Did you know that only two to three resumes result in a job interview? This piece of paper paves the way for a successful job application and an employment opportunity. So, you have to make the most of it to get to the next round.
However, one of the biggest resume concerns is the number of pages. A lot of job applicants usually ask: Should you opt for a one-page or a two-page resume?
Don’t worry; This page covers the difference between a one-page and a two-page resume. Weigh the pros and cons of each to make informed decisions for your job application.
Read on.
Primary Difference Between One-page Resume and the Two-page Resume
A resume is a formal document sent to an employer or human resources (HR) for a job application. It is a summary of your professional life, including your employment experience, educational attainment, and other credentials. A resume often goes with a cover letter detailing your interest in a job posting.
Grant Aldrich, Founder of Preppy, underscores the importance of a resume, whether with one page or two pages.
Aldrich says, “As you can see, your resume must allow you to present yourself as a professional in a positive light. It can make or break the recruiters’ decision to consider you for a screening or interview.”
Many job seekers wonder if it’s better to create a one-page or a two-page resume. Jeffrey Zhou, CEO and Founder of Fig Loans, cites the major difference between the two.
Zhou explains, “Obviously, the main difference lies in the number of pages. However, the most critical factor is the content piece that each page could accommodate. While a one-page resume may be restrictive on your part, a two-page resume might be lengthy for the hiring reviewer.”
Let’s take a Look at the advantages and disadvantages of a one-page and two-page resume below.
One-page Resume
Pros:
- Guaranteed readability: A one-page resume requires conciseness. It makes it easy for recruiters to read the entire page!
- No scanning: It lets recruiters look at your content instantly. There is no need to skim and scan for the next page!
- Data prioritization: A one-page resume lets you prioritize only key information, allowing recruiters to focus on the essentials!
Cons:
- Limited space: A one-page resume might not be enough for a job applicant with tons of experience and credentials.
- Data omission: It might require you to delete relevant information and even disregard vital credentials that recruiters should know.
- Professional restriction: It might not be suitable for experienced professionals with extensive experience and backgrounds.
Two-page Resume
Pros:
- Ample space: A two-page resume offers an additional page to discuss your experience, background, credentials, and other relevant information.
- Credential demonstration: A two-page resume provides a more comprehensive presentation of your knowledge, hard and soft skills, as well as abilities and competencies.
- Guaranteed accessibility: A two-page resume is ideal for all professionals, with or without extensive experience.
Cons:
- Long presentation: Some recruiters might consider a two-page resume lengthy. Chances are, they might skip a page or ignore some details!
- Irrelevancy or redundancy: By drafting a two-page resume, you risk adding irrelevant or redundant information.
- Keen review: A two-page resume requires careful organization of information to promote conciseness and readability.
Choosing between the two
Now, it’s time to choose between a one-page and a two-page resume. The key here is to weigh the pros and cons of each, as discussed above. But if you’re still undecided, consider the study conducted below.
ResumeGo surveyed 482 hiring professionals regarding their resume preferences in 2018.
The survey revealed that most recruiters preferred two-page resumes over one-page resumes, and they were 2.3 times more likely to choose the former over the latter.
The study consisted of recruiters, HR personnel, hiring managers, and even C-level executives. They underwent a hiring simulation tasked to screen resumes for multiple job posts. Surprisingly, they were impressed by the amount of information conveyed on two-page resumes, such as the following:
- Employment experiences
- Educational attainment
- Overall credentials
Wondering if recruiters might find reading two-page resumes a hassle? Don’t worry!
The study also found that they are willing to read resumes that are two pages long. They indeed spend time reviewing them instead of skimming over their content.
Jonathan Feniak, General Counsel at LLC Attorney, believes a resume should contain two pages.
He argues that “a one-page resume might restrict you from showcasing your credentials, such as work experience and academic achievement, as well as skills, competencies, and abilities. Meanwhile, a resume with more than two pages might overwhelm the recruiters and make them lose focus on the essentials. So, sticking to a two-page resume is best!”
Best Practices for Resume Writing
At this point, you’ve learned that having a two-page resume is ideal. Keep in mind, however, that the content still matters the most. The questions are:
- What must you include in your resume?
- How do you go about optimizing it?
Morgan Taylor, Co-Founder of Jolly SEO, recommends some best practices for resume writing.
Taylor explains, “Aside from the number of pages, consider the resume format and content. Ask yourself: How can I demonstrate my knowledge, skills, and abilities? How will I showcase my experience and expertise? You’ve got to be strategic in your resume approach!”
Below are best practices for resume creation in terms of format, content, and other considerations.
Resume Format
The number of pages might be your biggest consideration in a resume. However, Roman Zrazhevskiy, Founder & CEO at MIRA Safety, recommends focusing on the format to maximize space.
Zrazhevskiy also explains, “How you format your resume impacts its presentation and readability. These can somehow influence the recruiters’ decision-making process. Of course, you want to make a great presentation and get hired.”
As such, Zrazhevskiy suggests the following:
- Number of pages: 2 pages
- Length: 8.5” x 11” pieces of paper
- Words: 400 to 800 words
- Typography:
- Font type: Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Helvetica
- Font size: 10-12 points for body text; 14-16 points for headings
- Line spacing: 1.0 to 1.15 for body text; slightly larger for headings
- Font style: Use bold or italic sparingly for emphasis
- Background and Layout:
- Paper color: Standard white or off-white
- Margins: 1-inch margins on all sides
- Alignment: Left-align all text, with some sections (e.g., contact information) possibly center-aligned for aesthetics
Content Inclusion
The content is the most important aspect of a resume. The number of pages and even the format are only secondary.
Logan Mallory, Vice President of Marketing at Motivosity, argues, “What good is your resume if it doesn’t impress the recruiters at all? No matter how visually appealing it is, they will still go after your credentials and see if they match what they’re looking for. Content is king, afterall!”
Mallory cites what you must include in a resume:
- Summary or objective: This professional summary or job goal is a declarative statement describing what job you’re looking for. Here, you express your intent to apply for a job and what you can bring to the table!
- Professional experience: This section lists your current and previous work. Include the job title, company name, date range, and job description.
- Academic achievement: This section covers your educational attainment, from elementary and high school to college and post-graduate studies. Add your school name, year of attendance, and course taken. Highlighting this information can improve your LinkedIn headline, showcasing your academic background to potential employers and networking contacts.
- Other credentials: Create sections for licenses, certification, and awards; training, courses, and workshops; as well as specialized knowledge, skills, and competencies. If you’re applying as a language trainer, for example, highlight your ancient Latin language training.
- Contact information: This section includes your phone number, email address, website, social links, and physical address. This shouldn’t be neglected so the recruiter can easily reach out to you.
- Character reference: This part lists at least three individuals your aspiring employer can contact. It could be your previous supervisor, college professor, or others who’ve known you personally and professionally.
Best Pointers
Resume writing comes with some do’s and don’ts. Alan Parkes, Owner of Denver Roofing and Colorado Springs Roofing, had his fair share of applications when starting his home construction career.
Parkes says, “I’ve learned from my mistakes in my resume, whether format or content. The trick here is to act as a recruiter: Take a look at your resume, review the details, and assess if you will hire yourself. That simple and easy!”
As such, Parkes shares the following best practices:
- Limit personal information: Focus on highlighting your professional achievements. Your recruiter wants to see if you meet the job requirements, not your personal stories!
- Use keywords: If you apply online, incorporate keywords from the job description to make your resume friendly to the applicant tracking system (ATS).
- Have a consistent format: Consider the resume format above. If applying online, consider email protocols from the subject line to your email signature. Consistency is key!
- Use bullet points: They allow you to present information clearly. It’s definitely best for readability!
- Maintain visual appeal: Use a simple, clean design. Please, no excessive graphics, embedded clips, or even striking colors!
- Practice KISS: As far as your content is concerned, keep it short and simple. When it comes to resumes, conciseness and brevity work!
- Declutter resume: Consider the content inclusion outlined above. Only include those that are necessary!
- Edit and proofread: Editing and proofreading your work are signs of professionalism. You don’t want to give your recruiters bad impressions because of incorrect spelling and grammar lapses.
- Customize your resume. Over 60% of recruiters expect to receive resumes tailored to their job post. Customize your resume for each and every job application. Using a template or generic resume is a big no-no!
- Be honest. Most recruiters perform background checks. You don’t want to provide incorrect or inaccurate information. Remember, honesty is the best policy!
Final Words
An effective resume can make a difference in your job application and employment opportunity. When drafting one, you have the option to write a one-page or a two-page resume. However, the question is: What should you opt for?
Consider the difference between the two, not to mention the viewpoints shared by some business experts above. Weigh the pros and cons of each to see which works best for you. If still undecided, take the presented survey by heart, as the numbers don’t lie.
More importantly, follow the best practices for resume writing. That way, you can maximize its potential to provide you with a job opportunity. Ultimately, your resume is your ticket to the world of employment—draft and craft a professional masterpiece!
