Should a resume be one page?

Whether a resume should be one page depends on your career stage, industry and the depth of your experience. For Early Career Professionals: A one-page resume is often ideal if you’re just starting out, have limited work experience or are a recent graduate. It allows you to present the most relevant information in a concise format that’s easy for hiring managers to review quickly. For Midlevel Professionals: If you have several years of experience but can effectively communicate your qualifications on one page, it’s often preferable to do so. The focus should be on your most recent and impactful roles, along with key skills and achievements. For Senior-level Professionals: If you have extensive experience, a two-page resume may be more appropriate to fully convey your expertise, especially if you’ve held multiple roles or have significant achievements that require additional detail. In general, a one-page resume is effective when you can succinctly present your qualifications without leaving out critical information. However, it’s important to balance conciseness with completeness; if you need more space to adequately showcase your skills and experience, a two-page resume can be justified. The key is to ensure that your resume, whether one or two pages, is tailored, relevant and impactful.

How to Write a One Page Resume in 2024 + Examples

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Table of contents

When to Use a One Page Resume
How to Write a One Page Resume
One Page Resume Structure
Prioritizing Content
Prioritizing Content
Formatting for One Page
Tips for Writing a One Page Resume
Tips for Writing a One Page Resume
One Page Resume Examples
Pros & Cons of a One Page Resume
Key Takeaways
FAQ

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In today’s fast-paced job market, where recruiters often review numerous resumes in a short period, a well-crafted one-page resume can make all the difference in your application.

That’s why it’s important to understand what makes a one-page resume a concise and focused document that highlights your most relevant skills, experiences and accomplishments on a single page.

This guide will show you:

How to structure and write a one-page resume.
When to use a one-page resume.
Tips to make your resume one page long.
The pros and cons of a one-page resume.

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When to Use a One Page Resume

A one-page resume can be very useful at all stages of your career. However, if your career level fits any of the following, you may want to strongly consider keeping your resume to this length more than others.

Early Career Professionals

For recent graduates, interns or individuals with no work experience, a one-page resume is often the ideal format. A single-page resume works well for:

Limited Experience: Without a lengthy work history, a single page is sufficient to highlight your key qualifications.
Focusing on Relevant Experiences: Emphasize internships, academic achievements, and part-time or volunteer work that aligns with the job you’re applying for.
Polished Presentation: A one-page resume helps you maintain a professional image by avoiding unnecessary filler content.

Career Changers

Meanwhile, if you’re transitioning to a new career, a one-page resume can help you focus on the most relevant aspects of your background so that employers can immediately see that you are a great fit for the position. Additionally, you can:

Highlight Transferable Skills: Showcase transferable skills from your previous career that are applicable to the new role.
Streamline Your Experience: Condense your work history to emphasize roles and responsibilities that demonstrate your ability to succeed in the new industry.
Maintain Clear Focus: A one-page format forces you to be strategic, ensuring that your resume clearly communicates how your past experiences relate to your new career goals.

Limited Experience

For professionals with a straightforward career path, a one-page resume is an excellent choice to present your qualifications efficiently, including your:

Relevant Work History: If your experience is directly aligned with the job you’re applying for, a single page is often enough to cover the essentials.
Key Achievements: Use the space to highlight your most significant accomplishments without diluting your message with unnecessary details.
Efficient Communication: A one-page resume ensures that every piece of information is relevant and adds value to your application, making it easier for hiring managers to quickly grasp your qualifications.

However, also understand that if you are an experienced professional, particularly if you have over 10 years of relevant experience, you may need to write a resume that is up to two pages long so that you can clearly underscore your best qualities.

Want to fit more on your resume while sticking to one page? Then get creative with a two-column redesign that lets your qualifications pop off the page.

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How to Write a One Page Resume

Knowing how to keep a resume to one page starts with understanding three key steps:

Structure
Prioritization
Formatting

From here, you will write your resume like you would regardless of page length. That is to say, fill in each section with the appropriate information and ensure it is formatted correctly.

Let’s explore each of these steps in more detail.

Step 1

One Page Resume Structure

Writing a one-page resume is like writing any other resume. The structure should be the same, containing the following essential sections:

Contact Information: At the top of the page, include your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile or portfolio link if relevant.
Profile: Usually in the form of a summary or objective, this brief two- to three-sentence statement highlights your career goals or key qualifications. This should be tailored to the job you’re applying for.
Experience: List your relevant work experience in reverse-chronological order. Focus on roles and responsibilities that align with the job you’re seeking.
Skills: Include a section that showcases your top skills, particularly those that are most relevant to the job. Use bullet points to list both hard and soft skills.
Education: Include your highest level of education, relevant certifications, and any coursework or honors that pertain to the job.

These sections are fundamental to any resume, but in a one-page format, they must be presented in a way that is both impactful and easy to read.

Additionally, the type of resume format you choose will determine how these sections will be arranged. The three main resume formats to consider are:

Chronological: This is the most common, and ATS-friendly, format. A chronological resume focuses on your job history, detailing your responsibilities and achievements.
Functional: This is a format that is popular for those with no experience. A functional resume emphasizes your skills, while minimizing your work history.
Combination: As the title suggests, a combination resume combines elements of both the chronological and functional formats, splitting an even focus on skills and experience.

Once you choose a format and know which sections you will need to fill in, then you will want to look over the next steps so you can keep your resume to one page.

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Step 2

Prioritizing Content

Given the limited space on a one-page resume, it’s essential to prioritize the most relevant and impactful information. You want the reader to understand very quickly why they should consider you for the position.

To do that, make sure to:

Focus on Relevance: Only include experiences, skills and achievements that are directly relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Lead with Strengths: Start each section with the most impressive or relevant information to capture the employer’s attention quickly.
Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers, percentages or other quantifiable metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work.
Tailor Your Content: Customize your resume for each job application by highlighting the experiences and skills that are most aligned with the job description.

By prioritizing content in this way, you ensure that every word on your resume serves a purpose and contributes to your overall candidacy.

Step 3

Formatting for One Page

Not surprisingly, an effective use of bullet points and formatting is crucial for a one-page resume to make the most of the available space.

Help keep your resume to one page by remembering the following:

Use Bullet Points for Clarity: Bullet points make it easier for employers to scan your resume and quickly identify your key responsibilities and achievements. Each bullet should start with an action verb and be concise.
Headers and Sections: Clearly label each section with bold headers to help organize your resume and guide the reader through your qualifications.
Consistent Formatting: Use a consistent font size and style throughout your resume, and ensure that your bullet points, dates and section headers are uniformly formatted.
Adjust Margins: Typically, resume margins are 1 inch on all sides. However you can lower this to half an inch if necessary to help maximize space.

By paying attention to bullet points and formatting, you can create a clean, professional-looking resume that makes a strong impression, even within the constraints of a single page.

Tips for Writing a One Page Resume

Writing a one-page resume requires careful consideration of what to include and how to present your information. Here are some key tips to help you craft an effective one-page resume:

Be Selective With Content

Prioritize Relevance: Focus on the experiences, skills and achievements that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Cut out any information that doesn’t directly contribute to showcasing your qualifications for that specific role.
Highlight Key Achievements: Rather than listing every duty you performed in previous roles, concentrate on your top accomplishments that demonstrate your value to potential employers.

Use Clear, Concise Language

Avoid Jargon: Use straightforward language that is easy to understand. Avoid industry-specific jargon unless it is directly relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Keep It Brief: Write in short, impactful sentences. Each bullet point should be concise and to the point, summarizing your accomplishments in just a few words.
Action-oriented Language: Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb to convey your responsibilities and achievements more dynamically.

Quantify Achievements

Use Numbers: Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments with numbers, percentages or other metrics. For example, instead of saying “Improved sales,” say “Increased sales by 20% over six months.”
Showcase Impact: Highlight the outcomes of your work by focusing on the results you achieved. This helps employers understand the tangible benefits you can bring to their organization.

Tailor Your Resume to Each Job

Customize for Each Application: Adjust the content of your resume to match the specific job description. Emphasize the skills and experiences that are most aligned with what the employer is looking for.
Use Keywords: Incorporate keywords from the job posting into your resume. This not only helps with applicant tracking systems (ATS) but also ensures that your resume resonates with the hiring manager.

Keep the Layout Clean and Simple

Use White Space Wisely: Don’t overcrowd your resume. Ensure there’s enough white space to make your resume easy to read. This also helps to draw attention to key sections.
Consistent Formatting: Maintain a consistent font size, style and alignment throughout your resume. This creates a cohesive and professional appearance.
Emphasize Important Information: Use bold or italics sparingly to highlight critical sections, such as job titles or key achievements, without overwhelming the reader.

Proofread and Edit

Check for Errors: Carefully proofread your resume to eliminate any spelling, grammar or formatting errors. Even small mistakes can leave a negative impression.
Get Feedback: Consider asking a friend, mentor or career coach to review your resume. A fresh set of eyes can help identify areas for improvement and ensure your resume is polished and professional.

One Page Resume Examples

Here are a few great one-page resume examples to show you how to easily fit all your qualifications onto one page without sacrificing any important information.

Pros & Cons of a One Page Resume

Before writing your one page resume, take the time to consider its advantages and disadvantages, so you can be sure you are doing your best to get the job you want.

Pros of a One Page Resume

By opting for a one-page resume, you demonstrate to potential employers that you can communicate your qualifications effectively, which can be a decisive factor in landing an interview. Additionally, a one-page resume offers benefits such as:

Clarity and Brevity: A one-page resume forces you to be selective with the information you include, ensuring that your qualifications are presented in a clear and concise manner. This approach highlights the most critical details, preventing the reader from being overwhelmed by unnecessary information.
Strong First Impression: A well-structured one-page resume can make a powerful first impression by showcasing your top achievements and skills right away. This is especially advantageous in competitive job markets, where employers are quickly scanning resumes and cover letters for standout candidates.
Ideal for Early Career Professionals: For those early in their careers or with limited work experience, a one-page resume is often the perfect choice. It allows you to focus on your most relevant experiences without the need to stretch content across multiple pages.
Efficient Use of Space: The one-page format encourages efficient use of space, ensuring that every section of your resume serves a purpose and adds value to your application. This helps to maintain a clean, professional appearance while effectively communicating your qualifications.

Cons of a One Page Resume

Nothing is perfect, and that includes a one-page resume. Understand the following drawbacks to determine whether or not a one-page resume is right for you:

Limited Space for Detail: The primary drawback of a one-page resume is the limited space, which can make it challenging to fully showcase extensive experience or a diverse skill set. This can be particularly limiting for professionals with long careers or those who have held multiple roles in different industries.
Potential to Omit Important Information: In the effort to condense your resume to one page, you might have to omit certain details that could be important to potential employers.
Not Suitable for All Professionals: While a one-page resume works well for early career professionals, it may not be the best choice for those in senior or specialized roles that require a more detailed presentation of experience and accomplishments.
Risk of Oversimplification: In trying to keep your resume to one page, there’s a risk of oversimplifying your experience or not fully conveying the depth of your qualifications. This could lead to a less compelling presentation of your skills and achievements.

Balancing the pros and cons of a one-page resume is essential to determine if it’s the right format for your particular situation. While it offers clarity and efficiency, it’s important to consider whether a single page is sufficient to convey your full range of qualifications.

Key Takeaways

Prioritize Easy Reading

Since most hiring managers spend little time reading a resume, keeping yours to one-page helps bring your qualifications into focus.
Use for Most Career Levels

Although entry-level candidates are more likely to use one-page resumes, career changers and experienced professionals can also find them useful.
Focus on Priorities and Format

Keep your resume to one page by prioritizing content and by using proper formatting.
Don't Oversimplify

One-page resumes do a great job of keeping things clear and efficient; however, they can also allow you to omit or oversimplify important information.
Check Your Spacing

Make sure your one-page resume isn’t too cramped or hard to read.

FAQ

Last Updated: September 03, 2024

Whether a resume should be one page depends on your career stage, industry and the depth of your experience.

For Early Career Professionals: A one-page resume is often ideal if you’re just starting out, have limited work experience or are a recent graduate. It allows you to present the most relevant information in a concise format that’s easy for hiring managers to review quickly.
For Midlevel Professionals: If you have several years of experience but can effectively communicate your qualifications on one page, it’s often preferable to do so. The focus should be on your most recent and impactful roles, along with key skills and achievements.
For Senior-level Professionals: If you have extensive experience, a two-page resume may be more appropriate to fully convey your expertise, especially if you’ve held multiple roles or have significant achievements that require additional detail.

In general, a one-page resume is effective when you can succinctly present your qualifications without leaving out critical information.

However, it’s important to balance conciseness with completeness; if you need more space to adequately showcase your skills and experience, a two-page resume can be justified. The key is to ensure that your resume, whether one or two pages, is tailored, relevant and impactful.

A one-page resume is often better for certain candidates, especially those who are early in their careers or have a focused work history. It forces you to be concise and highlight your most relevant skills and achievements, making it easier for employers to quickly assess your qualifications.

However, if you have extensive experience or a diverse background that’s relevant to the job, a two-page resume might be more appropriate.

Yes, you can write a two-page resume if you have a wealth of experience or if your career history spans multiple roles or industries, or includes significant achievements that warrant additional space.

Just remember, even with a two-page resume, it’s crucial to be selective and ensure that all the information included is relevant and adds value to your application. If your experience can be effectively communicated on one page, it’s generally advisable to do so.

Fitting all your relevant experience on one page requires careful editing and prioritization. Focus on the most critical experiences, skills and achievements that align with the job you’re applying for.

Use bullet points to condense information and consider removing less relevant details. Adjust the layout by using smaller margins and consistent font sizes, and avoid unnecessary design elements that take up space.

If you have extensive experience but want to keep your resume to one page, focus on your most recent and relevant roles. Summarize older positions with brief bullet points or consider grouping similar roles together to save space.

Highlight your key achievements and skills that directly relate to the job you’re applying for, and consider removing details that are less relevant or outdated.

No, you don’t need to include every job you’ve ever had on a one-page resume. Focus on the most relevant positions that demonstrate your qualifications for the job you’re applying for.

If you have gaps in your employment history or held positions that don’t contribute to your overall career narrative, it’s acceptable to leave them out, especially if they don’t align with your current career goals.

To make your one-page resume stand out, focus on the content and presentation. Use strong action verbs to describe your achievements, quantify your results whenever possible and tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for by including relevant keywords.

Ensure the design is clean and professional, with clear headings and bullet points that make it easy for recruiters to quickly scan your resume.

While a one-page resume is suitable for most industries, especially for roles that require concise communication of skills and experience, some fields may allow or expect longer resumes. For example, academic or research positions often require a more detailed CV. However, for most business, marketing, technology and creative roles, a well-crafted one-page resume is often ideal.

When formatting a one-page resume, use a clean and professional layout with clear section headings. Stick to standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman, and keep the font size between 10-12 points. Use bullet points to list your achievements and responsibilities, and make sure there’s enough white space to avoid overcrowding the page. Consistency in formatting helps create a polished and easy-to-read document.

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Conor is a writer for Resume Now. He has over five years of professional writing experience and professional development training. Conor has written on a range of career development topics.