The One-Page Resume vs. the Two-Page Resume

When it comes to writing your resume, size does matter. Resume experts weigh in on how many pages your resume should be, based on your level of experience and occupation.

By Moira Lawler, Monster contributor

There’s an age-old debate about whether size matters that affects job seekers: How long should your resume be?

A short or skimpy resume will lead recruiters and hiring managers to believe you don't have a lot to offer. But if your resume is too long, no hiring manager is going to read it all the way to the end. It may even make them annoyed.

So, what’s the middle ground for writing your resume? While there’s no hard-and-fast rule, says resume expert Kim Isaacs, your industry and level of experience can help you determine if your resume should be one or two (or more) pages long.

When to Use a One-Page Resume

The one-page resume is ideal for entry-level workers, new college graduates, and those who have a few years of work experience. Additionally, you should consider a one-page resume if you’re looking to make a career change and don’t have much experience relevant to your new goal.

“The quicker you can get to the point, the better,” Isaacs says. Hiring managers are busy people, sometimes having to sort through hundreds of applications.

The average time you have to capture a reader's attention is around six seconds. During that time, they'll be determining whether you fit their needs or not.

So, how can you make good use of your resume real estate and really stand out?

By being strategic with keywords, quantifying your achievements, and, most importantly, keeping it concise. This way, your resume will make a good first impression on the recruiter, as it typically serves as your first point of contact when you apply to a company. Not to mention, a resume that’s all over the place doesn’t say much about your organizational skills, does it?

When to Use a Two-Page Resume

That doesn’t mean you have to cram all of your experience on one page with a teeny tiny font that you need a magnifying glass to read. Readability and overall presentation need to be factored in, too.

“Most resume reviewers would rather read a well-laid-out, easy-to-skim, two-page resume than a one-page resume that jams too much information on the page,” Isaacs says.

A two-page resume makes sense for many job seekers, especially those who are further along in their career, with 10 or more years of relevant job experience. The extra page may be needed to convey all of the critical information an employer needs to know. Keep in mind, however, that the second page likely won’t get as much attention as the first, so it’s best to make sure you’re using the right resume format (think: chronological vs. functional).

When to Use a Three-Page (or Longer) Resume

Most people believe resumes should fit on two pages max, no matter how long you’ve been working. However, as with all rules, there are some exceptions.

For example, if you work for the federal government; you’re a senior-level manager with a long track record of accomplishments; or you’re writing an academic CV for a research or scientific position and have an extensive list of publications, speaking engagements, professional courses, licenses, or certifications; then you may need to extend your resume to three or more pages.

The Final Word on Resume Length

In the end, the length doesn’t matter quite as much as the content filling the pages. If you can capture your qualifications on one page, great. But if it takes two pages or more, that’s OK, too.

“I’ve had new grads do well with two-page resumes and top executives do well with only one page,” Isaacs says.

Just remember: Your resume should be a high-level look at your accomplishments that entices the hiring manager to want to learn more. “A resume is like the copy on the back cover of a book, designed to make you want to read the book,” Isaacs says. “It’s not the whole book.”

Once you’ve nailed down the right length for your resume, it's ready to go to work. Just like you.

Get Your Resume Checked Out

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