CV parsing in the application process

Automatic resume analysis saves time and money

The shortage of skilled workers often makes it difficult for companies to find good applicants. Moreover, complicated and time-consuming application procedures often deter some candidates. So why not take advantage of digitalization to make this step easier and at the same time optimize the recruiting process for HR consultants? The keyword here is CV parsing.

What is CV parsing?

CV parsing (CV = curriculum vitae, parsing = syntax analysis) can be used to automatically analyze CVs. Important information is extracted and then transferred and stored in standardized data sets. Depending on the software, this can be general information such as name, place of residence, applicant photo, or school and academic career, training or work experience. If, for example, HR consultancies use CV parsing for their recruiting or applicant process, they will have all the relevant data of the applicants stored in their system within a very short time and can thus easily and specifically compare different candidates with each other.

How does CV parsing work?

In CV parsing, information is extracted using syntax analysis. According to certain semantic criteria, the software captures correlations from digital texts and automatically enters them into the applicant system of the respective company. Since, in addition to the common PDF and Word formats, formats with endings such as .txt (text), .rtf (rich text format) and, depending on the equipment, image formats such as .png (portable network graphics) can also be analyzed, scanned and uploaded profiles as well as profiles from networks such as Xing and LinkedIn can be imported with ease. They are then analyzed for specific keywords: Place of residence, soft skills, further education or specific degrees. The more sophisticated the CV parsing software is through technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, and the more information is parsed from a profile, the better the results.

Types of parsing

Different variants of data analysis are applied in CV parsing, which filter a profile from several sides due to their different functions.

Keyword-based analysis

In this case, given words and simple phrases are identified, so it is searched for specific terms within the CVs. However, this variant alone is not very accurate in its hit rate.

Statistics-based analysis

Text correlations are identified and processed based on numerical models. The statistics-based programs have a high degree of accuracy.

Grammar-based

Grammar-based software analyzes individual text contexts on the basis of grammatical rules. Here, too, the results achieve high accuracy.

What are the advantages of CV parsing?

Automatic analysis through CV parsing brings many advantages. For example, the application process can be simplified since it is no longer necessary to fill in various fields within a search mask. After all, the more time-consuming, detailed and tedious the application process appears to candidates, the more daunting it is and the higher the rate of those who drop out in the midst of it. With CV parsing, candidates can experience a more user-friendly hiring process, even if at one point or another their own data may still need some adjustment. The simpler and more structured the process, the higher the so-called Candidate Experience, i.e. the experience an applicant has during the process. Companies can use CV parsing to simplify complex application processes considerably and increase quality - as a result, more applications can be submitted and the chances of receiving suitable profiles increase. CV parsing is particularly worthwhile for medium-sized to large companies that have to sift and sort through a large number of applications.

CV parsing offers many advantages especially for recruiters

CV parsing is also ideal for recruitment agencies, as they come into contact with a large number of applications every day and search for specialists and managers on behalf of companies. CV parsing saves them a great deal of time: instead of manually entering, sorting and evaluating data in the company’s internal application system, this is now done automatically. The resumes are displayed in a well-structured and complete manner. This makes it easier to work with the talent pool and the time saved can be invested in expertly checking applicant profiles. In addition, functions such as “People Analytics” weed out applications that do not match the client’s requirement profile.

Are there any disadvantages to CV parsing?

If tasks that were previously performed by people are replaced by technical processes, the question inevitably arises as to whether this does not also undermine personal sensibilities and judgment. This is certainly true in some areas, but in CV parsing there is a clear advantage: applicants can send individual applications instead of filling out rigid and impersonal search masks. This way, in addition to the professional details, the personality also comes through better. To be on the safe side and not leave the process exclusively to technology, the CVs selected by CV parsing should also undergo a final quality check by the recruiter. This ensures that the maximum potential is extracted from the system and utilized.

For companies and recruiters, CV parsing means a great relief and an analyzed pre-selection of suitable candidates - but it can also mean that top applications, which do not exactly meet the requirements but would still be convincing, are already sorted out in advance.

Conclusion

With the automatic analysis of CVs, the application process is made easier for companies and also for applicants. Documents and digital profiles can be easily uploaded and specified while the pre-selection is made using predefined filters. This saves companies time and provides a very well-sorted selection of suitable specialists. In addition to the technological side, however, the human aspect also always plays a role: the time saved in the pre-selection process gives companies or recruiters more time to deal intensively with the candidate profiles they receive.

Would you like to simplify your recruiting process? Then get to know aiFind, our CRM system for headhunters and recruiters. In a no-obligation demo version, we’ll show you how to analyze CVs with CV analytics and search engine to find the right candidate!