The Algorithms

Published: 3 December 2025

The "Left-to-Right" Rule: Why Columns Break Parsers

Multi-column layouts look great to humans but often scramble data for robots. We explain the "Reading Order" logic of older ATS software.

How Robots Read

Humans can jump around a page. We see a sidebar on the left and a main body on the right, and we know they are separate.

Old-school parsers (which many Fortune 500s still use) read differently. They scan Left-to-Right, Top-to-Bottom, cutting straight across the page.

The "Scramble" Effect

If you have a 2-column layout:

  • Column A (Left): Date (Jan 2023)
  • Column B (Right): Job Title (Manager)

The robot might read across the line and see: "Jan 2023 Manager."

It combines two separate data points into one nonsense string.

The Fix: Single Column or "Smart" Tables

Safest Bet: Use a single-column layout. It is 100% parse-proof.

The Compromise: If you must use columns, ensure each column contains complete, self-contained information that makes sense even if read in the wrong order. Test your CV through a free ATS checker before submitting.