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A Two-Page (or More) Resume is Ok! But Only in These Cases

A Two-Page (or More) Resume is Ok! But Only in These Cases

Rita Williams

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One of the most persistent pieces of job-search advice floating around concerns resume length: They should be one page.

Resumes are skimmed quickly, this idea goes, so you don’t want to turn off hiring managers or human resources (or the system) with too much information – or give the impression that you’re not aware of this “basic rule.”

But in fact, this well-worn piece of advice is simply incorrect for a lot of job-seekers.

Let’s say it clearly: a two-page resume is perfectly acceptable. In fact, it’s desirable for many job seekers!

One-page resumes are for folks in certain categories, such as entry-level job seekers, for example. One-pagers are also a good choice for professionals who have worked in the same position or company for many years, who can effectively show their experience and qualifications in that single page.

People who are making a  career change can also use a single page resume, because it may cover the information relevant to the sought-after career sufficiently. If you’re pivoting, you want to zero in on the most relevant information to help hiring managers quickly see why they should open the door for you.

In all these cases, a resume longer than one page might look padded – and that’s one thing that does turn off hiring managers and HR professionals. A resume should never read (or look) as if you’re laboring to fill up space.

Who Should Have a Two-Page (or Longer) Resume?

So what  categories of job seekers  should have a two-page resume? Everyone else! The following groups find a two-page (or more) resume especially helpful.

People with 10 or more years of experience.

If you’ve been working for 10 years or more, you likely need a two-page resume to highlight your achievements and experience, especially if you have a record of promotions and movement among companies.

Senior-level professionals.

If you’re seeking a senior level position, you need to highlight a series of quantifiable accomplishments, along with a record of promotions, significant experience, and (likely) multiple employers.

People in positions requiring extensive certification.

Job-seekers in academia, engineering, information technology, and similar occupations often need to show extensive professional qualifications, including advanced degrees, certifications, technical skills, and publications.

People seeking government positions.

Most government jobs require job-seekers to complete specific applications that ask for extensive detail about past jobs. The resulting resumes are often longer than two pages.

Benefits of a Two-Page Resume

Two-page resumes offer very specific benefits to contemporary job seekers as well.

Make it through the ATS.

First, a longer resume allows you to craft a resume that will successfully make it through the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). ATS are used by the vast majority of companies. They are designed to choose only those that most closely match the job description and weed out the rest.

Your resume will only be seen by a human if it successfully makes it through the ATS scan. As a result, part of your goal needs to be ensuring that your resume meets ATS requirements.

What are those requirements? First, the ATS scans to ensure that resumes  match the keywords  in the job description. You must match the keywords to make it through successfully.

Second, they also scan for the  frequency  of keywords. As a result, successful applicants need to ensure both the existence of keywords and sufficient frequency throughout the resume. Frankly, ensuring keyword frequency without monotony may be hard to do without two (or more) pages.

Offer more in-depth information.

Additionally, longer resumes allow you to present your achievements and qualifications in a winning light. You should always highlight your most significant quantifiable achievements toward the top of a resume in a way that catches reviewer attention.

Remember as well that job seekers with a longer resume can include sections many employers find helpful in reviewing resumes of more advanced professionals, such as an executive summary and list of core competencies.

Improve your resume’s formatting.

Finally, a longer resume allows you to pay attention to readability and presentation. Some job seekers resort to small type and meager margins to make a resume fit in one page.

But small type and narrow margins are  not  good for readability and presentation. In fact, they make resumes hard to read. Many hiring managers may shrink from reading teeny-tiny type all, even if the resume has made it through the ATS.

Human personnel spend just a few seconds skimming resumes. Successful resumes need to incorporate that fact, and be very easy to skim. Easy-to-read type and reasonable margins contribute to readability, as do bullet points and lists.

Specifically, use at least an 11-point typeface in a standard business typeface, such as Arial or Calibri. Each margin should be at least one inch.

When you’re using a two-page resume, part of the presentation should consider the second page, too. Be sure to fill at least one-third of the second page. Why? Because if the second page covers less than that, it may strike a reviewer as a tacked-on afterthought. In fact, if it fills just a few lines on the second page, it may look like a mistake. Make sure it neither looks nor reads that way!

What If Your Resume Is More Than Two Pages?

What if you’re aiming for a two-page resume and it’s running three pages or longer? You’ll need to cut it down. Part of developing a great resume lies in the revision!

Remember, the most important goal of a resume is obtaining an interview, because an interview can actually get you the job. The most important goal-contributing part of a resume is thus the quantifiable achievements, because they tell a hiring manager “this is what I could do if you hired me.”

When you revise, focus on the goal of obtaining an interview. Any information that doesn’t contribute is secondary, and can be pared down. If your resume lists a number of early jobs that don’t contribute to your prospective role, for example, they can be streamlined.

Two-page resumes allow job seekers to present their qualifications, ensure readability, and successfully navigate the ATS. They are especially helpful to those with a decade or more of experience, prospective senior managers, and those in highly specialized fields.

Get an expert to improve your resume! Find the right Resume Writer for your needs today.

Rita Williams

Rita Williams is a freelance writer on a wide range of topics, including careers, human resources trends and personal finance. She works with both job-seekers and companies to educate and inform them about best practices – and shows humor and understanding while doing it.

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Should a Resume Be One Page? Pros, Cons, and a Debate

One of the most important decisions you have to make while crafting your resume is to choose how many pages to use. Many people believe a resume shouldn’t be longer than one page, but is that really the best option? In this blog post, we’ll try to answer the question “should a resume be one page long,” explore the pros and cons of this approach, and help you decide which option is the best for you.

What Is a Resume and What Is Its Purpose?

A resume is a document that provides an overview of a person’s experience and qualifications. It gives potential employers insight into the candidate’s skills and accomplishments. While you don’t have to prepare a resume for every job application, employers often expect it.

Resume Length

Most resumes are one or two pages long and include several sections, such as contact details, objective or summary statement, work history, education, and skills.

The most typical resume is one page long. Many candidates opt for this format because employers generally don’t have the time to review lengthy documents, especially when considering multiple candidates. In addition, this format also allows you to be more selective about the information you include.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you have a lot of experience or credentials in a particular area, you may need two pages. Moreover, certain professions, such as academia, typically require longer resumes.

If you are still unsure about the appropriate length for your resume, you can always consult a career counselor or use one of the resume builders we reviewed.

What To Include in One-Page Resumes

When creating a one-page resume, the key is to include only the most essential information. This means providing a clear and concise overview of your work history, educational background, and skills.

While you may be tempted to mention every detail of your career history, remember that your goal is to capture the reader’s attention and give them a snapshot of your most relevant qualifications. Therefore, try to focus on including only the experiences directly related to the job position you’re applying for.

Regarding your educational background and skills, again, only include the necessary information. For example, there is no need to list your high school diploma if you have extensive experience in your field. 

By following these tips, you can create a one-page professional resume that will leave a strong impression on your potential employers.

How To Make a Resume Fit on One Page

For most job seekers, creating a resume is an exercise in balancing between including too much or not enough information. How do you distill years of experience down to just one or two pages? Then again, if your resume is too long, it risks getting lost in the shuffle.

While both sides have advantages, you will most likely make a better impression if you can fit the resume on one page. Here are a few simple tips to help you achieve this:

  • First, focus on relevancy . Include only the information directly relevant to the position you are applying for. This may mean leaving out older job experiences that are not directly related to your current career goals.
  • Second, use white space wisely . A cluttered and crammed resume is hard to read and will likely be passed over. Use appropriate spacing to make your resume more readable and eye-catching.
  • Third, be concise in your descriptions . According to statistics, recruiters need only seven seconds to scan your resume , so be as straightforward as possible. For example, you can use bullet points and action verbs to communicate your point efficiently.
  • Finally, don’t be afraid to get creative . If you have to include plenty of information on a single page, you may need to get creative with formatting to make everything fit.

Pros and Cons of a One-Page Resume

A single-page resume has several advantages over the traditional two-page format:

  • It’s more likely to hold the recruiter’s attention. 
  • It’s easier to navigate, making the key information more accessible. 
  • It highlights the most relevant information, allowing the reader to quickly identify whether the candidate is a good fit for the position.
  • It conveys confidence and professionalism, which can help impress a potential employer.

While one-page resumes may seem like the easier option, you should consider the disadvantages before making the final decision.

One of the most common problems with single-page resumes is that they are sometimes too condensed, making it difficult for employers to get a clear sense of the candidate’s skills and experience. Moreover, the job seeker may have trouble including important keywords and details that could help them stand out from other candidates.

Ultimately, a single-page format does offer plenty of benefits, but it’s not always the ideal option. That’s why it’s vital to carefully weigh what information you need to include in your resume and check what format is the best for the job you want.

The One or Two-Page Resume Debate

There has been a lot of debate lately about whether a resume should be one page long. Some argue that you need to be able to effectively sell yourself on a single page in today’s competitive job market. They also say employers simply don’t have the time to read lengthy resumes while evaluating multiple candidates.

However, those who oppose the one-page limit claim that it doesn’t provide enough space to highlight a candidate’s skills and work history adequately. They also point out that specific fields, such as academia and research, require more detailed resumes. 

In the end, there is no right or wrong answer to this issue — it boils down to the specific job you’re applying for and whether you can efficiently condense your relevant experience into one page or not.

Should a Resume Be One Page? | The Takeaway

In the end, does a resume have to be one page long? This is ultimately up to the job seeker to decide. Regardless of the length, following general tips and advice from experts will help make sure that your resume is concise and easy to read.

If you’re having trouble condensing all of your experience onto one page, remember that it’s better to have a shorter, high-quality resume than one filled with unnecessary information. So don’t be afraid to trim extraneous details and focus on what matters most: the qualifications for the job you want.

FAQ on Should a Resume Be One Page?

You can start by condensing your work history into a few bullet points. Then, include the most relevant accomplishments from your professional and academic experiences. Finally, add any skills or qualifications that make you the ideal candidate for the position.

If your resume is two pages long, printing each page on separate sheets would be best. That way, the reader won’t have to flip over a single sheet while evaluating your qualifications.

If you’re wondering, “should a resume be one page or two,” try to fit your information on a single page, if possible. Still, you shouldn’t avoid using a two-page format if you have plenty of relevant work experience and qualifications.

How Long Should Your Resume Actually Be? Here’s an Easy Guide to Follow

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“How long should my resume be?”

Between my experience as a career coach and running a college career services department, this is a question I’ve heard a lot. And as a recruiter, I’ve seen resumes that run the gamut in terms of scope—from a simple Word document with just a few lines to a full-on multimedia package including video and audio.

Many people will say that a resume ought to be a single page—that this is an incontrovertible fact of resume writing. But the reality is more nuanced than that. There’s no single correct answer because it’s entirely dependent upon your experience, background, and the types of roles you’re applying for right now.

It’s a dated myth that you have to stick to one page no matter how many years of experience you have or what the situation is. Conversely, there’s absolutely no reason you need a resume that is pages upon pages long, detailing every single experience you’ve ever had. Like a lot of things, the truth is somewhere in the middle.

Here’s what I’ve seen work best for different job seekers.

When to Use a One-Page Resume

A one-page resume is ideal when you want to be succinct and get your point across quickly. The most common instances of using a one-page resume effectively arise when:

You’re a New Grad or Early in Your Career

If you’re a new graduate looking for your first professional job or you don’t have a lot of professional experience (say, less than five to eight years), the reality is that there likely just isn’t enough information or experience to warrant a longer resume.

For example, let’s say Jane just received her BA in marketing and is looking for her first post-college job. She had a few part-time positions while in school, and completed a few relevant internships. But she doesn’t yet have much professional experience working in her field. In this case, I’d recommend that Jane focus her resume on her relevant academic work and internships. And she could stick to the one-page resume even once she’s been working in marketing for four or five years. She can start to build out her professional experience section, including examples of accomplishments and projects she’s worked on. In order to make room for some of this new information, she’d remove internships, extracurricular activities, or even earlier or less relevant entry-level positions if she’s held several roles by now.

You’re Changing Careers

If you’re making a career shift or looking to enter a new industry or land a new type of role, a lengthier resume listing all your professional accomplishments wouldn’t necessarily be relevant to your target job. A recruiter or hiring manager is likely to discount your application, since they won’t be able to pinpoint the relevant connections. If you focus only on the most salient transferable skills and experiences, however, you’ll be able to tell a more focused story and make a much stronger case as to why you’re a great candidate for this particular role. 

You Haven’t Moved Around Much

You may have several years of experience, but perhaps it’s with the same one or two companies, or in a role without much change. If your experience has been fairly steady, then the reality is that you may not have enough to fill in more than a page, even if you’ve been working for several years. In this instance, the single-page resume allows you to call out key accomplishments and achievements without getting too wordy.

When to Use a Two-Page Resume

This is the sweet spot for most resumes. Two pages allows you to dig into your accomplishments in more detail, and to include different sections that can give the resume context and depth. This is ideal for someone who has eight or more years of professional experience, or someone who is very active in their community service or volunteering endeavors.

Let’s take the example of Jane from above. She now has about 10 years of professional experience, including working at an ad agency, followed by a few years as a brand manager, then leading an in-house marketing team. Now she’s applying to a position as a creative director for an agency. Each of her three previous roles is relevant and going to have some weighty experiences and distinct accomplishments she can dig into. Maybe she’s also served on a board or done some volunteer work in her community. When you add her academic background to this list, it’s clear that one page won’t do her justice.

A two-page resume isn’t an excuse to cram all your experience in. When you’re thinking about how far back to go, the general rule of thumb is to include the last 10-15 years of professional experience, with the caveat that you should still tailor your resume for the specific role. This allows you to focus on your most recent experience, highlight your recent accomplishments, and feature the most relevant skills. This means that it’s OK to leave off part-time jobs you had in college, any short-term or temporary positions, and any full-time roles that simply aren’t related to the job you’re applying for.

And if you’re worried about creating what appears to be a gap in your work history because you’re only including the most relevant roles, there’s an easy solution for that. Change the name of the section heading to “ Selected Professional Experience” or “Relevant Work Experience,” which will alert the reader that what you’ve listed is not all-inclusive, so they won’t be put off by any gaps. It also shows that you’ve curated your resume to only highlight what’s most relevant to the job you’ve applied for.

When to Use Three Pages or More

A resume of this length should be reserved for a few very specific cases, including candidates with academic backgrounds, government employees, or senior-level executives. This type of resume is appropriate for those with extensive experience who want or need to list speaking engagements, publications, patents, licenses, or other information in addition to their work history, education, and skills.

In some cases, you’ll actually need a curriculum vitae, or CV —which is a more comprehensive document that can be several pages long—instead of a resume.

Focus on Substance Instead of Length

At the end of the day, the length of your resume is not the most important thing. It should be a continually evolving document based on where you are in your career at any given moment and what role you’re applying to. For that reason, your bigger focus should be on ensuring there is relevant content, that you clearly articulate your accomplishments (as opposed to simply listing your tasks), and that the information is current and accurate. Other questions you can ask yourself include to be sure your resume is just right:

  • Does the resume tell a compelling, coherent story about your experience and who you are as a candidate? How does that story fit with this role in particular?
  • Have you provided enough detail to help you stand out against the competition? This includes optimizing the resume with keywords so that you can get past the applicant tracking system, or ATS .
  • Does it look clean and neat and is it easy to read? Ensure you have appropriate margins, font size, and that it’s not all crammed together.

How to Cut Down Your Resume If Needed

If you find that you do want to trim your resume down a bit , here are a few easy ways to go about it:

  • Remove irrelevant information . This includes hobbies and any personal information like date of birth, citizenship, or marriage status (which I’ve seen a lot, especially from candidates who may not know that this information shouldn’t be included on a resume in the U.S.). Plus, you don’t need to list your full street address on a resume these days—just a city and state will suffice.
  • Drop references and “References available upon request.” It’s unnecessary at this point to share your references or even to mention them. It should be obvious you’ll provide them when it comes time and you can use this space for other things.
  • Remove filler words.  Words like “a,” “an,” and “the” may seem small, but removing them across the entire document will save you a lot of space. Take the following bullet point: “ Oversaw a full-cycle recruitment program, which included identifying strategic talent acquisition opportunities, interviewing the candidates, and scheduling all interviews.” It could be rewritten as: “ Oversaw full-cycle recruitment, including strategic talent acquisition, candidate screening, & interview scheduling .” (Note also the use of the ampersand instead of spelling out the word “ and” —just another simple space-saving tip!)
  • Streamline the information you have included. For example, if you’re a mid- or senior-level employee, you should still list your education but there’s no need to include your extracurricular activities, GPA, or other details, particularly when they’re taking up valuable space.
  • Play with the font type and size. Pick a font that is clear and easy to read, without extra ornamentation. Don’t go too small, though, just to fit a lot into the page. Best practice is to keep it between 10- and 12-point fonts.
  • Change your margins and line spacing. Sometimes something as simple as spacing your lines differently can have a huge impact on the length and overall look of the resume.
  • Start over. With some clients who have a lot of experience but struggle to cut down their resumes, I’ve tried another strategy. We remove almost everything and then start building from the foundation back up. Once you’ve got your resume down to the bare bones, you can think strategically about what elements to add and which sections to flesh out—and that can be easier than deleting piecemeal from what’s already there. Think of it as an elimination diet for your resume!

A hiring manager won’t discount a qualified candidate because their resume was slightly too long or too short. It’s far more important what you say in the space you do use. If you demonstrate how your experience is relevant to the position and craft a compelling story, chances are the reader will be too focused on what a great find you are to even notice the length of the resume at all.

does the resume have to be one page

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How Many Pages Should a Good Resume Be?

10 min read · Updated on March 27, 2024

Ronda Suder

One size doesn't fit all, but how do you determine how long your resume should be?

If you run a Google search using the keywords “how long should a resume be?” you're bound to come across a number of different opinions. Some people declare that an ideal resume should be one page long, regardless of how many years of experience you have, while others have no problem sending out a three-page resume chronicling every detail of their professional journey.

Let's set the record straight. When it comes to the ideal resume length, size does matter. Here's everything you need to know to answer the question, "how long should a resume be?"

How long should a resume be? The one-page myth 

Contrary to popular belief, you do  not  have to squeeze 15 or more years of work experience into a one-page resume. In fact, until recently, only entry-level candidates were urged to keep their resumes to one page, as most employers assumed someone who was new to the post-college workforce wouldn't have enough information to justify more than one page of resume real estate. But this resume-length rule may no longer apply to job seekers at  any  level, as career experts claim. 

These days, recruiters generally prefer two-page resumes over one-page resumes, regardless of a candidate's years of experience. 

So, why the change in opinion? There are two factors to consider.

1. Graduates have more opportunities

First, unlike the graduates of 10 or more years ago, today's young professionals are entering the “real” working world with more experience to boost their resumes and impress employers. From internships to co-ops to freelance gigs and even contract work, students are encouraged to secure opportunities throughout their collegiate journey to help explore potential career paths, build their skills , and meet the  one to three years' experience requirements  that many “entry-level” jobs now demand. They're also more likely to have personal blogs or online portfolios, group projects, volunteer work, leadership programs, and relevant campus activities to boost their resumes without adding any unnecessary fluff. 

2. Hiring managers want clear career stories

Second, a  study by TopResume on professional vs self-written resumes  found that employers value resumes that provide a strong career narrative. In other words, recruiters want to see more than merely a timeline of your professional and educational experience; they want to be able to read your resume like a story. In order to create that story, your resume requires additional components such as a  professional summary , a section to list your relevant experience, skills, and so on — all of which take up more space.

But is the one-page resume dead?

Not exactly. Though it's true that the answer to “how long should a resume be for a college student or recent grad?” is no longer a single page, it still needs to make sense to go beyond that. While entry-level candidates should no longer feel pressured to cut their resumes down to one page, they shouldn't try to stretch to a two-page resume if it doesn't make sense. Career changers might also need to keep their resume to a single page.

College students and entry-level candidates

If you recently graduated from college and did  not  participate in many of the resume boosters mentioned above (e.g. internships, co-ops, volunteer work, extracurricular activities), then you likely won't have enough material to warrant a second page. The last thing you want to do is add irrelevant details, include outdated information, or get creative with your format in order to extend your resume to a second page. That's a waste of your time and will not impress employers. You're better off sticking with a one-page resume. 

So, if you're a recent college graduate, remove any references to your high school awards, scholarships, and extracurricular activities. Employers are more interested in the internships you completed, odd jobs you held, relevant experiences you had, and activities you participated in on campus while pursuing your degree. 

Career changers

In addition to recent college grads, if you're further along in your career and have decided to make a major career change, your resume may be reduced to only one page. The focus would be to highlight your transferable skills and parts of your experience that are relevant to this new job goal.

How long should a resume be? The golden rule

If you've been in the workforce for a number of years, you're entitled to a maximum of two full pages of resume real estate. This rule applies to most senior professionals, whether you've been in the workforce for seven years or 27 years.

The reality is that most recruiters  spend less than 10 seconds  reviewing a resume before deciding whether the applicant should receive further consideration. With so little time to make the right impression, it's important to present a succinct document that highlights the recent - and most relevant - parts of your professional experience, skills, and education .

How long should a resume be? Exceptions to the rules

While it's strongly encouraged to limit yourself to a two-page resume, there will be instances where this is near impossible. This often happens to professionals who have never-ending lists of technical skills and proficiencies, a large number of consulting gigs to explain, or a series of published works to include. If you fall into one of these categories, you may need to use the first part of a third page. However, try to avoid this if possible since there is still a limit to how many pages a resume should be.

There are three additional scenarios when your resume length is likely to exceed two standard 8.5" x 11" pages:

If you are looking for a job in academia or the sciences, your  academic CV or resume  should be more than two pages long. In fact, your resume could be up to 15 pages!

If you're applying for a job with the US federal government, your  federal resume  might be 3 to 7 pages long in order to fit all the required information. 

While an  international CV  — the type of document used to apply for positions in most countries outside of the US — should also be 1 to 2 pages long, the  size  of the paper is different. International CVs should be 1 to 2 pages of A4 (8.27” x 11.69”) paper, while resumes should be 1 to 2 pages of standard letter (8.5” x 11”) paper.

How to make your resume fit the appropriate page length

In order to help you meet these resume-length tips, limit the amount of experience you include to the last 15 years and tailor your resume to a 15-year window. Employers care most about the recent work you've been doing and how it ties back to their role's requirements, so place the emphasis of your resume on your current and relevant experience.

There are a number of ways you can incorporate your earlier experience into the resume without spilling over into a third or fourth page. Below are three considerations to do so.

Include a “Career Note” in a senior-level resume

If you only held one or two positions before the 15-year cut-off, you can provide a short career note that mentions the roles and titles you held.

does the resume have to be one page

This format gives you some flexibility, as you may decide to summarize a few very similar roles into a short blurb to keep your resume length under two pages. For instance, you may say that your earlier experience includes “... Executive Assistant work for companies including Company A, Company B, and Company C.” If you worked with some name-drop-worthy clients, you have the ability to work those details into a blurb like this as well. However, the rule of thumb is to keep this note short and sweet, so eliminate unnecessary details such as employment dates. 

Click on the following link to see the entire two-page  sample resume for a senior professional .

Create an "Earlier Work History" section 

If you have 20+ years of experience or changed jobs frequently at the beginning of your career, you may need more than a one-liner to cover the work experience. An alternative is to add an “Earlier Career History” section at the bottom of your professional experience that lists the job title, company name, and location of each role.

does the resume have to be one page

Experiment with different format techniques to meet the appropriate resume length

There are a number of additional resume-length tips and tricks  professional resume writers  use to help their clients meet these length restrictions. If you're having trouble making your resume fit within a specific number of pages, try experimenting with the font size, the spacing between paragraphs, and the margins. When experimenting with different design elements, make sure it's still easy for a reader to quickly scan the resume and identify the most important selling points.

Font Size: Depending on the font style you choose, you can usually shrink its size down to 10 or 10.5 points without turning your resume into a frustrating eye chart for the reader. Headers can similarly be reduced to 13 or 15 points without looking bad.

Font Styles:  Fonts such as Calibri, Calibri Light, Trebuchet MS, and Arial Narrow tend to take up less space than Times New Roman, Verdana, and Arial. By switching your resume over to a different font, you may be able to gain the extra space you need.

Spacing and Margins: Experiment with the overall spacing of your resume. You can decrease the margins of your resume down to 0.5 of an inch and reduce the spacing between different sections of your resume by 0.5 to 1 point without losing the document's white space.

Eliminations: If you're still listing your references or a note such as “References available upon request” at the bottom of your document, it's time to stop. This information is unnecessary and takes up precious resume real estate. Similarly, there's no need to list your street address at the top of your resume. If you're searching for a position in your current location and want employers to know you're a local candidate, include your city and state. However, leave your street address off to protect yourself from potential identity theft and free up another line of text.

How long should a resume be? A few final words

You now know the answer to the questions:

Is it better to have a one- or two-page resume?

Is a three-page resume too long?

How long should a resume be for senior professionals?

How long should a resume be for college students and entry-level candidates?

To sum it up, a two-page resume is preferred for most candidates at any level. As noted above, there are a few exceptions where a three-page resume is acceptable, and in rare instances, your resume might be even longer. In the case of recent college grads and career changers, your resume might only be a single page vs. two. All that to say, unless you clearly fall under one of the exceptions listed above, it's best to develop a two-page resume to share with prospective employers. 

Did these resume-length tips answer your question about how long your resume should be? Submit your resume for a  free resume review  to make sure it meets current best practice standards. 

This article was originally written by Amanda Augustine and has been updated by Ronda Suder. 

Recommended reading:

How to Sell Yourself on a Resume Without Sounding Arrogant

The Top 10 Resume Mistakes That Could Cost You the Job

What's the Difference Between an Objective Statement and a Summary?

Related Articles:

7 Signs Your Resume is Making You Look Old

Why a Simple Resume Layout is a Successful Resume

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does the resume have to be one page

02-14-2024 WORK LIFE

Does my résumé really need to be one page?

Hiring managers and recruiters are split on if you should try to fit everything on your résumé onto one page, but here’s what’s more important than the length of your résumé.

[GIF: Edward Jenner /Pexels]

BY  Kathleen Davis 1 minute read

Welcome to “Pressing Questions” Fast Company ‘s mini advice column. Twice a week, Deputy Editor Kathleen Davis, host of The New Way We Work podcast, will answer the biggest and most pressing workplace questions in less than one minute.

Q: Does my résumé really need to be one page?

A: This is a controversial one. Hiring managers and recruiters are split on if you should try to fit everything on your résumé onto one page. But you came here for a definitive answer, so I’ll give you one: No, it doesn’t really matter. Here’s what’s more important than the length of your résumé: 1. Focus on what’s “above the fold.” This means: Think about what’s visible to a reader without scrolling when they open the document. That’s your first impression. There’s a statistic that recruiters only spend about seven seconds scanning a résumé. Keep your contact details brief—just your email address and LinkedIn profile or your website (if relevant). Use the rest of that top quarter space to introduce yourself in the most compelling terms possible: a bullet point list of skills, a summary of your experience, and your most recent role.  2. Make it easy to read or skim. Use a simple layout with clearly marked sections and title headers in a clear font. Avoid long sentences, multiple columns, and very little white space. Use specific sections and job titles. 3. Write for a human. Even if your résumé might be screened by an applicant tracking system first, you shouldn’t stuff it with keywords. Instead use these terms in a natural way, and add numbers and action language that quantifies what you did in your roles and the impact you made. 4. Explain the gaps. Hardly anyone has a linear career path and you aren’t fooling anyone by glossing over a year or more. If you freelanced or cared for family or volunteered during times you weren’t traditionally employed, that all counts.    Want some more résumé advice? Here’s a few essential reads:

  • Your résumé only gets 7.4 seconds to make an impression–here’s how to stand out
  • This is the part of your résumé that recruiters look at first
  • Mistakes to avoid when writing your résumé
  • 7 common résumé mistakes to avoid
  • This is the ultimate guide to writing a standout résumé

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen Davis is Deputy Editor at FastCompany.com, Supervising Editor of Fast Company podcasts, and Host of The New Way We Work podcast. She frequently covers topics including Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, gender equity, education, economic inequality, remote work, and the future of work.   More

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How Long Should a Resume Be in 2024 [For Any Profession]

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You’ve probably heard time and time again that a resume should be strictly one page. 

What if you have a TON of experience, though? What if you just can’t fit all the cool stuff you’ve done on a single page?

With that comes the dilemma:

How long should a resume be? 

Can you exceed the strict one-pager?

A simple Google search will reveal conflicting opinions. 

Some career experts emphasize time and time again to stick to the golden one-page rule. Others suggest this practice is preferred, but not mandatory. 

So, which one is it?

Here’s the thing - there’s no magic one-size-fits-all rule on how long should your resume be. It really depends on several factors.

Luckily, we’re here to help set the record straight. 

  • How long should your resume be?
  • What’s the ideal length for your resume depending on your experience level
  • How to fit your resume on one page
  • How long should a CV be

How Long Should a Resume Be

how long should resume be

Short answer: it depends, but in most cases, you should stick to the one-pager.

The long answer?

Well, here’s the thing. There’s a very good chance that you don't actually need to get past one page.

Unless you have 20+ years of experience, a single page should be more than enough. Your resume should be a summary of your most relevant, most recent work experience.

It’s not supposed to be a detailed account of everything you’ve ever done in your life.

For a mid-level professional, here’s what you’d add to your resume (which would result in 1-page MAX):

  • Contact information section
  • 2-3 work experience entries
  • 1 or 2 education entries
  • Skills section
  • Languages section

Now, if we turn this into a real-life resume, you’ll see that it’s going to be hard to go past one page.

If you do have a decade’s worth of work experience, though, or if you’re a senior executive, you can actually break this rule and go for 2.

Make sure to ask yourself, though, “am I aiming for quality over quantity? Are all the work experience entries I’ve mentioned relevant?”

Now, you might be thinking, “do I ever go beyond 2 pages?”

Well, you can potentially go for 3, but that’s only if you’re…

  • A senior-ranking executive with a remarkable track record.
  • Applying for a federal job that requests more information contrary to a civilian application.
  • Have a long, lengthy background and you need to hand over case studies, testimonials, project highlights.

Never write above three, though. If Elon Musk's experience can fit on one page , so can yours. 

How far back should a resume go?

Your resume shouldn’t go back further than a maximum of 10 to 15 years . 

You want to keep the information on your resume relevant to the job you are applying for.

The HR Department is most likely not interested in what you were doing 20 years ago. Even if it’s very impressive, chances are, you've done much more significant things in your past 3 positions than whatever you did 18 years ago. 

  • Not going back very far also sidesteps age discrimination. If your resume dates back more than 15 years, the HR department might guess your age. And if it’s a young applicant they’re looking for, your resume can be rejected right away.

Are there times you need to absolutely include more than 10-15 years ' worth of work experience in your resume ? 

Yes, occasionally.  

More specifically, you would want to include dated experiences if:

  • You are applying for a job in a field you used to work for more than 15 years ago and you don’t have the recent professional experience to account for. In that case, old relevant experience is better than no experience.
  • Your dated experience is actually of extremely high importance. Maybe you used to be president of the United States or CEO of Coca-Cola. You can choose to use that to your advantage since it speaks to your qualifications and prestige, even if it’s old news.

How long should a student resume be? 

If you’re a student, you should never, ever, go past the one-page limit. You barely have any work experience, so whatever information you’re adding that goes past one-page, it’s probably not that relevant.

If you’re having difficulty fitting everything into one page, look at every point in your resume critically.

Do you really need to let your prospective employer know about every single one of your volunteering experiences and extracurriculars, or make your summer lifeguard job occupy one-third of your resume?

The answer is no, not really.

Instead, focus on your most impressive qualifications, best academic achievements, and fields of study relevant to the job you are applying for, and you’ll find out you probably don’t even need a full page.

Want to learn more about how to write the perfect student resume ? Check out our complete guide with samples & tips!

Resume Length for Your Experience Level 

Still uncertain about how long your resume should be? Check out our cheatsheet to find out. 

The table below displays the recommended length of your resume, based on your years of experience.  

ideal length for a resume

How to Fit a Resume on One Single Page 

Let’s get real. 

An entry-level applicant can insert all relevant information under one page because he/she doesn’t have much relevant experience. The alternative is appearing like they’re not making a serious enough effort to write a concise application. 

For folks with more experience, however, this can be a bit trickier.

Here are some tips on how to turn your resume into a concise one-pager:

  • Use an online resume builder. Pick a free template resume that is optimized for length and let it do all of the work for you. You don’t need to mess around with the font and formatting: the resume builder will fit everything in one page for you.
  • Focus on relevant information. Yes, this again. It’s crucial you carefully go through the job description and the main skills your employers are searching for. If you are applying for a job as a software engineer, don’t mention your internship as a social media manager. Cut your “yoga” from your list of interests. If the employer is not looking for it, you don’t need to have it in your resume.
  • Achievements over responsibilities. Don’t list everything you were responsible for. That will not only prolong your resume and bore the employer, but won’t make you stand out. Your prospective employer knows what your main responsibilities were if you list “Sales manager” on your resume. They are the same as 50 other applicants that applied with the same work experience. Focus on tangible performance indicators instead. Instead of saying “did sales at X,” go for “Hit and exceeded department KPIs by 20-30% for 5 months in a row.”
  • Customize spacing. You can always make room for more entries if you reduce the document margins space. You can, for example, customize the margins to 0.5” instead of the regular 2.5”. You can also mess around with the space between bullet points and sections.
  • Smaller fonts . A 12pt font might have been the norm for university papers, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow it for your resume. Try out an 11 or 11.5 font to win some more room. Make sure everything is readable without zooming in, though!
  • Bullet points. Instead of listing job or education descriptions as paragraphs, use bullet points instead. Keep your sentences short and to the point.
  • Remove unnecessary headers. Contact information or the resume summary will do just fine without their own personalized headers.
  • Don’t include your high school. Unless you used to study in a very specialized high school, or your employer went to the same high school as you, exclude it. It’s hardly ever relevant to the job you’re applying for.
  • Exclude repeated bullets. If you undertook similar responsibilities in more than one company, don’t repeat the same job description. No need for the hiring manager to read how you “analyzed industry trends” three different times.
  • Cut your resume summary short. Keep in mind that a resume summary is supposed to wrap up your most impressive qualities for the job. It doesn’t need a 6 line introduction and 10 bullet points. Cut it down to three text lines. For a better understanding of how to properly write your resume summary, check out this guide.

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How Long Should a CV Be? 

We’re going to say it before you ask:

Yes, in the USA, a CV is different from a resume.

A resume is customized to each individual job you are applying to and is strictly one page.

A CV, on the other hand, covers the in-depths of your career and academic journey. It is usually used in Academia. 

Because the goal and nature of a CV are different than that of a resume, you shouldn’t necessarily strive for the shortest pitch possible.

Most recruiters agree that the average golden length for a CV is two or three pages . 

However, depending on your years of experience, accomplishments , training, and education, it can go up to eight pages .

Not sure if you need a CV or a resume ? Check out our guide that explains the difference between the two.

Key Takeaways

Now, let’s go through everything we’ve learned:

  • For most candidates, a resume should be only one page . Be brief and concise with anything you write on your resume. Customize your resume for the job you’re applying for and include only relevant experience. If you’ve done everything right, you shouldn’t get past one page.
  • If you have 10-15+ years of experience, it’s okay to write a 2-page resume as long as all the information presented is relevant to the job.
  • You can play around with the spacing, margins, and format of the resume to make all your information fit on one page. If you want the easy way out, use a resume builder .
  • For Americans, a CV is different from a resume. It is primarily used in Academia and serves as an academic and experience diary. Since it’s not a short pitch, the length of a CV is usually 2-3 pages but can go up to 8 pages depending on your background.

Suggested reading:

  • How to Pick the Best Resume Format [+Examples]
  • 150+ Must-Have Skills for Any Resume [With Tips + Tricks]
  • 340+ Resume Action Verbs And Power Words [Complete list]

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does the resume have to be one page

Dive Into Expert Guides to Enhance your Resume

How to Write a One-Page Resume

Greg Faherty

Should a resume be one page?  Ideally yes, it’s generally better to  create a one-page resume  as employers generally  scan resumes in seconds . However, depending on the type of job you’re applying for, and your level of experience, a  two-page resume  can be more effective.

The reason why a  one-page resume  is better in the majority of cases is that employers  don’t want to read long resumes . As they have so many to look through, a  short, concise resume  is much more likely to grab their attention.

Writing a one-page resume  also gives you the chance to focus on and  emphasize your strongest selling points . It can be difficult to decide what to leave out. You may have many achievements that you’re proud of, but  it’s worth it .

Using a one-page  resume template  is a good place to start. It’s then a case of  choosing what’s most relevant  for the position you’re applying for.

How to create a one-page resume

Nowadays, the  best one-page resumes  have to be concise and eye-grabbing enough to stand out when a person shuffles through a pile of them. They also need to  contain the right words and terms  to get past  Applicant Tracking Systems (ATMs) , that scan resumes to see if they contain the right keywords.

The best way of doing this is by making a  one-page editable resume  which you can tailor to each job application. You can do this by carefully reading through each job and  identifying the key job requirements  (use the keywords to help you), and to them work these into your resume.

As well as  adding the necessary keywords , you also need to carefully consider which of your  skills ,  work experience , and  qualifications  are  most relevant to the job  you’re applying for.

If you are writing a  student resume  or an  entry-level resume , it may be the case that it’s easy to fit most (if not all) of your achievements on a  one-page job resume . If you are more experienced, what to leave out will require more consideration.

Writing a one-page resume: what to leave out?

What not to include on your resume?  If you’re struggling to reduce your resume down to a  single-page resume , start by writing a  list of your achievements  and work experience and include details of what they involved.

Then  analyze each position  you’re applying for and  choose the parts from your list  that match the job. Write your  most relevant achievements  into your resume by writing short, concise bullet points which  focus on your accomplishments .

You shouldn’t include any work experience which you gained  more than 10-15 years ago . There’s no need to say  “references available on request”  as this goes without saying.

If your resume is still  longer than one page , reduce your education section. You shouldn’t include your high-school education or irrelevant qualifications. Using an  online resume builder  is a time-effective way of nailing the  one-page resume   format .

Does a resume have to be one page?

No. Although most employers prefer to receive  one-page resumes , it is not always the case. When an employer is looking for someone with extensive experience, it is necessary to write a  more-than-one-page resume .

There are certain professions that are exceptions and it’s  commonplace to produce long resumes . These industries include medicine, law, and academia. For the vast majority of applications, a  one-page resume is best .

Remember you can always  include a link to your LinkedIn profile , other professional social media sites, or a website you’ve been involved in. This gives the employer the choice of viewing a  longer version of your background .

Whereas your  resume should be targeted  for each application, your LinkedIn should be  much more in-depth , providing detailed accounts of your  education , skills, and work experience.

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A Breakdown of a Successful One Page Resume – And How to Write Yours

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In This Guide:

Should your resume be one page, how to fit 25 years of experience in a single page – william’s one-page resume., a ceo and co-founder’s one-page resume – how pavel fit his professional life on a single page., founder, director, and vp of product – gal’s double-column single-page resume., how to write your resume to fit on one page – a handful of actionable resume tips., key takeaways.

Resume image 1

Having a one-page resume is possible, even if you have decades of experience behind your back.

In this article, we’ll analyze concrete examples of one-page resumes built by Enhancv users – from William, a Japanese entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience to Pavel whose professional background took him to three countries, and Gal that has spent a decade in the product management and business development world.

All three of them share one common thing – a single-page resume.

So, how do you fit that many years of experience into an effective resume without omitting important details?

Keep reading and you’ll learn:

  • If your resume should be one page long.
  • How to focus on relevant skills and experience to cut down your resume to a single page.
  • Which resume sections are a must in single-page resumes.

Alex Lafreniere, a happy user, shared this:

“Hands down the best and most intuitive resume builder I've used. Go for the pro plan - it's the best bang for your buck. You get a lot more sections, which helps with the different variations of your cv, especially if you want to tailor it to different industries."

does the resume have to be one page

BUILD MY ONE PAGE RESUME

Yes, your resume can be one page, regardless of experience. Single-page resumes focus on the most relevant parts of your work history. Put important and relevant information first, as this makes for an efficient format for any professional field.

If you can’t fit all relevant experience on a single page, only then go for a two-page resume.

How to make a one-page resume if you have a ton of experience?

The secret to making a one-page resume when you have 10, 15, or even more than 20 years of work experience is to include information that’s highly relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Study the job description – hiring managers usually include what experience and skillset they’re looking for. Show that. Remember, that may mean you’ll have to make a tailored resume for each job position you apply for.

Thankfully, with Enhancv you can easily copy, edit and download your resumes as many times as you need. It also saves time that you don’t have to worry about design or layout – check our resume builder .

So, does a resume have to be one page?"?

A resounding no. Professionals with a lot of relevant experience in a field can benefit from two or even three-page resumes . If you’ve spent the past 15 years working as a business transformation manager and you have a lot of examples to communicate on your resume, then definitely go with a longer one.

Does it mean the one-page resume format is dead?

No. A resume should focus on your relevant experience and give insight into the impact you’ve had at previous companies you’ve worked for and give a glimpse into who you are .

Fit all three on a single page and you’ve got yourself a pretty impactful resume. In the examples we’re going to review below, we’ve made sure to analyze how each has made their resume.

Enhancv One Page Resume: 3 Examples To Show Its Impact one page resume

William’s single-page resume takes advantage of our compact resume format . The best way to fit more information on a single page is by browsing the Enhancv resume templates and choosing a two or three-column layout .

With a single click, you can fit around 50% more content on a single page, compared to what a Microsoft Word template allows you to do.

Still, William took things up a notch. Here’s what he did especially well when writing his resume.

Enhancv One Page Resume: 3 Examples To Show Its Impact one page resume

Right under his name, William wrote what defines him as a professional: “Entrepreneur, keynote speaker, advisor & cyber czar’’. This quickly gives you an idea of the kind of jobs he’s held previously, and what is most significant about his career – all in seven words and contained to the resume header.

does the resume have to be one page

Next, William shared his life motto in a single sentence: “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity”. A simple quote can speak volumes about you as a person and your attitude to work and life itself.

Beyond showing how you see the world, it signals to companies whether you might fit into their culture. This shows us that William is not the kind of person that gives up. He perceives problems as opportunities.

Taken together, these sections give a brief and quick insight into who William is and the energy he would bring to his role and the team. As opposed to a lengthy personal summary, William said all he needed to in two short sentences. Now, let’s continue with William’s experience section…

does the resume have to be one page

William includes 3 jobs within his experience section. These are the most recent and significant jobs that relate to the field he hopes to work in. They’re also quite diverse.

Rather than writing pages on every job he has ever had, he has tailored his experience to three impactful descriptions of the jobs that relate most to the job vacancy.

He also decided to name the section Entrepreneurial Experience . This suggests that it covers only a portion of his work experience. This is a case where careful decision-making really pays off.

Enhancv One Page Resume: 3 Examples To Show Its Impact one page resume

William goes on to make use of an Enhancv exclusive – the “My Time” section. This allows users to show their time spent during the week or a typical day-in-the-life.

For example, the section makes it obvious that Cybersecurity is something he does best. Again, using this quick visual saves a ton of space.

does the resume have to be one page

Furthermore, William utilizes an awards section to mention advising the Japanese Government as well as over twenty tech companies regarding business, technology, and security.

does the resume have to be one page

His other point is ‘’Giving back to the community’’, where he mentions that he’s been supporting charitable and community-based organizations. This saved William another page where he listed all his advisory positions and achievements. All in a few sentences, with bits of his character.

does the resume have to be one page

William backs up his previous experience with a notable metric that shows his impact on the bottom line. In a few short words, we see the results of his work. His Authored Books section (another section offered by Enhancv) contributes to this, too. Here, we get a quick visual of the books he’s published, rather than a long description that would take up many paragraphs.

Enhancv One Page Resume: 3 Examples To Show Its Impact one page resume

Pavel’s resume is a great example of someone who has taken our modern resume template and made the most of it.

does the resume have to be one page

Pavel has utilized the Technology section of our resume builder to give a snapshot of the programs he is familiar with. Here, we see five highlighted technologies. It’s simple but effective. This cuts down on writing full sentences to show what systems you’re comfortable with.

does the resume have to be one page

Taking a look at Pavel’s experience section, we can see how job-rich it is. We’re looking at 6 job titles – from a researcher to a co-founder and CEO. Data science is a relatively new and expansive area of tech.

For this reason, it’s beneficial to include as many previous experiences as you can that relate to possible duties. Each job is accompanied by a quick bullet point that explains all of Pavel’s responsibilities, and everything is written concisely.

Much like William, Pavel intertwines his impact with his previous experience by providing a significant metric to measure his achievements.

For example, he showed the moon and stars to 5000+ people.

This short description focuses the recruiter on tangible evidence that does not take up a lot of space. If a recruiter wants to know more, they will ask in an interview or over email.

does the resume have to be one page

Pavel’s experience is further explained in a simple list of his Selected Courses . Here, space is saved by collecting all relevant and important courses he’s taken in a single section. The titles are enough for the recruiter to understand his skill.

Enhancv One Page Resume: 3 Examples To Show Its Impact one page resume

Gal shows us that any resume template can be used when building a one-pager. Using Enhancv’s staple – the double-column resume – Gal makes an impact without drawing things out.

does the resume have to be one page

Accomplishing this in two-three sentences will do wonders to signal to companies that you fit within their culture – ultimately getting you an interview sooner.

does the resume have to be one page

Gal makes use of Enhancv’s technologies section but renames it as an “Expertise” section. With this, the recruiter can easily see that Gal is gifted when it comes to B2B, B2C, SaaS, and more. This is an excellent example of cutting paragraphs down to singular words with the same impact.

does the resume have to be one page

Again, Gal introduces his impact by providing a significant metric to measure his achievements. For example, “driving 50% to 100% annual revenue growth”. This captures his ability in one bullet point, as opposed to several sentences on ways he brought a change in a previous company.

Whether you’ve got 25 years, a decade, or a month of experience, making a strong impression is essential. A single-page resume helps you do that.

We gathered the career counseling team at Enhancv and put all their know-how around writing impactful one-page resumes.

Use a double-column or compact resume template.".

A one-pager resume with plenty of experience will not fit on a single-column template. At Enhancv, our double-column template is specifically designed to meet applicant tracking systems requirements and with one-page resumes in mind. You can fit up 50% more information compared to what general resume templates allow for.

Write short, action-oriented bullet points.

Cut the fluff and focus on the make-it-or-break-it moments in your career. Stick to active words and use buzzwords properly .

Draw inspiration from the examples above, or recollect the moments that made you the professional you are today. If you need more inspiration, we have over 500 job-specific resume examples for you to explore and inspire from.

Use smaller fonts.

Choose a smaller font size but make sure the text remains legible. Size 10 or 11 looks fine and passes readability checks, anything smaller would make your resume hard to read.

Fonts like Oswald , Bitter , and Volkhov are more compact and allow you to fit more text on a single page.

Remove unnecessary sections.

When you have a lot of relevant experience, you can skip the Education section. Unless you have Cum Laude from an Ivy League university, you’re generally okay with not including your education. Leave off references as well, unless they’re highly relevant for the job position.

Make sure that your summary is short but packed full of information. It’s the best way to communicate who you are and your skill set in a single sentence.

Decrease the margins' size.

When you decrease the margins of your resumes you get to add more information, however, you have to keep in mind the readability of your resume. No hiring manager wants to read a wall of text.

Enhancv’s resume builder has in-built resume margins you can switch between that still keep your resume readable and easy on the eye.

Use creative sections to spotlight career milestones.

One-page creative resumes are the hardest to make. We’ve compiled over 20 creative resumes for you to check out. You can make your very own by signing up for Enhancv –– or you can hire our career counselors to help you make your resume .

Single-page resumes seem difficult to create until you get the hang of it –– focus only on experience and skills that show how you can make an impact in the company you’re applying at.

  • Cut the extra fluff. Choose only the relevant, result-driven information.
  • Use different sections to reframe and communicate your experience in short and engaging ways.
  • Choose an Enhancv resume template and focus only on the information and not the design.
  • Focus on font size and margins to fit as much information as possible.

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  1. One Page Resume: 1-Page Templates & How to Write

    does the resume have to be one page

  2. How to Make a One Page Resume : Writing Tips & Sample

    does the resume have to be one page

  3. Should a Resume Be One Page? (And How to Make It Fit)

    does the resume have to be one page

  4. FREE How Long Should My Resume Be? [ With Samples ]

    does the resume have to be one page

  5. A Breakdown of a Successful One Page Resume

    does the resume have to be one page

  6. A Breakdown of a Successful One Page Resume

    does the resume have to be one page

VIDEO

  1. I just have one page. This is my first time n tooday

  2. I HAVE ONE PAGE LEFT IM SO UPSET :((((

  3. How many pages should a Resume have? ONE pager always

  4. Cancer: Beware of an attempted set up, They can't steal what's destined for you

  5. Gemini: You'll always be ahead of the game, Stay positive

  6. Capricorn: False opportunity presented because they tried to steal from you

COMMENTS

  1. Should a Resume Be One Page? (And How to Make It Fit)

    A resume should be one page most of the time. One-page resumes are recommended for candidates with just a few years of work experience and those who are only starting out on the job market. Your resume can be longer than one page only when you have 10+ years of experience or lots of relevant professional achievements.

  2. Q&A: Is a Two-Page Resume Okay?

    While the ideal resume length is one page, you may choose to have a two-page resume if the document contains relevant information that can help you improve your employability. If your resume is two pages long, print each page on its own piece of paper. This can improve the readability of your document. If the employer asks for a double-sided ...

  3. How Long Should a Resume Be?

    How many pages should a resume be? Ideally, a resume should be one page —especially for students, new graduates and professionals with one to 10 years of experience. The reason for this standard is that employers and hiring managers typically only have a few seconds to review your resume, so you should provide the most relevant and impressive information as succinctly as possible.

  4. A Two-Page (or More) Resume is Ok! But Only in These Cases

    Specifically, use at least an 11-point typeface in a standard business typeface, such as Arial or Calibri. Each margin should be at least one inch. When you're using a two-page resume, part of the presentation should consider the second page, too. Be sure to fill at least one-third of the second page.

  5. Should a resume be one page?

    The short answer as to whether your resume should be one page is still, ideally, yes. Employers have to look through dozens, if not hundreds, of resumes to fill a position. They want the resumes to be quick and easy to read, so the shorter, the better. Plus, nobody enjoys reading through multiple pages of potentially unnecessary and redundant text.

  6. One-Page Resume Templates & Examples [2024]

    Time constraints: Hiring managers often have limited time to review each application. A one-page resume allows them to quickly scan and evaluate your skills and work history without getting overwhelmed by excessive information.; Clarity and focus: A one-page resume encourages you to be clear and focused in presenting your qualifications, ensuring that the most important details stand out.

  7. Should a Resume Be One Page? Pros, Cons, and a Debate

    Most resumes are one or two pages long and include several sections, such as contact details, objective or summary statement, work history, education, and skills. The most typical resume is one page long. Many candidates opt for this format because employers generally don't have the time to review lengthy documents, especially when ...

  8. Should a Resume Only Be One Page? Your Questions, Answered!

    In most instances, a resume should not be only one page. Contrary to what you may have heard, a resume should rarely be only one page. Most professionals should use a two-page resume — this applies whether you have seven or 17 years of work experience. Only entry-level professionals — those who recently graduated from college and are just ...

  9. Why Should You Fit Your Resume on One Page?

    Updated June 24, 2022. Keeping your resume to one page helps hiring managers see your best qualifications quickly. When you submit a one-page resume, you demonstrate the top qualities and skills that make you right for the role. Looking at your previous work experience can help you decide which accomplishments are worth keeping on your resume.

  10. Can a Resume Be Two Pages? Your 2024 Guide

    It's a good idea to include your name and contact information at the top of both pages, just in case it gets mixed up with other resumes. But if you're submitting your resume online as a PDF, this may not be necessary, as the two pages will likely stay together in one file. 2. Make sure your resume is ATS-friendly.

  11. The One-Page Resume vs. the Two-Page Resume

    When to Use a One-Page Resume. The one-page resume is ideal for entry-level workers, new college graduates, and those who have a few years of work experience. Additionally, you should consider a one-page resume if you're looking to make a career change and don't have much experience relevant to your new goal.

  12. How Long Should a Resume Be in 2024?

    A resume should be one page for most applicants, especially for students and anyone with fewer than 10 years of relevant work experience. Our free-to-use resume builder can make you a resume in as little as 5 minutes. Just pick the template you want, and our software will format everything for you.

  13. Whether or Not to Use a One Page Resume

    In the recent past, the standard advice was that all entry-level professionals should have a one-page resume, max. However, that's not necessarily the case today, since many recruiters and hiring managers expect to see a two-page resume regardless of the level of experience. One reason for the outdated standard that a one-page resume is the ...

  14. How Long Should a Resume Be? A Simple Guide

    A two-page resume isn't an excuse to cram all your experience in. When you're thinking about how far back to go, the general rule of thumb is to include the last 10-15 years of professional experience, with the caveat that you should still tailor your resume for the specific role. This allows you to focus on your most recent experience ...

  15. How Many Pages Should a Good Resume Be?

    How long should a resume be? The one-page myth . Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to squeeze 15 or more years of work experience into a one-page resume. In fact, until recently, only entry-level candidates were urged to keep their resumes to one page, as most employers assumed someone who was new to the post-college workforce wouldn't have enough information to justify more than one ...

  16. One Page Resume Templates & Writing Guide

    2. 2023. Download This Free Template. This single page resume template is packed with content and still manages to look spacious. The sidebar allows you to easily organize your information, while a vertical line splits up the page and makes your resume easy to read. 3. Clean. Download This Free Template.

  17. How to Write a One Page Resume (With Example and Tips)

    1. List your contact information. Put your name, job title and contact information at the top of your resume. This is true for resumes generally, but it is especially important for one page resumes. You want to be sure the hiring manager knows where to send an interview invitation. To save space, format your name and job title in bold and only ...

  18. Does my résumé need to be one page?

    A: This is a controversial one. Hiring managers and recruiters are split on if you should try to fit everything on your résumé onto one page. But you came here for a definitive answer, so I'll ...

  19. Resume Length: How Long Should a Resume Be in 2024

    There is no perfect answer. Depending on the job description and your work experience, your resume should be one or two pages long. If you have over 10 years of relevant experience, a multi-page resume works better than a one-page. (Related: One-page resume: 3 Powerful Examples)

  20. How Many Pages Should a Resume Be? Guide + Tips

    Three-page (or more) resumes. You should almost never submit a three-page resume unless you meet a specific set of criteria or the industry in which you work specifically asks for resumes of this length. Typically, resumes that are three pages or longer are reserved for researchers, who often have lengthy resumes or CVs due to long lists of ...

  21. How Long Should a Resume Be in 2024 [For Any Profession]

    If you've done everything right, you shouldn't get past one page. If you have 10-15+ years of experience, it's okay to write a 2-page resume as long as all the information presented is relevant to the job. You can play around with the spacing, margins, and format of the resume to make all your information fit on one page.

  22. How to Write a One-Page Resume (with Infographic)

    How to create a one-page resume. Nowadays, the best one-page resumes have to be concise and eye-grabbing enough to stand out when a person shuffles through a pile of them.They also need to contain the right words and terms to get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATMs), that scan resumes to see if they contain the right keywords.. The best way of doing this is by making a one-page editable ...

  23. A Breakdown of a Successful One Page Resume

    The secret to making a one-page resume when you have 10, 15, or even more than 20 years of work experience is to include information that's highly relevant to the job you're applying for. Study the job description - hiring managers usually include what experience and skillset they're looking for. Show that.