A one-page resume is ideal if it can capture all the essential details without leaving out critical information. However, if condensing everything into a single page means sacrificing key achievements or experiences, then extending to two pages is the better option. In this article, we explore what HR experts and hiring managers have to say on this topic.
A resume should be one page long when you can include all your relevant experience, achievements, and qualifications clearly and concisely within that space. If you have additional key details that cannot be effectively presented on a single page, then using two pages is perfectly acceptable.
The truth is that your resume should be as long as it needs to be. Some candidates find that a one-page document works well because it presents all essential information in a clear, organized way without overcrowding. Others may need two pages to highlight years of relevant experience, significant contributions, or professional accomplishments.
The decision on whether to keep your resume to one page is not purely a reflection of how long you have been working. Instead, it depends on how many relevant and impactful details you can present from your past roles, projects, or achievements.
Hiring managers want resumes that make essential information easy to find and evaluate. If all of that can fit into one page, then that is ideal. If not, a second page is completely fine, provided it adds value.
In this article, we will break down when your resume should be one page and when it is better to use two, drawing on insights from hiring experts. We will also provide strategies to help you condense your resume into a single page without losing clarity.
According to Hiring Decision-Makers, Should a Resume Be One Page or Not?
A resume should be one page if that is sufficient to highlight the most important details from your background that are directly relevant to the job. However, if one page is not enough to communicate your relevant accomplishments and experience, then extending to two pages is recommended.
The “one-page resume rule” is not set in stone. Two-page resumes are acceptable as long as the second page contains substantial information and is not filled with unnecessary content.
Jon Morgan, CEO of Venture Smarter, explains:
“It’s all about precision. If you can tell your story in one page, that’s usually enough. The key is clarity—whether you’re working with one page or two, make sure the most important information stands out and is easy to navigate.”
Spencer Romenco, Chief Growth Strategist at Growth Spurt, adds:
“It’s not just about experience or skills. The real deciding factor is how relevant and impactful the content is to the job you’re applying for. If you can clearly communicate your strengths and achievements in one page without leaving out anything crucial, go for it. But if you’re cutting important details, then expanding to two pages makes sense.”
The bottom line is this: if keeping your resume to one page forces you to cut out valuable information or compromises readability, then extending to two pages is the smarter choice.
Different Hiring Manager Perspectives on Resume Length
Hiring managers generally agree that one page is not a strict rule. The more important factor is how effectively you communicate your value.
Eli Itzhaki, who reviews resumes for all applicants at Keyzoo, explains:
“A resume should be one page long if the candidate can present everything clearly and concisely without losing important details. On the other hand, trying to force everything onto one page can backfire. I’ve seen resumes where people left out important sections just to make it fit one page, and that’s a mistake. If the information is valuable, it’s better to go over a page than to cut out the good stuff.”
Dmytro Tymoshenko, CEO of Eightify, is more in favor of keeping resumes concise:
“It’s always better to have your resume on one page. Even if you have a lot of experience, chances are, not everything is relevant to the position you are applying for. However, for senior candidates and those with lots of experience in different fields, I can understand that a second page might be necessary.”
Gregory Shein, CEO of Nomadic Soft, who has extensive HR and recruiting experience, emphasizes content over length:
“We prioritize substance over length when evaluating resumes. We look for candidates who can clearly articulate their value and demonstrate a strong fit for our company culture, regardless of whether their resume is one or two pages.”
Ultimately, the strength of your resume lies in the quality and relevance of its content, not in how many pages it spans.
Why You Hear Conflicting Advice About Resume Length
The reason you often hear conflicting opinions about whether a resume should be one page comes down to several factors:
- Industry standards: Some industries lean toward concise resumes, while others value more detail.
- Recruitment practices: Applicant tracking systems (ATS) have changed the way resumes are processed.
- Recruiter preferences: Every hiring manager has their own approach to resume length.
- Experience levels: What works for a recent graduate may not be suitable for a senior-level professional.
Both sides of the debate raise valid points. The one-page resume can be powerful because it is easy to scan and visually appealing. However, it can be restrictive for professionals with longer work histories. Two-page resumes allow for more context and a fuller demonstration of expertise.
The most important takeaway is this: there is no universal rule. The length of your resume should be determined by how effectively you can present your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements.
When to Use a One-Page Resume
A one-page resume is most effective when you can fit all your most relevant experience and achievements into a single page without sacrificing clarity. By keeping everything concise, you emphasize the essentials and present a more focused, engaging application.
Having a shorter resume does not weaken your candidacy. What matters most is not the length of your resume but the quality of its content, the strength of your phrasing, and how well it aligns with the job description.
Here are situations where a one-page resume is ideal:
- You have less than 5–8 years of professional experience, and your career progression is straightforward or highly specialized in one area.
- You can summarize your major contributions in each role with 3–7 impactful bullet points.
- Your target industry or position values brevity, such as in creative or fast-paced fields.
- You are a student, recent graduate, or early-career professional applying for junior or entry-level positions.
- You are transitioning careers and need to highlight transferable skills rather than an extensive work history.
When Not to Use a One-Page Resume
A single-page resume is not always practical. If limiting yourself to one page means leaving out significant details or important context, a two-page resume is more appropriate.
Here are circumstances where extending to two pages makes sense:
- You have more than 5–8 years of professional experience across multiple roles, with significant contributions and achievements.
- Your accomplishments in past positions require more than 5–7 bullet points to fully demonstrate your value.
- You have managed teams, led large-scale projects, or achieved measurable business results that need additional explanation.
- You are applying for leadership roles, senior management, or highly specialized technical positions that require deeper context.
- You work in industries where comprehensive resumes are expected, such as academia, research, or technical fields.
- You have valuable credentials, certifications, or professional accomplishments that warrant inclusion.
How to Make a Resume Fit Into One Page
When one page is the best option, the challenge becomes presenting your experience effectively within a limited space. Here are practical strategies to achieve this:
1. Use a space-efficient resume template
Select a minimalist template designed to maximize space while maintaining readability. Avoid elaborate graphics or decorative designs, as they consume space and are not ATS-friendly. Instead, opt for a clean, simple layout that emphasizes organization and clarity.
2. Streamline your summary or objective section
Your summary should highlight your key strengths in as few words as possible. Identify your most important points, cut unnecessary buzzwords, and merge related ideas into concise sentences. This way, you showcase your career highlights without wasting space.
3. Condense your work experience section
List only the roles that are relevant to the position you are applying for. Limit your entries to 3–7 bullet points per role, focusing on quantifiable achievements. Avoid going back more than 10–15 years unless the experience is highly relevant.
4. Simplify the education section
Keep education details to a single line that includes your qualification, institution, and location. For example: BA in Marketing | University College London | London, UK
5. Remove non-essential sections and bullet points
Sections such as extracurriculars, volunteering, or hobbies should only remain if they add unique value to your application. Likewise, certifications can be listed in a single line rather than described in detail.
6. Focus your skills section
Include only skills that match the job description. Remove outdated, irrelevant, or non-essential abilities, and limit soft skills to those that directly strengthen your candidacy.
7. Rewrite sentences and bullet points
Review your resume carefully and refine word choices to be more concise. Use strong action verbs, eliminate redundancy, and shorten lengthy sentences without losing impact. For example, “Implemented cost-saving initiatives that reduced expenses by 20%” is far more effective than a longer, less direct statement.
8. Adjust formatting
Small changes to formatting can free up space. Use 9–10pt font for body text, 14–16pt for headings, reduce margins to 0.5 inches, and keep line spacing between 1.0–1.15. Choose a professional, narrow font such as Source Sans Pro.
Summary
To summarize, a one-page resume works best when you can present all relevant information clearly and concisely. If cutting your resume down to one page means sacrificing valuable details, extending to two pages is the better choice. Tailor your resume to the role by highlighting only the most relevant skills and achievements, and remember that substance always outweighs length.
FAQs
Can my resume be two pages long?
Yes. Two-page resumes are perfectly acceptable if you have significant experience and accomplishments that justify the extra space. Aim to fill the second page with meaningful information, but avoid adding filler content.
Does my resume have to be one page?
No, it is not a strict rule. While a one-page resume is often sufficient for professionals with less than 8–10 years of experience, two pages are acceptable when you have substantial credentials or achievements to highlight.
How many pages should my resume be if it’s my first job?
For your first job, one page is the standard. Focus on highlighting education, internships, volunteer experience, and transferable skills. Keep your content concise and relevant to the role.
If I have years of experience, should I still stick to one page?
If you have fewer than 8–10 years of experience, aim for a one-page resume. However, if you need more space to include meaningful achievements, a second page can be justified. For senior professionals with more than a decade of experience, a two-page resume is often expected.