When it comes to job hunting, crafting a winning resume is an essential first step in appealing to prospective employers. However, there is often confusion about the ideal length of a resume. How long should a resume be? Is it better to have a one-page or two-page resume? In this article, we will delve into these questions and provide insight into crafting a successful resume.
Resume Length: One Page or Two Pages?
The debate on whether to create a one-page resume or a two-page resume has been going on for quite some time. Can you exceed the one-page resume? Is a two-page resume more common these days? The truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this common question. It depends on the individual’s experience, skills, and the specific job they are applying for.
One-page resume
A one-page resume is probably sufficient for job-seekers who have less than 10 years of experience in their field. For entry-level applicants, a one-page resume can effectively showcase their skills, education, and achievements. It is important to note that while a one-page resume is concise, it still needs to provide a comprehensive overview of the candidate’s qualifications.
One-page resume template
In a one-page resume, the key is to keep it concise and easy to read. Use bullet points to list your education and work experience, and include a summary at the top to highlight your qualifications. Below is a brief template that should give you an idea of what to include in a one-page resume:
If you are a mid-level professional, here is what you should include in your one-page resume:
[Contact information section]
- Header with name, contact information, and job title
[Professional Summary]
- One or two succinct sentences giving HR an idea of who you are professionally
[Work Experience – most recent first]
- 2-3 work experience entries
[Education]
- 1 or 2 education entries; include college or graduate experience first
[Skills]
- 2 or more skills relevant to this position or similar positions
[Languages section]
- Include if you are intermediate or higher in a language other than English.
Two-page resume
A two-page resume is recommended for job-seekers who have more than 10 years of experience in their field or in related fields. A resume that is two pages in length allows candidates to provide a more detailed overview of their qualifications, work history, and accomplishments. It is important to remember that the information provided in a two-page resume should be relevant to the job being applied for. Additionally, a two-page resume should still be well-organized and easy to read.
Two-page resume template
In a two-page resume, you have more space to provide a detailed overview of your qualifications. Use headings and subheadings to organize your information, and be sure to highlight your achievements and professional development.
[Header with name, contact information, and job title]
- Header with name, contact information, and job title
[Professional Summary]
- One or two succinct sentences giving HR an idea of who you are professionally
[Work Experience – most recent first]
- 2-3 work experience entries (or more if you have room and the positions are relevant)
[Education]
- 1 or 2 education entries; include college or graduate experience first in the resume education section.
[Skills]
- 2 or more skills relevant to this position or similar positions
[Awards and Achievements]
- Include any official recognition that shows you to be a good worker, a competent employee, a highly competent manager, etc.
[Professional Development and Certifications]
- Certificates can be a tangible way to show employers that you are dedicated to improving and learning new skills.
[Volunteer Experience]
- Any volunteer experience within the past few years can give employers a more complete picture of your character and drive.
Remember that the key to a successful resume is to tailor it to the job you are applying for. Use relevant keywords and highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position.
So, how many words should a resume be?
Another question that job-seekers often ask is, “How many words should my resume be?” While there is no absolutely correct answer to this question, some general guidelines should be kept in mind when composing your resume.
As previously mentioned, a one-page resume is recommended for job applicants with less than 10 years of experience. Generally, a one-page resume should be between 300 and 500 words. This is enough to provide a concise overview of the candidate’s qualifications.
For job-seekers with more than 10 years of experience, a two-page resume is recommended. A two-page resume should be between 700 and 900 words. This allows candidates to provide a more detailed overview of their experience, education, and accomplishments.
It is important to note that while word count is important, the quality of the content is even more important. Job-seekers should focus on providing relevant and compelling information in their resume.
How far back should a resume go?
Your resume shouldn’t go back further than 10 to 15 years maximum.
The information on your resume should be relevant to the job for which you are applying. Therefore, the HR Department is likely not interested in your jobs and education from two decades ago. Even if your achievements are impressive, it is likely that you have done much more significant things in your past 2-3 job positions than those you had 20 years in the past.
Tips for Crafting a Successful Resume
Now that we have discussed the ideal length for a resume, let’s take a look at some tips for crafting a successful resume.
- Tailor your resume to the job
It is essential to tailor your resume to the job you are applying for. This means carefully reading the job description and highlighting the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position. Don’t make the mistake of simply copying the same resume for multiple jobs and calling it a day.
- Use resume keywords
Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for keywords. It is important to include relevant keywords in your resume to ensure that it is seen by the hiring manager. Learn some of the best resume words and phrases to include that will impress prospective employers.
- Use action verbs
Using action verbs in a resume helps to showcase your accomplishments and achievements. For example, instead of writing “responsible for managing a team,” you could write “successfully managed a team of 10 employees.” In addition, concrete details will help hiring managers get a more solid idea of your accomplishments and skills.
- Focus on achievements
When listing your work experience, focus on your achievements rather than just your duties. For example, instead of writing “responsible for increasing sales,” you could write “successfully increased sales by 20% within the first quarter.”
- Keep it simple
Your resume should be easy to read and well-organized. Use bullet points and clear headings to make it easy for the hiring manager to find the information they are looking for. With the advent of AI hiring software, using unorthodox or “creative” resume designs actually makes your resume LESS likely to move onto the next stage of hiring. Sometimes traditional and basic is better.
One-Page and Two-Page Resume Examples
The resume examples below highlight the differences between a one-page and two-page resume. Note that these resume examples are not formatted with headings or margins–be sure to find the document style that works best for your personality and the position you are looking for.
One-page resume example
This resume example demonstrates a one-page resume for a marketing coordinator with five years of experience. The resume provides a brief professional summary, education, work experience, and relevant skills.
Two-Page Resume Example
This example demonstrates a two-page resume for a human resources manager with more than 10 years of experience. The resume provides a detailed overview of education, work experience, awards and achievements, professional development, and volunteer experience.
Editing Your Resume Before Application
Whatever professional position you apply to–and regardless of whether your resume is one page, two pages, or longer–proofreading for language errors and editing to enhance style and vocabulary can make the difference between landing that job or not.
Wordvice offers professional English editing services for all types of business documents, including resume editing and document editing specifically created for business professionals. Let our business editing professionals make your resume shine.
And for more information about resumes and CVs, check out our articles on writing the education section for a resume and how to structure a resume.