how to make a resume 1 page

Free One-Page Resume Templates for 2024 [Free Download]

Having difficulties fitting your resume into one page ? 

We don’t blame you!

Without the right resume template, sticking to 1 page can be really hard.

In this article, we’re going to cover 20+ of the best one-page resume templates for all career stages and preferences.

And you know what’s the best part? These designs are all 100% free and just a click away.

• 6+ one-page resume templates for Online resume builders
• 8+ one-page resume templates for Microsoft Word
• 6+ one-page resume templates for Google Docs

6+ One-Page Resume Templates for Online Resume Builders

Online resume builders are the best option for creating your resume . 

They are already set up neatly for you and you just have to fill in your information.

The colors, font , format are all customizable to your liking, and you even get live feedback on how to fill in your resume.

Awesome, right? 

You make a great first impression AND save money and time! 

Whether you’re a student looking for a creative way to show off your skills on your first job resume , or an executive in need of a professional one-page template, there is something for everyone on this list.

#1 - Simple by Novoresume

Who’s it for: Senior Positions, anyone with a lot of work experience . Perfect for conservative industries such as law or banking.

Simple by Novorésumé lives up to its name. It’s the perfect resume if you’re looking for simplicity and convenience. 

This well-organized, easy-to-read resume format is ideal if you’re in a senior position. 

The hiring manager is most probably looking for modesty and tasteful professionalism , and this template helps your achievements shine without any gimmicks.

The black and blue is a needed change from the black and white employers are used to, while still keeping you professional.

#2 - Creative by Novorésumé

Who’s it for: Someone applying in a creative industry like advertising, marketing , publishing, design; entry-level applicants. 

This vibrant template is the right choice if you’re looking to stand out. It brings your skills and work experience into focus in a visually appealing way.  

Creative uses infographics and bulleted lists to create a pleasant-looking, stylish resume. 

It has a gorgeous four-color combo that leaves a striking first impression. 

And, at the same time, the resume still looks professional.

It’s well organized and the design doesn’t overdo it with the playfulness . That’s why we love this template so much: balanced flawlessly, it’s both cheerful and professional. 

#3 - Modern by Novorésumé

Who’s it for: Professionals in the business or technology industries .

Modern by Novorésumé is a breath of fresh air! It uses square brackets, bulleted lists, infographics, and different icons to attract the hiring manager's attention. 

The dark green color gives it a stylish look but keeps everything modest and modern as well. 

The resume sections are divided into two columns: they include personal information, work experience, skills, organizations, awards, and languages, all on one page.

#4 - College by Novorésumé

Who’s it for: Recent college graduates with some work experience, current university students 

This resume template works best for students & recent graduates applying for internships or entry-level jobs. 

Every section is well-organized to provide room for your work experience and skills. 

And on top of that, this template is contemporary and visually appealing as well. The blue borders and bold letters give College personality and style, without it appearing tacky. 

#5 - Executive by Novorésumé

Who’s it for: Senior executives applying in a creative or green industry  

Do you need to show how qualified you are for the position AND have your personality shine through your resume? 

Executive by Novorésumé does just that. 

This vivid resume template features attractive emerald green headings and subheadings. The color makes it stand out and adds a touch of personality. 

The emphasis, however, is put into your profile, skills, and work experience. 

The skills section is highlighted in green, and it’s the first thing the hiring manager gets to see.

So, make sure to wow them with your best skills .

#6 - Basic by Novorésumé

Who’s it for: Conservative, traditional industries

Sometimes, a minimalistic resume is the best resume. 

If you want to focus more on the contents of your resume than the design, definitely check out Basic.

Basic offers a concise and well-organized layout. Everything the hiring manager needs to see stands out at first glance, so you’ll have a high chance of landing in the “To-Be-Interviewed” pile!

8+ One-Page Resume Templates for Microsoft Word

A basic black and white resume on Times New Roman is not going to make you stand out from the crowd or benefit your job application. 

But that doesn’t mean you have to create your resume on special software to catch the eye of the hiring manager. 

Microsoft Word is still a very popular way to create a resume that stands out.

Read on to find 8+ Microsoft Word one-page resume templates! 

#7 - Elegant Dark Microsoft Word Resume Template

Who’s it for: Anyone applying for a high-end position: senior professionals, executives, etc.

Where to find it: Freesumes

We visualize elegance with Rolex watches and limousines. We don’t often relate elegance to resumes and documents. 

Yet this unique, gorgeous template is packed with charm and finesse. 

This dark template will assure your resume doesn’t fall into the circular file. It attracts attention because of its unusual white, yellow, grey scheme of colors. 

The dark grey of the background reflects seriousness and sophistication, whereas the soft yellow creates a gorgeous contrast that softens the appearance. 

It is perfect if you have a lot of professional background since it creates plenty of space in the experience section that allows you to display all of your employment entries.

#8 - Clean and Light Microsoft Word Resume Template

Who’s it for: Someone with minimal work experience. Entry-level candidates and recent graduates.

Where to find it: Behance.net 

This lively template is the right choice for you if you don’t have a lot of experience to put into your resume. 

It helps you create a profile that sums up your career and values in a minimalistic, refreshing way by using boldface, all-caps, and a two-column structure to make it easy to read for the HR manager.

With the overall simplicity of the black and blue colors, the header on the top sticks out immediately at first glance.  

We like it because it’s also easy to use and customize. All entries are scannable and extremely clear-cut. The cherry on top: it comes with a bonus Word cover letter template.  

Speaking of cover letters - the right cover letter can really be a game-changer. Check out our complete guide to cover letters and learn what it takes to stand out. 

#9 - Equilibrium Microsoft Word Template 

Who’s it for: Any professional and creative role

Where to find it: freesumes

We call this template Equilibrium because it balances formatting and structure. 

The layout is strategically made to keep the hiring managers focused on your most impressive achievements. 

It uses geometric design and colors to separate sections from one another. 

Equilibrium focuses on work experience, education , and emphasizes expertise. You can choose to customize the sections but for the most part, it’s very straightforward and simple to use. Just fill in the blanks and send it in. 

#10 - Clean and Compelling Microsoft Word Resume

Who’s it for: Recent graduates, entry-level applicants. 

Where to find it: freesumes 

This modest template is going to surely help you win over any HR manager.

You can use the Objective section on the right to communicate your goals and ambitions to potential employers.

While this isn’t a section you’d typically see on a resume, if done right, it can really have an impact.

The warm colors used are awesome for standing out and catching the HR manager’s eye. 

The faded grey in the background adds formality as well as divide the sections. Finish with a professional photo on top of the resume , and you’ll be set for success.

#11 - Police Officer Resume Template

Who’s it for: Law enforcement officers 

Where to find it: smashresume

If you work in law enforcement, this template is hand-made just for you.. 

It’s well organized and professional and also divided into two columns to save you space. 

One column includes your personal information, education, key skills, and certifications. 

The other covers your resume objective and professional experience. 

This template is creative as much as it is systematized. There are plenty of icons, infographics, and columns that break the monotony. 

The font is neat and groovy and the icons have a splash of protective blue that adds personality. 

Package features include: 

• A4 paper size
• Customizable and editable objects, color, text 

#12 - Web Designer Word Resume Template

Who’s it for: Web developers and designers. 

Where to find it: behance

Innovative and artistic, this resume is a gem to look at. 

Web Designer by Venkata Naresh follows a color scheme and layout that’s been made particularly for people working in the web industry. 

It includes a contact information section , education, professional skills, personal skills, profile, work experience, awards, and hobbies . 

This template also comes with: 

• A CV and Cover Letter
• 3 Color Styles
• Dark and Light Versions

#13 - Vintage Rose Word Resume Template

Who’s it for: Marketers, influencers, bloggers

Because of the vintage rose color, this resume is a bit on the feminine side.

This Word Template is a big employer charmer because it displays all important information at first glance; all on one page! 

The layout is made to highlight your work experience, brand , and achievements. 

The “Skills” area has bar charts to take the spotlight, whereas the “About Me” area gives you some space to present your personality. 

Vintage Rose is ideal if you want a clean and modern resume, with just the right amount of style.  

#14 - Goldrod Yellow Word Resume Template

Who’s it for: Any creative role

This Word template uses a bright yellow as a leading color, making sure that your resume really stands out from the bunch.

The warm color reflects positivity as well as makes the resume stand out from the pile.

Professionalism doesn’t get lost in the process, though. Everything is easy to use and customizable. 

Extra tip: You can choose to change the big “Education” banner on the bottom to a “Skills” section if you think they should take priority. 

For a full extensive list of Microsoft Word resumes, check out our complete guide [with free downloads].

6+ One-Page Resume Templates for Google Docs

Some ready-made Word templates can be tormenting. You start making some changes, and before you know it, the entire layout gets completely messed up.

That’s not a problem you will have with Google Docs templates, though.

Google Docs resume templates in this list are customizable online, efficient, neat, convenient, and most importantly: 100% FREE . 

#15 - Border Design Google Doc Resume Template

Who’s it for: High school and college graduates

Where to find it: Google Docs

Are you a student or graduate with not much real-life work experience? This template is for you.

There are plenty of different sections any student or graduate can fill in with personal information: skills, objectives, volunteer work, education. Our favorite part: this template is pleasant to read and has a lot of personality as well. 

The mint borders and small icons, various social media links and simple font keep everything original and tasteful. 

#16 - Serif Google Doc Resume Template

Who’s it for: Someone in a senior position, banking , computer scientist

Where to find it: Templates Gallery

This resume has a blue pop of color that creates a neat first impression while keeping things professional. 

It gives you a lot of space to show off the work experience, skills, awards you are most proud of. 

It also saves an extra sweet spot if you want to list your languages. 

#17 - Simple Professional Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Senior professionals in marketing or advertising, web & graphic designers

This modern-looking one-page template is perfect for marketers, advertisers, and web designers. 

It offers plenty of considerable space to talk about your achievements and experience. 

Icons are kept minimal, and the layout is elegant and clear-cut.

#18 - Blue Creative Google Docs Resume

Who’s it for: Marketers and social media experts 

Applying for a design job where you’ll be making plenty of web content? 

Then don’t miss this striking infographic resume! 

The Google Docs template uses a strong shade of blue and aesthetic visualizations to highlight each header and section. Fun and appealing, it features a header, skills, awards, experiences and an “about me” area. 

#19 - Modern Writer Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Book editors, journalists, librarians, copywriters, scriptwriters, web content writers. 

Yes, this template is exactly what you think it is: a resume for the modern 21st Century writer .

So, if the job you are applying for is related to books, scripts, publication - this is the right choice for you. 

The “Modern Writer” is unique since it has a classy font and a showy pop of pink color. The header gets highlighted too, because of the thin black underline. 

#20 - Smart and Professional Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: a professional with a lot of experience and education

Where to find it: in this direct Google Docs link

This smart template is for the overqualified candidates. 

It puts its focus into three main categories: work experience, profile, and education. 

All sections have a good deal of space you can write your long professional track record in. 

Contrary to regular templates, this template features a colorful header that’s eye-catching. 

Want to discover more Google Docs resume templates ? We have an article for that!

Key Takeaways 

Hopefully, we helped you find the right one-page resume template!

Not sure which one to pick? Let’s briefly go through some of the most important things to keep in mind when choosing your one-page resume template:

• Pick a template that’s relevant to your field. If you’re applying for a banking job, you don’t want your resume to be sunshine and rainbows.
• Pick a design that’s going to stand out (but not too much). Standard, black-and-white resumes are nice, but that’s what everyone else does.
• Want to make your life easier? Use a resume builder. You won’t have to suffer the pain of Word messing up your template!’

Discover More Resume Templates

• Chronological Resume Templates
• Functional Resume Templates
• Combination Resume Templates
• Creative Resume Templates
• High School Resume Templates
• 2 Page Resume Templates

Suggested Readings:

• How to Make a Resume | Beginner’s Guide
• 150+ Must-Have Skill for Any Resume
• 40+ Resume Summary Examples [+ How-to Guide]

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

One Page Resumes: Your Complete Guide Being Concise and Impactful (With Examples)

3 key takeaways

• Why you should consider a one-page resume
• Examples of one-page resumes (and why they're effective)
• How to use the Teal AI Resume Builder to format a one-page resume template quickly and easily

One-page resumes—they might sound too good (or too short) to be true. 

But knowing how to showcase the incredible things you’ve done and all that you’re capable of in one concise, impactful document could be the key to grabbing attention and standing out from the competition.

Why consider a one-page resume?

In today's job market, the one-page resume has become increasingly popular. And just as the sun set on the VHS resumes of the 1980s, gone are the days of listing every job and responsibility and exhaustively detailing all of your skills.

The market is saturated with so many job seekers. Many of whom are extremely talented.  This means hiring managers and recruiters are inundated with countless applications. They simply don't have the capacity to navigate lengthy documents. A concise and well-structured one-page resume allows them to assess your qualifications and how they align with an open role—quickly. 

When should a resume be one page?

Should a resume be one page? That depends. One-page resume templates aren't always the best option for every candidate or every role. But there are specific scenarios where they're particularly beneficial. If you find yourself in any of the following situations, a one-page resume format might be ideal.

• For recent high school or college graduates or professionals with limited work experience
• For anyone in the first 1-5 years of their career 
• In fields that value brevity
• In industries that prioritize concise communication (like communication or public relations)

Understanding one-page resume format 

Learning how to make a resume one page often comes down to two elements: the sections you include and strategic formatting. 

One-page resume sections 

When creating a one-page resume, it's crucial to include the following sections: 

• Contact Information: Your name, city, phone number, email address, LinkedIn URL, and portfolio link (if applicable) 
• Professional Summary: A concise introduction highlighting your key qualifications and one or two notable achievements that showcase impact.
• Work Experience: Showcase your relevant work experience in reverse chronological order, emphasizing achievements listed as bullet points that align with your desired role.
• Education: Mention your educational background, including degrees, certifications, (and any notable academic achievements if you're a recent graduate). 
• Skills: Highlight your core skills and competencies directly relevant to the job you're applying for. Consider tailoring this section to match the keywords mentioned in the job posting.

Pro Tip: The Teal Job Application Tracker pulls keywords and other important language from the job description to help you tailor your resume for every role. 

One-page resume template format

So, keeping those necessary sections in mind and with limited space, how can you make the most of your resume template format? 

• Use concise language: Be clear and succinct in your descriptions, avoiding unnecessary details or excessive wordiness. 
• Prioritize relevant information: Focus on the most recent and relevant experiences, skills, and achievements that align with the job you're applying for.
• Choose a clean and readable font: Opt for a professional and legible font style, keeping the font size between 10 and 12 points.
• Utilize bullet points: Use bullet points to highlight key points and achievements, making your resume easier to scan and read quickly.
• Reduce margins and spacing: Adjust the margins to save space without making your resume appear cluttered. Do your best to keep your resume margins between 0.5" - 1." 

The formatting tool within the Teal AI Resume Builder can help you quickly and easily optimize your resume's physical structure by customizing elements like font, margins, template style, and more in one location with a single click.  

Does a resume have to be one page? Debunking the myth

Much like any "general recommendation," the one-page resume guideline isn't always applicable. 

Every job seeker has different a different skill set, professional experience, and expertise. And where one candidate might exclusively have academic projects to showcase, another might have 20+ years of straightforward work experience in the same career with progressing responsibilities.

So while a single-page resume might be great a great option for some, there are particular situations and circumstances where your experience might impact, “ How long should a resume be ?”

A multi-page resume might be more appropriate if you:

• Have a career in academia, scientific research, or government  
• Have more than 15 years of experience
• Are an executive leader
• Are a C-suite level applicant

How to make a resume one page without losing value

A resume is your personal marketing tool. So how can you market yourself effectively on a one-page resume without losing value? 

Be selective with content 

Carefully review your background, skills, and accomplishments, and choose the most relevant experiences for the job you're applying to. 

Your content should be tailored to the job description—only addressing what the hiring manager or recruiter is looking for. Even if it feels hard, eliminate irrelevant or outdated information to create space for more essential details.

Focus on achievements 

Instead of listing all your responsibilities, emphasize your resume accomplishments and quantifiable results. Highlight valuable information like specific achievements demonstrating your skills and impact in previous roles. 

For example, you don't need to list that you managed social media accounts and created content. Instead, using an achievement like "Increased social media engagement by 50% within three months through the implementation of targeted content strategies, resulting in a significant boost in brand visibility and customer interaction." highlights the responsibility while drawing attention to your impact. 

Prioritize the most relevant information

Place the most relevant information towards the top of your resume. Your strongest qualifications (those with the most impact) should be easily accessible. 

It's also important to prioritize details within each section. For example, in the "Work Experience" section, only focus on accomplishments, projects, and responsibilities that demonstrate the skills and experiences most relevant to the job you're applying for. Or, if you find yourself short on space in the "Education" section, focus on your highest level of education.

One-page resumes vs. two-page resumes: which is better for you?

The decision between a single-page resume template or a two-page resume depends on your unique career journey, industry, the role you are applying for, and your overall professional goals.

A one-page resume can be valuable if you have limited work experience or are in the first 10-15 years of your career. It allows you to concisely highlight your relevant skills, education, internships, and notable achievements. 

On the other hand, professionals with several years of experience, mid-level or senior-level positions, or those in fields that require extensive documentation of achievements may benefit from a two-page resume to detail their work history, leadership roles, specialized skills, and other relevant accomplishments. 

So what are the pros and cons of each format? 

One-page resume pros:

• Concise and focused
• Quick and easy to read 
• Ideal for those early in their career 

One-page resume cons:

• Limited space
• May lack comprehensive detail

Two-page resume pros:

• Comprehensive representation
• Suitable for experienced professionals
• Flexibility in presentation

Two-page resume cons:

• Risk of excessive detail
• Time-consuming review
• Printing, formatting, and resume template constraints

Ultimately? The best resume format is the one that aligns with your career journey, industry, the role you’re applying for, and overall professional goals.

How Teal’s AI-powered Resume Builder can help

The Teal  AI Resume Builder  is an all-in-one tool for creating a concise one-page resume that looks professional  and  emphasizes your value and impact. 

With the Resume Builder, you can construct an exhaustive career history, then pick and choose the information you want to include for any role you're applying to based on relevancy. 

Teal also gives you four options for resume templates—allowing you to change the layout of your resume quickly. But no matter how often you change your resume template or export your document as a pdf, the information itself won't shift or change as it often does with something like google docs resume templates.

Formatting is one of the most critical ways to save space on a one-page resume. The Resume Builder offers multiple ways to change your:

• Accent color
• Date alignment
• Date format
• Work experience groupings
• Work experience date range

Each of these settings can be adjusted with a clickable drop-down menu—giving you complete control over your resume layout.

Inspiring one-page resume examples

Why it works: Olivia's one-page resume is the perfect balance of white space and detail. It effectively represents their qualifications by showcasing relevant experience and achievements using three concise bullet points or less for each role. Olivia's resume also highlights measurable achievements while demonstrating a track record of delivering successful projects and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

See more one-page resumes in these front-end developer resume examples .

Why it works: Even in a senior-level role, Megan's resume showcases measurable impact and impressive qualifications in one page. And while their education may be robust, to save extra space, Megan focuses on the highest level of education they received by showcasing an MBA rather than any prior education.

For more customer-success manager one-page resumes, explore these customer success manager resume samples .

Why it works:  As an entry-level candidate, Ted has chosen to showcase multiple academic design projects and the impact of those projects. Rather than taking up valuable space listing part-time jobs or career objectives, Ted makes the most of their resume real estate by only listing achievements relevant to a role as a junior graphic designer. 

Explore more one-page graphic design resumes in these graphic designer resume examples.

Start creating your one-page resume

A one-page resume can showcase your skills in a concise and impactful way if done correctly. And while a single-page format might not be for everyone, it can be particularly effective during the first 10-15 years of your career.

Using a one-page resume template, like those in the Teal AI Resume Builder , will help you optimize your resume in a clean, professional, and organized way—leaving you with more time to focus on the important details like tailoring your content, skills, and qualifications to align with the role you're applying for.

Ready to get started?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to have a one page resume.

Yes! Just remember to prioritize your relevant and recent work experience. Be sure to include positions that align with the job you're applying for and highlight accomplishments and responsibilities that demonstrate your skills and qualifications.

Is a two page resume ever okay?

Absolutely! Just focus on refining and condensing your content. Remove any irrelevant or outdated details and prioritize the most impactful and relevant information. Utilize concise language, bullet points, and strategic formatting to make the most of the available space.

How far back should a resume go?

A well-crafted one-page resume should effectively showcase your qualifications and achievements to make a strong impression on hiring managers. It's about presenting the most relevant and impactful information rather than the length of the document. Focus on at least the last ten years of your experience, but be mindful that you should include positions that are relevant to the job you're applying for, so if that ends up being fifteen years of your experience, that's okay, too. The key is relevance.

Kayte Grady

Related articles.

How Ashleigh Went From Zero to 11 Job Interviews With Teal

How to List Publications on Your Resume (+ Examples)

How to Email a Resume to an Employer [Template + Examples]

How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation (Templates + Examples)

We help you find the career dream.

How to Create a One-Page Resume Format

Quick Navigation:

Why use a one-page resume format?

How to create a one-page resume format, one-page resume template, one-page resume example.

After you’ve spent years in the workforce, you may decide it’s time to apply for another job. When you have extensive work experience, plus other impressive skills and achievements, your resume can become longer than one page. Read this article to learn how to streamline your experience, education and skills to fit on a one-page resume format.

You should use a one-page resume format because it makes it easier for hiring managers to review and share your resume with other people in the company. In addition, a one-page resume ensures all of your qualifications are easy to find.

Here are some things to consider when creating your one-page resume:

1. First, consider the position you’re applying to

You may want to modify your resume plan according to the employer’s needs and your work experience. Sometimes, specific careers need longer sections, but this isn’t always the case. For example, a senior role might focus more on experience than an entry-level job. 

Take time to review the job listing thoroughly to have a better feel for what the hiring manager wants to see. This can help you condense sections so your resume is easier for them to scan. 

2. Second, create a list of accomplishments and work activities

If you have an extensive work history and impressive achievements, it can be challenging to know what to cut out. Make a list of key accomplishments and work duties. Focus on your responsibilities and include any relevant achievements, which may be much longer than one page in the beginning.  

3. Third, identify relevant information 

Now that you’ve created a detailed list of information pertaining to your career and accomplishments, you can begin highlighting or circling key sections that closely match the requirements of the role. This helps you eliminate irrelevant information and helps you create an outline for your resume. When you’re ready, you can start the process of organizing relevant sections into a condensed version that fits on one page. 

4. Fourth, create your first draft and shorten it

Create a new resume that’s as close to one page in length as possible. There’s no need to worry if it goes longer than that on the first try. Think of it as a rough draft that changes in length and content. When you’re ready, go through your resume again to identify any unnecessary information and remove sections that may be better suited for other positions. Reference the job listing as you write and try to only include information pertaining to that particular role.

5. Fifth, list your information with bullet points

Using bullet points creates an easy-to-read format that guides hiring managers to the most important sections of the resume. Plus, it looks more organized. Under each key section, include a bullet point, then describe your key accomplishments related to that role rather than focusing on responsibilities. This strategy creates more of an impact than stating daily tasks because it explains your responsibilities through achievements. Try to include specific numbers, percentages and timeframes in your description while paying attention to length. 

6. Sixth, eliminate unnecessary information

There are a few sections you can remove from your resume to ensure it’s one page. You may opt to remove your objective or summary and instead expand your experience section. If you have decades of career experience, consider leaving off information that is older than 10 to 15 years. It is not necessary to list your high school if you have a college degree and other credentials. It is no longer necessary to include the phrase ‘references available upon request’ at the end of your resume. The job listing or hiring manager will let you know if you need to provide references.

7. Seventh, adjust spacing and font

Another great way to fit information onto one page is by adjusting the spacing between lines and new sections. In most word processors, you can do this within the paragraph settings. Select single spacing and opt to remove spaces in between new paragraphs. Additionally, you should try applying a 10-point font size to your resume (while keeping your name at 14-point or higher) to see if you can create more space while still making sure it’s easy to read.

8. Finally, save your resume in PDF format

Unless directed otherwise in the job listing, save your resume as a PDF to ensure that hiring managers and recruiters see the document as you intend them to see it. This eliminates the chance for changes in formatting that could result in your resume being two pages.

Follow this template when creating a one-page resume that highlights your most relevant work experiences and career accomplishments:

[Name] [Address] | [Phone number] | [Email]

Summary (optional)

[Brief summary that highlights your most relevant experience and qualifications]

• [Use bullet points to list skills relevant to the desired job position]

Professional Experience  

[Current or most recent employer], [Job title]

[Month, Year – Month, Year]

• [Bullet list of most important successes]

Achievements  

• [List achievements relevant to the desired job position]

Education  

[University or college] | [Year degree earned] | [Degree]

Use this example as a reference when writing your own:

Jenna Smith 2002 Maplewood Avenue, Tampa, FL 33601 | 555-555-5555 | [email protected]

Senior administrative assistant with 15+ years of experience and degree in business administration. Coordinated complex schedules and travel arrangements for four corporate executives while completing office administration duties. Ready for new challenges related to bookkeeping, office management and schedule setting. 

• Excellent communication:  Proficient in all forms of communication, including online, in person and written
• Computer savvy:  Proficient in QuickBooks, G Suite, MS Office, database management and productivity apps
• Detail-oriented: Attentive to employee needs, accurate documentation and efficient processes
• Key strengths: Communication, organization, time management, teamwork and discretion

Professional Experience

Cityscapes International, Executive Administrative Assistant

November 2005 – July 2019

• Trained over 20 administrative assistants on office procedures, including file management, customer service, professional communication and scheduling
• Scheduled 500+ office meetings for various departments and executives while providing technical support for online conferences
• Made weekly travel arrangements for all company employees, including company executives with complicated schedules that required additional documentation

Driftboats Plus, Administrative Assistant

May 2003 – November 2005

• Communicated with over 2000 clients and customers regarding company products and service; contributed to the implementation of an official return and exchange policy
• Completed extensive bookwork related to company sales and invoicing
• Wrote 24 company newsletters that involved interviewing clients and customers and securing digital assets

Achievements

• Streamlined the data entry process, freeing up 40% of work time for other company resources
• Saved $10,000 in administrative costs after negotiating a deal with a new software company

University of Florida | May 2003 | Bachelor of Business Administration, 3.9 GPA

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

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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…

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• Resume Guides

How to Ask for Feedback after an Interview

What jobs should you put on a resume, how to list continuing education on your resume, negotiating a salary increase for a new job: what to expect and how to ask, describe your greatest challenge - interview question (+answers), what is an activities resume for college tips and examples.

• Create Resume
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Preferences
• Resume Examples
• Resume Templates
• AI Resume Builder
• Resume Summary Generator
• Resume Formats
• Resume Checker
• Resume Skills
• How to Write a Resume
• Modern Resume Templates
• Simple Resume Templates
• Cover Letter Builder
• Cover Letter Examples
• Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Formats
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• Cover Letter Guides
• Job Interview Guides
• Job Interview Questions
• Career Resources
• Meet our customers
• Career resources
• English (UK)
• French (FR)
• German (DE)
• Spanish (ES)
• Swedish (SE)

© 2024 . All rights reserved.

Made with love by people who care.

Press Enter to search

How To Write A One-Page Resume

Recruiter-backed advice on building a one-page resume that still showcases all your essential skills by condensing statements, reducing margins, combining headings and tailoring your roles.

5 months ago   •   6 min read

So, you’re facing the challenge of creating a high-performing resume that showcases your essential skills but still fits onto one page. You don’t want to omit anything relevant, but how do you fit everything into one page without cutting important details?

To condense your resume to one page, focus on recent, relevant experience and remove anything not directly related to the application. You can also reduce your margins, merge related sections, and eliminate any duplicate information.

In this article, we’ll discuss why it's preferable to write a one-page resume, how to choose what to cut and what to include, and how to organize your resume to maximize readability and maintain a professional look.

Do you really need a one-page resume?

The short answer is yes and no. While it's not wrong to have a two-page resume, modern recruiters only spend an average of 7 seconds reviewing an application. With a two-page resume, a recruiter will spend less time reading each page, so it’s better to write one great page than two mediocre ones.

But surely it's better to include more information than less? Actually, no. The more you give a recruiter to read, the harder it is for them to pick out the information they want. While you might be tempted to include everything you've ever accomplished, it's far more useful to determine what a recruiter is looking for and showcase these skills upfront.

For most applications, a one-page resume is best , especially for entry-level positions or students. Only consider a two-page resume if you’re a senior professional with extensive relevant experience. Never make your resume three or more pages ; It just won't be read.

If you're wondering whether your one-page resume effectively showcases all relevant experience and skills or if it should extend to two pages, upload it to the tool below for tailored insights on optimizing length and content.

How to make your resume one page

Knowing how to make your resume shorter is as much about knowing what to cut as what to include. The key is to be concise and direct, and only include your most impressive achievements. You might think you can't fit your resume on one page now, but even the longest resume can be trimmed down with a little targeted editing.

Tailor your resume to each application

The number 1 rule for fitting your resume onto one page is to tailor your experience to each application by only including information directly relevant to the job you're applying for. This means evaluating everything on your resume and only selecting roles and accomplishments that showcase the specific skills the new position is looking for.

For help targeting your resume, use our Targeted Resume tool to scan your resume for relevant keywords and receive personalized feedback on areas that can be improved.

Reduce margins and font size

You can reduce your page margins to 0.5 inches and font to 11 or 10 points to give yourself a little more room when trying to fit everything onto one page. But don't use a font smaller than 10, or margins less than 0.5, as this will make your resume cramped, harder to read, and overall less professional.

Remove duplicate information

When describing work experience, remove redundancy by combining statements and bullet points that discuss similar points. This will help you reduce unused space while also making strong, concise statements.

For example, the two bullet points below both discuss project management skills and describe similar roles and responsibilities:

• Led a cross-functional team in project planning, scheduling, and execution.
• Managed project budgets and ensured financial goals were met.

To reduce space, combine these two points into one sentence:

• Spearheaded cross-functional project teams, overseeing planning, scheduling, and budget management to consistently meet financial goals.

Cut irrelevant sections

Remove outdated resume sections that don't directly add to your application. Resume sections to consider cutting include:

• Objective statement: Replace your objective statement with a targetted resume summary , or simply remove it altogether. Modern recruiters are more interested in what you can bring to the table than what you're looking for in a position.
• References: Employers will ask for references when it's relevant and don't expect them to be included on your resume.
• Hobbies and interests: This section is often irrelevant to your application and can be cut to maintain clarity and relevance. Replace hobbies with skills that explain your abilities rather than your interests.
• High school information: If you have completed further/higher education, your high school details are generally no longer relevant and can be removed entirely.
• Education details: If you're a mid to senior-level professional with enough relevant work experience, reduce your education section to only your most recent accomplishments and degree.
• Volunteering: Though helpful for entry-level candidates, if you have enough paid experience for your application, remove any volunteering work and focus on paid roles.

Prioritize your most recent experience

Remember, you don't need to include every job on your resume, especially entry-level and short-term positions. Prioritize your most recent experience and focus on jobs that showcase relevant skills and quantifiable achievements. Remove any experience, education, and qualifications over ten years old unless it's specifically relevant to your application.

Make the most of each line

While you don't want to cram your resume so full of text it becomes hard to read, you can use some specific techniques to save space where it counts.

For example, when creating your resume header , instead of listing your address, phone number, and contact information on separate lines, combine all this information into one line, separated by dashes (-), dots (∙), or vertical bars (|). This creates a professional-looking header that reduces wasted space at the top of your resume, as shown in the example below.

You can save space by using a semicolon (;) to separate information on the same line. This is especially helpful in your education and qualifications sections, as shown below.

You can also use a semicolon to separate different subsections within your Skills or Additional Information sections, such as varying skill proficiency levels , as shown below.

Combine similar sections

If you have multiple sections to your resume that include a small amount of relevant information, consider combining your headings to make a more compact and streamlined document.

Work experience, volunteering, and professional projects can be combined into an "Experience" section to showcase all your relevant work experience, and education, certificates, and qualifications can be combined under one "Education" section.

Use an "Additional Information" section

"Additional Information" is a helpful section to highlight extra information relevant to your application that doesn't fit into other standard resume categories. Combining this extra information under one heading helps reduce space taken up by section headings and improves the readability of your resume.

Additional information should be listed at the bottom of your resume, and can include:

• Language skills
• Technical skills (if not including a specific skills section)
• Certificates, qualifications, and additional training
• Awards and achievements
• Volunteering or unpaid experience
• Publications
• Personal or professional projects
• Interests and hobbies

One-page resume examples

Here are some examples of optimized one-page resumes for entry-level and mid-level applicants. For more examples, head to our Resume Worded template library to browse and download various professional resume templates.

Here is an example of an entry-level one-page resume:

And here is an example of a senior-level one-page resume:

• Career Advice

Spread the word

How to right-align dates for a professional looking resume (and why), how to write an “about me” section on your resume (with examples), keep reading, how to show bilingualism on your resume (with examples), oops what to do if there’s a mistake on your resume, getting the basics right: resume line spacing, subscribe to our newsletter.

Stay updated with Resume Worded by signing up for our newsletter.

🎉 Awesome! Now check your inbox and click the link to confirm your subscription.

Please enter a valid email address

Oops! There was an error sending the email, please try later

Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

Resume Templates

Resume samples

Create and edit your resume online

Generate compelling resumes with our AI resume builder and secure employment quickly.

Write a cover letter

Cover Letter Examples

Cover Letter Samples

Create and edit your cover letter

Use our user-friendly tool to create the perfect cover letter.

Featured articles

• How to Write a Motivation Letter With Examples
• How to Write a Resume in 2024 That Gets Results
• Teamwork Skills on Your Resume: List and Examples
• What Are the Best Colors for Your Resume?

Latests articles

• Top 5 Tricks to Transform Your LinkedIn Profile With ChatGPT
• Using ChatGPT to Prepare for Interviews: Top Tips and Steps
• How to Create an Effective Cover Letter with ChatGPT
• 10 Jobs in High Demand in 2024: Salaries and Expected Growth

Dive Into Expert Guides to Enhance your Resume

How to Write a One-Page Resume

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.

Struggling with Resume Writing?

Ease the process with our templates

Related Blog

How to get your resume down to one page

You know that recruiters don’t spend much time reviewing resumes, so you want to get yours down to one page.

A great idea, but it can be difficult to execute.

How do you cut the size down without losing important content or making it look messy?

Here are 21 tips to help reduce your resume down to one page, and still ensure you land job interviews.

Resume templates 

Formatting tips

When looking to trim down your resume , always start with formatting tips.

Format adjustments to the style of your resume allow you to reduce it’s size without removing any of the content you’ve included.

Reduce page margins

One of the easiest ways to save space on your resume is by reducing the page margins.

Page margins are the space around the outside of the page, between the content and the edge of the document.

You should always leave a small margin to keep the resume looking tidy, but reducing it by a few points will increase the amount of text you can get onto the page.

Here’s how to reduce page margins in Microsoft Word . Click the “Layout” tab, then select “Margins”

Reduce line spacing

Another way to save space on your resume is to reduce the spacing between lines of text, paragraphs or sections.

This can be done by adjusting the line spacing settings in your word processor. However, be careful not to cram too much text together, as this can make your resume difficult to read.

A line spacing of 1 or 1.15 should be sufficient to strike a balance between space-saving and readability.

Remove photos

While it may be tempting to include a photo on your resume, it’s generally not necessary and can take up valuable space.

Unless you’re applying for a job in the entertainment or fashion industry, most employers won’t be interested in seeing what you look like.

Removing the photo can free up a lot of space in your resume and make it easier to fit everything onto one page.

Remove unnecessary design features

Design features like colored side bars, borders, and icons may look nice, but they can also make your resume more difficult to read and take up valuable space.

When trying to reduce your resume to one page, it’s best to stick with a simple, clean one-column layout. Use bold or italic text to highlight important information, and avoid adding anything that might take up space unnecessarily.

Reduce size of name and contact details

While it’s important to include your name and contact details on your resume, they don’t need to take up tons of space.

Use a smaller font size or reduce the spacing between lines to make these details more compact. Just make sure that your name and contact information are still easy to read and clearly visible.

Also think about the format you are including this information in. For example; does a recruiter really need to see your full address at the top of your resume? Or would it be sufficient to just include your town, to give them a general idea of where you can commute to?

Reduce font size

When trying to fit everything into one page, reducing the font size is an obvious but useful strategy.

But remember it’s important to make sure that the text remains legible for recruiters and hiring managers. A font size of 10 is generally the smallest you should go, and using a clear, simple font like Arial or Calibri can help ensure that your resume remains functional.

However small you choose to go, just make sure it can still be easily read.

Use multiple columns

If you find that you have lots of blank space on the right-hand side of your resume, then using multiple columns can be a helpful strategy.

This can be done by creating a table or using a resume template that includes multiple columns. Just be sure to keep the layout clean and easy to read, and avoid cramming too much information into each column.

One area of your resume where this works especially well is the Core Skills section.

Fill white space

If you find that your resume has large areas of white space anywhere on the page – just fill them.

For example, if you have a big block of unused space in the top-right corner, think about what other content from the resume you could move there.

Perhaps your contact details could be moved into it, or even your core skills.

Just play around with the layout until you find something that works.

Content tips

If you have exhausted all of the above formatting tips, you’ll need to start cutting down on the content.

Here are some tips on how to do so, without removing the important stuff that hiring managers need to see .

Remove very old work experience

If you have a lot of work experience, it’s usually not necessary to include it all on your resume.

Definitely remove work experience that is more than 10 years old, and consider removing anything 5 years older if you are really struggling for space. This will help keep your resume focused because hiring managers will mainly be interested in your recent work, as a way of gauging your current abilities.

Summarize old roles

If you do decide to include older work experience, consider summarizing it rather than providing a detailed description with lots of bullet points .

For example, instead of listing every job duty you had 15 years ago, you could simply state the job title, company, and provide a one sentence overview.

Group multiple roles into a batch

If you’ve had multiple roles within the same company (or even industry) consider grouping them together under a single heading. This can help save space on your resume and make it easier to read for time-strapped recruiters.

For example, you could list your job title as “ Marketing Manager / Marketing executive (2010-2016) ” and then provide a brief description of your responsibilities and promotions during that time.

Or you could write something like “ Various banking project manager roles – 2001-2007 ”

Write more succinctly

When it comes to writing your resume, less is often more. Be sure to use clear and concise language, and avoid rambling or including unnecessary information.

Review your sentences and remove words or details that aren’t necessary to tell your story.

Use digits instead of written numbers

To save space on your resume, consider using digits instead of written numbers wherever possible.

For example, you could write “increased sales by 25%” instead of “increased sales by twenty-five percent.” This will help keep your resume focused and concise.

Reduce personal information

While it’s important to include your contact information on your resume (cell number and email address) you don’t need to include personal details like your marital status, age, or race.

This information is not relevant to your ability to carry out the job, and recruiters do not need to see it on your resume.

Make use of links

If you have an online portfolio or personal website that showcases your work, try including a link to it on your resume.

This can provide lots of additional proof of your skills and knowledge for recruiters to look at, and will only take a few characters of space on the page.

Remove mentions of references

Employers cannot ask to contact your references until after they have interviewed you and made you a formal job offer.

This means that there is no need to put any reference details on your resume, or even state that “reference are available on request”

If you have any mention of references on your resume, removing them is a quick and easy way of saving space.

Reduce the size of your summary

If you have a summary or objective statement at the top of your resume, it should not be longer than 4-6 sentences.

If it is, you need to cut it down.

Your summary is intended to be a high-level overview of your skills and experience, so keep it brief and save the detail for your work experience section.

Remove hobbies and interests

Hobbies and interests do not normally have any impact on a hiring decision.

Unless you have a specific hobby or interest that’s directly related to the job (for example, if you’re applying for a job in the fitness industry and you’re an avid runner), it’s best to leave this information off when shooting for a one-page resume.

Remove non-vital certifications

If you have a lot of certifications, consider removing those that aren’t essential to the job you’re applying for.

For example if you are applying for legal jobs then it will be imperative to keep your law degree in the resume – but you can probably remove your high school grades and first-aid certificate.

This will help keep your resume focused and prevent the education section from becoming too long.

Use acronyms

Using acronyms can be a great way to save space on your resume, especially when it comes to technical terms or industry-specific jargon.

For example, instead of writing out “Search Engine Optimization,” you could simply write “SEO.” Just be sure to use acronyms that are widely recognized and understood within your industry.

Tailor your resume heavily

One of the most important things you can do to reduce your resume to one page is to tailor it heavily to the job you’re applying for.

This means cutting out anything that is not relevant to match the requirements of the positions you are applying for.

If you are really struggling to get size down to one page, you can be really brutal here.

Use keywords from the job posting, and make sure that your resume only highlights the skills and experience that are most relevant to the job.

This will also help ensure that your resume stands out to employers and increases your chances of landing an interview.

Does your resume need to be one page?

Although one page resumes have their advantages, your resume doesn’t necessarily need to be one page.

The length of your resume will depend on your individual circumstances and the expectations of the industry you’re applying to.

For example, if you’re a recent college graduate with limited work experience, a one-page resume may be appropriate. However, if you have extensive experience or a long list of accomplishments, a two-page resume may be more suitable – and won’t necessarily offend recruiters.

That being said, it’s important to keep in mind that employers are often pressed for time and may not have the bandwidth to review lengthy resumes.

It’s generally a good idea to keep your resume as concise and focused as possible, highlighting only the most important information and accomplishments.

Ultimately, the goal is to create a strong and compelling resume that effectively communicates your skills, experience, and qualifications – and this can be done effectively with one or two pages.

Pros of a one page resume

• Easy for recruiters to read – A one page resume can be quickly and easily reviewed by employers, saving them time and increasing your chances of making it past the initial screening process .
• Focus on important attributes – A concise and focused one page resume can highlight your most relevant skills and experience quickly, helping you stand out as a strong candidate for the job.
• Show off communication skills – A one page resume can demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and efficiently, which is an important skill in many industries.

Cons of a one page resume

• Not enough detail – A one page resume may not provide enough space to fully showcase your qualifications and experience – particularly if you have extensive work history or a complect profession.
• Not always industry suitable – A one page resume may not be appropriate for certain industries or positions, where a more detailed and comprehensive resume may be expected ,such as technical or scientific roles.

Protect your data

This site uses cookies and related technologies for site operation, and analytics as described in our Privacy Policy . You may choose to consent to our use of these technologies, reject non-essential technologies, or further manage your preferences.

• Resume and Cover Letter
• Whether or Not to Use a One...

Whether or Not to Use a One Page Resume

10 min read · Updated on February 14, 2024

Sometimes, a candidate only gets one page to make their case

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 goal for entry level graduates is the notion that, when you've just graduated college, there probably won't be much to put on your resume. However, that's no longer true, given that graduates today have more opportunities to gain relevant experience while in school. Internships, assistantships, co-ops, part-time work, and even leadership roles in extracurricular activities are opportunities many college and entry-level candidates can access to add value to their resume.

Still, for some entry-level candidates and other types of job candidates, a one-page resume is sufficient. Thus, the quandary remains, should a resume be one page or two pages?

In this post, we cover

When should a resume be one page

How to make a resume fit on one page

When to use a two-page resume

When to use a three-page resume

Additional recommended reading

So, how many pages should a resume be? Read on to find out. 

When should a resume be one page?

There are indeed some instances where a one-page resume is appropriate and preferred, including:

High school students who have little to no experience and few activities to highlight

College students and entry-level candidates who have not participated in any of the activities mentioned above

Career changers who need to focus their resume on transferable skills that relate to their new target industry or career, due to not having enough relevant experience

So, should a resume be one page? Yes, when you fall into one of the above scenarios. Now, you're likely wondering how you can cram all the information you need in your resume onto one page. What should you include? What can you remove? 

Below are 10 techniques to help you achieve a one-page resume that will help you to keep to the page limit and still wow a recruiter.

Highlight only internships and relevant work experience

While it's great to show you've had a job since you were 16 and can commit to a company, unless it's relevant, it's not necessary. Keep the focus on relevant work experience and any internships you may have held recently or while in college. 

You can still show you had previous jobs, and how long you were with those companies, in an “additional experience” line under your highlighted positions. This will show you have longevity and loyalty without taking up valuable space.

Combine similar experience under one position

"Similar experience" could be things like several work-study positions in different offices or cashier work at more than one store. The duties you completed are going to be nearly the same, so combining the roles on your resume is the most efficient and effective way to save space. You can showcase achievements for each position separately in bullets below the daily functions.

Remove short-term positions

Unless the short-term position you held is relevant, remove it. Positions held for a short time can communicate that you're a job hopper who can't commit and that you won't stay in a role long term. Highlighting short-term positions can be a screen-out factor, so don't do it.

Include only necessary skills in descriptions

Necessary hard and  soft skills  are the qualities a company is looking for in a candidate; they are usually listed in the position description. For example, if you're applying for an entry-level sales position and have past experience as a gas-station clerk, you will want to highlight your customer service, sales, product support, and communications skills. You probably also cleaned the facility, stocked supplies, and managed inventory, but those are not necessary skills for a sales position, so they can be removed.

Shorten your work accomplishment and experience list

You should use  bullet points  over paragraphs in the Work Experience or Relevant Experience section of your resume. Keep the bullet points concise and short - no more than 1 to 2 lines each.

Focus on valuable achievements and combine where appropriate

Review the bullet points you've included for each experience and ensure they only highlight your most notable and quantifiable achievements. Remove any points that don't add value or are merely tasks you did vs accomplishments you achieved. Each position should include 3 to 5 bullet points, max.

Many bullet point achievements can be combined and shortened. You don't want to tell the whole story of how you achieved it - recruiters want to know what you've done. If they have questions, they'll ask about the how during an interview.

For example, if you increased sales by 15% by building relationships and improving customer satisfaction, you can reduce this to one bullet that says “Increased sales by 15% and improved overall customer satisfaction.” You can go into detail during an interview about how you built and leveraged relationships to increase both simultaneously.

The summaries of previous positions are a common aspect of the resume that gets fluffed. When you include summaries, keep them as short as you can while showing what you can do. Don't get too into detail here - simply list your areas of expertise and the skills you have.

Do not fluff achievements either! Recruiters will know, and it will not leave a good impression.

Trim your Education section

One area where you can often cut some content is in your  Education section . This section can include many items, like:

The degree issued

The issuing institution

City and state of institution 

Relevant coursework

Graduation date (or expected graduation date if the degree is still in progress)

At a minimum, include your degree and the institution that issued it - this is most important to employers. You can also choose to include your GPA or any honors you received, as long as you can keep them on the same line as your degree. Any other details are unnecessary when you're working to trim your resume to a single page. For example:

Bachelors of Art - Filmmaking (cum laude), New York State University

Tighten your resume summary

Generally, a  resume summary  should be no more than 3 to 5 punchy sentences that highlight your top achievements relevant to the job. Review your summary and see if there's any way to tighten it up and reduce it to get your message across succinctly in 2 to 3 sentences. 

Leave off unnecessary information

The information recruiters are not interested in can take up valuable space. If you are about to (or have) graduated college, high school information is no longer relevant. It's assumed you graduated high school since you were able to get into college, so leave off the clubs, graduation date, sports, and other achievements from your youth.

Also, it's no longer standard to put “References available upon request” on your resume. Most applications ask for references, and everyone knows a reference check is a part of the process, so including this line is unnecessary.

Here are a few more items that you should leave off of your resume to keep it to one page (and in some instances, regardless of the number of pages!).

High School: If you have a college degree, forgo listing your high school information. It's unnecessary and doesn't add value for the hiring manager. 

Irrelevant work experience: Mentioned previously, only include work experience that's relevant to the job posting or that adds value to your resume in some way.

Address: The only piece of location information employers want these days is your city and state or zip code. Leave off your full mailing address - including it will show you're not up to speed with today's US resume standards. 

Unnecessary resume sections: Though additional sections, like Hobbies and Interests, can add value in some scenarios, if you're aiming for a one-page resume, leave sections like this off.

Reformat font size and spacing

Changing margins can give you so much additional space! You can go as low as 0.5 inches on all sides — just not any smaller. After you've everything you need on the document, start adjusting your margins. When you achieve your one-page resume, leave the margins as they are. You want the page to look full and appropriately spaced.

If you change the margins to the smallest permissible size and still need help,  reduce the font  by point five until you get to one page. It's not recommended to go below 10-point font on a resume, however, because any smaller font is too difficult to read.

Can a resume be 2 pages?

As you ask, “when should a resume be one page?” a natural second question to follow would be, “when should a resume be two pages?” 

A two-page resume is the most common resume size and makes sense for:

Entry-level professionals with sufficient relevant experience and activities that speak to their ability to succeed on the job

Seasoned professionals

Career changers with ample transferable skills, certifications, and experience that relate to their new target industry or career

In most instances, your resume should not go beyond two-pages, even if you're a seasoned professional with 15 or more years of experience under your belt. With that said, bear in mind that you don't want to aim for a two-page resume for the sake of having a two-page resume. 

What matters most is the content of your resume - not the length. If you're able to use a one-page resume to emphasize and highlight your career history in a way that shows you're an excellent candidate for the job, then by all means, do so. The last thing you want to do is to force your resume onto a second page by including irrelevant and unnecessary information. If a recruiter sees your resume as “fluffed,” it increases your chances of being passed over, regardless of your level.

Again, there's no rule of thumb that says a resume has to be two-pages, so if you feel good about your one-page resume as a seasoned professional, use it!  

In most instances, a three-page resume is strongly discouraged - stick to a one or two-page resume whenever possible. However, there are a few instances where a three-page resume might be appropriate, including:

You're a professional with a long list of proficiencies and technical skills

You have several published works to include

You have several contract, consulting, or other types of gig work to highlight and explain

You're seeking a job in the sciences or  academia , where your resume should be over two pages (and, sometimes, over 10!)

You're seeking a  US Federal Government job , which means your resume could be 3 to 7 pages long to include all required information 

Should a resume be one page? Yes, in certain situations 

Now you know the answer to, “should a resume be one page?” You also know how to get it to fit on one page if that's the best option for your circumstances. 

Fitting your resume on one page may seem like a daunting task, but when you take the above tips and techniques and apply them, you'll find it's easier than expected. What's most important is that your resume makes you stand out in the best possible light. Remember to start with relevant information and have your job goal in mind at all times. This will help you to focus your skills and showcase how great a fit you'll be for that dream job!

How did you do making your one-page resume? And should your resume be one page for sure? Why not submit it for a  free resume review  today for feedback?

This blog was originally written by Felicia Tatum and has been updated by Ronda Suder.

Recommended reading:

6 Ways to Rock Your First Entry-Level Job After Graduation

How Long Should Your Resume Be?

How to Write an Entry-Level Resume for Your First Post-College Job

Related Articles:

7 Signs Your Resume is Making You Look Old

Why a Simple Resume Layout is a Successful Resume

Software Developer Top Needed Skills

See how your resume stacks up.

Career Advice Newsletter

Our experts gather the best career & resume tips weekly. Delivered weekly, always free.

Thanks! Career advice is on its way.

Share this article:

Let's stay in touch.

Subscribe today to get job tips and career advice that will come in handy.

Your information is secure. Please read our privacy policy for more information.

• Resume Templates
• Resume Examples
• Free Resume Builder
• How to Write a Resume
• Resume Format
• Resume Packs
• Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Examples
• Free Cover Letter Generator
• How To Write a Cover Letter
• CV Templates
• CV Examples
• Free CV Maker
• Resume Help
• Cover Letter Help
• Job Interview
• Career Advice

How to Make a Credible One Page Resume

Trying to fit in all the important career information into one 8.5×11″ document is no easy task. Still, the common job search lore goes that having a one-page resume is always the best way to go. Or is it? Let’s dig in together! 

Should a Resume Be One Page Long?

The general conclusion is that yes, it’s best to file a one-page resume whenever you can if you are in the beginning/middle of your career. But things are not absolutely black and white when it comes to resume length. Can a resume be more than one page? Again, yes. 

No one will fret upon a two-page resume if you are a senior candidate with 10+ years of experience and multiple job posts under your belt — all relevant to the new job you are routing for. 

Lengthier resumes are also fine for candidates with a wide set of technical skills , educational credentials, and industry accolades. 

Lastly, if you are applying to a job abroad and get asked to file a CV, rather than a resume , it’s OK to go beyond a single page. 

You can learn more about the ideal resume length from our previous post. 

How to Fit Resume on One Page: Tips and Tricks 

OK, so you are certain that you’ll do better with a one-page resume. Now the big question is: how do you fit all your professional deets into that single page without resorting to using an eight-point font or trying to cram a lot of text into the available white space?

After creating over 150 one-page resume templates , we can say with confidence that the next tricks will work like a charm!  

1. Adjust Your Page Margins and Layout 

Most people leave page margins at the pre-set default option of 1-inch in Microsoft Word when they start designing their resume. 

But, you can actually trim this a few simple steps to have a bit more elbow room. Here’s how it’s done:

• Go to Layout > Margins

• Select either one of the pre-suggested configurations or add a custom range

NB: Don’t forget to test if your design looks good in other word processing software or when sent via email as an attachment!

As a rule of thumb, it’s OK to go with a half an inch margin, but not less. In this case, you will still have a defined white space edge and your resume won’t look really cramped together.

2. Merge Sections Together

Every great resume has at least three standard sections — header, work experience, and education. Plus, some optional ones such as Skills, Hobbies, and Interests , Accolodates, Resume Objective , Professional Bio, etc. 

While all of them can play a role in hiring, they eat up some valuable space. After all, having multiple sections requires extra room for large headings.

So if you really need to cut down your resume to one page, aim for three or four distinct sections and combine the rest. 

For example, you could combine your resume objective and professional bio or add accolades to the work experience section. Also, you can pack all the different things you want to mention, as short bullet-point highlights under an ‘Extra Information’ section.

Let’s take a look at one of our popular one-page resume templates — Contrast Resume Template .

It has 4 distinct sections you can use to your advantage: 

• The sidebar area where you can place your professional bio or resume objective
• Skills sections that you can pack with keywords and popular skills that employers look for
• Header area you can use to leave your contact details, personal website, or squeeze in personal branding statements. 
• Lofty work experience section that can be tweaked to fit more positions 
• Minimalistic education section to list the essentials. 

This design is also versatile enough to be further tweaked up to your liking. You can forgo the bio/objective in favor of an “Extra Information” section or place your contact details and short elevator pitch there to expand the Skills area. 

3. Condense Information

Always look at ways of combining some of your information that may be important, but it doesn’t have a direct bearing on the job that you are applying for. For example, where you list your educational qualifications, instead of listing each qualification or achievement on a single line, condense them together and leave off any early or lower-level qualifications that an employer may not be interested in knowing about.

Treat your employment history in the same way. If you have created your work experience to read as your job title and company address in a block style with each part of the address on single lines, then you can free up some space by just putting your job title and company name on one single line and cut out the company address completely.

Even your own personal details can take a healthy trim. Many career experts recommend that you don’t include your home address on your resume just in case the employer judges candidate suitability depending on their location and proximity to the workplace. Simply including your name and contact number, email address, and LinkedIn profile.  

4. Spring Clean for Redundancies 

Don’t go about describing every job duty you had at every job listed — most will likely duplicate one-another. Instead, focus on listing one-two main accomplishments for each entry and sprinkle in some relevant hard and soft skills . 

Take a look at our customer service resume example . Instead of going at length about every job, you can just write a one-line description and then provide a quick bullet point list of accomplishments/skills. So that your entry looks the following way:

Customer Service Specialist (April 2017 – March 2020)

Started in telephone customer support and quickly transitioned to web chat support. Assisted retail customers with concerns related to their orders, billing, shipping, and returns. 

• Ranked highest in the European region for chat resolution speed.
• Employee of the Month (August, October, Dec)
• Zendesk, HubSpot Live Chat, and Salesforce proficient 

5. Adjust Your Line Spacing And Font Size

Recruiters want to see resumes that are easy on the eye, so the need for your resume to have good line spacing is still important. However, you can maximize the space available by adjusting your line spacing to give you a little bit more room.

If you are using MS Word to create your resume, then you can manually change the line spacing between paragraphs and different sections. The default setting is actually quite generous, so even if you change it to shrink down the line spacing by half between paragraphs and sections, you will still get a defined visual space, but you can squeeze out an extra couple of free line spaces for more information by doing this.

While going as small as an 8-point font may mean certain eye-strain for a recruiter trying to read your resume, you can safely change to 10-point font and still leave your resume perfectly readable. It would be wise to leave your name at least at a 14-point font if not larger.

6. Trim Your Bullet Points

Bullet points are the key trick for fitting as much information as possible into a one-page resume. The key here, however, is to avoid writing full length, logically connected sentences. 

Instead, think of your bullet point as a mini headline — short, catchy, and sufficiently communicating one key idea. 

Here are some extra tips for writing powerful bullet points for your resume:

• Avoid complex, lengthy words (unless these are actual keywords)
• Keep your bullet point to one line to avoid space waste 
• Aim for the same bullet point length to make your resume look neater 
• Make your bullet points symmetrical i.e. always start with a verb or noun. 
• Keep the bullet points thematically-related.

Here’s how we incorporated all of these tips in our hospitality resume example : 

The Royal Suits, Downtown Miami (2018 – 2020)

Concierge and Guest Services Supervisor

Skills and accomplishments:

• Provided guest services to over 1,500 guests per month 
• Organized personalized entertainment and shopping experiences
• Managed all the concierge services for VIP guests
• Brought in extra 20% via services upsells/cross-sells per month 
• Maintained customer satisfaction rating of more than 98%

7. Don’t Fret About The Resume Length Too Much!

There is no harm in having two versions of your resume – one single page version and one longer multiple-page version. These can be very handy to keep on file for when an employer specifically asks you to submit one or the other. A lot of employers will initially ask for a one-page resume, and then follow that up with a request for a more detailed resume for when they are creating a shortlist for the job interview.

To Conclude 

If you’ve tried all of the tips above and still didn’t arrive at the coveted one-page resume length, don’t sweat it any further.  At the end of the day, it is your skills, qualifications, and past experiences that make the most difference! So go with a two-page resume or two versions of your resume, if you feel that a lengthy version will represent you better as a job candidate. 

Finally, if you need some extra help, you can always browse our ever-growing collection of professional resume templates that are already optimized to pack a powerful punch within a single page!

This article has been originally published on April 30, 2018 and has been extensively revised and updated on November 12, 2020.

Elena runs content operations at Freesumes since 2017. She works closely with copywriters, designers, and invited career experts to ensure that all content meets our highest editorial standards. Up to date, she wrote over 200 career-related pieces around resume writing, career advice... more

you might also like

6 Best Colors For Your Resume (According to Pro Designers)

How to Put an Internship on a Resume: FAQs Answered

How to Put Research on a Resume: Tips and Examples

Resume Skills For Retail: Big List of Examples

90+ Childcare Skills For Your Resume (+ Daycare Worker Resume Example!)

Leave a response cancel reply.

• Job Description
• Work, life and you
• Career Management
• Career, growth & development
• Money Matters
• foundit insight tracker
• Job Search Strategy
• Resume & Cover Letters
• Interview Tips
• COVID-19 Career Advice

A resume is a document designed to present your skills, experience, and education in a concise and visually appealing way. It serves as a crucial tool in the job search process, providing employers with a snapshot of your qualifications. Have you ever wondered how to make a resume? Read on to find out more information about creating the best resume for a job application. 

Understanding the Basics of a Resume

If you want to learn how to make a resume, you will have to understand its basics. What are the different types of resumes? What should you include in it, and how should you format your resume? Find out all the answers below. 

Types of resumes

1. Chronological: A chronological resume starts with a summary of your skills and a list of your past jobs, starting with your current one. This job resume format is widely used and helps hire managers easily see if your past experiences are relevant to the job opening. By quickly reviewing your resume, they can assess whether you have the required qualifications.

2. Functional: Functional resumes focus on showcasing your abilities instead of your work history. Suppose you have an education or training in human resources (HR). In that case, a functional resume would start by listing relevant HR skills, such as recruiting and communication, to highlight your expertise in the field.

3. Combination: A combination resume includes features of a functional and chronological resume. So, it will include your job history in reverse chronological order. Additionally, it will highlight your functional and related skills. 

Key sections of a resume

The key sections included in a job application resume are as follows:

1. Contact information: Highlight your full name and address. Additionally, it should include your telephone number and e-mail address. 

2. Summary or objective statement: Provide a summary of your job search. Make the objective statement tailored to the job application. 

3. Work experience: Mention your work history if you have any. Even if you don’t have full-time experience, you can talk about internships. 

4. Education: Highlight your academic qualifications in your resume. 

5. Skills: Mention all the skills relevant to the job role in your resume. 

6. Additional sections: Some optional sections in your resume can be related to your achievements and interests. 

Gathering Information and Preparation

If you are wondering how to make a resume, you will have to start by collecting specific information. Look how you can begin preparing to draft your resume. 

1. Identifying your target job and industry

Your resume should be tailored to the job and industry you are applying to. So, find out about the job and typical resume formats used in the industry. 

2. Reviewing job descriptions and requirements

Read the job description and requirements carefully. It will help you highlight relevant details in your job application resume format.  

3. Listing your work experience, education, and skills

Your resume should give a description of your academic background and work experience. Moreover, you need to add your technical and soft skills. 

4. Selecting the appropriate resume format

You will come across different types of resume formats. But you will have to figure out which one would be the best for you. Apart from considering the job and the industry, you should look at your level of expertise to choose the right format. 

Crafting Your Resume Sections

A huge part of learning how to make a resume is understanding the information to include in every section. Check it out below:

1. Contact Information

This part will include your name, address, phone number, and email. Remember to enter your full name here. The font size should match the body text of the remaining resume. But you can keep the name a point or two bigger. 

2. Summary or Objective Statement

A professional experience resume includes a summary or objective statement after the contact details. For individuals with limited experience, such as recent graduates, an objective statement is a concise summary of their career aspirations. It serves as a quick introduction to their professional goals. 

In contrast, a resume summary is a brief statement that showcases the applicant’s relevant skills and experience in a dynamic way. It uses action-oriented language to highlight key accomplishments and qualifications.

3. Work Experience

To showcase your relevant experience, organize your professional history in reverse chronological order. Begin with your most recent role. For each position, include the company name, employment dates, job title, and brief description of key achievements. Utilize specific numerical data to demonstrate your impact at every position. 

4. Education

If you have minimal work experience or are pursuing a career change, an education section in your personal resume can be highly beneficial. Consider talking about the coursework and your GPA or rank. 

Think about the specific abilities and experiences you have that match the requirements of this job. Then, read the job description carefully and mark the key skills and achievements that you’ve successfully demonstrated in your previous work. You should include your soft skills as well as technical skills in the resume. 

6. Additional Sections

When your resume has empty spaces, you can enhance it by including a section highlighting your accomplishments or interests. You can also add the languages you know and mention your volunteering experiences. This is particularly useful for resumes that are shorter or when you have limited work or education history to present.

Formatting and Design Tips

Anyone trying to figure out how to make a resume should know the right formatting and design tips. 

1. Choosing a clear and professional font

Your resume should have a professional-looking font. Try using Times New Roman or Arial to make the text seem legible. 

2. Using consistent formatting throughout

One important resume writing tip is following a consistent format. The font style should be uniform throughout the resume. Keep your margins within 1 to 1.5 inches. 

3. Keeping your resume concise (1-2 pages)

Your recruiters don’t have all the time in the world to go through your resume. So, keep it short, with a maximum length of two pages. 

4. Using bullet points for readability

Adding bullet points to your resume can break the monotony of text-heavy paragraphs. It is great for enhancing readability and making recruiters easily find the information they want. You can add bullet points to the education and professional history paragraph.

5. Saving your resume in the appropriate file format (e.g., PDF)

While learning how to make a resume, one important step is saving it. Once you are done proofreading the entire document, you should download it in a suitable file format. Employers commonly accept resumes in the PDF format. 

Resume Templates and Samples

If you want a better understanding of how to make a resume, check out the templates and samples below:

Entry-level resume template

Mid-career resume template  , executive-level resume template, industry-specific resume samples, 1. it professional resume, 2. marketing professional resume, proofreading and editing your resume.

When you are learning how to make a resume, you shouldn’t ignore the importance of proofreading and editing. Here are some tips: 

1. Checking for spelling and grammar errors

Even the best people can make spelling and grammatical errors. So, carefully read your resume and look for issues. Remember that even minor issues can have a negative impression on the employer. 

2. Ensuring consistency in formatting

The entire resume should have a consistent format. Check whether the entire document has a uniform font style. Moreover, look at the line spacing to maintain consistency. 

3. Getting feedback from others

After creating your resume, make someone read it. A third-party perspective will help you find mistakes and areas of improvement in your resume. 

4. Tailoring your resume for each job application

One of the best tips for making a resume is customizing it as per requirements. Before applying for a job, check out the specific skills they are looking for in a candidate. Highlight the skills that would be relevant for that particular job role. 

Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

If you want to learn how to write the best resume, you should know the mistakes to avoid. Remember to steer clear of the following while drafting your resume: 

1. Using a generic, one-size-fits-all resume

Don’t think that you can submit the same resume everywhere. Remember to customize it according to where you are submitting it. For instance, you will have to highlight your IT skills if you are submitting your resume with an internship application in the IT domain. 

2. Including irrelevant or outdated information

Don’t forget to update your resume from time to time. Maybe your resume includes your achievement of winning a debate competition in school. This achievement might have looked good on your college applications. But while applying for a job, you need to talk about more recent and relevant achievements. 

3. Using passive language or vague descriptions

Knowing how to write a resume means understanding that there’s no room for vague descriptions with passive language. For instance, you have probably mentioned that you brought change to an organization while working there. But what kind of change did you bring along/ Mention something more specific, like the fact you have improved the workflow by enhancing the efficiency of the filing system. 

4 Neglecting to proofread and edit

It’s not uncommon for your resume to feature a typo or punctuation error here and there. After completing the entire resume, make it a habit to read it and make the necessary changes. Moreover, you should proofread every time you update your CV by adding new information. 

Creating the best resume will help you capture the attention of recruiters instantly. But you need to follow some of the best tips and practices to create a detailed and effective resume. So, learn how to make a resume and notice exciting professional opportunities coming your way.

Q1: What is the ideal length of a resume?

Ans: Usually, your resume should be one page long. But if you are an experienced professional and have an extensive work history, your resume can be two pages long. 

Q2: What should be the font size of my resume?

Ans: The standard font size of the body text in your resume should be 11 or 12 points. You can make the headers and sub-headers larger. But usually, no font on a resume is bigger than 14 points. 

Q3: Is a resume bigger than a CV?

Ans: A CV usually contains more information than a resume. Therefore, the length of a resume is shorter than a CV. 

More articles

Best ways to share the salary history, best career options for commerce after 12th, cover letters that get you the interview: expert tips & examples.

Latest article

How to become a food inspector in 2024: step-by-step guide, 10 c programming interview questions and answers.

© Monster. All rights reserved.

• foundit Malaysia
• foundit Indonesia
• foundit Hong Kong
• foundit Philippines
• foundit Singapore
• foundit Gulf

Job Seekers

Popular category.

• Insights Tracker 589
• Interview Tips 569
• Career Management 502
• Job Search Strategy 333
• Resume & Cover Letters 237
• Motivation & Thought Leadership 206

Editor Picks

How to Make a Résumé Interviewers Actually Want to Read

N o offense, but your résumé is probably a mess. It’s not that you aren’t skilled or accomplished, but most people’s résumés are middling at best. It’s understandable — unless you work in HR, you probably haven’t devoted much time to reading or crafting them, and most of us feel weird about trying to sell ourselves.

Fortunately for you, I’ve read thousands of résumés, and I can tell you what makes a small handful of them stand out so that you can use those same strategies yourself. I can’t promise it will be a fun process, but you’ll come out of it with a résumé that will boost your chances of getting interviewed and hired.

Start by listing all the jobs you’ve held — or at least the ones that make you a stronger candidate.

This is the easy part: Get the basic facts down on paper. Write down each job you’ve held, starting with the current or most recent and working backward. Note the name of the employer, the title(s) you held, and the dates you worked there (just the starting and ending years — add months if it was a shorter stint). This will be the framework for your Experience section.

Keep in mind that your résumé is a marketing document, designed to highlight the ways you fit the job you’re applying for. It doesn’t need to be an exhaustive accounting of every role you’ve ever held. So you don’t need to include the job where you only stayed three months , or a part-time gig outside your field, or one you were fired from and would rather not discuss . You might decide that it makes sense to add some of these anyway so you don’t have big gaps in your work history, but you can select what to include based on what strengthens your résumé overall. You’re not required to deliver a comprehensive list of everything you’ve ever done in life.

Now, create a bullet-point list of what you accomplished at each job — focusing on achievements, not responsibilities.

This is where the real action is on any résumé, and it’s what separates great résumés from mediocre ones: What did you actually accomplish at each job you listed? This is important: You should not just regurgitate your job description here. We’re looking for what  results you achieved .

Most people’s résumés don’t do this. Most people list things like “managed a website” or “coordinated events” or other activities they were assigned to do. But that tells the person reading your résumé very little. It tells them you held a job with certain responsibilities, yes, but it doesn’t say anything about how good you were at that job, when the latter is the thing they want to know (and the thing that will give you an edge over your competition and help you land an interview ). Instead, your résumé should focus on what you  achieved  in doing your work. For example:

• Revamped help-desk ticket system, reducing average response time by 25 percent • In first three months, cleared out previous nine-month backlog of cases

If your job doesn’t have easily quantifiable measures like that, that’s okay! Your accomplishments can be qualitative as well. Here are some examples:

• Acted as a gatekeeper for a busy 15-person department, ensuring all callers felt warmly welcomed and received prompt, accurate answers to queries • Became go-to staff member for relaying complicated technical information to high-profile clients, earning regular compliments for making complex transactions easy to understand

Those things say more than just what your job description was. They give the reader a sense that you’re  good  at that job.

If you’re having trouble thinking of your job in terms of accomplishments, imagine a really terrible temp filling in for you — or even imagine if you were checked out at work and not trying to do well. What would go differently? What would fall to pieces? The gap between that scenario and your (hopefully excellent) performance is what you want to capture on your résumé.

Add a section for your education.

For most people, the Education section will be just a line or two, listing where you went to college and what degree you obtained. If you’re a recent graduate, include your graduation year; otherwise, it’s fine to leave it off (it’s very common for people to exclude it in order to avoid  age discrimination ).

Generally your Education section should come  after  your Work section, since for most people, employers will be most interested in your work experience. (You might be an exception to this if your education is your strongest qualification and you have little relevant work experience. For example, if you’re applying to jobs in academia after receiving your master’s or Ph.D.)

Consider adding a Profile section at the top.

Profile sections are a totally optional trend in modern résumé writing. It’s just a short blurb at the top of your résumé — two to three sentences or bullet points — summing up who you are as a candidate and what differentiates you from other people with similar professional backgrounds. The idea is to provide an overall framing for your candidacy.

A good trick to writing one: Try thinking about what you’d want a contact to say if they had 20 seconds to sum you up to someone who was hiring for the work you do.

Again, though, this is optional. You can skip it if you want — and you  should skip it if everything you come up with sounds generic. But if you can come up with language that captures how, say, a former boss who adored you might describe your work, without giving yourself over to the utterly subjective, it’s worth including.

You probably don’t need a Skills section — but maybe you do.

In most fields, you don’t need a Skills section; your skills should be obvious from the accomplishments you list in your Experience section. That said, highly technical fields like I.T. are an exception.

If you do include a Skills section, limit it to hard skills, like software programs and foreign languages you’re fluent in. Don’t list subjective self-assessments like “strong written communication skills” or “visionary leader” or “works well independently and in groups.” People’s self-assessments are so often inaccurate that these won’t carry any weight with employers and just take up space that would be better spent on more compelling material.

Other things you may or may not need.

You might include a Volunteer Work or Community Involvement section if you’ve done relevant or notable volunteer work. But it’s not necessary to include; if you don’t have anything worth putting there, you can skip it.

Some people include a Hobbies section. Don’t feel obligated to. Certain hiring managers find those interesting and others don’t even read them. I don’t recommend using the limited space on your résumé for them; there’s usually stronger content to feature. But some people insist they’ve gotten interviews because an interviewer was intrigued by their mention of bee-keeping or shared their love of puppetry.

If you’re a recent grad, you could also include any particularly impressive extracurricular campus activities, but you don’t need to — and if you do, they should come off within a few years of graduating, when you’ll hopefully have more work-related achievements to highlight instead.

Limit yourself to a page or two.

Most hiring managers spend about 20 seconds scanning a résumé initially — if that — which means you need to be concise.

The general rule for résumé length is that you’re limited to one page when you’re still a student or a recent grad, but you can go up to two pages after you’ve been out of school for a while. Exceed two pages at your own peril — many hiring managers roll their eyes at long résumés, and you’ll come across as someone who can’t distill information down to what’s most important. Plus, the more you cram in, the less likely a cursory glance is to fall on the items you most want them to see.

With design, less is more.

If you’re tempted to get creative with your résumé design — perhaps thinking that it’ll help you stand out from the crowd — resist the impulse. Hiring managers want to get the info they’re looking for on your résumé as quickly as possible, which means a concise, easily skimmed list of what you’ve accomplished, organized reverse-chronologically … in other words, the traditional résumé format.

Stand out from the crowd based on your content — compelling descriptions that show you’re great at what you do — not your majestic purple header or other design innovations.

Find even more career advice from Alison Green on her website,  Ask a Manager . Got a question for her? Email  [email protected] .

• How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a Job

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

How to complete any task on USAJOBS, step by step.

Manage Account

• Create a login.gov account
• Use login.gov if you have limited access to a phone or cell service
• Change the phone number you use to sign in
• Enter an international phone number when creating a login.gov account
• Update your primary email address
• Change or reset your password
• Sign into your account if you can't access your primary email
• Create a profile
• Delete a profile
• Fill out your education
• Answer questions about federal service
• Choose hiring paths in your profile
• Add languages in your profile
• Answer questions about military service
• Fill out your work experience
• Make your resume and profile searchable

Job announcement

• Understand a job announcement
• Understand announcement closing types
• Save a job announcement
• Remove a saved job announcement
• Contact an agency

Application

• Create an application
• Save an application
• Update an application
• Continue an application
• Check on the status of an application
• Archive an application
• Cancel an application
• View job applications
• Create a resume
• Build a resume
• Edit a resume
• Upload a resume
• Make a resume searchable
• Print a resume
• Upload documents
• Manage documents
• Fax documents
• Search by your preferences
• Save a search
• Sort search results
• Understand search results
• Unsubscribe from a saved search

Filter results by...

• Appointment type
• Hiring path
• Mission critical career field
• Security clearance
• Travel percentage
• Work schedule
• Zero job openings

Keyword and location

Get started.

USAJOBS posts all federal job opportunities with a position description and instructions how to apply. With USAJOBS.gov tools and resources, you can find the right federal job faster.

About USAJOBS

As the federal government's official employment site, USAJOBS has attracted over 16 million job seekers to create accounts to date.