One page or two?

The Google Translate service is available at https://translate.google.com

 OR    ?

Unsplash.com Photos by Marcel Eberle

Many students new to resume writing want to put every possible job, skills, and achievement they have accomplished. That is not the purpose of a resume. A hiring manager will peruse your resume for 20 to 30 seconds to get the highlights of your experience. The most important concept to remember is to consider this a summary for a specific job that you are applying for, not a complete work or skill history. 

Here are some guidelines for one page versus two. 

When to use one-page résumés

1. New college graduates and other entry-level job seekers tend to need a one-page résumé for the following reasons.

  • The applicant does not have enough relevant experience to fill more than one page
  • The situation requires the résumé to focus on coursework and/or other leadership activities that connect you to the job you are seeking
  • The résumé must meet a job fairs' expectations
  • The résumé must meet a potential employer's expectations.

 

2. If you have less than ten years of experience, you may need to focus on one/two jobs, which may shorten your résumé to one page.

  • Focus on skills you have obtained
  • Do not record every single action of that job to take up space; emphasize the relevant duties

 

3. If you are pursuing a radical career change, much of your experience may not be relevant to the new job.

  • Focus on the relevant skills you have obtained
  • Do not stretch your information to cover more than one page if you cannot relate it to your current goal in some way

When to use two-page résumés

1. Some new college graduates and other entry-level job seekers do have the experience to qualify for a two-page résumé.

  • Some employers require a second, separate page for references
  • The length of the document depends on relevant jobs, internships, extracurricular involvement, and leadership
  • Do not make your font smaller than 10 or your margins less than 1 inch. If you must do this to fit a one-page résumé, consider the two-page format
  • Remember that some recruiters at job fairs will accept a two-page résumé, but you should bring a one-page version to be safe
  • Always ask a company if they accept two-page résumés before sending one

 

2. Consider a two-page résumé if you are above entry-level positions, but below the executive level.

  • You should include the various jobs/duties you have held

 

3. If you are seeking a job that requires technical/engineering/scientific skills, you may need a second page.

  • You should list/prove your technical/scientific knowledge and/or experience

 

Source: Using Two Pages or More // Purdue Writing Lab Links to an external site.