The top of the page, which means your most recent title, employer, and dates do the introducing. The whole first scan runs about 7 seconds, per a Ladders eye-tracking study, so whatever fills the top third carries most of the impression.
Treat the top third as the whole first impression. Current or most recent role stated plainly, a result with a number in it, and the skills the posting named. Objectives and summaries full of adjectives occupy the best real estate and say nothing checkable.
Push everything decorative or historical down the page. The older jobs, the coursework, the interests line, all of it still exists for the longer read that happens if the scan goes well. First you earn the read, then the rest of the resume gets to speak.
“Your top third says seasoned professional seeking opportunities, a phrase that could describe anyone alive.”
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