What Is Resume Parsing?
Resume parsing is the technology that allows software to read your resume file and extract its contents into organized, searchable data. When you upload a resume to a job portal or company career page, a parser breaks the document apart and maps each piece of information -- your name, email, job titles, dates of employment, skills, and degrees -- into specific database fields.
This structured data is what recruiters search and what applicant tracking systems use to rank candidates. If the parser misreads your resume, your qualifications may be lost or misattributed regardless of how strong they actually are.
How Resume Parsers Work
- Document conversion -- The parser converts your file (PDF, DOCX, or plain text) into machine-readable text.
- Section identification -- It looks for standard section headings such as "Experience," "Education," and "Skills."
- Entity extraction -- The software identifies specific data types: names, dates, company names, job titles, and technical skills.
- Field mapping -- Extracted data is placed into the corresponding fields within the ATS database.
Formatting Tips for Better Parsing
- Use conventional section headings. "Professional Experience" parses reliably; "Where I've Made an Impact" does not.
- Avoid tables, text boxes, columns, and graphics. Parsers read linearly and these elements scramble the reading order.
- List dates in a consistent, standard format such as "Jan 2022 -- Present" or "01/2022 -- Present."
- Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 10--12pt size.
Common Mistakes
- Saving resumes as image-based PDFs (scanned documents) that parsers cannot read at all.
- Placing your name or contact details inside a header or footer, which many parsers skip entirely.
- Using creative job titles from your actual employer (like "Customer Happiness Hero") without including the standard equivalent ("Customer Service Representative").
