TheLadders published its original eye tracking study in 2012 and reported roughly 6 seconds for the initial screen. The 2018 update reported 7.4 seconds. We use the 7.4-second figure for timing and keep the 2012 report as the best source for heatmap detail.12Read the 2018 update and the 2012 report.
The skim pattern
Recruiters are not reading every bullet point. They are scanning for fast answers: Who is this person now? Where do they work? What is their title? How long have they been doing it?2
More recent research shows that time spent on specific sections can predict approval outcomes in controlled settings.3
Where eyes actually look
The name/title area receives the longest fixation time during the initial scan.2
After the header, eyes move to the most recent job, title, company, and dates.2
Resumes with clear headings and consistent formatting got more focused attention.2
Recruiter lens: dense paragraphs often receive less attention during the initial skim.
Definition: the initial screen
The initial screen is the first pass where a recruiter decides whether a resume is worth deeper time. It is a fast filter, not a final verdict. The goal is to make the right signals visible in the first moments.1
What this means for resume design
Put the most important evidence where the eye naturally goes: the header and the first role block. Make role titles, companies, and measurable outcomes easy to pick up without reading full sentences.
Limitations
- •Eye-tracking samples are limited and do not represent every industry.
- •Scanning behavior varies by role, seniority, and volume of applicants.
- •This describes first-pass behavior, not the later deep review.