Format Resumes for Paylocity ATS Clients

When you submit candidate resumes to clients using Paylocity, the system processes them through its integrated talent management platform. Unlike standalone ATS systems, Paylocity combines recruiting with payroll, benefits, and onboarding workflows. This means your candidate submissions need to integrate seamlessly with automated processes and custom workflows your clients have configured. The parsing technology needs to extract candidate information accurately to populate talent profiles that flow through the entire hiring-to-onboarding pipeline. Poor formatting can disrupt not just the initial screening but the entire candidate journey your clients have automated.

While specific file format requirements aren't publicly documented, general ATS best practices apply to Paylocity submissions. Your clients' systems may have varying tolerance for different formats, so it's essential to check current documentation for the most up-to-date requirements. The safest approach is using simple, single-column layouts that avoid complex formatting elements. Since Paylocity serves as a comprehensive HR platform rather than just a recruiting tool, file compatibility becomes even more critical as candidate data flows through multiple integrated systems.

Candidate submissions commonly fail due to complex formatting elements that interfere with parsing. Headers, footers, templates with borders and lines, and decorative elements can prevent proper data extraction. Tables and multiple columns create particular challenges, as do text boxes and non-standard fonts. Date formatting issues, especially when dates aren't properly positioned or lack month information, cause additional parsing problems. Special characters and accented words may not process correctly. Since your clients rely on Paylocity's automated workflows, these parsing failures can completely block candidates from entering their talent pipeline.