8 Resume Tips for Ex-Offenders
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The question of whether a resume should be limited to a single page has long been a topic of debate among job seekers and career experts.
In this guide, we’ll delve into key considerations for deciding between a one or two-page resume and provide expertly crafted one-page resume examples to help you build your job-winning resume.
There is no set rule that your resume must be one page long. While a one-page resume is often preferred for entry-level or junior positions, it's acceptable to have a two-page resume if you have extensive relevant experience or accomplishments.
Does a resume have to be one page?
While a one-page resume is often recommended, it is not a strict requirement. The length of your resume should be determined by the content's relevance and impact rather than trying to fit it into a specific page count.
If you have extensive work experience, quantifiable accomplishments and additional qualifications worth showcasing, extending your resume to two pages may be appropriate.
It's important to consider the specific requirements and preferences of the company or industry you are applying to and to prioritize the most important information on the first page to capture the attention of hiring managers.
Benefits of one-page resumes
While your resume does not have to be one page, there are certainly benefits to writing a resume that fits on a single page. We’ve detailed the advantages of one-page resumes below:
- Time constraints: Hiring managers often have limited time to review each application. A one-page resume allows them to quickly scan and evaluate your skills and work history without getting overwhelmed by excessive information.
- Clarity and focus: A one-page resume encourages you to be clear and focused in presenting your qualifications, ensuring that the most important details stand out.
- ATS compatibility: Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan and filter resumes. One-page resumes tend to be ATS-friendly, as they are less likely to encounter issues with formatting and compatibility.
- Visual impact: With limited space, you can pay more attention to the design and visual appeal of your one-page resume, making it visually engaging and memorable.
Use our free ATS resume checker to scan your resume for 30+ common errors and receive instant feedback on improving your resume score.
Should your resume be one page or two pages?
The decision of whether your resume should be one page or two pages depends on several factors, including your level of experience, the industry you're applying to and the specific job requirements.
We’ve detailed a few key considerations to keep in mind when deciding between a one-page or two-page resume length.
Level of experience
If you have less than 10 years of professional experience or are a recent graduate, keeping your resume to one page is generally recommended.
Hiring managers typically spend only a few seconds reviewing each resume, and a concise, one-page document makes it easier for them to quickly assess your professional skills and qualifications.
If you have over 10 years of experience or have held multiple positions, you may need a two-page resume to adequately showcase your relevant skills and accomplishments.
In this case, it's crucial to ensure that the second page adds value and contains information that is directly relevant to the job you are applying for. Avoid including unnecessary details or padding your resume to fill up space.
Industry norms
Some industries, such as academia or research, may expect longer resumes as they often require more detailed information, such as publications, presentations or research projects.
Conversely, industries like design or marketing may prioritize a shorter, visually appealing one-page resume.
Research industry norms and consider what is expected in your field when deciding on the length of your resume.
Job requirements
Carefully review the job description and requirements to determine the most relevant information for the position.
Tailor your resume accordingly, focusing on the skills and experiences that align directly with the job. A personalized resume is much more likely to grab the hiring manager's attention.
If you find that including this information exceeds one page, extending your resume to two pages may be necessary. Remember to use keywords from the job description in your resume.
How to fit a resume on one page
There are a number of formatting and content tricks that you can use if you would prefer to condense your resume down to one page.
We also recommend exploring our one-page professional resume templates to take the guesswork out of designing your resume. For additional tips and template options, see our Harvard resume guide.
Below are tips from our Certified Professional Resume Writers on how to make your resume one page.
- Use a clear and concise resume summary or objective statement at the top of the page to introduce yourself and highlight your most relevant skills and experience.
- Prioritize your most recent and relevant work experience, and focus on describing your accomplishments and the impact you made in each role rather than simply listing your duties.
- Use bullet points, concise language and strong action verbs to keep descriptions brief and to the point. Avoid lengthy paragraphs or redundant information.
- Consider removing older or less significant positions, coursework or certifications that may be taking up valuable space.
- Adjust the font size to help fit everything onto one page. Use a legible resume font that is easy to read, and reduce the size to as low as 10 points to help fit everything on the page.
- Consider reducing the margins or adjusting line spacing to maximize space. However, do not reduce margins to less than half an inch.
- Be strategic with page breaks to ensure the most important information is on the first page. For example, you may want to move your education section to the bottom of the page.
One-page resume builder
Our Resume Builder makes it easy to create a one-page resume in a matter of minutes. Select a professionally designed template and follow the step-by-step prompts to enter your professional skills and background.
You’ll get expert tips and ready-made content suggestions from Certified Professional Resume Writers for each section of your resume.
You can preview your resume to ensure that the content fits in a single page, and make adjustments to the template as needed such as changing the font size or type and adjusting the sections.
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What not to include on a one-page resume
When creating a one-page resume, it's important to prioritize the most relevant information and leave off any details that don't directly contribute to your qualifications for the job. Here are some details to consider leaving off of your one-page resume:
- Irrelevant work experience: If you have had past work experience that is not directly related to the job you are applying for, consider leaving it off.
- Personal information: Information such as your age, marital status or religious affiliation is generally unnecessary and may even be considered discriminatory.
- References: It's not necessary to include references on your resume. Instead, have a separate list of references ready upon request.
- Hobbies and interests: While it's good to showcase your personality, hobbies and interests are generally not relevant to the job and can take up valuable space on a one-page resume.
- High school education: Unless you are a recent high school graduate or your high school education is directly relevant to the job, leave it off of your resume. See our high school graduate resume examples if you recently graduated.
- Unrelated skills: Avoid listing hard skills or soft skills that are not directly relevant to the job you are applying for.
What is the best one-page resume layout?
The best layout for a one-page resume is one that is clean, simple and easy to read. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while you format your resume:
- Use a legible font that is easy to read, such as Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman.
- Use bullet points to break up long paragraphs and make the content easier to skim.
- Use clear headings and subheadings to organize your content and make it easier to navigate.
- Include white space between sections to make the resume less cluttered and more visually appealing.
- Use bold or italicized text to emphasize important information, such as job titles or accomplishments.
- Use a consistent format throughout the resume, including font size, spacing and margins.
- Consider using a simple, professional design element, such as a light-colored header or border, to add visual interest without distracting from the content.
The layout of your resume will also depend on the resume format you use. Below is a breakdown of the three main resume formats.
The chronological resume format lists your work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent job. This format allows hiring managers to easily see your work history and progression.
The functional resume format focuses on your skills and qualifications rather than emphasizing your work history. It is ideal for individuals with gaps in their employment, career changers or those with limited work experience.
The combination resume format combines elements of both the chronological and functional formats. This format is useful if you have relevant skills that you want to emphasize alongside your work experience.
One-page resume examples & templates
Explore the professionally crafted one-page resume examples and templates below in each of the three resume formats.
We also recommend browsing our library of 800+ resume examples to get inspired by real-world resumes for different jobs, industries and career levels.
One-page chronological resume
One-page combination resume
One-page functional resume
One-page resume writing tips
- Prioritize quality over quantity: Focus on including the most relevant and impactful information rather than trying to fill up space. Quality content is more important than sheer length
- Be concise: Use clear and concise language to convey your qualifications and experiences. Avoid long paragraphs and unnecessary details.
- Format effectively: Organize your resume in a clean and easy-to-read manner. Use bullet points, headings and white space to make it visually appealing and skimmable.
- Tailor your resume: Customize your resume for each job application, highlighting the most relevant skills and experiences that align with the specific role.
Key takeaways
- A one-page resume can be highly effective in capturing the attention of hiring managers, as it forces you to prioritize and condense your most relevant and impactful information.
- It's important to consider the specific requirements and preferences of the company or industry you are applying to when deciding between a one-page and two-page resume.
- Using concise language, adjusting the font size, and editing carefully are key strategies when creating a clear and professional one-page resume.
- The length of your resume should be determined by the content's relevance and impact rather than trying to fit it into a specific page count.
FAQ
Do employers prefer one-page resumes?
Employers’ preferences for resume length and what your resume should look like can vary depending on the industry, position and the seniority level of the role.
For entry-level or early-career positions, many prefer one-page resumes since they are concise and easy to read. See our guide on how to make a resume with no experience for additional considerations.
However, for more senior-level positions or roles that require extensive experience or a diverse skill set, a longer two-page or three-page resume may be more appropriate to fully showcase a candidate’s professional history.
Is it okay to have a two-page resume?
Absolutely! It is okay to have a two-page resume, especially if you have extensive work experience, education or relevant skills to showcase.
However, remember that hiring managers may not have the time to read through a lengthy document, so it is important to be strategic in structuring and formatting your resume.
Focus on your most recent and relevant experience, and try to keep your older work history to a minimum. See what to put on a resume for additional guidance on what to include.
In some countries, it is common for resumes to span beyond two pages. For instance, an Australian resume is expected to be anywhere from two to five pages, depending on years of experience.
Is a one-page resume outdated?
No, a one-page resume is not outdated regarding U.S. resume best practices.
While there is some flexibility in resume length, particularly for more experienced professionals, a well-crafted one-page resume is highly effective in capturing the attention of hiring managers.
A one-page resume forces you to prioritize and condense your most relevant and impactful information, making it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly assess your qualifications.
Ultimately, the length of your resume should be determined by the content and relevance of your experience rather than a strict rule about page count.
See our resume profile examples and resume About Me examples for guidance on introducing yourself succinctly and effectively in your one-page resume.
Is a 1.5-page resume okay?
A one-and-a-half-page resume can create visual imbalance, especially if the second page contains only a small amount of information. This can make your resume appear disjointed and unprofessional.
If your resume is one-and-a-half pages, we recommend reducing it to a single page or adding relevant and high-quality content to fill two complete pages.
Wondering how to shorten a resume to one page? Consider removing older or less significant positions, coursework or certifications and adjusting formatting, spacing or font size to help fit everything onto one page.
If you have extensive work experience, relevant accomplishments or additional qualifications worth showcasing, you may consider extending your resume to two full pages.
Ensure that the information you include is truly valuable and relevant to the position you are applying for. Avoid stretching the content to fill the space just to reach two pages. Use a resume outline to keep track of your career accomplishments and decide which are worth including in your resume.
How we reviewed this article
Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process.
Sources
- Coursera. Blog. How Many Pages Should a Resume Be? Guide + Tips
- Virginia Tech. Career and Professional Development. Length of your resume or CV
- CNBC. Article. Malinsky, Gili. How long a resume should be, according to experts
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Elizabeth is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and a member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches. She is passionate about delivering information that empowers job seekers to achieve their professional goals.
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