What applicant tracking systems do

What the parser actually does

Current Greenhouse and Lever documentation describes parsers that extract readable information from a resume and populate candidate fields such as contact information and work history.¹²

What can actually break

Greenhouse lists image-based resumes, graphics, word art, complex tables, headers, footers, text boxes, and columned layouts among formatting patterns that can produce unsuccessful or partial parsing. Lever notes that image files are not parseable and recommends checking whether the document text can be highlighted.¹²

Parsing is not the whole selection process

ATS products can also expose search and filter tools, and employer workflows differ by configuration. When software influences employment decisions, EEOC guidance says employers still need to consider job-relatedness and adverse impact.⁴³

Practical takeaways

• •Use standard section headers so both parsers and humans can navigate quickly.
• •Write role titles and core skills in plain language, not internal jargon.
• •Avoid graphics or tables that disrupt parsing and readability.