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 .

Senior Account Executive

N2Publishingglassdoor · Boise, ID

{'unit': 'USD', 'amount': '149000.0'}

About the Opportunity

Build and grow a local media business in your community.

This opportunity is designed for experienced, relationship-driven professionals who want to operate independently while leveraging the support, systems, and brand of an established national company.

You’ll develop and manage a hyperlocal publication: building relationships with local businesses, creating meaningful community connections, and growing a revenue stream that can expand over time.

Position Summary

You will establish and grow a local publication in your market, operating as an independent publisher supported by N2’s systems, training, and national infrastructure.

In the early stages, your focus will be on building relationships with local business owners and developing your advertising base. Over time, you will grow a recurring revenue stream and a publication that becomes a recognized part of your community.

Who You Are

  • Entrepreneurial and self-directed
  • Strong in consultative sales and relationship building
  • Motivated by helping local businesses grow
  • Interested in operating and growing a business, not just performing a role

What You'll Do

  • Build long-term partnerships with local business owners through consultative advertising
  • sales
  • Establish a strong presence in your community through relationship-driven engagement
  • Develop and manage a pipeline of advertising clients
  • Collaborate with a national team for design, production, and operational support
  • Oversee the ongoing growth and performance of your local publication

What This Opportunity Offers

  • Independent operation with the ability to build a long-term asset
  • Flexible schedule and autonomy in how you grow your market
  • Established systems, training, and ongoing support
  • A recognized national brand and proven operating model
  • The opportunity to play a meaningful role in your local community

Earnings & Performance

This opportunity involves building a business over time, and financial results vary widely based on individual effort, market conditions, and stage of development.

For context, among a subset of established operators, higher-performing publications have generated six-figure annual commission levels, while others earn less depending on their level of activity and tenure.

Additional details, including performance data for both higher- and lower-performing operators, are included in Item 19 of our Franchise Disclosure Document. [You can review a summary of this information here: https://www.strollmag.com/launch/.]

Important Information

This opportunity involves operating an independent business using a licensed system and brand. It is not a traditional employment position.

About The N2 Company

The N2 Company helps small- to mid-sized businesses connect with affluent homeowners through high-quality monthly publications, targeted digital advertising, and creative community events. Our portfolio includes 800+ custom publications across brands including Stroll, BeLocal, Greet, Real Producers, and more.

About Stroll Magazine

Stroll delivers hyper-local content to desirable, affluent communities. Residents value Stroll because the content comes from the community itself. Local businesses benefit by connecting directly with these engaged homeowners.

Requirements

  • High school diploma or GED
  • US Resident
  • Ability to operate a home-based business with local community engagement