How-To Guide

Format Resumes in Bullhorn: Complete Guide

February 8, 2026iReformat Team10 min read
BullhornATSresume formattingBullhorn integration

Quick Summary

TL;DR

Bullhorn is the most popular ATS for staffing agencies, but its native resume formatting is limited. Recruiters either manually format in Word or use third-party tools that integrate with Bullhorn. This guide covers your options: Bullhorn's built-in capabilities, Kyloe (Bullhorn's own formatting add-on), and third-party tools like iReformat that connect via API.

#1
ATS for staffing agencies

Key Facts

Bullhorn Users

10,000+ companies

Native Formatting

Limited

Integration Options

Kyloe + 3rd party

With Integration

Under 60 seconds

Key Takeaways

  • Bullhorn's native resume formatting is basic — it stores and displays resumes but doesn't offer template-based formatting
  • Kyloe (owned by Bullhorn) offers native formatting but with limited template customization
  • Third-party tools like iReformat connect via Bullhorn API for full-featured formatting with custom templates
  • The best workflow: pull resumes from Bullhorn, format with your branded template, push back automatically
  • Choose your integration based on template needs, budget, and how much formatting control you require

Bullhorn's Native Resume Capabilities

Bullhorn is built for candidate management, job tracking, and placement workflows — not for resume formatting. What Bullhorn does natively:

  • Resume storage: Stores uploaded resumes (Word, PDF) in the candidate record
  • Resume parsing: Extracts candidate data (name, email, skills) from uploaded resumes to populate fields
  • Resume viewing: Displays resumes within the Bullhorn interface
  • Resume download: Allows downloading the original file for manual formatting

What Bullhorn does not do natively:

  • Apply branded templates to resumes
  • Standardize formatting across your team
  • Remove candidate contact information for client submission
  • Convert between file formats (PDF to Word or vice versa)
  • Batch format multiple resumes

Option 1: Manual Formatting (The Common Approach)

Most Bullhorn users format resumes manually:

  1. Download the resume from Bullhorn
  2. Open your Word template
  3. Copy-paste candidate information into the template
  4. Fix formatting issues (fonts, spacing, alignment)
  5. Add agency branding (header, logo, contact info)
  6. Save as PDF
  7. Upload the formatted version back to Bullhorn or email to client

This process takes 30-60 minutes per resume and is the primary time drain for Bullhorn-using agencies. With 10+ resumes per day, it consumes a full recruiter's workday.

Option 2: Kyloe (Bullhorn-Native Add-On)

Kyloe is a Bullhorn-owned company that offers resume formatting as a native add-on within Bullhorn. It works directly inside the Bullhorn interface.

  • Pros: Native Bullhorn integration (no context switching), built into your existing workflow, owned by Bullhorn (supported and maintained)
  • Cons: Limited template customization compared to dedicated tools, formatting quality is template-dependent (not AI-powered), pricing is through Bullhorn's sales team (not transparent), features are more basic than standalone formatting tools

Kyloe is a reasonable choice for agencies that want basic formatting without leaving Bullhorn. For agencies that need advanced templates, AI-powered layout, or more customization, a third-party tool offers more.

Option 3: Third-Party Integration (Best Results)

Third-party tools like iReformat connect to Bullhorn via API, providing full-featured formatting with deep customization:

  • Pull resumes from Bullhorn: Access candidate resumes directly from your Bullhorn records
  • Apply branded templates: Use your fully customized templates with drag-and-drop editing
  • AI-powered formatting: Intelligent layout decisions that maintain readability and structure
  • Push back to Bullhorn: Formatted resumes are automatically saved back to the candidate record
  • Bulk processing: Format multiple Bullhorn resumes in a single batch

Comparison: Your Bullhorn Formatting Options

Bullhorn Resume Formatting Options

FeatureManual (Word)KyloeiReformat
Time per resume30-60 min5-10 minUnder 60 sec
Template customizationUnlimited (but manual)LimitedFull drag-and-drop
Formatting qualityDepends on recruiterTemplate-basedAI-powered
Bullhorn integrationDownload/upload manualNativeAPI-connected
Blind CV / anonymizationManual redactionYesYes
Bulk formattingNoLimitedYes
Brand consistencyLow (varies by recruiter)MediumHigh (100%)
Setup timeNoneBullhorn add-onMinutes

Setting Up Bullhorn Integration

Connecting a formatting tool to Bullhorn typically involves:

  1. API credentials: Get your Bullhorn API key from Settings → API Credentials
  2. Authorization: Authorize the formatting tool to access your Bullhorn data
  3. Template mapping: Map your formatting templates to Bullhorn workflows
  4. Test: Format one resume through the integration to verify everything works
  5. Deploy: Roll out to your team with a quick training session

Pro tip: Set up a custom tab or button in Bullhorn that triggers formatting directly from the candidate record. This eliminates context switching and makes formatting a one-click action for your recruiters.

Frequently Asked Questions

One-Click Formatting in Bullhorn

iReformat connects to Bullhorn via API. Pull resumes, format with your template, push back — all in under 60 seconds.

Enterprise-grade securitySetup in minutesNo credit card required