Are you considering a two-column or multi-column resume template for your job application? Before you make that choice, learn why single-column resume formats are better for your job search success in 2025.

Why Multi-Column Resumes Could Hurt Your Job Search

The Hidden Problems with Multi-Column Resume Templates

Many job seekers are attracted to multi-column resume designs because they look modern and help fit more information on one page. However, these seemingly attractive layouts can seriously harm your chances of landing an interview. Here's why.

1. ATS Resume Scanning Issues

Modern companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes, and multi-column formats are their worst enemy. Here's what happens when you submit a multi-column resume:

Your Beautiful Design:    What ATS Actually Reads:
------------------       ----------------------
| Skills | Work   |      Skills Senior Developer
| React | Senior |  →    React 2020-Present Led
| Node  | Dev    |       Node Team JavaScript
------------------       Marketing Performance

Real Example: A marketing professional's two-column resume listed their skills in the left column and work experience in the right. The ATS scrambled the content, making their "Digital Marketing Strategy" skill appear in the middle of their job description, creating nonsensical text that led to automatic rejection.

2. Recruiter Readability Problems

Even if your resume passes the ATS, multi-column layouts create several issues for human readers:

Disrupted reading flow
Information getting lost between columns
Difficulty scanning for key information
Inconsistent viewing experience across devices

3. Mobile and Digital Display Issues

In today's digital-first hiring process, your resume needs to be readable on multiple devices:

Smartphones often distort multi-column layouts
PDF viewers may handle columns differently
Email previews can break column formatting
Printing issues with column breaks

Best Resume Format for 2025: Single-Column Layout

Here's what a clean, ATS-friendly single-column resume looks like:

# Sarah Johnson
Senior Software Engineer
📧 email@example.com | 📱 (555) 555-5555
🌐 linkedin.com/in/sarahjohnson

## Professional Experience

### Lead Developer | TechGrowth Inc.
2021 - Present
- Increased team productivity by 35% through improved workflows
- Led development of cloud-native applications
- Managed 6 full-stack developers across 3 time zones

### Technical Skills
- Languages: Python, JavaScript, TypeScript
- Frameworks: React, Node.js, Django
- Tools: Git, Docker, AWS, Kubernetes

Why Single-Column Resumes Work Better

ATS Optimization: Clean parsing of your information
Better Readability: Natural left-to-right reading flow
Device Compatibility: Consistent display across all screens
Print-Friendly: No awkward page breaks or formatting issues

When to Consider Multi-Column Formats

While rare, multi-column resumes might be appropriate in specific situations:

Creative industry applications (graphic design, art direction)
In-person networking events
Portfolio-style presentations

However, for most job applications, single-column formats remain the safest and most effective choice.

Resume Format Best Practices for 2025

To maximize your resume's effectiveness:

Use clear section headings
Maintain consistent spacing
Employ strategic bold text
Include keywords from the job description
Keep formatting simple and professional

Tools for Creating ATS-Friendly Resumes

Looking for a solution? Try MarkdownResume.app to create perfectly formatted, ATS-friendly resumes using simple Markdown syntax.

Conclusion: Choose Simple Over Fancy

While multi-column resume designs might look impressive at first glance, they often create unnecessary obstacles in your job search. In 2024's competitive job market, focusing on clear, ATS-friendly formatting will give you the best chance of success.

Ready to create an ATS-optimized resume? Start with our free resume builder at MarkdownResume.app and ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.