. 

  • Well-organised, able to manage complex stakeholders and a high-travel schedule. 

Why Join Stryker 

You will join a globally recognised MedTech leader with a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and professional development. This role offers the opportunity to shape a high-potential region, develop meaningful customer relationships, and contribute to improved surgical care through advanced technologies. Comprehensive training and ongoing support will be provided to ensure your success. 

Travel Percentage: 80%