How to Make a Resume: Step-by-Step Resume Writing Guide
How to write a resume that will get the job done? This step-by-step guide will show you the best resume examples and how to make a professional resume in a few easy steps.
If your resume is one page, will the recruiter think, “Meh, too flimsy”? If it’s longer, will they sigh, “Oh no, War and Peace again”?
Should a resume be one page or more? No need for mind-reading, there's a definitive answer.
This guide will answer:
- Does a resume have to be one page?
- How to write a one page resume that gets more interviews.
- How to make your resume one page if it's too long.
- A one page resume template you can use to get that dream job.
Here's a sample one page resume made using our resume builder.
Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.
Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume samples here.
Were you looking for resume templates? See:
- One Page Resume Template
- Blank Resume Template
- Basic Resume Template
- Word Resume Template
- Modern Resume Template
- Student Resume Template
- Traditional Resume Template
- Free Resume Templates
- Free Minimalist Resume Template
One Page Resume Facts
How long is a resume supposed to be? The experts say, "It depends." On what?
The table below answers all your 1-page resume questions, fast. Don't stop here though. Read on for the reasons behind the answers, plus tips on how to trim the fat.
Here's all the data you need:
| One Page Resume Facts | |
| One page resume or two page resume? | One—If possible |
| Should a resume be one page? | Yes—for all but very seasoned applicants |
| Does a resume have to be one page? | No—if 10+ years of experience or lots of achievements |
| Employers Who Say Entry-Level Workers Should Have 1 Page Resumes | 66% |
| Employers Who Say Seasoned Workers Shouldn't Use 1-Page Resumes | 77% |
| Seasoned Employees Who Use 1–Page Resumes Anyway | 39% |
So you've learned the basics about resume length and you know when to definitely keep yours to a single page. Before we move on to sharing some tips for how to squeeze more into a single, page, here's a thought—
Why wouldn't you make your life easier and just go for one of our tried-and-tested templates that help save space and fit more onto one page? Just see the gallery below, pick the template you like best and fill it out in minutes thanks to our helpful wizard & ready-to-use examples for every section. Then—simply download with one click.
One-Page Resumes to Download and Use
1. Nanica
Nanica is an example of the right balance between a typical, formal one-page resume and a sprinkle of creativity. The two-column layout helps you save space and adds a dynamic touch. Tons of white space make Nanica easy on the viewer's eyes. A universal one-page resume that can be used by candidates across all fields and seniority levels.
2. Primo
Primo, just like Nanica, uses two columns to save space and let you make a one page resume with little effort (even if previously you had to settle for two pages). Simple and elegant, Primo will work great for corporate job applications such as marketing, sales, or help desk.
3. Cubic
Cubic has it all: nice shading, great variety of color combinations, a modern-yet-timeless design. We've designed this one specifically to help you manage the space on your one page resume. No other template available in our builder will let you fit as much on just one page. Highly recommended for experienced candidates.
4. Diamond
This classical one-pager is a favorite amongst our users applying for jobs in business and finance. It's a full-width resume emphasizing the chronological progression of your career. Pick this one if you're targeting a job in banking, consulting, or financial analysis.
5. Newcast
Last but not least, Newcast. The most basic of our single-page resume designs. It has everything a good resume should include but no extra gimmicks. Newcast will be a very smart choice if you're submitting a resume for academic admissions or targeting jobs in industries considered "conservative."
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Should a Resume Be One Page?
A resume should be one page most of the time. One-page resumes are recommended for candidates with just a few years of work experience and those who are only starting out on the job market. Your resume can be longer than one page only when you have 10+ years of experience or lots of relevant professional achievements.
A resume is like a movie trailer. Trailers run about 3 minutes. Should a trailer for a longer movie be 6 minutes?
The real question is, "How do I make my one page resume look good?" In most cases, the answer is, use only your best achievements that fit a single page.
As we'll see, some job offers will demand a two-page resume.
So, how many pages for a resume?
Is It Better to Have a One Page Resume?
A one page resume is usually better. According to a survey of hiring managers by Saddleback College, 48% of employers want a 1 page resume. The exception? A two page resume works better for positions that require 10+ years of experience.
| One-Page Resume—Pros |
|---|
The reasons for a 1-page resume are clarity and ease of use. A single-page resume stands out. It's more approachable. The manager doesn't have to wade through a gigantic wall of words.That makes it easier to find your best achievements and hire you. |
| One-Page Resume—Cons |
|---|
The reasons to avoid a one-page resume are experience and looking flimsy. If you're going for a job that requires 10+ years of experience, you need to show it. A two-page resume crammed with achievements does that best. |
Does a Resume Have to Be One Page?
Resumes don't have to be one page, but it usually helps. Unless you've got over a decade of experience, you can fit it in one page. Think of that movie trailer again. Just put your best bits in that fill the space. Cut the rest.
Can a Resume Be 2 Pages?
If you've got lots of experience and achievements related to the job offer, a short resume can actually hold you back. A two page resume (or 3-page) can work for managerial jobs, executive-level jobs, veteran project managers, and so on.
Should a Resume Be One Page or Two?
In the old days of paper, fax machines, and stegosaurus battling men in horn-rimmed glasses, one pagers were paramount. Now, with email, Applicant Tracking Systems, and keywords, the shackles have been lifted from the 2 page resume. Even so, a single page is generally better.
The Elon Musk One Page Resume
An Elon Musk one-page resume sample has made its rounds on the internet. Supposedly, it's proof there's never a reason to use two pages. First, Musk could get a job with a resume on a postage stamp. Second, it used nearly microscopic font.
Pro Tip: Now that you know most resumes should be one page, your next step is to do it right. See the next section for tips on how to make a one-page resume.
Still convinced you need more than a one page resume? Double-check with this guide: How Long Should a Resume Be? The Definitive Answer.
Know for a fact you need a 2 page resume format? See our guide: Do 2 Page Resumes Crush Your Chances? [+Format]
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, our free resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.
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How to Fit a Resume on One Page
Need a single-page resume, but don't know how to do it?
If you've got less than five years of experience, you almost certainly need a one-page resume.
Here are several tips for how to fit a resume on one page.
1. Tailor Your Resume
It's okay to have 4-page list of accomplishments. Just don't put it in your resume unless you're going for a senior position. Customize your resume for each past job. Show 3-5 achievements that fit best with this job offer. Custom-fitting will help save space and cut the chaff.
2. Shorten Your Bullet Points
Save space with bullet points instead of paragraphs. Bullets are the best way to describe experience and education on a resume. Make them 1-2 lines each. You should never need a 3-line bullet point. Short, punchy statements work best.
3. Use Fewer Bullet Points for the Best One Page Resume
Use 3-5 bullet points per past job max as a space-saving technique. Your bullets should show your best few measurable achievements. Make them the most impressive things you did at that job. Make sure they're relevant to this new position too.
4. Focus on Your Most Impressive Achievements
Say you racked up 30 amazing accomplishments at your last job. Does your next employer really need to know about them all? It's enough to share the top few. Again, this is a commercial, not the full movie. Save space by tossing out redundancies.
5. Trim Your Education
Unless you're going for an internship or entry-level job, experience trumps education. Experienced applicants should list 2-3 bullet points in their education sections. The exception? If you've got extra training specific to the job, show it.
6. Don't Use MS Word Templates
Don't use one page resume format doc free downloads. Why? Single page resume templates in Word can turn out longer on the hiring manager's computer. Resume in PDF or .docx? We say PDF. Word docs look different on different machines, but PDFs don't change.
7. Don’t List References on Your Resume
Many applicants add "references available upon request" at the bottom of their resumes. Skipping that part isn't just a space-saving technique. It also prevents cluttering up your resume with something managers already know.
8. Trim Your Summary
As a resume coach, I've seen some egregiously-long summaries. I've read resumes with 10-line openings, followed by 9 bullet points. That's not a summary. It's an entire resume. Cut your resume summary to 3-5 lines of text, with short sentences.
9. Focus on Accomplishments
Stick to accomplishments to keep your resume 1 page. Don't list rambling job descriptions. Instead, discuss money you saved, time you saved, or quality you improved. Focus on specific ways you used key job skills to make things better for your company.
10. Use Smaller Fonts
Yes you can make the resume font size smaller to make a resume one page. Just don't go overboard. A tiny font makes life harder for the manager. It also shows you cut corners, slapping half-baked solutions onto problems.
11. Use Smaller Margins
Toy with margins to save space and hit the one page resume sweet spot. Just like with fonts, there's a limit to how far you can go. The key is not to clog every square millimeter of the page. White space makes your resume less daunting.
12. Be Creative with Formatting
Try using multiple columns or different resume layouts to fit more content. Not a graphic artist with advanced layout skills? Use our resume generator to get your layout right the first time. You'll get several free one page resume templates to make the process easy.
Pro Tip: Need more tips to write a great 1-page resume? Start thinking about what you can cut entirely. See the next section for an actionable list of space-savers.
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What to Leave off a One Page Resume
Can't cram it all on one page? Maybe you don't need to.
Like a sinking air balloon, a too-long resume can toss unwanted items to shed weight.
You might be surprised to learn you don't need any of the sections shown below. Cut them entirely to help with fitting a resume on one page.
1. Address
In most cases, you don't need a full street address on a resume. Leaving it off is a good way to save space. It also saves time for the manager, since it cuts unneeded clutter. It's enough to list the same city as the job.
2. High School
If you've got too many great achievements to make your resume 1 page, you definitely don't need high school on it. Include your wonder years only if you're having trouble filling that first page and you need extra material.
3. Old or Irrelevant Jobs
Toss out any job that's more than 10 years old. The same goes for jobs that aren't related to the new position, aka irrelevant work experience. List older experience only if you're having trouble filling up page 1 of your resume. Even then, add achievements that fit the new position.
4. References
Leave off any references. If you have to include them, don’t say "references available upon request." It's assumed, and it takes up valuable space you need for your impressive achievements. Learn when and how to list references on your resume here.
5. Irrelevant "Other" Info
To save space, skip "other" resume sections like interests, hobbies, volunteering, and additional activities. These details make great additions to a resume when they're related to the job offer. For instance, if they prove you've got a desired skill. Otherwise, you can drop them.
Pro Tip: Need some great examples of one-page resume templates for every profession? See the next section for a link to dozens of guides.
Want to know exactly what to put into a single page resume? See this guide: What to Put on a Resume to Make it Perfect [Tips & Examples]
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One Page Resume Examples
Why reinvent the wheel?
Nothing ramps up background stress like a blank page you need to turn into a resume.
So, don't start from scratch. We've got reams of one-page resume templates to slingshot you to an avalanche of interviews.
You'll find everything from one page resumes for marketing to project manager to customer service, graphic design, computer science, and all points in between: Free Resume Examples and Complete Guides for Every Profession
Pro Tip: Got lots of experience for a job offer that demands a highly experienced candidate? If so, you can write two or even multiple page resumes.
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Key Takeaway
It's pretty easy to write a one-page resume. Just follow these key tips:
- First, know whether you should write a 1 page resume. If the job requires lots of experience, a 2 page resume is okay. Everyone else should stick to a single page.
- Next, cut the fat. That's as simple as saying, "I have one page to fit my resume into." Cram in the best bits that fit the job description and leave out the rest.
- Finally, use the one page resume examples in this article. A good 1-page resume example can save a ton of work.
Want to know more about how to write a 1 page resume? Maybe you've got some great one page resume ideas? Give us a shout in the comments! Let's start the conversation!
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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.
