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 .

ICAM Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Etelligentgroup · Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Company Overview:

Over the past 15 years, eTel has delivered essential solutions for the federal government by securing and managing data, providing scalable identity access, modernizing legacy systems, and building high-performance platforms. By integrating new technologies and ensuring reliable operations we help agencies stay prepared for future challenges As a premier technology solutions and services company to the US federal government, eTel possesses longstanding relationships across the federal civilian marketplace. Other customers include the broader Treasury Department, Commerce Department, and State Department.

 

eTel offers integrated CMMI Level 3 processes, tools, and techniques with innovative, cost-efficient, and secure solutions to address complex challenges. eTel also holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO/IEC 27001:2013, and ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018 certifications, and offers dedicated subject matter experts (SMEs) and thought leaders that possess a deep understanding of customers’ environments and challenges.

Security Clearance: Must meet all DHS/USCIS security clearance requirements.

Citizenship: US Citizen (MUST)

Location: Hybrid (Tentative). Work may be performed remotely, with potential onsite work in Washington, DC, pending final client confirmation.

 

Role Overview:

The ICAM SME provides deep technical and policy expertise to guide federal identity, credential, and access management strategy, solutions, and operations.

 

Essential Requirements:

  • Experience:
  • In-depth knowledge of federal ICAM standards and the Federal ICAM Roadmap and Implementation Guidance.
  • Demonstrated expertise with both commercial and open-source ICAM products, including their strengths and limitations.
  • Certification: Must possess at least one of these certifications:
  • Certified Identity and Access Manager (CIAM)
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
  • GIAC Defensible Identity and Access Management (GDA)
  • Certified Access Management Specialist (CAMS)
  • CompTIA Security+
  • FICAM-related training
  • Technical Skills:
  • Knowledge of integration, authentication/authorization mechanisms, public key infrastructure, digital workflow, and security best practices (Zero Trust, Just-in-Time Provisioning, Privileged Access Management).
  • Experience maintaining and securing complex, enterprise-wide IT environments (cloud/DevSecOps preferred).
  • Security & Compliance:
  • Must meet all DHS/USCIS security requirements and pass required background checks.
  • S. citizenship required.
  • Annual compliance training on IT security and privacy.

 

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Advise on ICAM solutions architecture, product selection, and system integration.
  • Guide adherence to DHS, FICAM, and USCIS policies.
  • Support advanced configuration/security of authentication, authorization, and video analytics systems.
  • Oversee and support Section 508 compliance efforts and documentation.
  • Transfer knowledge and ensure full continuity of technical responsibilities if replaced.

 

General Key Personnel Requirements:

  • Provide a detailed statement of qualifications (including certifications, experience, and ICAM knowledge) within 10 days following offer award.
  • Possess a high standard of professionalism, communication skills, and adaptability to changing technical and business priorities.
  • Be proactive in knowledge management, collaboration, and supporting innovation initiatives.
  • Comply with annual security and privacy training and all federal reporting/recordkeeping requirements.
  • Maintain full alignment with all DHS/USCIS policies, including Security Directive 4300A, HSPD-12/PIV card requirements, Section 508 accessibility standards, and the Trusted Workforce 2.0 background screening program.
  • Ensure timely knowledge transfer and transition between outgoing and incoming key personnel as needed, with approval/notification to the Government per contract procedures.

Commitment to Diversity -
eTelligent Group provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, nations origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, and any other characteristic provided in accordance with applicable, federal, state and local laws.

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