Should a resume be one page?

How long should your resume be?

When is a two-page resume better?

Choose two pages when cutting would remove evidence the employer actually needs: several promotions in the same field, technical projects that match the job, licences or certifications that are required, or a long list of clients or sites. Follow the two-page resume format below so the second page still feels intentional:

• Put your name and page number at the top of page two.
• Keep every important point for the target job on page one.
• Fill at least half of page two. A few lines on a second page looks like a layout mistake.
• Do not split a job entry across the two pages if you can avoid it.

How to turn your resume into one page: 12 tips

1. Use Fit to one page. In Free Resume Maker, the Design tab has a button that tightens spacing and then text size only as much as needed.
2. Cut jobs older than 10 to 15 years or reduce them to one line with title, company and dates.
3. Keep three bullets for recent roles and one or two for earlier ones.
4. Remove duties that are obvious from the job title, such as "attended meetings".
5. Delete the objective if you already have a summary, or shorten the summary to two lines.
6. Merge small sections: put languages and certifications together, or show skills in one line.
7. Drop "References available on request". Employers know they can ask.
8. Shorten your address to city and state; a full postal address is rarely needed.
9. Remove school details once you have a degree and some work experience.
10. Use a single-column template with tight but readable spacing, such as Meridian or Duet.
11. Keep body text at 10 to 11 points and margins around 1.3 to 2 cm. Going smaller hurts readability.
12. Rewrite long bullets so each one fits on one or two lines and starts with a verb.

How many jobs should you list on a resume?

List the jobs from roughly the last 10 to 15 years that relate to the role you want. For most people that means three to five jobs. Freshers can list internships, part-time jobs and major projects instead. If you have many short contracts in the same field, group them under one heading such as "Freelance projects, 2021 to 2025".

How far back should a resume go?

Go back about 10 to 15 years in detail. Older roles can stay as one line each in an "Earlier experience" section if they show progression or a famous employer. Leave out graduation years from decades ago if you are worried about age bias; it is your choice.

Is a CV one page?

A CV for an ordinary job in India, the UK or Europe is usually two pages, and freshers can keep a CV on one page. Academic CVs grow longer as you add research and publications. See CV vs resume for the difference.

Frequently asked questions

Do resumes need to be one page?

No. One page suits students, freshers and people with under five years of experience. Experienced professionals can use two pages if every section is relevant to the job.

Is a two-page resume bad?

No, as long as both pages are full of relevant achievements and the most important points are on page one. A two-page resume that repeats itself or pads content is worse than a tight one-page resume.

How do I fit my resume on one page?

Cut older or unrelated jobs, keep three bullets for recent roles, merge small sections, shorten your summary and use a single-column template. In Free Resume Maker, the Fit to one page button adjusts spacing and text size automatically.

What font size should a one-page resume use?

Use 10 to 11 points for body text and 14 to 20 points for your name. Smaller text may fit more words but makes the resume harder to read.