Format Resumes for ClearCompany ATS Clients

While specific parsing technology details aren't publicly available, ClearCompany's AI-powered system analyzes candidate data to prioritize submissions and provide interview insights to your clients. The system stores and tracks candidate information throughout the hiring process, making accurate parsing crucial for proper data organization. When you submit a candidate, the ATS extracts key information like contact details, work history, and skills to populate searchable fields. Formatting issues can cause critical information to be missed or misinterpreted, reducing your candidate's visibility in client searches.

ClearCompany recommends Microsoft Word (.doc) as the safest format for resume submissions. While PDFs maintain visual formatting, they can be less compatible with ATS parsing systems. Other formats like .docx, RTF, or JPG aren't reliably accepted across all ATS platforms. For staffing agencies, this means standardizing on .doc format ensures the highest success rate when submitting to ClearCompany clients. Avoid submitting candidates in formats that might not parse correctly, as this could eliminate qualified candidates from consideration.

Common rejection triggers include tables, non-traditional section headers, complex formatting elements like borders and shading, multiple columns, text boxes, and non-standard fonts. Underlining, special characters, and punctuation in names can also cause parsing issues. Inconsistent capitalization and punctuation confuse the system, while template-heavy designs often contain problematic elements. Interestingly, too many keywords (over 95% match to job descriptions) can also trigger rejection flags. For agencies, understanding these pitfalls helps ensure your candidate submissions successfully enter your client's talent pipeline.