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.