Visual Hierarchy: Making Your CV Skimmable

Recruiters do not read resumes; they skim them. Studies using eye-tracking technology show that the average recruiter spends just 6 to 7 seconds on an initial resume screen. In that brief window, your document must communicate who you are, what you've done, and why you matter. This is a design challenge, and the solution is Visual Hierarchy.

The F-Pattern

Western readers scan web pages and documents in an "F-Pattern." They read the top line, scan down the left side, read a bit more across the middle, and then scan down the left again. Your resume design should lean into this behavior, not fight it.

Key Design Principles

1. Bold for Impact

Use bold text strategically. Your job titles and company names should be the most prominent elements. Bold the beginning of bullet points if you are using "lead-ins" (e.g., "Revenue Growth: Increased sales by 20%..."). Do not bold entire sentences; if everything is bold, nothing is.

2. Bullet Points vs. Blocks of Text

Dense paragraphs are walls of text that repel the eye. Bullet points are inviting. They break information into digestible chunks. Keep them to 1-2 lines maximum. If a bullet point is 3 lines long, it's too long.

3. White Space is Your Friend

Do not cram every margin with text to fit everything on one page. White space separates sections and gives the reader's eye a place to rest. A crowded resume looks chaotic and overwhelming; a spaced-out resume looks organized and confident.

4. Section Headings

Use clear, large headings to clearly demarcate sections. The recruiter should be able to jump instantly from "Experience" to "Education" without hunting.

The 6-Second Test

Print your resume. Hold it at arm's length. Glance at it for 5 seconds. What stands out? If the first things you see are date ranges or generic duty descriptions, your hierarchy is off. You want the eye to land on: Your Name → Current Title → Key Company → Major Achievement.

Conclusion

Good design is invisible. It guides the reader effortlessly through the content. By mastering visual hierarchy, you ensure that even the fastest skim leaves a lasting impression of your competence.