What do recruiters look at first on a resume?

Multiple eye-tracking studies show recruiters focus on six key areas: 1) Name, 2) Current job title, 3) Current company, 4) Employment dates, 5) Previous job title, 6) Education. These six fixation points receive approximately 80% of initial attention.

What is the F-pattern in resume reading?

The F-pattern is a scanning behavior documented across multiple eye-tracking studies: recruiters read horizontally across the top, then scan a shorter horizontal line below, then move vertically down the left side. This pattern is consistent across different studies and recruiter populations.

How long do recruiters spend looking at a resume?

Initial screening times vary by study and context. TheLadders reported 7.4 seconds on average, while other studies show ranges from 6-30 seconds depending on the role, volume of applications, and screening stage. The more consistent finding across studies is where attention goes, not exactly how long.

Based on eye-tracking research

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80% of attention goes to just 6 areas on your resume. Our heat map shows you exactly where recruiters look — and what they completely miss.

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Sarah Anderson

Senior Product Manager

Experience

Education

Skills

80% on just 6 areas

The data doesn't lie

Based on eye-tracking studies of real recruiters reviewing thousands of resumes

Fixation points recruiters focus on

80%

Attention on top third of resume

<30s

Typical initial screening time

Pattern all studies confirm

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