If you’ve applied for a role online and uploaded your CV to an application system, you’ve already encountered parsing. It’s a behind-the-scenes process that plays a critical role in how your CV is read, stored, and compared against other applicants. At The Career Experts (TCE), we help clients understand parsing so they can ensure their CVs are not only written for human impact but also optimised for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
What is Parsing?
Parsing is the automated process where recruitment software extracts, organises, and categorises the information from your CV or LinkedIn profile into structured data fields. Instead of a recruiter manually reading every CV line by line, the system “parses” the text into fields such as:
- Name and Contact Information
- Work Experience (Job Titles, Employers, Dates)
- Education and Certifications
- Skills and Keywords
Once parsed, your data becomes searchable within the ATS, enabling recruiters to quickly filter candidates by keywords, qualifications, or experience.
Why Parsing Matters for Jobseekers
While parsing makes life easier for recruiters, it creates challenges for candidates:
- Formatting Issues: Overuse of tables, graphics, or unusual fonts can confuse ATS parsers, leading to missing or misclassified data.
- Keyword Sensitivity: If your CV doesn’t contain the same terms recruiters search for (e.g., “Financial Controller” vs “Finance Manager”), you may not appear in search results.
- Accuracy Risks: Mis-parsed data—like employment dates or role titles—can push your profile down the ranking, even if you’re fully qualified.
Parsing in Recruitment Practice
Recruiters often rely on parsing when handling hundreds of applications for a single vacancy. Instead of reading every CV, they’ll run keyword searches across the parsed database. Candidates with CVs optimised for parsing appear at the top of shortlists; those with poorly formatted CVs may be overlooked entirely.
The Career Experts’ Perspective
At TCE, we design CVs that balance two audiences:
- The ATS parser – ensuring clean formatting, accurate keyword use, and field alignment.
- The human reader – ensuring strategic positioning, compelling achievements, and a strong career narrative.
This dual approach means your CV won’t get lost in the system—and when it reaches the hiring manager’s desk, it delivers impact.
Final Thought
Parsing is not a recruitment “trend”; it’s an integral part of how modern hiring works. By understanding how your data is read and stored, you can take control of how you appear in recruiter searches. At TCE, we ensure your CV is parser-friendly and persuasive, giving you a distinct advantage in competitive markets.
