The 8 Best Resume Parsing Software Tools in 2024

Resume parsing software extracts data from resumes and creates a database of info that TA teams can use in various ways, from generating nuanced analytics about the entire pool to a quick fact-check on the particulars of a single applicant.

Resume parsers are essential for high-volume hiring because they deliver speed and accuracy. Rapid, automated data extraction happens in the blink of an eye. The same instant, relevant info is organized (often with the help of AI) into a database. Long story short: the days of manual sorting and data entry are over.

But there’s more to resume parsing software than resource optimization. Below are more of the primary use cases and benefits of resume parsing software.

• High-volume sorting: The speed and accuracy of resume parsing software are undeniable, as is the fact that people, though relatively slow and error-prone, are still critical throughout the hiring process.
  
• Some of you may remember a headline-grabbing study from 2018 that found that in high-volume hiring environments, recruiters spend an average of 7.4 seconds looking at each resume. Parsing software cuts that down to fractions of a second and eliminates inevitable human error.
  For HR folks who feel a little nervous when “eliminate” and “human” are used in the same sentence, please remember: artificial intelligence has serious, irreconcilable limitations in domains where we are naturally gifted.
• Ensure diversity: Human assessment of resumes will never be free of discrimination. Awareness of implicit bias is growing but we will always fall into our established thinking patterns because bias is a tough habit to break.
  The conversation is complex and ongoing, but the current consensus is that AI’s tendency toward discrimination is relatively less than ours, and the hope is that automated parsing will make the process more equitable.
• Increase accuracy: Manual extraction and data entry is difficult for most humans. It’s repetitive and workers are prone to error, but modern resume parsers are swift and efficient. AI never gets bored, restless, or hungry.
• Save time: 7.4 seconds per resume may not sound like much, but it’s a lot more than zero! Resume parsing software is perfect for the initial steps of sorting resumes. Handing off this low-skill/high-volume process enables TA teams to focus on more critical, high-skill/low-volume tasks.
• Create databases: As it extracts and sorts data, resume parsing software also creates a database of candidate info. Though primarily used for analytics, databases like these can supplement ATS software because they contain so much neatly organized candidate information.
• ‍Compare candidates: Beyond the initial sorting that will inevitably eliminate many candidates (often the resume-stuffing kind), parsing software can quickly provide side-by-side comparisons of individuals for specific traits, as well as for entire sets of applicants where significant trends may be found.

Purchasing the wrong parsing software can waste time, money, and resources. Whether it’s capturing the wrong applicants or letting the right ones go, it’s critical to know what to watch out for before you buy. With recent innovations in AI, we’re in the middle of a steep learning curve, so the tried and true methods for implementing modern resume parsing software are still being established. To make sure you're getting the most out of your investment, you should be mindful of the following pitfalls:

• Getting outdated software:  This is a highly dynamic landscape, so familiarize yourself with the latest innovations. Learn and ask about each product's capabilities in natural language processing, the technology that recognizes keywords and phrases. Also, ask about core functionalities of the database, like duplicate management and data analytics. Finally, ask the vendor about the research and development they conduct to keep their software up-to-date.
• Not checking compatibility: Parsers should integrate with your existing HR tech stack, applicant tracking software, and other recruiting tools. This is a make-or-break consideration: buying a tool that does not integrate with your tech stack is a patently bad idea that will lead to inefficiencies in your workflow and overall frustration.
• Not considering candidate experience: Each applicant’s perception of your company during recruitment is important. Whether it’s a minor oversight or a high-volume error, a negative candidate experience is an impression that lasts and may discourage qualified candidates from applying in the future.
• HR training: Get a feel for the technical knowledge your HR team will have to apply for operation and troubleshooting the software. Your team should have access to multiple resources and regular training to get the most out of the software.‍
• Costs of plans: Resume parsing software can be expensive, and the prices don’t always reflect the quality of the product. Get to know the standard features and learn about the add-ons. Ask vendors for a feature list and pricing breakdown and ensure your company has enough budget for the appropriate plan for the size of your business.

The right resume parsing software can reduce errors, manage bulk processing, and free up time for recruiters.

This final point is the most important. Resume parsing software enables your TA team's highly skilled people to use their skills! Freeing up time that allows your team to make a solid connection with candidates will result in better hires, and in turn, better hires enable productivity, collaboration, and inclusivity.

In addition to the obvious operational benefits of hiring the best people, enabling good hires also pays off in employee retention. Ideally, these excellent hires who are now a part of the productive and inclusive company will stay put. This is great for your reputation, too— public sentiment is an essential factor directly related to hiring. 

And speaking of candidate experience, this is now a standard consideration in all top-tier products. This is a critical piece of your ROI and may require some work to assess, but take the time to learn if each of your options will leave candidates with a positive impression of your business.

It can be hard to compute actual ROI, but feature-rich products generally have a pricier entry point than other tools yet generate higher potential returns. Interestingly, Hiretual has an ROI calculator that computes returns for using their software in terms of time saved and productivity gains. Companies can save up to 23 hours per hire and up to 500 hours per year with these tools, which compounds your company's size.

Resume parsing software can be charged by the number of documents to be parsed or by the number of recruiters/users. Different plans can also cater to different sizes of businesses.

Based on our research, below are estimated annual costs for resume parsing software:

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Remember that these are rough estimates, and some companies don’t disclose pricing. Therefore, getting a quote is your best bet to get the right price and plan for your needs.

Beauty, and the difference between bad, average, and excellent resume parsing software, is in the eye of the beholder. The most important thing to consider is that your parser must be able to help you achieve your company's specific goals. Do you just want to save time? Do you want to screen a large pool of candidates, potentially across multiple platforms? Do you want to increase diversity in your company? Before you start shopping, talk to as many stakeholders as possible to understand what you need.

Below are key resume parsing software features to look out for. Most of these are standard to all platforms, but major differences exist in how each company approaches these core elements.

• Multilingual support: If your company has potential hires from different countries, you should choose a software vendor that offers multilingual support to avoid unnecessary language barriers.
• Bulk import from several sources: Resumes can come from emails, job boards, SMS, and even social media. A bulk import feature is crucial to get your thousands of resumes into one place.
• Sourcing configurability: Each recruitment process is unique. Recruiters should be able to configure parsers to meet their needs, whether customizing skill taxonomies or turning off specific fields to control for bias.‍
• Candidate summaries: Some parsing software tools merely extract and hold data, while others produce insightful AI-generated summaries containing relevant information about your candidate, which can speed up the decision-making process.

You know your company best, so make your needs known when you go into a product demonstration. Here are some good questions to get you started:

• Will this software easily integrate with the applications our company already uses?
• Is this software capable of scaling with our company?
• How long does it take to implement the software and integrate it with our existing systems?
• Do you provide onboarding training?
• How can we reach out for technical support? Do you have 24/7 live customer support?
• Can I easily upgrade or downgrade plans?
• Are your key features good solutions for our company’s current issues?

To help you prepare, we created this handy Excel organizer you can use when you start zeroing in on your choice.

Resume parsing software have wide-ranging implementation styles. Some platforms require minimal technical know-how, while others involve API keys and JSON for your arrays, vectors, and sequences. If your access to people who understand the second half of the previous sentence is limited, we recommend you buy the software described in the first.

Whether you go with a plug-and-play or open-source option, make sure the company offers technical support and other resources for the implementation process. Keep in mind that parsing and database-ing heaps of resumes isn’t the end goal. It is a single step in the hiring process, and it’s essentially useless unless it can be easily folded into the next steps.

What does resume parsing mean?

Resume parsing is the automated data extraction and analysis from resumes and CVs. Resume parsing software gathers information and stores it in a central location where recruiters can access candidate data quickly.

Who uses resume parsing software?

Resume parsing software is used by TA teams and recruiting agencies. Because the software handles high-volume hiring, most customers are enterprise-scale, large companies across industries. As the technology becomes more common, many small to mid-sized businesses are using the technology to automate sorting processes.

Do all companies use resume-parsing software?

Almost all large companies use parsing software and an applicant tracking system to screen and manage candidates. There is increasing demand in SMBs for low-volume parsing and other Natural Language Processing features.

The cost of resume parsing software can be steep, but the ROI can be substantial. Though inexpensive (and even free) options are available, many of these products lack features that we think are super-critical. For example, exporting to Excel or a JSON file is cool, but not as cool as plugging directly into your ATS.

Generally speaking, small and slowly growing teams do not need resume parsing software. However, there are some isolated exceptions, and the technology is adapting to take on new functions. Before you start shopping, assess your company’s needs to determine if you'd be better off paying per recruiter or document.

Finally, don’t just take our word for it! We think the products on this list are the best, but you should do your own research, consult your own sources, and tap into whatever grapevine is available to you. We recommend getting demos from at least two to three companies. Before you speak to someone from their sales team, get a crystal-clear picture of your needs. Come prepared with specific questions to help you gauge if the tool is right for you.

Are you looking for more recruitment software for your company? Check out our unbiased list of the best AI recruiting tools on the market today.