What is white texting—and how does it work?
White texting—also called white fonting—is the practice of hiding extra keywords in a resume or other job application materials by changing the font color to white. The tactic is meant to trick ATS software into ranking the resume higher by embedding skills, certifications or job titles that don’t actually appear in the visible text.
Say an applicant for a senior accountant role submits a resume with white texting, embedding dozens of hidden mentions of “financial reporting,” “variance analysis” or “GAAP compliance” in the margins or between lines. To a human reviewer, the document looks perfectly normal. And to keyword-scanning software, it appears the candidate has all the right experience—even if they don’t.
On the positive side, many ATS systems are getting better at flagging or filtering white text, making this tactic increasingly less effective. However, it remains a concern, particularly for organizations using older technology. Hiring managers should also be on the lookout for evidence of:
Keyword stuffing: Repeating certain skills or software names, sometimes in unnatural ways, to match ATS search terms.
Fake job titles or promotions: Inflating past roles to give the impression of greater responsibility or authority.
Borrowed credentials: Listing certifications or licenses that have not been earned and hoping an employer won’t check those details until much later—or at all.
These tricks are designed to make unqualified applicants appear like ideal candidates, giving fake resumes an undeserved path through the hiring process.
