One page resume: when to use, how to create and more

Having a one-page resume is often viewed as the remit of entry-level applicants who don’t have the level of experience to warrant a two-page version. However, many hiring managers can prefer a more concise and compact summary of your skills, experience, and achievements after receiving zillions of resumes in response to a job posting.

Is it possible to squeeze all your career highlights into a one-page resume? Does a one-page resume equate to inexperience? Would this approach work if you’re a seasoned professional? In this article, we’ll explore these questions and more on the one page resume, including:

• Should a resume be one page?

• What should you include on a one page resume?

• Tips on fitting your resume on one page

• Example of a one page resume

Should a resume be one page?

Recruiters will typically receive tons of resumes when they advertise a job opening. When you know they spend less than 6 or 7 seconds reviewing a resume, it makes sense that having a succinct, well-written resume could make all the difference. Here’s some advantages of the one-page resume:

• Allows you to shine a spotlight on your career achievements

• Your application is direct, impactful, and easy to read

• Demonstrates your strong communication/writing skills

• Saves the hiring manager precious time

Of course there is a caveat to the one-page version. If you’re a more seasoned professional you may find this approach more limiting. You’ll likely have a wealth of experience and achievements, combined with a diverse skill set that you need to highlight via your resume. In this case a two- or three-page version may be more appropriate.

What should you include on a one page resume?

Creating a one-page resume is achieved by being super selective in terms of the skills, qualifications, and experience you include. Here’s a guide to the five areas you want to cover:

1. Contact details

Introduce yourself by starting with your name and contact information. Make your name the biggest component on the page and provide accurate contact information, including a professional email address, cell number, LinkedIn profile, and portfolio link. 

2. Professional summary

This is a critical section to get right when you make a resume. It’s one of the first things the reader will see, and can make or break their desire to continue reading. Summarize your skills and expertise in two or three compelling, yet compact statements. 

3. Core skills

Review the job description for keywords that are repeated and emphasized as this helps ATS-proof your resume and shows that you’re in touch with employer priorities. Try to stick to five or six skills that are marked as essential or important in the job description so you can tailor your resume to the specific job opportunity.

4. Relevant experience

Your work experience tends to be the longest section on your resume so this can be one section that can be trickier than others when you’re trying to achieve a one page version. Focus on recent and relevant experience, using bullet points to highlight this information. The hiring manager doesn’t need to know your entire career journey, so it’s more about cherry picking your career highlights that align with the job opening.

5. Education

Detail your education that is relevant to the job you are applying for and keep it short and sweet. Most hiring managers will be interested in the level and area of study, and where this study was completed. You can list professional certifications in the same way.

Tips on fitting your resume on one page

Now you have the sections you need to include, this now needs to be placed on the page to create an attractive one page resume. Here’s a few tips to help you present your information in the best possible light:

Choose a suitable format for your one page resume

The format of a one-page resume needs to be organized and attractive. Essentially, you need to maximize the space, while avoiding your document looking cluttered. Here’s how:

• Section headers will help improve readability for the hiring manager. These can be in larger font than the rest of the content and in bold to stand out

• Consider using a two-column layout on your resume to maximize space. This will help you include different sections, while maintaining an attractive presentation.

• Avoid long paragraphs in your one page resume. Bullet points are a great way to outline details of your work experience and achievements in a direct and succinct way.

• Play around with margins, spacing, indentations, and fonts (no less than 10pt) to enhance readability and the overall presentation of your resume.

Don’t list your entire professional experience

When creating a resume, most of us have fallen into the trap of detailing our entire career journey from high school to present day, or perhaps included in-depth details in our work experience section. While there’s no doubt your experience is valuable, approaching this from the perspective of a recruiter could make you realize that sometimes this can be overkill.

Focus on detailing more recent and relevant experience as this will be of most interest to recruiters. You can check the job description for priorities of the role and essential requirements, then ensure you tick all these boxes in your professional experience section. Bullet points are a great way to present this information, with quantifiable results included where possible.

Be clear and concise

Being clear and concise when creating a one-page resume will help you stay on track. Create bullet points that are only one or two lines long for maximum impact, and make sure to highlight your achievements. For example, “Boosted sales by 20% YoY via lead generation and achieved 100% retention by actively engaging with existing clients,” tells clients what you have delivered in the workplace and why they should hire you.

One-page resume example

Here’s an example of a one-page resume template that you can adapt to your requirements and that ticks all the boxes in terms of the sections you need to include:

Copyable Example:

If your one page resume has landed you an interview, congratulations! Check out our Interview Prep tool to help you navigate the interview process with confidence.

Key takeaways

1. One page resumes help you focus on the skills, qualifications, and experience relevant to the job opening, demonstrating your excellent communication skills and role suitability.

2. Include core sections, maximize space, and if you’re targeting different types of roles then having different versions of your one page resume will be more effective.

3. Hiring managers can receive hundreds of resumes following a job posting, so it’s refreshing to receive something a little different like a one-page resume.