Filter Lists by Candidate File Attachments in
Use this article to learn how to create lists in that target records based on the files attached to candidate records in Bullhorn ATS. Candidate File Attachment conditions are available for Candidate, Submission, and Placement-based lists. You can filter on file properties including name, type, date added, distribution, and visibility.
Common Reasons You Might Use File Attachment Filters
File attachment filters are useful any time you need to act on what's actually on file for a candidate, not just what's in a field. Common scenarios include:
- You want to identify candidates with outdated resumes and trigger outreach asking them to resubmit.
- You need to flag records where a required file type (such as a signed contract or compliance document) is missing.
- You want to build a talent pool filtered by candidates who have a specific type of file on their record.
- You need to automate follow-up when a resume hasn't been updated within a certain time period.
- You want to ensure internal compliance by targeting records where specific file types are absent.
Before You Begin
This feature must be enabled by Bullhorn before it's available in your account. If you don't see file attachment conditions in your automation builder, contact Bullhorn Support to request enablement.
Create a List Using Candidate File Attachment Conditions
Once the sync is enabled, you can use Candidate File Attachment conditions when creating a list in . The condition is available for Candidate, Submission, and Placement-based lists and filters on the files attached to candidate records in Bullhorn ATS. For full steps on creating a list, see
- Navigate to your starting point (Advanced Search, the Lists
A collection of ATS records that meets specified criteria, such as a scheduled end date or a low NPS response. page, or Automation Enrollment). Advanced Search is recommended because it lets you preview matching records before saving. - Select your record type: Candidates, Submissions, or Placements.
- In the condition picker, search for attach to locate the Candidate File Attachment category.
- Select the field you want to filter on.
- Set your operator and value.
- Click Save.
The list will include records that match your Candidate File Attachment conditions. If the list type is Always Updated, it will stay current as ATS data changes.
Available File Attachment Conditions
The following conditions are available when filtering by candidate file attachments. Use these to target candidates based on specific file properties on their ATS record.
The values available for the Type field depend on your organization's ATS configuration. Your Bullhorn administrator can manage the file type list in ATS Private Label Attributes under the fileTypeList variable.
| Field | Available Operators | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Contains, Does Not Contain, Is, Is Not, Starts With, Has Name, Does Not Have Name | Filter by file name string. Use Has Name / Does Not Have Name to find candidates who have or don't have any named file attached. |
| Type | Is, Is Not, Has Type, Does Not Have Type | The file type as configured in your organization's ATS Private Label Attributes (fileTypeList). Values vary by organization. Default values include Resume and Cover Letter; your organization may also have types such as Formatted Resume, Reference Check, Other, and Onboarding configured. Use Has Type / Does Not Have Type to find candidates who have or don't have any typed file attached. |
| Date Added | Less Than, More Than, Before, After | Filter by how recently or how long ago the file was added. Use Less Than / More Than for relative date ranges (for example, more than 365 days ago). Use Before / After for specific dates. |
| Distribution | Is, Is Not, Has Distribution, Does Not Have Distribution | Use Has Distribution / Does Not Have Distribution to find candidates whose files have or don't have a distribution set. Use Is / Is Not to filter by a specific distribution value. |
| Visibility | Is | Values: Public, Private. Filter by whether the file is set to public or private visibility in Bullhorn ATS. |
Troubleshooting
Candidate File Attachment conditions don't appear in the condition picker
If you don't see Candidate File Attachment conditions when building a list, the sync may not be enabled for your account. Contact your Bullhorn representative to request enablement.
File attachment conditions return no results for existing candidates
If the conditions are enabled but returning no data for existing candidates, a full candidate resync is likely needed. Historical file attachment data is not pulled automatically when the feature is first turned on.
An automation isn't triggering for candidates with the expected files
Check that the file attachment condition is configured correctly. Confirm the file property, operator, and value match what is actually on the candidate record in Bullhorn ATS. If the issue persists, contact Bullhorn Support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between "Has Name" and "Contains" when filtering by file name?
They answer different questions. Has Name returns candidates who have any file with a name attached -- it doesn't look at what the name says. Does Not Have Name finds candidates with no named file at all. Use Contains when you're looking for files whose name includes a specific string, such as "Resume" or "Onboarding." Keep in mind that Contains is a slower operator because it scans every character of every file name. If you know the exact file name or how it starts, use Is or Starts With instead for better list performance.
Can I combine Candidate File Attachment conditions with other conditions in the same list?
Yes. You can add AND/OR operators to combine Candidate File Attachment conditions with any other list condition. For example, you could filter for candidates whose status is Active AND who have a file of type Resume added more than 365 days ago. For best performance, add your most selective conditions first and place file name Contains conditions last, since text-scanning operators are slower to process.
I'm using a Submission-based list. Does the Candidate File Attachment condition filter on the candidate's files or the submission's files?
It filters on the files attached to the candidate record in Bullhorn ATS, regardless of which list type you're using. Candidate File Attachment is always a candidate-level condition, even in Submission and Placement-based lists.
A candidate has multiple submissions. Will they appear in my list more than once?
If you're using a Submission-based list, yes -- the list returns one record per submission, so a candidate with multiple submissions will appear once for each one. If you want to target each candidate once, use a Candidate-based list instead. See Entities and Lists for guidance on choosing the right entity for your goal.
If I attach a new file to a candidate in Bullhorn ATS, how quickly will the list reflect it?
Bullhorn Automation listens for changes in Bullhorn ATS via an API event subscription. When a file is added or updated on a candidate record, the change syncs to Automation and your Always Updated lists will re-evaluate on the next sync cycle, typically within about 6 minutes of the change.
What's the difference between Company File Attachments and Candidate File Attachments?
Company File Attachment conditions filter on files attached to company (client) records in Bullhorn ATS. Candidate File Attachment conditions filter on files attached to candidate records. They are separate features that must each be enabled individually. See Filter Lists by Company File Attachments in for the candidate equivalent.