Format Resumes for Bullhorn ATS Clients

When you submit candidate resumes to clients using Bullhorn, the system's Automatic Resume Parser processes files in real-time, extracting critical fields like name, email, phone, skills, work history, and education. Bullhorn integrates with Textkernel's parsing technology to handle various CV and resume formats across multiple languages. This parsing happens automatically upon submission, creating structured candidate records that your clients can immediately search and filter. However, if the resume format is too complex or unconventional, the parser may struggle, requiring clients to toggle to File View to read the original document—adding friction to their evaluation process.

Bullhorn supports PDFs and other resume formats through its integration with Textkernel's parsing technology. While the system can handle various formats, not all perform equally when it comes to accurate data extraction. PDFs with clean, single-column layouts typically parse most reliably, ensuring your candidate information populates correctly in client databases. More complex formats may still be accepted but could require manual review through Bullhorn's File View feature. For staffing agencies submitting high volumes of candidates, choosing the right format significantly impacts client experience and placement speed.

Candidate submissions fail in Bullhorn when the system cannot recognize or parse the uploaded file correctly. Common rejection scenarios include email submissions without proper attachments, resumes with overly complex formatting that confuse the parser, and situations where parsing settings prevent overwriting existing candidate records. When submissions fail to parse, your carefully sourced candidates may not appear in client searches or may display incomplete information, effectively removing them from consideration. Understanding these failure points helps agencies proactively format submissions for success.