Two-Column Resume ATS Problem: Why Sidebars Kill Your Application
Two-column and sidebar resume layouts are among the most popular design trends, but they're also one of the most common causes of ATS failure. The parser reads text linearly, and multi-column layouts cause it to merge content from different columns into nonsensical strings. Here's exactly why this happens and how to fix it.
Why Two-Column Layouts Break ATS Parsing
ATS parsers read document text in a linear sequence—left to right, top to bottom. In a single-column layout, this reading order matches your intended content flow. In a two-column layout, the parser reads across both columns on the same line before moving down.
This means if your left column says 'Software Engineer' and your right column says 'Python, Java, SQL' on the same vertical line, the parser might read 'Software Engineer Python, Java, SQL' as a single string. Your job title and skills merge into one unrecognizable field.
The problem is compounded with every line. Work experience from the left column merges with skills from the right column, creating a data jumble that the scoring algorithm can't evaluate.
| Layout | Parser Reads | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Single column | Content in correct order | Accurate parsing |
| Two columns (DOCX) | Left-right across columns | Text merges across columns |
| Two columns (PDF) | Unpredictable order | May read one column, then other, or merge |
| Sidebar layout | Sidebar may be read first or skipped | Inconsistent extraction |
The Technical Explanation
In DOCX files, two-column layouts are typically created using either tables, text columns, or text boxes. Each implementation has different parsing implications.
Table-based columns: The parser reads table cells left-to-right, row-by-row. If your resume has a narrow left column (sidebar) and a wide right column (main content), the parser reads each row across both cells, merging sidebar and main content.
Text column-based layouts: Microsoft Word's column feature stores text in a continuous flow that wraps between columns. Some parsers handle this correctly (reading the full left column, then the full right column), but many don't.
Text box-based layouts: Text boxes are stored as separate objects from the main document flow. Parsers may read them out of order, at the beginning, at the end, or skip them entirely.
How to Convert to Single Column
Converting a two-column resume to a single-column format requires restructuring the layout, not just removing the column formatting. Start by identifying which content is in each column.
Typically, the sidebar contains contact info, skills, certifications, and possibly education. The main column contains the summary, work experience, and projects. In a single-column layout, arrange these in a logical flow: Contact Info → Summary → Experience → Education → Skills → Certifications.
Copy all content from both columns into a new single-column document. Use clear headings to separate sections. The result may look less visually striking, but it will parse correctly and score accurately with any ATS.
Pro Tips
Convert any two-column or sidebar resume to single-column before ATS submission
Test your layout with the copy-paste test—if content from different sections merges, you have a column problem
Use horizontal sections instead of vertical columns to organize information visually within a single column
Keep a single-column version for ATS applications and a designed version for networking or direct submissions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming 'modern' resume templates with sidebars are ATS-compatible—most are not
Using invisible tables to create column effects, thinking the parser won't notice the table structure
Converting only the visual appearance without restructuring the document's underlying layout
Using text boxes for sidebar content, which parsers may skip entirely