Resume Length: Should Your Resume Be One Page?

How Long Should a Resume Be? One Page vs. Two Pages

Most job seekers are concerned about the perfect resume length. Some cram everything onto one page because they hear it must be no longer that. And others have no regard for length and overwhelm recruiters. There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to resume length.

We’ll break down the difference between a one-page and two-page resume, provide tips for applicant tracking system (ATS) optimization, and offer layout strategies for every career stage. Whether you’re a recent grad, a mid-level professional, or an executive with years of experience, this comprehensive guide has you covered. Plus, we’ll share actionable examples so you can create a polished resume that gets noticed.

Why resume length matters:

Resume length matters because recruiters spend a few seconds scanning your resume for critical pieces of information. If your resume makes it difficult for them to find this information, they’ll likely skip it and move on to the next application.

The goal of your resume is to get the interview, so while listing out every single thing you’ve ever accomplished seems like it will make you a better candidate, it’s usually better to list only the information that will lead to an interview, and leave the rest for the actual interview. Often, this means only including information that will help an employer envision you in their role using specific, measurable results.

Pros and cons of a one-page resume

Advantages of a one-page resume

Quick scans: Recruiters appreciate short resumes because they can rapidly assess your qualifications without wading through irrelevant details. They’ll likely thank you with an interview invite if you can make their job easier with a “straight-to-the-point” resume.

ATS-friendly: Compact formats with clear headers and bullet points are easier for ATS software to process. While employers use different ATS, it’s safe to assume they’re looking for more straightforward resume templates.

Focused content: A one-page resume requires prioritizing your most relevant skills and experiences, creating a stronger impression. The more information you attempt to add to a resume, the more they have to read, and the chances of it being read decrease. Even though it feels counterintuitive, a more concise feel is usually better.

Disadvantages of a one-page resume

Once you have more than two roles and a few years of experience, it becomes difficult to fit all the information onto one page.

For mid- to senior-level candidates, it’s acceptable to have your resume flow onto a second page so that there is space for more experience and information. That’s why most advice says that one-page resumes are easier for new grads.

When To Use a One-Page Resume vs. a Two-Page Resume

Entry-level and recent graduates

A one-page resume is ideal for recent grads or those with less than five years of experience. Highlight your education, internships, relevant coursework, and extracurricular achievements. Focus on tailoring your resume to the specific job description.

Mid-level professionals with 5 to 10 years of experience

If you have a diverse work history, a two-page resume might be necessary to highlight key accomplishments. Use the second page to expand on achievements and projects that align closely with the role.

Senior professionals and specialized roles

If you have held more than two to three roles, it might be challenging to fit your experience onto one page. There are also specialized roles like education, where longer resumes are usually standard.

Tips for Keeping a Resume to One Page

Prioritize relevant information

Employers want information to help them envision you on their team. To help them, illustrate what you’ve done regarding time, money, and scope. Rather than listing your daily task list, think about cash made, saved, or managed. Did it impact the immediate team, or have global reach?

Using numbers, percentages, and timeframes is best for building a strong resume. If the information you have isn’t tied to a metric, it can be removed or replaced. Every role has an impact.

Need ideas of what to put on a resume? Here are tips on content prioritization.

Use a professional, ATS-friendly format

Choose layouts that maximize space using clear headers, concise bullet points, and consistent spacing. Avoid unnecessary design elements that could interfere with ATS processing.

Quantify achievements concisely

You can use numbers to express several things throughout your resume. Utilize it to summarize your background, team size, budget, money made or saved, and timeframes. Numbers make your accomplishments stand out without lengthy explanations. For example:

• “Increased sales by 20% over six months.”
• “Managed a $500,000 budget for marketing campaigns.”
• “Recruited 30 new team members from June 2023 to December 2024

Optimize with action verbs and keywords

Starting your bullet points with strong action verbs like led, implemented, or achieved will strengthen your resume. It’s always good to vary the verbs used to appear manageable.

Structuring a Two-Page Resume Effectively

Balancing content across pages

Keep the most important information on page one. Ensure your contact information, professional summary, and top achievements are front and center on the first page.

Things like older roles, education, tools, and certifications can be included on the second page or at the bottom of the first page.

Using headers and white space for readability

Organize your resume with clear section headers and enough spacing to make it visually easier to scan and help the recruiter quickly find what they are looking for.

Adding lots of white space allows the reader to digest your resume more efficiently, rather than cramming everything onto one page. If you find yourself doing that, having a two-page resume is a good idea. 

Including contact information and a summary on both pages

Contact information was more prevalent when resumes were printed, so the second page was noticed during the intervals. However, with most resumes and hiring practices being virtual, there’s no need to waste space by including your contact information on the second page. Use this space intentionally to provide the employer with more information about your background.

Examples of One-Page vs. Two-Page Resumes for Different Career Levels

Example 1: Entry-Level One-Page Resume

Example 2: Mid-Level Two-Page Resume

Example 3: Senior-Level or Technical Two-Page Resume

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Deciding on Resume Length

• Including irrelevant information. Your experience may be outside the job description. Add mostly relevant experience to what the job description is asking for.

• Using tiny fonts to fit the content. Stick to readable fonts (10 to 12 pt) for professionalism.

• Ignoring ATS considerations for multi-page resumes. The ATS loves a simple template. It needs to parse correctly so the correct information goes where it needs to in the ATS. If your resume includes graphics, tables, columns, or graphs, it will make it more challenging to parse and may end up not looking like you intended it to.