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 .

SEN Teaching Assistant

The Aurora Group · Meldreth, Hertfordshire

Overview and Responsibilities SEN Teaching Assistant – Aurora Meldreth Manor School Location: Meldreth, Nr Royston, Cambridgeshire/Hertfordshire border Salary: 22,996 to 25,068 (Actual annual salary, dependent on experience and qualifications) Hourly Rate: 12.87 to 14.03 p/hr Plus 1000 Welcome bonus* Hours: Full time - 40 hrs per week, Mon - Fri. Term time only The Aurora Meldreth Manor School is an independent Special day school which provides a highly specialist learning environment for students aged 6 to 19 who have a range of MLD and SLD needs including autism spectrum disorders, ADHD and associated difficulties, who require an individualised, specialist approach. Many of our students have complex medical needs and sensory/ physical impairments. Our students are supported to manage sensory overload, anxiety, low self-esteem, low confidence, and difficulty with transitions which is often demonstrative through their behaviours. We are a well resourced school with exceptional facilities and therapeutic team. Due to the continued increase in our student role and expansion of the school provision we are currently looking for a Teaching Assistant to join our NAS accredited specialist team to create better outcomes and life chances for our students in their preparation for adult life. Role responsibilities: Be crucial in supporting students with their learning, development and progress in all areas of the curriculum within a range of learning contexts including the classroom, the local environment and within the community Help young people with a range of needs, including PMLD, complex medical conditions and autism to achieve their educational and personal goals Support an environment that fosters equality, diversity and the rights of all young people to be seen as learners and be treated with respect Place an emphasis on support and empowerment of young people Develop a greater understanding of Special Education issues; the values of Aurora and demonstrate these in all aspects of the role Provide high quality support in all aspects of the role The role may require participation in physical intervention and personal care routines Duties will vary, you must expect to diversify and lend a hand wherever is required. Please see the link below for our full job description: Job Description: SEN Teaching Assistant Skills and Qualifications We are looking for candidates who are: Willing and able to work towards getting formal qualifications, attend training and to take responsibility for your own development - All fully funded by us Passionate and show compassion for children and young people with additional needs Ambitious and determined to overcome barriers to learning A lover of the outdoor and community learning Capable of having a vision to see potential rather than disability Committed fully to our safeguarding values and procedures Proactive, rather than reactive Creative thinkers with solution focus Able to work supportively as a team member and confidentially when working independently, within a range of settings Excellent communication skills, particularly in relation to our students communication needs Able to understand and deliver effective education and support in line with identified needs Educated to at least level 2 (or equivalent) Maths and English Benefits and Additional Information What’s on Offer at Aurora? We believe in supporting you as much as we support the children and young people in our care. Here’s a snapshot of the fantastic benefits waiting for you: Grow with Us – Training & Development Learning never stops at Aurora! We offer a wide range of training programmes and career development opportunities to help you build your skills and reach your goals. Save Money on Everyday Essentials With the rising cost of living, our Perkbox app helps you stretch your money further: Discounts on groceries, phone plans, internet, dining out, gym memberships & more Access to our Cycle to Work and Car Scheme Access Wagestream – a financial wellbeing app that helps you track earnings, save, get expert money advice, and even access part of your pay early when needed Competitive Pay & Reward We regularly benchmark our pay and benefits to stay ahead of the curve. You’ll enjoy: Enhanced Annual Leave Company Sick Pay Enhanced Pension Life Assurance 24/7 GP Access – For You & Your Household Need a doctor? No problem. Book a phone or video appointment anytime, day or night. This service covers everyone in your household. UK Health Cash Plan Cover everyday healthcare costs like dental and optician bills. You and your children are included in the scheme, and you can upgrade to add your partner too! Employee Assistance Programme Your wellbeing matters. Get confidential support on a wide range of issues, including: Freephone counselling (available 24/7) Online tools and resources Refer a Friend – Earn 1,000! Know someone who’d be a great fit? Refer them and get rewarded! (*Terms apply) How to Apply: To apply for this role, please visit our careers pl