# RakitCV — Scientific CV Scoring Methodology & Research

> RakitCV evaluates resumes using an empirical 100-point scoring model derived from recruiter eye-tracking studies, Google's hiring formula, Harvard action verb taxonomies, and Applicant Tracking System (ATS) parsing standards.
> 
> Designed for job seekers of all backgrounds — from first-time applicants and fresh graduates to mid-career switchers and seasoned executives.

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## 1. Executive Summary

At RakitCV, resume scores are not arbitrary guesses or keyword counts. Every evaluation benchmark maps directly to published hiring research and ATS parser behaviors:

| Evaluation Pillar | Weight | Benchmark & Source Origin |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Measurable Business Impact** | 35% | Google Laszlo Bock Formula ("Accomplished X as measured by Y, by doing Z") |
| **Active Action Verbs** | 25% | Harvard OCS Resume Guide & Bloom's Taxonomy |
| **Visual Readability & Conciseness** | 20% | The Ladders 7.4-Second Eye-Tracking Study |
| **ATS Parser Integrity** | 20% | MIT CAPD Career Guidelines & Parser Standards |

Total Score: **100 Points** (Grade Scale: Excellent 90–100, Good 75–89, Needs Work <75).

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## 2. The Four Pillars of Evaluation

### Pillar 1: Measurable Business Impact (35 Points)
- **Source**: Laszlo Bock, former SVP of People Operations at Google.
- **Rule**: Every accomplishment bullet should follow the formula:  
  *«Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing [Z]»*
- **What is Evaluated**:
  - Currency figures (e.g., IDR, Rp, USD, $, €)
  - Percentages and multiples (e.g., +45% growth, 3.5x speed increase, 20 hours saved weekly)
  - Concrete scale indicators (e.g., 500+ active users, 12 team members mentored, 1,000+ daily orders)
- **Example**:
  - *Before (Task-oriented)*: "Responsible for client onboarding and daily team operations."
  - *After (Google X-Y-Z)*: "Accelerated client onboarding by 40% (from 14 days to 8 days) by streamlining workflows across 500+ new accounts."

### Pillar 2: Active Action Verbs (25 Points)
- **Source**: Harvard Office of Career Services (OCS) & Bloom's Taxonomy.
- **Rule**: Resume bullets must lead with active, high-impact verbs rather than passive duties. Using active verbs increases interview invitation rates by up to 21%.
- **Key Categories**:
  - *Leadership & Strategy*: Directed, Orchestrated, Spearheaded, Accelerated, Pioneered, Memimpin, Merancang.
  - *Execution & Delivery*: Engineered, Implemented, Streamlined, Built, Delivered, Mengembangkan, Mengotomatisasi.
  - *Optimization & Growth*: Optimized, Scaled, Maximized, Reduced, Consolidated, Mengoptimalkan, Meningkatkan.
- **What to Avoid**: Passive openers like "Responsible for", "Helped with", "Assisted in", or "Bertanggung jawab atas".

### Pillar 3: Visual Readability & Scannability (20 Points)
- **Source**: The Ladders Eye-Tracking Study (recruiters spend an average of 7.4 seconds on initial screening).
- **Rule**: Information must be instantly digestible without cognitive fatigue.
- **Standards**:
  - *Experience Bullet Length*: 12 to 28 words per bullet (1 to 2 printed lines).
  - *Professional Summary*: 40 to 80 words (3 to 5 lines of scannable, punchy summary).
  - *Structure*: Consistent margins, clear section headings, and clean visual hierarchy.

### Pillar 4: ATS Parser Integrity (20 Points)
- **Source**: MIT Career Advising & Professional Development (CAPD).
- **Rule**: Data entities must be easily extracted by hiring software (Greenhouse, Workday, Lever, SAP SuccessFactors) without garbled text.
- **Standards**:
  - *Contact Info*: Standard email format and valid international phone notation.
  - *Core Sections*: Summary/Profile, Experience or Projects, Education, and Skills.
  - *Skills Density*: 8 to 20 well-structured competencies (preventing unnatural keyword stuffing).

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## 3. Adaptive Rubric for Students & Fresh Graduates

We believe great talent starts somewhere. When building an entry-level resume:
- If formal **Work Experience** is not yet available, the **35% Measurable Impact** weight automatically transfers to **Academic Projects, Volunteer Work, and Portfolios**.
- A student or fresh graduate can achieve a score of 95+ by demonstrating quantified achievements in campus initiatives, freelance projects, or thesis research.

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## 4. True Text-Based PDF Export vs. Image Screenshots

Most resume builders render CVs into flat rasterized images (PNG/JPEG) wrapped in a PDF envelope. ATS parsers read image PDFs as completely blank documents, leading to automatic candidate rejections.

RakitCV produces **true, single-layer text PDFs**:
- Every letter, heading, and date is selectable and searchable text.
- Standard PDF fonts guarantee that ATS software can extract your work history flawlessly.
- Lightweight file size (typically under 100 KB), ensuring fast uploads on any job portal.
- Zero watermarks, zero hidden trial fees.

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## 5. References & Academic Bibliography

1. **Laszlo Bock** — *Work Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead* (Twelve, 2015).
2. **Harvard University Office of Career Services** — *Resumes and Cover Letters: An OCS Guide* (Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University).
3. **The Ladders** — *Eye-Tracking Study: What Recruiters Really See in 7.4 Seconds* (Ladders Research, 2018).
4. **MIT CAPD** — *MIT Career Advising & Professional Development Resume Writing Guide* (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2024).
5. **McKinsey & Company** — *Consulting Resume Preparation & Impact Quantification Standards*.

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*Last Updated: March 2026*  
*Official Documentation: https://rakitcv.com/methodology*