Workable is a solid ATS, but it struggles with certain CV formats. If your candidate's CV arrives garbled, missing sections, or with misplaced data, it's usually down to formatting issues. This guide helps you spot the problem fast and fix the CV so Workable processes it correctly every time.
TL;DR: Workable breaks on tables, multi-column layouts, and unusual fonts. Use a plain Word or PDF file, avoid embedded objects, and keep headings simple. If you send 20+ CVs weekly, automate formatting with Distill to save time.
Quick diagnosis: Is Workable breaking your CV?
Use this decision tree to find your CV's formatting problem in 60 seconds.
| Problem symptom | Likely cause | Quick check |
|---|---|---|
| Text jumbled or overlapping | Tables or text boxes | Open CV, check for tables or frames |
| Headings missing or merged | Non-standard heading styles | Inspect heading styles in Word |
| Contact details lost or split | Multiple columns | Look for columns in CV layout |
| Bullet points missing or odd | Unsupported bullet styles | Check bullet formatting |
| CV uploads but data misplaced | Embedded images or objects | Try copy-pasting text into Notepad |
| Workable rejects file outright | Unsupported file type | Confirm file is .doc, .docx, or PDF |
If you tick any "Yes" boxes above, you've found the formatting culprit.
Why does Workable fail on these formats?
Workable's parser expects a straightforward document structure. It reads CVs sequentially, left to right, top to bottom. Anything that breaks this flow causes errors.
- Tables: Workable's parser flattens tables poorly. It scrambles row and column order, mixing data fields like employer names and dates.
- Multi-columns: When CVs use two or three columns, Workable reads left column top to bottom, then right column, which jumble timelines and bullet points.
- Non-standard headings: Custom fonts, sizes, or styles confuse Workable's section detection. Headings may disappear or merge.
- Embedded objects: Logos, icons, or text boxes are often ignored or misplaced.
- Exotic bullet styles: Fancy symbols or custom bullets don't convert well and get lost.
- Unsupported file types: Workable doesn't accept .pages, scanned PDFs, or password-protected files. Only .doc, .docx, and PDFs with selectable text work reliably.
Step-by-step fix for Workable CV formatting
Follow this process to get a CV ready for Workable ingestion:
Convert to Word .docx or clean PDF: If you receive a scanned PDF or .pages, ask the candidate for Word or export a clean PDF with selectable text.
Remove tables: Replace any tables with simple line breaks or bullet points. For example, swap a two-column "Employment dates | Employer" table for:
Employer Name Role Title Dates EmployedAvoid multi-columns: Use a single column layout. Remove any column breaks or newspaper-style formatting.
Use standard heading styles: Stick to Word's built-in Heading 1, Heading 2, or bold text for section titles. Avoid custom fonts or sizes.
Clear out embedded objects: Delete logos, icons, or text boxes. If contact details are in an image, convert to text.
Use simple bullets: Use standard round or square bullets from Word's default list options.
Check font: Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Avoid script or decorative fonts.
Save with compatibility: When saving Word docs, use "Word 97-2003 Document (.doc)" or standard .docx format. Avoid "Strict Open XML".
Run a copy-paste test: Copy all CV text into Notepad or another plain-text editor. If text appears in the right order and no key info is missing, it should parse correctly.
Preview in Workable: Upload the fixed CV to Workable's test environment or sandbox to check how it parses before submission.
How to prevent Workable issues on future CVs
Stop formatting headaches before they start:
- Ask candidates to submit CVs in Word or PDF with no tables or multi-columns.
- Provide a simple Workable CV template for candidates or recruiters to use.
- Train your team to scan incoming CVs for tables, columns, and fancy formatting.
- Use consistent fonts and standard headings across all CVs.
- Automate the formatting step with a tool that strips problematic elements before upload.
- Set clear policies with clients and candidates on acceptable CV formats.
- Check Workable's latest file compatibility updates occasionally — they do improve parsing but slowly.
When should you escalate formatting to Distill?
If manual fixes take longer than a minute or you handle 20+ CVs weekly for Workable clients, Distill can save time. It automatically:
- Removes tables, columns, and embedded objects
- Converts files to clean Word or PDF formats
- Standardises headings and bullet points
- Strips personal data for GDPR compliance if needed
Distill won't fix every edge case (for example, scanned PDFs with no text layer). But for typical problematic CVs, it reduces formatting time from minutes to seconds.
FAQ
Does Workable accept PDFs or Word files better?
Workable supports both but prefers text-based PDFs or Word .doc/.docx. Scanned PDFs or password-protected files cause parsing failures.
Can I keep tables if they look neat?
No. Even well-formatted tables confuse the parser. Replace tables with line breaks or bullets before submission.
What fonts are safe for Workable?
Stick to Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Verdana. Avoid script or decorative fonts.
Why does Workable drop contact details sometimes?
If contact info is inside text boxes, images, or tables, Workable's parser may ignore it. Keep contact details in plain text near the top.
Does Distill integrate directly with Workable?
Distill formats CVs before upload. It doesn't integrate directly but works alongside your workflow as a standalone tool or email add-on.
If you regularly submit CVs to Workable, the fix is often just one formatting step away — remove tables, columns, and embedded objects, then save as a clean Word or PDF. To cut that step out of your workflow, try Distill free. It reformats CVs to Workable's spec in 30 seconds, so you spend less time fixing and more time recruiting.