Should I Have a Two-Column Resume?

Every person has a unique resume, so there are countless styles and templates. We have all seen a two-column resume like the example below. This design divides and organizes the resume information, but columns like this can pose a problem when dealing with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). 

Resumes like this run the risk of not parsing correctly when a potential employer runs them through an ATS. Therefore, the employer may not be able to review your experiences and skills. In most cases, the ATS immediately rejects resumes that don't parse correctly. 

We recommend simple, straightforward resumes with impactful bullet points to avoid any issues while parsing: 

Resume Quick Tips

Do not use tables or multi-column formats

Most ATS cannot handle tables. They will scramble the text into an undecipherable mess, space the data with extra lines that may confuse the software, or put all of the data in the leftmost column at the top of the converted resume. That means that this information:

will become this:

2010-2017 2005-2010 2000-2005  Manager, Smith Corp. Assistant Vice President, NotSmith Corp. Officer, Big Bank

Put your contact information first

Contact information should be the first thing that a hiring manager sees on your resume. It should never be on less than three lines or placed into columns. Contact info should be the first thing a hiring manager sees and never be placed on just one or two lines, nor placed into columns.

WRONG:

Robert H. Smith • 13003 Myrtlea Lane • Houston, Texas 77099 • 713.562.7009

RIGHT:

Robert H. Smith 
13003 Myrtlea Lane Houston, Texas 
77099 713-562-7009 
smithy@soupandmore.com

WRONG:

Robert H. Smith				Phone: 713.562.7009 
13003 Myrtlea Lane			Email: smithman@gmail.com 
Houston, Texas 77099 			Male, unmarried, no children

RIGHT:

Robert H. Smith  
13003 Myrtlea Lane Houston, Texas  77099 
713-562-7009  
smithman@gmail.com

Do not use columns or tables to format anything

NEVER use columns or tables to format your education, work history, or any other important piece of information on your resume. They create problems for the ATS, so you run the risk of having your resume instantly discarded. 

WRONG:

Here’s how the computer may read that:

Jan. 2013 – Present Mar. 2010 – Dec. 2012 Superb Products, Inc.   Parts Manager. Reduced parts inventory by 10% while eliminating most out-of-stocks. Dougs Truck Sales, Inc.   Repairman. Fixed trucks and managed the parts inventory.

RIGHT (uses tabs instead of columns or tables):

Jan. 2013 – Present 	Superb Products, Inc.   Parts Manager. 	Reduced parts inventory by 10% while eliminating most out-of-stocks.  Mar. 2010 – Dec. 2012 	Doug’s Truck Sales, Inc.   Repairman. 	Fixed trucks and managed the parts inventory.

WRONG: 

REFERENCES  
Bill Smith					Jane Dough 
Customer Service Manager			Store Manager 
Dillard’s Department Stores			Fredo’s Groceries, Inc. 
713-888-0998					765-999-9988

RIGHT:

REFERENCES  
Bill Smith 
Customer Service Manager 
Dillard’s Department Stores 
713-888-0998  

Jane Dough 
Store Manager 
Fredo’s Groceries, Inc. 
765-999-9988