Optimizing Resume Sections Order Based on Recruiter Scanning Patterns and Eye‑Tracking Research

Recruiters skim hundreds of resumes each week, and eye‑tracking studies show they spend only 6‑7 seconds on an initial scan. If your resume sections are not in the order that matches their natural scanning pattern, you risk being filtered out before the content is even read. In this guide we unpack the latest eye‑tracking research, translate the findings into a practical section‑ordering framework, and show you how Resumly’s AI tools can automate the process.

Why Section Order Matters

A 2023 study by The Ladders tracked 150 hiring managers with eye‑tracking glasses and found that:

• 62% of the visual attention landed on the top‑third of the page within the first 2 seconds.
• 78% of recruiters looked for contact information first, then current role and key achievements.
• Only 15% of the time was spent on the education section for mid‑level candidates.

These numbers mean that the sequence of sections can either funnel a recruiter toward your strongest selling points or send them wandering into low‑impact areas. By aligning your resume layout with the natural scanning funnel, you increase the odds that the recruiter’s eye lands on the most persuasive content.

What Eye‑Tracking Research Reveals

Eye‑tracking heat maps consistently show a Z‑pattern for Western readers: start top‑left, move horizontally to the right, drop down a line, and repeat. However, recruiters deviate slightly:

1. Header (Name & Contact) – Immediate focus.
2. Professional Summary or Headline – Quick scan for keywords.
3. Current Role & Achievements – The “value proposition”.
4. Core Skills / Technical Stack – Scan for buzzwords.
5. Work History (Older Roles) – Only if time permits.
6. Education & Certifications – Bottom‑up for senior roles.

The takeaway: high‑impact sections belong at the top, while background details belong lower.

The Recruiter Scanning Funnel

Below is a simplified funnel that maps eye‑tracking data to resume sections:

Design your resume so that each stage flows naturally into the next. If a stage is missing or misplaced, the recruiter may abandon the scan.

Step‑by‑Step Guide to Reordering Your Resume

1. Gather Your Content – List every section you currently have (Contact, Summary, Skills, Experience, Education, Projects, Certifications, etc.).
2. Rank Sections by Impact – Use the funnel above to assign a priority score (1 = top, 5 = bottom).
3. Create a Draft Layout – Place the highest‑scoring sections at the top. A typical high‑impact order is:
   1. Contact Information
   2. Professional Headline / Summary
   3. Core Skills (optional – can be a sidebar)
   4. Current Role & Key Achievements
   5. Additional Experience (chronological or functional)
   6. Projects / Volunteer Work (if relevant)
   7. Education & Certifications
   8. Additional Information (languages, interests)
4. Run an ATS Check – Upload the draft to Resumly’s ATS Resume Checker to ensure keyword placement and formatting compliance.
5. Validate with Eye‑Tracking Simulators – While you can’t run a real eye‑tracking test at home, Resumly’s Resume Readability Test mimics scan patterns and highlights weak spots.
6. Iterate – Adjust order based on the readability score, then re‑run the ATS check.
7. Finalize – Export a PDF or one‑click apply with Resumly’s Auto‑Apply feature.

Checklist for Optimal Section Order

• [ ] Header includes name, phone, email, LinkedIn URL (no more than 3 lines).
• [ ] Professional headline contains 2‑3 power keywords matching the target job description.
• [ ] Current role is presented first in the Experience section with bullet points that start with action verbs and include quantified results.
• [ ] Core skills are listed after the headline, using the exact terminology from the job posting.
• [ ] Older roles are condensed; only the most relevant achievements are kept.
• [ ] Education appears below work experience for candidates with 5+ years of experience.
• [ ] No large blocks of text – keep bullet points under 2 lines each.
• [ ] Font size for body text is 10‑12 pt; headings are 14‑16 pt.
• [ ] Margins are 0.5‑0.75 in to maximize white space without truncating content.

Do’s and Don’ts

Tools from Resumly to Automate the Process

• AI Resume Builder – Generates a recruiter‑friendly layout in seconds. Choose the “Scanning‑Optimized” template to automatically prioritize sections.
• ATS Resume Checker – Scores your document against over 200 ATS algorithms and flags misplaced sections.
• Resume Roast – Get AI‑driven feedback on readability, keyword density, and visual hierarchy.
• Career Guide – Learn how recruiters in specific industries (tech, finance, healthcare) scan resumes differently.
• Job‑Match – Matches your reordered resume to open roles, ensuring the top sections align with the most in‑demand skills.

By leveraging these tools, you can save hours and let data drive the design instead of guesswork.

Mini‑Case Study: From Overlooked to Interview

Background: Jane, a software engineer with 6 years experience, submitted a traditional chronological resume that placed education before her recent achievements. After 30 applications, she received zero callbacks.

Action:

1. Uploaded her resume to Resumly’s AI Resume Builder and selected the “Recruiter Scan” layout.
2. Reordered sections using the step‑by‑step guide above.
3. Ran the ATS Resume Checker and fixed keyword gaps.
4. Used the Resume Roast to tighten bullet points.

Result: Within two weeks, Jane secured 5 interview invitations, a 400% increase in response rate. Recruiters highlighted that her “impact‑first” format made it easy to see her value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Does the optimal section order differ for entry‑level vs. senior candidates? A: Yes. Entry‑level resumes often place Education higher because experience is limited, while senior resumes push Current Role & Achievements to the top and push education to the bottom.

Q2: Should I include a “Projects” section before work experience? A: Only if the projects are directly relevant to the target role and demonstrate recent, quantifiable results. Otherwise, keep them after the experience section.

Q3: How many keywords should I sprinkle throughout my resume? A: Aim for 3‑5 core keywords in the headline, 2‑3 in the skills list, and naturally embed them in achievement bullets. Over‑stuffing triggers ATS filters.

Q4: Can I use a two‑column layout and still follow the scanning pattern? A: Two‑column designs can work if the left column contains the most critical information (name, headline, current role) and the right column holds secondary details. Ensure the left column is the first visual anchor.

Q5: How often should I refresh the section order? A: Re‑evaluate each time you apply to a new industry or role type. A quick run through the Resume Readability Test will tell you if the hierarchy still matches recruiter expectations.

Q6: Does eye‑tracking research apply to remote hiring platforms like LinkedIn? A: Absolutely. LinkedIn’s mobile view follows a similar Z‑pattern, so the same top‑heavy ordering improves visibility on both PDFs and profile pages.

Q7: What if a recruiter asks for a “functional” resume? A: Functional resumes still benefit from a strong headline and skill summary at the top. Use the Core Skills section to replace the traditional chronological list, then add a brief “Relevant Experience” block.

Conclusion

Optimizing Resume Sections Order Based on Recruiter Scanning Patterns and Eye‑Tracking Research is not a gimmick—it’s a data‑backed strategy that aligns your document with the way hiring professionals actually read. By placing contact information, a punchy headline, and your most recent achievements at the top, you guide the recruiter’s eye through a logical, high‑impact funnel. Combine this ordering with Resumly’s AI‑powered tools, run an ATS check, and you’ll dramatically increase the chances of moving from the resume pile to the interview calendar.

Ready to transform your resume? Try the free AI Resume Builder today, run the ATS Resume Checker, and let Resumly’s Job‑Match feature pair you with the perfect openings.