3 key takeaways
- F-pattern and Z-pattern resume layouts optimize for how recruiters naturally scan documents.
- A scannable resume increases your chances of passing both human and ATS screenings.
- Easily transform your resume layout with Teal’s AI Resume Builder.
On a resume, it’s not just about what you say—it's also about how you present it.
Scannable resumes, specifically those designed for F-pattern and Z-pattern reading, help you capture (and hold) a hiring manager’s attention.
This guide walks you through the psychology behind Z-pattern and F-pattern resumes, how to implement each effectively, and when to use which in your job search.
Struggling to format your resume? Easily create and customize a resume with Teal's resume builder AI.
Understanding F-pattern and Z-pattern reading
Before diving into the specifics of creating scannable resumes, it’s essential to understand the science behind how people read and process information.
F-pattern and Z-pattern reading are two common ways our eyes naturally move across a page. Understanding these layout scanning patterns can significantly improve your resume’s effectiveness by ensuring key information is strategically placed to catch the reader's attention.
What is F-pattern reading?
F-pattern reading refers to the natural eye movement that resembles the shape of the letter F when scanning a document. The initial element forms the first horizontal reading movement, which helps define the structure of the F-pattern. This pattern typically involves:
- A horizontal movement across the top of the content area.
- A second horizontal movement slightly lower on the page.
- A vertical movement down the left side of the content.
This reading pattern is particularly relevant for resumes because it aligns with how recruiters and hiring managers often scan resumes. By structuring your resume to accommodate this natural eye movement, you can ensure your most important information catches the reader’s attention.
What is Z-pattern reading?
Z-pattern reading, as the name suggests, follows a path that resembles the letter Z. This pattern typically involves:
- Starting at the top-left corner.
- Moving horizontally to the top-right corner.
- Moving diagonally down to the bottom-left corner.
- Finishing with a horizontal movement to the bottom-right corner.
Z-pattern reading can be more effective for visually-driven layouts and resumes in creative industries. It’s also particularly useful when you want to guide the reader's eye in a specific sequence or emphasize certain elements of your resume in a deliberate order.
The psychology behind these reading patterns
Eye-tracking studies have consistently shown that people tend to follow F- and Z-patterns when scanning documents, especially online content. This behavior is largely due to natural reading habits and the way people process information quickly.
Understanding these patterns matters for job seekers because it allows you to strategically place your most important information where it's most likely to be seen and remembered. By aligning your resume's layout with these natural reading patterns, you can:
- Increase the chances of key information being noticed
- Improve the overall readability of your resume
- Make a stronger first impression in the crucial first few seconds
How to create an F-pattern resume
Now that you understand the psychology behind F-pattern reading, it's time to explore how to create an f-pattern resume that leverages natural eye movement to call attention to relevant information.
Key elements of an F-pattern resume
An effective F-pattern resume typically includes:
- A strong header with your name and contact information.
- A prominent skills section or summary statement.
- Strategic use of bold text and bullet points.
- Left-aligned text for easy scanning.
Step-by-step guide to crafting an F-pattern resume
When designing a resume that grabs attention and highlights your qualifications, leveraging the F-pattern layout is key. This guide will walk you through creating an F-pattern resume that places your most important information where hiring managers are most likely to see it.
1. Start with a clear, bold header
Place your name and contact information at the top of the page in a larger font size.
F-pattern resume header example
2. Place a concise professional summary directly below
This is not only best resume practice, it ensures crucial information is in the first horizontal sweep of the F-pattern.
3. Use left-aligned headings for each section
This guides the eye down the left side of the page, following the vertical part of the F.
F-pattern resume work experience example
4. Incorporate bullet points for easy scanning
Use bullets to highlight key achievements or responsibilities under each job role.
5. Use Group key achievements under a bolded header
This draws attention to important information within the body of your resume.
Best practices for F-pattern resume design
When writing an F-pattern resume, be sure to maintain consistent formatting throughout. That means using the same font, size, and style for similar elements to create a cohesive look—and be sure to choose a clean, professional font. Readable fonts include Arial, Calibri, and Helvetica.
You also want to use white space effectively—don’t overcrowd your resume. Allow breathing room between sections to improve readability. You can also improve readability by limiting color use.
Common mistakes to avoid in F-pattern resumes
When creating an F-pattern resume, don’t overcrowd the left side of the page. While it's important to align with the F-pattern, don't sacrifice clarity for layout.
At the same time, don’t leave the bottom right corner of your resume completely blank. While less prominent in the F-pattern, this area shouldn't be wasted.
Creating the Z-pattern resume
While the F-pattern is commonly used, the Z-pattern can be an effective alternative for those looking to create a visually engaging resume that draws attention to specific elements. It's especially useful for more visually-oriented industries or roles.
Key elements of a Z-pattern resume
- Eye-catching header across the top.
- Strategic placement of key information along the Z path, ensuring the scanning pattern quickly delivers essential details to the reader.
- Use of visual elements to guide the eye.
Step-by-step guide to crafting an Z-pattern resume
This guide will take you through the steps to design a Z-pattern resume, ensuring your most important details leave a lasting impression on potential employers.
1. Design a striking header that spans the page width
This forms the top line of the Z.
2. Place your most important information in the top left corner
This could be a brief professional summary or your most relevant skills.
3. Use a diagonal path to guide the eye to key points
This can be achieved through strategic placement of headings or visual elements.
4. End with a strong call-to-action or contact information in the bottom right
This completes the Z-pattern and leaves a lasting impression.
Note: Teal does not recommend this and it’s not considered best practice for a resume.
Best practices for Z-pattern resume design
When creating a Z-pattern resume, you can strategically incorporate subtle visual cues like lines or shapes to help guide the eye along the Z-pattern. If appropriate for your industry, you can also use contrasting colors to emphasize key areas and enhance visual cues.
Common mistakes to avoid in Z-pattern resumes
While you want to guide the reader’s eye, don’t overuse visual elements that can distract from the content. Keep the focus on your important qualifications and achievements—and don’t neglect information if it doesn’t fit the Z-pattern.
Combining F-pattern and Z-pattern techniques
In some cases, a hybrid resume format combining elements of both F-pattern and Z-pattern layouts can be highly effective.
When and how to use both patterns
You can use both an F-pattern resume and Z-pattern resume when:
- You want to highlight different types of information in various ways.
- Your industry values both traditional and creative approaches.
- You're applying for a role that requires both analytical and creative skills.
To seamlessly integrate both patterns, use an F-pattern for the overall structure of your resume. Then, incorporate Z-pattern elements within specific sections to draw attention to key achievements or skills.
Ensure the transition between patterns feels natural and doesn't disrupt the flow of information.
Balancing visual appeal with content
Remember, while layout is important, content remains king. You want to ensure your resume remains content-focused and still emphasizes your most important qualifications, achievements, and skills.
Use layout to enhance, not overshadow, your qualifications and achievements.
Making a scannable resume: Beyond F- and Z-patterns
While F- and Z-patterns are powerful tools, there are additional strategies to make your resume more scannable and effective.
Optimize for applicant tracking systems (ATS)
Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes before they reach human eyes. Choosing the right resume format is crucial to ensure your resume is compatible with an ATS system:
- Use standard section headings (e.g., “Work Experience,” “Education”).
- Avoid complex formatting, tables, or graphics that ATS might not read correctly.
- Save your resume in a compatible file format (usually .docx or .pdf).
Enhance readability for human recruiters
Once your resume goes through the ATS, it needs to impress human recruiters. Structure information in easily digestible chunks, including short paragraphs and bullet points. You can use font sizes, different fonts, or different font styles (like bold or italics) to call out headings, job titles, and company titles.
Finally, be sure to incorporate enough white space to avoid a cluttered appearance.
Include relevant skills and keywords
Keywords play a crucial role in both ATS and human scanning. To include the right keywords on your resume, first identify relevant keywords from the job description. These may be in the “responsibilities” section or “qualifications” section. Incorporate these keywords naturally throughout your resume, balancing keyword usage with clear, concise language to avoid "keyword stuffing."
Scannable resume examples
Let's look at some practical examples of how these principles can be applied.
F-pattern resume example
This format often follows a reverse-chronological order, which helps in clearly presenting your most recent work experiences to recruiters.
Key elements that make this F-pattern resume effective:
- Strong header with name and contact information.
- Prominent professional summary section at the top.
- Left-aligned headings guiding the eye down the page.
- Bullet points for easy scanning of achievements.
Z-pattern resume example
Key elements that make this Z-pattern resume effective:
- Eye-catching header spanning the page width.
- Key information strategically placed along the Z path.
- Visual elements guiding the eye through the content..
Combo F-Z pattern resume template
Key elements that make this combined resume effective:
- It maintains the overall structure of an F-pattern for familiarity.
- Z-pattern elements draw attention to key achievements.
- The layout is flexible enough to adapt to various industries and roles.
Maximizing your job search success with a scannable resume
Creating an effective scannable resume is an iterative process. Here's how to test, improve, and maximize your success when creating a scannable resume.
Conduct your own eye-tracking test
You don’t need to wait for your resume to go through an ATS or get a recruiter’s eye before you know if you’ve formatted it correctly. Instead, ask a friend or other trusted person to look at your resume for ten to 15 seconds.
Then, ask them what key information they remember. Was it your professional summary? Your skills? One of your work experiences? Note which areas drew their attention and which were overlooked.
A/B test different layouts
If you’re still torn between using an F-pattern resume or a Z-pattern resume, create multiple versions of your resume with slight variations. Then, send different versions to similar job applications.
You can then track which resume version gets you more responses or interviews.
Tailor your resume for different applications
It’s best to avoid submitting the same resume over and over to every new position you apply to. Instead, adjust your scannable resume for each job application. A functional resume is most useful for job seekers with limited experience, career changers, or those with employment gaps.
This means matching your resume to the job description of the specific company and role you’re applying for—ensuring you’re calling out the most relevant experiences, skills, and qualifications.
Continuously improve your resume
No matter what scannable resume type you choose, you should always regularly update that resume with new achievements and skills. If you learn something new at work, get a certification, or work on a personal project, you should add it to your resume if it’s relevant to the roles you’re applying for.
If you find your resume isn’t getting the response you’ve wanted, be willing to adjust—whether the format, content style, or how you’re writing about your achievements.
Complement your resume with a strong online presence
Your job application is more than your resume. Your online presence, including your LinkedIn, should back up what you’ve put on your resume and boost your professional brand.
As you’re updating your resume, make a habit of updating your online profiles, too. You can also add resume links to your projects and portfolios that you allude to on your resume.
Crafting your path to success with a scannable resume
Creating a scannable resume using F-pattern and Z-pattern techniques can significantly improve your chances of landing your dream job. By understanding how recruiters and ATS scan resumes, you can strategically place your most important information where it's most likely to be noticed.
Remember these key points:
- F-pattern resumes and Z-pattern resumes optimize your resume for natural reading patterns.
- A scannable resume increases your chances of optimizing for both human and ATS screenings.
- Combining strategic layout with strong content is crucial for an effective resume.
- Continuously test and refine your resume for best results.
As you craft your scannable resume, keep in mind that it's not just about following a template—it's about presenting your unique value proposition in the most effective way possible. Stay informed about industry trends, be open to feedback, and don't be afraid to showcase your personality within the constraints of professional resume design.
With these techniques and mindset, you're well-equipped to create a resume that not only passes initial screenings but also leaves a lasting impression on hiring managers. Your next career move is just a well-designed resume away. Sign up for Teal to get started with a free resume template.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the F format for a resume?
The F format for a resume refers to a layout that follows the F-pattern reading style, where key information is aligned along the top and left sides of the page. This design ensures that recruiters quickly notice important details during their initial scan.
What is the F-shaped reading resume?
An F-shaped reading resume is one that strategically places information where the reader's eye naturally moves in an F-shaped pattern. This typically means having a strong header, a prominent summary or skills section, and key details aligned along the left side of the page.
What is the F zone on a resume?
The F zone on a resume refers to the areas where the reader's eye first lands and focuses, typically the top and left sides of the page. Placing your most critical information in these zones ensures it’s seen during quick scans by recruiters.
