What structural elements break the linear parsing sequence, potentially causing the ATS to read cells out of order?
Answer
Text boxes and tables
The fundamental constraint of the Applicant Tracking System parser is its reliance on sequential, linear reading. Elements such as text boxes, which often float independently of the main text flow, and tables, which organize data into distinct cells across rows and columns, actively disrupt this necessary sequence. If a candidate attempts to use a table to neatly align job start dates with company names, the ATS may read the content cell by cell across the row, or it might fail to correctly link the cell in the date column with the corresponding cell in the company column. This breaking of the linear parsing sequence leads directly to incorrect data extraction or outright omission of important details.
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