Why resumes fail
Most resumes are lists of responsibilities disguised as accomplishments. "Managed a team of 5" tells me nothing. "Scaled product org from 2 to 5 PMs while shipping 3 major releases" tells me you can build.
The difference is not just word choice. It is narrative structure. Good resumes answer an implicit question: "Why should I believe this person can do the job I'm hiring for?"
The four dimensions
We score resumes across four dimensions, weighted by how strongly they shape recruiter impressions. Each dimension is scored 0-100 based on how clearly your resume signals that quality.
Is there a coherent narrative? Can I tell where you've been, what you've done, and where you're going? This is the most important signal.
Do you quantify outcomes? Numbers, percentages, revenue, users: concrete evidence that you moved the needle.
Is your language precise and jargon-free? Can a non-expert understand what you actually did?
Is the formatting clean? Are bullets scannable? Does the visual hierarchy guide the recruiter's eye?
Why Story matters most
When a recruiter opens your resume, they are not reading. They are pattern-matching. They're asking: "Does this person make sense for this role?"
A strong Story score means your career progression is legible. Your job titles connect. Your accomplishments build on each other. The recruiter doesn't have to work to understand who you are.
A weak Story score means there are gaps, inconsistencies, or missing context. You might be a great candidate, but you are making the recruiter do the mental labor of piecing it together. In the initial screen window, they will not.1
What the scores mean
These thresholds are internal heuristics based on recruiter feedback patterns and review discussions.
Strong Signal
Clear narrative, quantified impact, clean presentation. You're competing at the top.
Solid
Good foundation, but opportunities to sharpen. Usually 1-2 key improvements will push you up.
Needs Work
Significant friction points that may cause quick rejections. Focus on the highest-leverage fixes first.
The bottom line
Your resume is not a document. It is a first impression compressed into a page. In those 7.4 seconds, a recruiter forms a hypothesis about you. Our job is to make sure that hypothesis is accurate and compelling.1
The 7.4-Second Signal Model isn't about gaming algorithms or stuffing keywords. It's about telling your story clearly enough that the right recruiter can recognize it instantly.
Limitations
- •Scores are heuristic and should be read alongside the narrative feedback.
- •Industry and role context can change what matters most.
- •Systemic factors are outside the scope of a resume score.