How to fit your resume on one page—and score the interview

While there is no rule that resumes must fit on one piece of paper, many job seekers prefer a resume that will fit on one page. Employers spend only a few seconds reviewing each resume, so submitting a one-page resume is a great way to ensure that they see what you want them to see without having to turn the page. This should not come at the expense of quality—if your work history requires more than one page, a two- or even three- page resume is acceptable—but as long as you can showcase all of your information efficiently and effectively enough to impress an employer, employers will appreciate your one-page resume.

How to write a one page resume

Brevity is the soul of wit, and this is true of writing your resume as well. A great resume tells the employer everything they need to know as efficiently as possible. Although it may be challenging to narrow everything down to one page, these tips can help you get your one-page resume ready in no time.

Cut and trim your resume content

When customizing your resume for a specific position, be prepared to cut any unnecessary content. To trim your resume, consider doing the following:

• Create a master list of your accomplishments, achievements, and work activities, then add only the relevant ones to your one-page resume.
• Cut out any extra years. Even if you are an experienced candidate, you should include no more than 10 or 15 years of experience on your resume.
• Match your skills to the job you are applying for. You don't have to add everything into your resume. Only what is relevant.
• Use bulleted lists and keep your job descriptions concise.
• Trim the education section. You don't need to include high school education or continuing education classes unless they enhance your candidacy.

Show your impact

Use examples to demonstrate that you are the right fit for the role you are applying for. This is a quick and impactful way to sell your skills. For example, say something like "helped company XYZ cut the cost of production by 30% in two years."

Tell recruiters who you are

A one-page resume requires that you be precise. In order to quickly give potential employers an idea of who you are and what you do, include a headline at the beginning of your resume. This way, they don’t have to read the whole resume to figure out what you do. For example, you can include something like this at the top of your one-page resume:

Robert Perry

Web developer, full stack developer, and knowledge ambassador

Pick a modern one-page resume template

The right resume format can help you fit your resume on a single page. Be sure to choose a resume template that uses space wisely and allows for customization. This way, you will be able to display your work history efficiently.

When should you use a multi-page resume?

One-page resumes are ideal for any job-seeker who can fit all of their skills and work experience on a single page. Recent graduates and people who have only been working for a few years, for example, should have no problem writing a one-page resume.

For job-seekers with many years of experience, however, more pages may be needed. A C-suite executive with decades in the business will likely need two or three pages to capture the scope of their experience. Longer resumes are also more common in certain professions, such as graphic design, medicine, and academia, which require listing extensive experience.

Core sections to include in a one-page resume

Here is a list of sections you must include in your resume:

• Name and contact information.
• Professional summary.
• Skills or key qualifications.
• Work Experience.
• Education.