Bullhorn mangles CVs because it struggles with certain formatting elements. If your CV looks scrambled or key details vanish after upload, this guide helps you diagnose and fix the problem fast.
TL;DR: Bullhorn fails mostly on tables, columns, fonts, and file types. Remove or simplify these elements, use standard fonts, and submit clean Word docs to avoid errors. If you send 20+ CVs weekly through Bullhorn, Distill can automate this cleanup for you.
Quick diagnosis: Is this a Bullhorn formatting problem?
Use this decision tree to identify the Bullhorn formatting issue in under 60 seconds:
| Symptom | Likely cause | Quick check |
|---|---|---|
| CV text scrambled or overlapped | Tables or columns | Open CV, look for any tables or two-column layouts |
| Missing contact details | Unreadable header or text boxes | Check if contact info is inside headers or text boxes |
| Fonts replaced or distorted | Non-standard fonts | Look for unusual or decorative fonts |
| PDF upload results in gibberish | Unsupported PDF format | Try uploading Word doc instead |
| Bullet points lost or mangled | Special bullet characters | Check bullet style, replace with simple ones |
| Date fields or sections missing | Hidden text or layered objects | Reveal hidden text, flatten layers |
If none apply, the issue may be client-side or a Bullhorn system update. Contact Bullhorn support or your IT team.
Why does Bullhorn fail on CVs? Root causes ranked by frequency
Tables and columns Bullhorn's parser reads text linearly. Tables and columns rearrange text spatially, so Bullhorn mixes up the order or drops data. Tables often hide contact info or skills sections.
Headers and footers Data in headers or footers can disappear completely or get pasted in the wrong place.
Non-standard fonts and colours Bullhorn substitutes fonts it doesn't recognise with defaults. This breaks alignment and can render text unreadable.
Text boxes and floating objects Contact details or key sections inside text boxes or floating images are often ignored.
Unsupported file types or PDFs Bullhorn works best with .doc and .docx files. PDFs that aren't "true text" or saved with complex settings fail to parse properly.
Special characters and bullets Fancy bullets, emojis, or symbols can cause garbled text or cause the parser to drop entire lines.
Step-by-step fix for Bullhorn CV formatting
Follow these steps to save yourself time and headaches:
Remove all tables and columns Convert tables to simple line breaks. Replace two-column layouts with single-column text. Use paragraph spacing, not columns.
Avoid headers, footers, and text boxes Move contact info and personal details into the main body of the CV. Use plain paragraphs aligned left.
Use standard fonts only Stick to Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Verdana. Avoid decorative or script fonts.
Save as a Word .doc or .docx file Avoid PDFs unless you know the client's Bullhorn instance can handle them. If you must use PDF, flatten layers and remove annotations.
Replace special bullets and characters Use simple round or square bullets from Word's default list. Remove emojis or unusual symbols.
Check spacing and line breaks Avoid double spaces, manual tabs, or multiple returns. Use paragraph spacing settings instead.
Run a final test upload Before sending, upload the CV to Bullhorn yourself or test with a dummy profile to catch formatting glitches.
How to prevent Bullhorn formatting errors on future submittals
Standardise your CV template Use a Bullhorn-friendly CV template across your team. Train recruiters on the no-tables, no-headers rule.
Use Distill to automate formatting If you send dozens of CVs weekly, manual fixes add up. Distill automatically removes tables, headers, photos, and sensitive data before upload.
Educate candidates on formatting Ask candidates to submit CVs in simple Word format without columns or graphics.
Build internal checklists Create a quick pre-upload checklist covering font, tables, file type, and special characters.
Keep updated on Bullhorn changes Bullhorn occasionally updates parsing rules. Stay in touch with Bullhorn support or your ATS admin.
When is it time to escalate to Distill?
Manual fixes work for occasional CVs but become unsustainable at scale. Use Distill if:
You submit 20 or more CVs per week to Bullhorn clients.
Your team spends more than 10 minutes fixing each CV.
You want to remove sensitive details automatically before upload.
You need consistent formatting that matches Bullhorn's parsing rules without rework.
Distill strips the name, email, phone, photo, and graduation year from the CV before submission. It flattens tables and removes headers automatically. This saves recruiters time and reduces client complaints.
FAQ
Q: Can I use PDFs with Bullhorn? A: Bullhorn prefers Word documents. PDFs often fail unless saved as simple, text-based files. Avoid scanned PDFs or those with complex layouts.
Q: Why does Bullhorn drop contact details? A: Contact info inside headers, footers, or text boxes is ignored. Place contact details in the main body, left-aligned, with no text boxes.
Q: Can I keep columns in my CV? A: No. Columns confuse the parser and mix up text order. Use a single-column layout instead.
Q: Will Distill reformat CVs for other ATS? A: Distill supports several ATS but its Bullhorn formatting is tailored specifically to Bullhorn's parsing quirks.
Q: What fonts are safest for Bullhorn? A: Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, Verdana. Avoid script, decorative, or custom fonts.
Q: Does removing tables lose information? A: Sometimes yes, if skills or languages are in tables. Reformat this data as bullet points or simple lists.
If you're sending 20+ CVs a week to Bullhorn clients, Distill formats them to the spec above automatically. Try Distill free and cut CV formatting headaches in 30 seconds.