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 .

Deployment Manager

Tesla · Manila

We are looking for a highly motivated Deployment Manager to support the Supercharger deployment team in Philippines. The Deployment Manager will oversee multiple construction projects and enforce budget, timeline, fit, finish, and safety requirements. A get-it-done mentality for all situations is expected.

  • Build the most world-class Supercharger sites in the shortest amount of time with the most efficient use of capital
  • Provide feedback to the deployment, development, and engineering team on how to design equipment and sites for better/faster/cheaper site builds 
  • Coordinate the timely processing and approvals of all design drawings to and from subcontractors and consultants 
  • Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, sharing relevant designs & guides, issuing Purchase Orders & Change Orders etc 
  • Communicate effectively, both orally and written; Prepare weekly construction reports with photos, scheduling, etc 
  • Expedite project close-out requirements including sign offs, commissioning, as-built drawings, final project photos, etc
  • Maintain a high level of productivity; 
  • Balance a large number of concurrent tasks; 
  • Effectively prioritize efforts 
  • Foresee necessary work, and organize and disseminate information as needed; 
  • Maintain project schedules
  • Any education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture or a related subject and 3+ years of increasingly responsible estimating and project management experience, or the equivalent in experience and evidence of exceptional ability 
  • Thorough understanding of construction administration processes, including contracts, budgets, construction documents, change orders, schedules, RFIs, submittals, and material procurement 
  • Advanced knowledge of construction means and methods 
  • Execution focused - proven ability to achieve or improve project deadlines and milestones 
  • Understanding of AC and DC power, transformers, circuit protection, single-line electrical and mechanical diagrams, civil works and construction drawings 
  • Must have the ability to discuss technical topics with a variety of audiences – contractors, engineers, and members of various divisions within Tesla 
  • Available for extensive travel, often on short notice 
  • Must have valid driver’s license
View full listing