21 July 2026 · 7 min read
Most rejections never reach a human. Your resume is parsed, scored and ranked before a recruiter opens a single file — and the parsing rules changed considerably over the last two years.
Modern parsers read structure first. Use standard section headings, a single-column layout, real text rather than images, and a common typeface. Tables, text boxes and graphics remain the most reliable way to lose half your content in transit.
Keywords still matter, but context matters more. Instead of listing a skill, prove it: 'Rebuilt the demand forecasting model in Python, cutting stock-out incidents by 34%' outranks a skills chip labelled 'Python' every single time.
Finally, tailor the top third of page one to each application. Recruiters spend roughly seven seconds there. If your headline, summary and first two bullets don't mirror the role, nothing further down will save the application.