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How recruiters read resumes - and what you can do about it

Writer's picture: Brittany WilsonBrittany Wilson

5 job search strategies for a difficult job market
How recruiters read resumes

Your resume might be beautifully designed and packed with impressive details, but here’s the harsh truth: recruiters only spend 6-8 seconds looking at it before deciding whether to keep reading.


Sounds brutal, right?


But it’s not personal—it’s just how recruiters scan resumes. We have heat-mapped data showing exactly where recruiters focus their attention, and here’s what it tells us:


  • Your name (of course, they need to know who you are!)

  • Your current or most recent job title

  • The first few bullet points under that job

  • Your second most recent job title

  • A few bullets under that job


After that? Their attention starts to fade and they're moving onto the next candidate.



Heat map illustrating how recruiters read resumes


What This Means for You


If recruiters are mainly looking at job titles and the first few bullets of your work experience, you need to structure your resume accordingly.


✅ Put your work experience first (unless you're a new grad or changing careers—then education or a skills section may take priority).


✅ Front-load your impact—put your most impressive achievements in the first two bullets under each job.


✅ Use strong action verbs to grab attention quickly. (Example: Instead of “Responsible for managing social media,” try “Grew social media engagement by 65% in six months.”)


✅ Keep job descriptions concise—three to five bullets per role is ideal.



What You Can Leave Off Your Resume


If recruiters aren’t reading the whole thing, don’t waste space on sections they skip.


❌ Objective Statements – They already know you're looking for a job. Instead, use a powerful summary (2-3 lines) highlighting your strengths.


❌ References Available Upon Request – This is outdated. If they want references, they'll ask.


❌ Your Full Address – City and state are fine; full addresses aren’t needed anymore.


❌ Irrelevant Jobs from 10+ Years Ago – Unless it directly relates to your current career, leave off ancient history.



Next Steps: Make Your Resume Recruiter-Proof


Want to ensure your resume gets past the 6-second scan? Use our Ultimate Resume and Cover Letter Templates to structure your resume like a pro.





Key Takeaway: Recruiters don’t read your entire resume. They skim. Put your strongest experience front and center, cut the fluff, and make those first few bullets count.


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