The short answer: recruiters skim before they read. In Ladders’ 2018 eye-tracking study, the average initial screen of a resume lasted 7.4 seconds, and recruiters focused on layout, job titles, text flow and keywords. Resumes that held their attention had simple layouts with clear section headers, bold job titles with bullet points of accomplishments, and a short overview at the top. So design for the skim: put your strongest, most relevant information in the top third, make titles and results easy to spot, and save detail for people who read on. Below is what the research found and how to apply it.
What the eye-tracking study found
Ladders, a U.S. career site, used eye-tracking technology to measure how a group of professional recruiters reviewed resumes, first in 2012 and again in 2018. According to its November 2018 release:
- The first screen is fast: “The average initial screening time for a candidate’s resume clocks in at just 7.4 seconds,” up from six seconds in 2012.
- What holds attention: “Simple layouts with clearly marked section and title headers,” layouts that use “F-pattern and E-pattern reading tendencies, with bold job titles supported by bulleted lists of accomplishments,” and “a detailed overview or mission statement” at the top of the first page.
- What hurts: “Cluttered layouts characterized by long sentences, multiple columns, and very little white space,” text without clear headers, and “a reliance on keyword stuffing.”
It’s a company study rather than peer-reviewed research, and seconds vary by role and recruiter, but the pattern matches how people read on screens: they scan the top and the left edge first.
Design for the skim
The top third
This is where the first seconds go. Include your name and contact details, a two- or three-line summary aimed at the target role, and your most recent relevant role. If your best evidence is older, a short “Selected achievements” section can bring it up.
Titles and structure
Use standard section headers (Experience, Education, Skills), bold job titles, and consistent dates on the right or after the title. Recruiters’ eyes move down the left side looking for titles and employers, so make them easy to find.
Bullets that get read
Start each bullet with a strong verb and put the result early: “Cut onboarding time from 10 days to 4 by…” rather than “Responsible for onboarding, which…”. Keep bullets to one or two lines, and lead each role with your most relevant achievement. See our guide to resume bullet points.
White space and length
Leave margins and space between sections. Use one column for the main content; the study linked multiple columns to worse performance, and they can also confuse applicant tracking systems. Ladders’ guidance was a strict two-page limit for experienced candidates; see how long your resume should be.
Keywords in context
Use the job posting’s important terms naturally in your summary and bullets, not in a hidden or stuffed list. Software may parse them, but a person still has to read them. See our resume keywords guide.
A quick checklist
- Could someone tell your target role and level from the top third in a few seconds?
- Are job titles bold and easy to scan down the left side?
- Does each role start with its most relevant, measurable achievement?
- Are bullets one or two lines, starting with verbs?
- Is there enough white space, in a single main column?
- Are the posting’s key terms used naturally?
- Is it the right length for your experience?
For a full review, use our resume review checklist, and tailor your resume for each role.
After the skim: the interview
A resume that passes the skim gets you to the interview, where you’ll be asked to expand on every bullet. Prepare a short story behind each achievement using the STAR method.
Frequently asked questions
How long do recruiters look at a resume?
What do recruiters look at first on a resume?
What makes a resume hard to read?
What is the F-pattern on a resume?
Should my resume have two columns?
Sources
- Ladders, Inc., Ladders updates popular recruiter eye-tracking study with new key insights on how job seekers can improve their resumes (press release, 6 November 2018). Read on 1 October 2026.
