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 .

Dispatcher / Alarm Monitor / CCTV Operator

Waldensecurity · Washington, District of Columbia, United States

 

 

Overview:
The Dispatcher / Alarm Monitor / CCTV Operator is responsible for managing security communications and surveillance operations from designated Control Centers. This position plays a critical role in coordinating emergency response, monitoring CCTV feeds, and ensuring effective communication with field personnel. Candidates must be calm under pressure, highly organized, and technically proficient.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Operate and monitor CCTV systems, intrusion detection systems, fire alarms, duress alarms, and radio communications at Control Centers.
  • Dispatch Protective Service Officers in response to alarms, incidents, and emergency situations, and maintain constant communication with field supervisors and officers.
  • Acknowledge alarms within 30 seconds and initiate appropriate response actions within defined timelines (e.g., duress alarms within 2 minutes, fire within 2 minutes).
  • Maintain 24-hour duty logs and accurate records of all system activity, dispatches, and incidents.
  • Provide real-time reporting to the COR or designee and communicate with first responders and emergency personnel when directed.
  • Conduct system checks and routine inspections at the start of each shift; report malfunctions or anomalies immediately.
  • Assist with implementation of emergency air handler shut-off and shelter-in-place procedures, if required.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality and security awareness in all communications and actions.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • U.S. Citizen; 18 years of age or older.
  • High school diploma or GED required.
  • Must complete a 40-hour NENA (National Emergency Number Association) or equivalent dispatcher training course.
  • At least 24 hours of documented training in IDS/PACS operations, radio protocol, alarm monitoring, and incident response.
  • Demonstrated experience in a command center, 911 dispatch, emergency operations center, or similar environment preferred.
  • Strong communication, multitasking, and decision-making skills required.
  • Proficient in English (reading, writing, and speaking); must be able to write accurate incident summaries and reports.
  • Must maintain a calm and professional demeanor under pressure and during emergency situations.
  • Must pass a background investigation and suitability screening.

Work Conditions:

  • Operates in a secure, indoor control center environment with extended periods of sitting, monitoring, and communications work.
  • Shift work, including nights, weekends, and holidays, may be required depending on operational needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

#WaldenWay

H&W $5.09

Pay Rate
$29.26$29.26 USD

We offer every employee — from executive managers to administrative support to security professionals — unique and generous benefits, as well as opportunities for career growth.

So if you’re ready to embark on a meaningful career with one of the nation’s most dynamic and fastest growing security companies, apply with Walden Security today.