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• Resume & CV

How to Make Your Resume Fit on One Single Page (18+ Quick Tips)

Unless you’re a senior level manager, executive, or you've got one of those jobs where licenses and certifications are required, you may not need a second page for your resume. A one-page resume is enough.

You might look at your resume and feel that everything there is crucial and can’t be deleted. 

Let’s get real though!

If your resume is two or more pages, you’re not making a serious effort to write a tailored and concise application. In this article, you'll learn how to create an effective one-page resume . We'll also share some great templates for one-page resumes from Envato Elements.

Jump to content in this section:

• Remove Unnecessary Information
• Use Smaller Margins
• Try Creative Resume Formats
• Use Smaller Fonts
• Use Bullet Points
• Consolidate Contact Information
• Create Quadrants to Divide Your Resume into Sections
• Reduce the Size of Your Contact Information and Address
• Use Multi-Purpose Lines
• Use Numerical Figures Instead of Spelling Them Out
• Remove Repetitive Bullets
• List Only Self-Explanatory Awards
• Remove Unnecessary Information About Your Education
• Trim Your Resume Summary
• Remove Unnecessary Headers
• Use Acronyms Wisely
• Remove References
• Remove Hobbies and Interests
• Write Your Name and Job Title
• Write a Summary
• Remove Unnecessary Elements to Save Space
• Revise Sections to Fit Your Needs
• List and Rate Your Skills

Make Your Resume Fit on One Page (Quickstart Video)

Are you wondering how to get your resume down to a single page? Do you need to know how to do it right now?Our quickstart video can help. We'll provide tips and instructions for how to shorten your resume.

To learn more about one page resumes, continue reading the tutorial below.

Should a Resume Be Only One Page?

There’s no simple answer to this question. The perfect resume length depends on your professional situation.

Only professionals with more than 10+ years of experience or lots of certifications and achievements should have a two-page resume. Entry level candidates and even those with a few years of experience under their belt, can benefit from writing a concise single page resume.

According to ere.net , a survey from ResumeGO conducted a study with 482 professionals. Recruiters were 2.3 times more likely to prefer two-page resumes for experienced individuals . This means that your resume length should match your experience level.

So, one-page resumes are great for those with less work experience and can fit it all on one page. But more experienced individuals should use a two-page resume.

Think of your resume like a movie highlights reel. O nly the best action scenes are included to build hype and intrigue people into watching the movie.

Of course, it’s hard to believe how you could benefit from a one-page resume when you’ve been accustomed to a two-page resume. Below are several benefits of using a single page resume:

• A single page resume stands out because most applicants send two pages or more.
• Your achievements and qualifications are easier to spot on a one-page resume because there’s less stuff to read.
• Many recruiters, especially those hiring for entry level jobs, claim they don’t read past the first page of an application.

18 Quick Tips: How to Fit Your Resume on One Page

It’s true, both students and professionals add more qualifications to their resumes today. There are more awards, self-study courses, internship projects, software skills, and extra-curricular activities available today compared to a few years back.

Unfortunately, it’s also the sheer number of these experiences that makes it hard to cut your resume’s length. Below are 18 tips that'll show you how to make your resume one page:

1. Remove Unnecessary Information

If you want to know how to make a resume fit on one page, remove any information irrelevant to the job you’re applying to.  Only focus on relevant experience for the job you're applying to.

So, if you're applying for an Engineering job, the sales job that you worked one summer isn’t relevant, and you should take it off your resume.

2. Use Smaller Margins

Don’t be afraid to play with the margins of your resume file. The default margin in MS Word is one inch or 2.54 centimeters on all sides. If you reduce that just a tiny bit, you can squeeze in more information on your resume.

If you’re not sure what the ideal margin size is, try adjusting all the sides to 0.5 inches while keeping the bottom at 0.65 inches. Continue adjusting the margin size until you find a combination that’s just right.

Make sure you save your resume in PDF to preserve the margins of your resume when it’s printed.

3. Try Creative Resume Formats

Try using double columns or different resume layouts to fit more information into one page. For instance, use a two-column format with a small right-hand side column where you can fit your skills and other contact information.

The resume template below has a creative format that makes full use of a three-column layout without making the one-page resume look squished. 

Here are some creative resume templates you can consider when shortening your resume:

4. Use Smaller Fonts

Wondering how to make a one-page resume? That’s easy: use smaller fonts.

"Use a smaller font for your headings and the main text in your resume. Most resume writers recommend starting with 12 point font, but you can shrink it to a minimum of 10 point if need be", says  Austin Belcak , Founder of Cultivated Culture, a website that helps applicants get jobs even if they don't have a referral.

The important thing is that your resume is still readable without zooming in.

If the text looks too compact, try adjusting the line spacing so it’s easier to read. Consider the two examples below for a comparison.

Resume sample: Georgia Size 10, single spacing

Resume sample: Georgia Size 10 but with 1.15 spacing

5. Use Bullet Points

Use bullet points instead of paragraphs. Write in short sentences, up to two lines at the most. Use keywords, numbers, and power words to come up with punchy statements without fluff.

6. Consolidate Contact Information

Combine all your contact information in one line and don’t put your whole address anymore. There’s no need to have a separate line for your email, phone, and address because you’re not writing a business letter. 

7. Create Quadrants to Divide Your Resume into Sections

People generally read resumes from left to right. That means a lot of the space in the right-hand side of the page goes to waste.

The infographic resume template below makes excellent use of quadrants to divide the resume into different sections and maximize margin space.

8. Reduce the Size of Your Contact Information and Address

Some people think this part of their resume needs to look fancy and attention grabbing. It doesn’t. If a recruiter wants to contact you, they'll find this information. But until that happens, they’re only focused on your qualifications.

Don’t waste the limited space on a one-page resume on your contact information. Just make sure your name and primary job title are slightly bigger than the rest of your resume, and then use a smaller size for the rest of the text. You can even use a slightly smaller size for the contact details because it’s not as important as your job experience and skills.

9. Use Multi-Purpose Lines

Look for opportunities to combine information into one line, such as your address and contact information, or your listed skills. Another example is combining your job title, employer’s name, and employment duration in one line instead of two.

Here’s one creative example for executives on how to get resume to one page:

10. Use Numerical Figures Instead of Spelling Them Out

Numerical figures occupy less space compared to the spelled-out version. Numbers also grab attention, so it’s a good way to draw a recruiter’s attention to certain parts of your resume.

11. Remove Repetitive Bullets

Use three to five bullets at most as a way to force yourself into selecting only the best skills and accomplishment for each role.

A quick way to do this is to remove tasks where you didn’t excel. You should also remove repetitive mention of the same task because the recruiter doesn’t need to read this many times. For instance, if you had customer service tasks at all your three jobs, only mention this skill at the company where you won an award or have a notable accomplishment.

12. List Only Self-Explanatory Awards

Don’t list awards that you need to explain for recruiters to appreciate. Recognition for sales, productivity, client satisfaction, customer service, are self-explanatory. Awards for innovation, best agent, or top performer need explanation. They would probably take more space.

13. Remove Unnecessary Information About Your Education

Only fresh graduates need to include their graduation year on a resume. Working students can benefit from including their high school information. But that’s no longer needed once you get your degree.

Those who have a few years of employment under their belt need no longer list their graduation year.  Just write the degree you've got and where you got it. Employers want to make sure that you've got a degree, that’s all.

If you're a new graduate, though. You may want to feature your education a bit more. Here's an article to help with that:

14. Trim Your Resume Summary

Remember, a resume summary is supposed to summarize your best qualities for the job. It shouldn’t have more than five lines for an introduction or 10 plus bullet points. If your resume summary is this long, there’s a chance that the recruiter won’t read through all of it because it’s obvious you didn’t bother tailoring it to the position they’re filling.

Trim your resume summary to three lines of text and five to seven bullet points max. Read the tutorial below for a complete guide on how to write a resume summary that works for a single page resume.

15. Remove Unnecessary Headers

The resume summary and contact information don’t need headers of their own. It’s obvious what they are so you don’t need to waste a few lines on them. If you've got volunteer and corporate experience, you can also combine this into one section to save space.

16. Use Acronyms Wisely

Use industry-accepted acronyms for tasks related to your job. For instance, write “P&L” instead of profit and loss statement to save space. “R&D” is also a completely acceptable replacement for research and development.

Don’t use this technique for skills and licenses though. The Applicant Tracking System (ATS) some employers are using might search for the whole phrase and not just the acronyms. You don’t want your application to be ignored just because you want to save space.

17. Remove References

References can make your resume into a two-page resume. But if you want to make it into a one-page resume, you should remove the references unless the job specifically asks for them. Most of the time, they aren’t necessary and take up extra space.

18. Remove Hobbies and Interests

Removing hobbies and interests can be one way to make a resume fit on one page.

Most of the time, hobbies and interests aren’t necessary. Only include them if you want to fill up space on your resume and if they're relevant to the job that you're applying to.

How to Quickly Make a One-Page Resume in Word (With Templates)

You've just learned how to make your resume fit one page. Now it's time to learn how to use a template for your one-page resume.

You can create a simple resume template yourself by using Microsoft Word. But that might take hours of inserting tables, columns, and headers. Instead, you've got hundreds of options when it comes to easy-to-edit MS Word Resume Templates on Envato Elements. 

Let's take a closer look at how to fit a resume on one page using this template:

1. Write Your Name and Job Title

Select the correct text box then fill it out with your information. In the example template below, that’s the name and job title.

2. Write a Summary

Use a small font and a combination of two to three paragraphs and up to five bullet points if there’s not enough space in the box allotted for your summary.

Here’s what it looks like on the template:

And here’s what it looks like using bullet points:

3. Remove Unnecessary Elements to Save Space

In this case, remove the text box for the location of each job entry. Combine the lines for “ Position Held ” and “Y our Company ” (Employer’s name) to save space.

Unless your degree is specialized, combined or need any explanation, you can also remove the text box for the education section.

4. Revise Sections to Fit Your Needs

These templates have a section for “ Certificates .” But feel free to revise that section header to “ Continuing Education ” to include seminars, licenses, or other qualifications. If you don’t have anything to list that could be considered as continuing education, use this section for awards or another job entry.

Just rename the header name to the appropriate title and revise the boxes below to include the information you would like.

5. List and Rate Your Skills

Choose 10 skills, preferably a combination of technical, job-specific, and soft-skills. Write them on your resume grouped according to the skill type, then rate yourself on a scale of one to five. 

Do you want to use another template for your resume? Check out this post to find more one-page resume template designs:

Top 5 One-Page Resume Templates From Envato Elements

As mentioned earlier, Envato Elements is one of the best places to find top quality one-page resume templates . The templates from Envato Elements have modern designs and can easily be customized to fit your style. 

Some of them also include a matching cover letter as well as a business card design. So, you get the complete package to wow potential employers. 

Here are some of the best one-page resume templates from Envato Elements to build your resume in 2023 and beyond. 

1. Resume — Elegant One-Page Resume Template

The first resume on this list has an elegant and simple design. The template is easy to customize and comes in Illustrator format. 

Add your own photo, change colors and fonts. Style it to match your look. The template also includes a matching cover letter.

2. Resume CV Template 24

This resume template has a grid-based layout and four different quadrants to make organizing the information easy. Edit the template in Photoshop and Illustrator. It was designed in A4 size. 

3. CV Resume Professional

Try this resume template if you’re looking for a clean resume that’s easy to edit. With Illustrator, Photoshop, and Word versions, you can easily customize this template in the program you’re most familiar with. The template also has well organized layers and comes with a complete list of fonts used.

4. One-Page Resume CV

This resume template is perfect if you’re looking for something completely customizable. The template comes in three different color versions. It includes a resume template as well as a matching cover letter. You’ll also find a list of fonts and a help file.

5. CV Resume Vol.2

Here’s another clean and simple resume template that fits on a single page. Edit this template in Illustrator and Word. Add your information, customize the colors, and change fonts. The template comes in A4 size.

Frequently Asked Resume Questions

Do you have questions other than does a resume have to be one page? Here are some common resume questions and answers:

1. How Do I Include Freelance Work on My Resume?

There are several problems people run into when adding freelance work to their resume. Some of these problems include:

• What job title do I give myself?
• How much detail do I include about my projects?
• I have a freelance job and work full-time. Do I include both?

These are all good questions that are answered in this article:

2. How Do I Personalize My Resume in Microsoft Word?

There are many different ways to personalize your resume in Microsoft Word. One of the ways is to install a font. Many premium templates come with a unique font that you can install to make your resume stand out. To find out more ways to personalize your resume in Microsoft Word read this article: 

3. How Do I Make My Resume Stand Out?

You can make your resume stand out by using different types of resumes. For example, you could use a personal one-page resume website template that is unique but not off-putting to hiring managers. This article has more creative resume ideas: 

4. How Do I List My Skills On My Resume?

Listing professional skills on your resume is important. Both hard and soft skills can go on your resume. To find out how to effectively list skills on your resume, read this article: 

5. How Do I Email My Resume?

Most of the time, you apply for jobs online. This could mean that you need to email your resume. When emailing your resume, you need to be able to do it professionally. For a quick guide, read this article: 

More Awesome Resume Templates

One-page resumes are great if you’re just getting started. But if you’re a seasoned professional or if you need more pages, there are plenty of other resume templates on our marketplaces. Check out the articles below to see even more great resume template designs.

Learn More About Building a Great Resume

Creating a great resume isn't easy. Luckily, we've got plenty of tutorials to help you out. Learn more about creating a great resume with these tutorials:

Build Your Single Page Resume Now

Should a resume be only one page? There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the right resume length. It all depends on your job history and whether you’re exploring a new career in a different direction.

If you do need a one-page resume, remember that it’s totally possible to squeeze in all the important information in your once two-page resume into a single-page resume. You just have to get creative in your formatting and design and get selective about the information you include. The tips listed above on how to make a one-page resume should help.

Using the right resume template will make this easier for you. Envato Elements has a wide selection of resume templates that you can easily edit on Photoshop or MS Word. 

Editorial Note: This tutorial was originally published on March 28, 2019.  It's been revised to make it current, accurate, and up to date by our staff—with special help from  Brenda Barron and Sarah Joy . A video has been added by Andrew Childress .

6 Pro Tips for Cutting Your Resume Down to One Page

You know you’re supposed to have a one-page resume . No matter how much you want to cling to your two-pager, we both know that—unless you’re applying to a high-level executive position—no one actually makes it past the first page. You might as well bite the bullet and get all the important bits on one, 8.5x11" document.

So, how do you actually accomplish that without using an eight-point font? (And, no, no one wants that either.) Here are a few tips to get you started.

1. Trim Your Margins

Someone somewhere decided that default page margins should be one inch all around. I have no idea where this notion comes from, but what a waste of space! Of course, you don’t want to go to the absolute edge of printability, but a healthy half-inch margin all around will give you some more surface area and still allow for ample white space.

2. Combine Sections

Creating new sections is a great strategy for rearranging some of your experiences, but new sections mean new headings—and headings take space. So, if you’re trying to cut down, make sure you only have three or four sections on your resume. Try combining sections into something like, “Skills & Interests.” Or, if you feel your achievements and interests are too varied, consider throwing everything that wouldn’t go under your experience or education into an “Additional Information” section.

3. Create Multiuse Lines

If you originally wrote your resume to fit two pages, you may have gotten a little too generous with what warrants its own line. For example, you may have given your college GPA its own line. Ignoring the debate about whether or not your GPA’s relevant anymore , it’s things like this that should be tucked away into another line—maybe in between your degree and your graduation year.

The same is true for your company and job title. They don’t have to be on separate lines. Neither do your street address, phone number, and email address. This can all be one line across, under your name. In fact, you actually don’t even need to include your street address anymore—especially if you’re not currently in town.

4. Maximize the Line Spacing

And by maximize, I mean use as little as possible, obviously. In Microsoft Word, you can manually set the spacing between lines and new sections. It frequently defaults to something quite generous, so at the very least, change it so that there is no additional spacing between lines.

You can fiddle with this under the paragraph settings. While you’re messing with the line spacing, go ahead and set your entire resume to 10-point font (except your name, which should be 14-point or more).

5. Shorten Bullets

Your bullet points are really the meat of your resume. This is where you actually talk about your experience. To ensure that people actually read them, absolutely do not let them trail on to a third line. Two lines max, but preferably one.

To decide between one or two lines, use your space efficiently. If your bullet is one line, plus a little bit that dangles onto the next, find a way to condense your language down. Ultimately, you’re going for a dangler-free resume.

6. Understand the Reality of the Situation

So far, I haven’t actually suggested cutting any content, but it had to happen eventually. You’re going to have to cut stuff .

Really think hard about whether or not each item on your resume is relevant for the job you’re applying for. Try to be objective. If an experience would only potentially be interesting to a hiring manager, cut it in favor of the things you know will make you stand out. I know—it’s not easy to go line by line and kill your darlings. But in the end, you’ll have a better, cleaner document.

I must confess that I actually really enjoy trying to squeeze a person’s professional identity onto one page. For me, it’s a fun little challenge. So, if you’re struggling, try approaching this process as a mental puzzle or game. Now, go solve it.

How to Create a One-Page Resume Format

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Why use a one-page resume format?

How to create a one-page resume format, one-page resume template, one-page resume example.

After you’ve spent years in the workforce, you may decide it’s time to apply for another job. When you have extensive work experience, plus other impressive skills and achievements, your resume can become longer than one page. Read this article to learn how to streamline your experience, education and skills to fit on a one-page resume format.

You should use a one-page resume format because it makes it easier for hiring managers to review and share your resume with other people in the company. In addition, a one-page resume ensures all of your qualifications are easy to find.

Here are some things to consider when creating your one-page resume:

1. First, consider the position you’re applying to

You may want to modify your resume plan according to the employer’s needs and your work experience. Sometimes, specific careers need longer sections, but this isn’t always the case. For example, a senior role might focus more on experience than an entry-level job. 

Take time to review the job listing thoroughly to have a better feel for what the hiring manager wants to see. This can help you condense sections so your resume is easier for them to scan. 

2. Second, create a list of accomplishments and work activities

If you have an extensive work history and impressive achievements, it can be challenging to know what to cut out. Make a list of key accomplishments and work duties. Focus on your responsibilities and include any relevant achievements, which may be much longer than one page in the beginning.  

3. Third, identify relevant information 

Now that you’ve created a detailed list of information pertaining to your career and accomplishments, you can begin highlighting or circling key sections that closely match the requirements of the role. This helps you eliminate irrelevant information and helps you create an outline for your resume. When you’re ready, you can start the process of organizing relevant sections into a condensed version that fits on one page. 

4. Fourth, create your first draft and shorten it

Create a new resume that’s as close to one page in length as possible. There’s no need to worry if it goes longer than that on the first try. Think of it as a rough draft that changes in length and content. When you’re ready, go through your resume again to identify any unnecessary information and remove sections that may be better suited for other positions. Reference the job listing as you write and try to only include information pertaining to that particular role.

5. Fifth, list your information with bullet points

Using bullet points creates an easy-to-read format that guides hiring managers to the most important sections of the resume. Plus, it looks more organized. Under each key section, include a bullet point, then describe your key accomplishments related to that role rather than focusing on responsibilities. This strategy creates more of an impact than stating daily tasks because it explains your responsibilities through achievements. Try to include specific numbers, percentages and timeframes in your description while paying attention to length. 

6. Sixth, eliminate unnecessary information

There are a few sections you can remove from your resume to ensure it’s one page. You may opt to remove your objective or summary and instead expand your experience section. If you have decades of career experience, consider leaving off information that is older than 10 to 15 years. It is not necessary to list your high school if you have a college degree and other credentials. It is no longer necessary to include the phrase ‘references available upon request’ at the end of your resume. The job listing or hiring manager will let you know if you need to provide references.

7. Seventh, adjust spacing and font

Another great way to fit information onto one page is by adjusting the spacing between lines and new sections. In most word processors, you can do this within the paragraph settings. Select single spacing and opt to remove spaces in between new paragraphs. Additionally, you should try applying a 10-point font size to your resume (while keeping your name at 14-point or higher) to see if you can create more space while still making sure it’s easy to read.

8. Finally, save your resume in PDF format

Unless directed otherwise in the job listing, save your resume as a PDF to ensure that hiring managers and recruiters see the document as you intend them to see it. This eliminates the chance for changes in formatting that could result in your resume being two pages.

Follow this template when creating a one-page resume that highlights your most relevant work experiences and career accomplishments:

[Name] [Address] | [Phone number] | [Email]

Summary (optional)

[Brief summary that highlights your most relevant experience and qualifications]

• [Use bullet points to list skills relevant to the desired job position]

Professional Experience  

[Current or most recent employer], [Job title]

[Month, Year – Month, Year]

• [Bullet list of most important successes]

Achievements  

• [List achievements relevant to the desired job position]

Education  

[University or college] | [Year degree earned] | [Degree]

Use this example as a reference when writing your own:

Jenna Smith 2002 Maplewood Avenue, Tampa, FL 33601 | 555-555-5555 | [email protected]

Senior administrative assistant with 15+ years of experience and degree in business administration. Coordinated complex schedules and travel arrangements for four corporate executives while completing office administration duties. Ready for new challenges related to bookkeeping, office management and schedule setting. 

• Excellent communication:  Proficient in all forms of communication, including online, in person and written
• Computer savvy:  Proficient in QuickBooks, G Suite, MS Office, database management and productivity apps
• Detail-oriented: Attentive to employee needs, accurate documentation and efficient processes
• Key strengths: Communication, organization, time management, teamwork and discretion

Professional Experience

Cityscapes International, Executive Administrative Assistant

November 2005 – July 2019

• Trained over 20 administrative assistants on office procedures, including file management, customer service, professional communication and scheduling
• Scheduled 500+ office meetings for various departments and executives while providing technical support for online conferences
• Made weekly travel arrangements for all company employees, including company executives with complicated schedules that required additional documentation

Driftboats Plus, Administrative Assistant

May 2003 – November 2005

• Communicated with over 2000 clients and customers regarding company products and service; contributed to the implementation of an official return and exchange policy
• Completed extensive bookwork related to company sales and invoicing
• Wrote 24 company newsletters that involved interviewing clients and customers and securing digital assets

Achievements

• Streamlined the data entry process, freeing up 40% of work time for other company resources
• Saved $10,000 in administrative costs after negotiating a deal with a new software company

University of Florida | May 2003 | Bachelor of Business Administration, 3.9 GPA

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How to Make a Credible One Page Resume

Trying to fit in all the important career information into one 8.5×11″ document is no easy task. Still, the common job search lore goes that having a one-page resume is always the best way to go. Or is it? Let’s dig in together! 

Should a Resume Be One Page Long?

The general conclusion is that yes, it’s best to file a one-page resume whenever you can if you are in the beginning/middle of your career. But things are not absolutely black and white when it comes to resume length. Can a resume be more than one page? Again, yes. 

No one will fret upon a two-page resume if you are a senior candidate with 10+ years of experience and multiple job posts under your belt — all relevant to the new job you are routing for. 

Lengthier resumes are also fine for candidates with a wide set of technical skills , educational credentials, and industry accolades. 

Lastly, if you are applying to a job abroad and get asked to file a CV, rather than a resume , it’s OK to go beyond a single page. 

You can learn more about the ideal resume length from our previous post. 

How to Fit Resume on One Page: Tips and Tricks 

OK, so you are certain that you’ll do better with a one-page resume. Now the big question is: how do you fit all your professional deets into that single page without resorting to using an eight-point font or trying to cram a lot of text into the available white space?

After creating over 150 one-page resume templates , we can say with confidence that the next tricks will work like a charm!  

1. Adjust Your Page Margins and Layout 

Most people leave page margins at the pre-set default option of 1-inch in Microsoft Word when they start designing their resume. 

But, you can actually trim this a few simple steps to have a bit more elbow room. Here’s how it’s done:

• Go to Layout > Margins

• Select either one of the pre-suggested configurations or add a custom range

NB: Don’t forget to test if your design looks good in other word processing software or when sent via email as an attachment!

As a rule of thumb, it’s OK to go with a half an inch margin, but not less. In this case, you will still have a defined white space edge and your resume won’t look really cramped together.

2. Merge Sections Together

Every great resume has at least three standard sections — header, work experience, and education. Plus, some optional ones such as Skills, Hobbies, and Interests , Accolodates, Resume Objective , Professional Bio, etc. 

While all of them can play a role in hiring, they eat up some valuable space. After all, having multiple sections requires extra room for large headings.

So if you really need to cut down your resume to one page, aim for three or four distinct sections and combine the rest. 

For example, you could combine your resume objective and professional bio or add accolades to the work experience section. Also, you can pack all the different things you want to mention, as short bullet-point highlights under an ‘Extra Information’ section.

Let’s take a look at one of our popular one-page resume templates — Contrast Resume Template .

It has 4 distinct sections you can use to your advantage: 

• The sidebar area where you can place your professional bio or resume objective
• Skills sections that you can pack with keywords and popular skills that employers look for
• Header area you can use to leave your contact details, personal website, or squeeze in personal branding statements. 
• Lofty work experience section that can be tweaked to fit more positions 
• Minimalistic education section to list the essentials. 

This design is also versatile enough to be further tweaked up to your liking. You can forgo the bio/objective in favor of an “Extra Information” section or place your contact details and short elevator pitch there to expand the Skills area. 

3. Condense Information

Always look at ways of combining some of your information that may be important, but it doesn’t have a direct bearing on the job that you are applying for. For example, where you list your educational qualifications, instead of listing each qualification or achievement on a single line, condense them together and leave off any early or lower-level qualifications that an employer may not be interested in knowing about.

Treat your employment history in the same way. If you have created your work experience to read as your job title and company address in a block style with each part of the address on single lines, then you can free up some space by just putting your job title and company name on one single line and cut out the company address completely.

Even your own personal details can take a healthy trim. Many career experts recommend that you don’t include your home address on your resume just in case the employer judges candidate suitability depending on their location and proximity to the workplace. Simply including your name and contact number, email address, and LinkedIn profile.  

4. Spring Clean for Redundancies 

Don’t go about describing every job duty you had at every job listed — most will likely duplicate one-another. Instead, focus on listing one-two main accomplishments for each entry and sprinkle in some relevant hard and soft skills . 

Take a look at our customer service resume example . Instead of going at length about every job, you can just write a one-line description and then provide a quick bullet point list of accomplishments/skills. So that your entry looks the following way:

Customer Service Specialist (April 2017 – March 2020)

Started in telephone customer support and quickly transitioned to web chat support. Assisted retail customers with concerns related to their orders, billing, shipping, and returns. 

• Ranked highest in the European region for chat resolution speed.
• Employee of the Month (August, October, Dec)
• Zendesk, HubSpot Live Chat, and Salesforce proficient 

5. Adjust Your Line Spacing And Font Size

Recruiters want to see resumes that are easy on the eye, so the need for your resume to have good line spacing is still important. However, you can maximize the space available by adjusting your line spacing to give you a little bit more room.

If you are using MS Word to create your resume, then you can manually change the line spacing between paragraphs and different sections. The default setting is actually quite generous, so even if you change it to shrink down the line spacing by half between paragraphs and sections, you will still get a defined visual space, but you can squeeze out an extra couple of free line spaces for more information by doing this.

While going as small as an 8-point font may mean certain eye-strain for a recruiter trying to read your resume, you can safely change to 10-point font and still leave your resume perfectly readable. It would be wise to leave your name at least at a 14-point font if not larger.

6. Trim Your Bullet Points

Bullet points are the key trick for fitting as much information as possible into a one-page resume. The key here, however, is to avoid writing full length, logically connected sentences. 

Instead, think of your bullet point as a mini headline — short, catchy, and sufficiently communicating one key idea. 

Here are some extra tips for writing powerful bullet points for your resume:

• Avoid complex, lengthy words (unless these are actual keywords)
• Keep your bullet point to one line to avoid space waste 
• Aim for the same bullet point length to make your resume look neater 
• Make your bullet points symmetrical i.e. always start with a verb or noun. 
• Keep the bullet points thematically-related.

Here’s how we incorporated all of these tips in our hospitality resume example : 

The Royal Suits, Downtown Miami (2018 – 2020)

Concierge and Guest Services Supervisor

Skills and accomplishments:

• Provided guest services to over 1,500 guests per month 
• Organized personalized entertainment and shopping experiences
• Managed all the concierge services for VIP guests
• Brought in extra 20% via services upsells/cross-sells per month 
• Maintained customer satisfaction rating of more than 98%

7. Don’t Fret About The Resume Length Too Much!

There is no harm in having two versions of your resume – one single page version and one longer multiple-page version. These can be very handy to keep on file for when an employer specifically asks you to submit one or the other. A lot of employers will initially ask for a one-page resume, and then follow that up with a request for a more detailed resume for when they are creating a shortlist for the job interview.

To Conclude 

If you’ve tried all of the tips above and still didn’t arrive at the coveted one-page resume length, don’t sweat it any further.  At the end of the day, it is your skills, qualifications, and past experiences that make the most difference! So go with a two-page resume or two versions of your resume, if you feel that a lengthy version will represent you better as a job candidate. 

Finally, if you need some extra help, you can always browse our ever-growing collection of professional resume templates that are already optimized to pack a powerful punch within a single page!

This article has been originally published on April 30, 2018 and has been extensively revised and updated on November 12, 2020.

Elena runs content operations at Freesumes since 2017. She works closely with copywriters, designers, and invited career experts to ensure that all content meets our highest editorial standards. Up to date, she wrote over 200 career-related pieces around resume writing, career advice... more

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A Breakdown of a Successful One Page Resume – And How to Write Yours

In This Guide:

Should your resume be one page, how to fit 25 years of experience in a single page – william’s one-page resume., a ceo and co-founder’s one-page resume – how pavel fit his professional life on a single page., founder, director, and vp of product – gal’s double-column single-page resume., how to write your resume to fit on one page – a handful of actionable resume tips., key takeaways.

Having a one-page resume is possible, even if you have decades of experience behind your back.

In this article, we’ll analyze concrete examples of one-page resumes built by Enhancv users – from William, a Japanese entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience to Pavel whose professional background took him to three countries, and Gal that has spent a decade in the product management and business development world.

All three of them share one common thing – a single-page resume.

So, how do you fit that many years of experience into an effective resume without omitting important details?

Keep reading and you’ll learn:

• If your resume should be one page long.
• How to focus on relevant skills and experience to cut down your resume to a single page.
• Which resume sections are a must in single-page resumes.

Alex Lafreniere, a happy user, shared this:

“Hands down the best and most intuitive resume builder I've used. Go for the pro plan - it's the best bang for your buck. You get a lot more sections, which helps with the different variations of your cv, especially if you want to tailor it to different industries."

BUILD MY ONE PAGE RESUME

Yes, your resume can be one page, regardless of experience. Single-page resumes focus on the most relevant parts of your work history. Put important and relevant information first, as this makes for an efficient format for any professional field.

If you can’t fit all relevant experience on a single page, only then go for a two-page resume.

How to make a one-page resume if you have a ton of experience?

The secret to making a one-page resume when you have 10, 15, or even more than 20 years of work experience is to include information that’s highly relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Study the job description – hiring managers usually include what experience and skillset they’re looking for. Show that. Remember, that may mean you’ll have to make a tailored resume for each job position you apply for.

Thankfully, with Enhancv you can easily copy, edit and download your resumes as many times as you need. It also saves time that you don’t have to worry about design or layout – check our resume builder .

So, does a resume have to be one page?"?

A resounding no. Professionals with a lot of relevant experience in a field can benefit from two or even three-page resumes . If you’ve spent the past 15 years working as a business transformation manager and you have a lot of examples to communicate on your resume, then definitely go with a longer one.

Does it mean the one-page resume format is dead?

No. A resume should focus on your relevant experience and give insight into the impact you’ve had at previous companies you’ve worked for and give a glimpse into who you are .

Fit all three on a single page and you’ve got yourself a pretty impactful resume. In the examples we’re going to review below, we’ve made sure to analyze how each has made their resume.

William’s single-page resume takes advantage of our compact resume format . The best way to fit more information on a single page is by browsing the Enhancv resume templates and choosing a two or three-column layout .

With a single click, you can fit around 50% more content on a single page, compared to what a Microsoft Word template allows you to do.

Still, William took things up a notch. Here’s what he did especially well when writing his resume.

Right under his name, William wrote what defines him as a professional: “Entrepreneur, keynote speaker, advisor & cyber czar’’. This quickly gives you an idea of the kind of jobs he’s held previously, and what is most significant about his career – all in seven words and contained to the resume header.

Next, William shared his life motto in a single sentence: “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity”. A simple quote can speak volumes about you as a person and your attitude to work and life itself.

Beyond showing how you see the world, it signals to companies whether you might fit into their culture. This shows us that William is not the kind of person that gives up. He perceives problems as opportunities.

Taken together, these sections give a brief and quick insight into who William is and the energy he would bring to his role and the team. As opposed to a lengthy personal summary, William said all he needed to in two short sentences. Now, let’s continue with William’s experience section…

William includes 3 jobs within his experience section. These are the most recent and significant jobs that relate to the field he hopes to work in. They’re also quite diverse.

Rather than writing pages on every job he has ever had, he has tailored his experience to three impactful descriptions of the jobs that relate most to the job vacancy.

He also decided to name the section Entrepreneurial Experience . This suggests that it covers only a portion of his work experience. This is a case where careful decision-making really pays off.

William goes on to make use of an Enhancv exclusive – the “My Time” section. This allows users to show their time spent during the week or a typical day-in-the-life.

For example, the section makes it obvious that Cybersecurity is something he does best. Again, using this quick visual saves a ton of space.

Furthermore, William utilizes an awards section to mention advising the Japanese Government as well as over twenty tech companies regarding business, technology, and security.

His other point is ‘’Giving back to the community’’, where he mentions that he’s been supporting charitable and community-based organizations. This saved William another page where he listed all his advisory positions and achievements. All in a few sentences, with bits of his character.

William backs up his previous experience with a notable metric that shows his impact on the bottom line. In a few short words, we see the results of his work. His Authored Books section (another section offered by Enhancv) contributes to this, too. Here, we get a quick visual of the books he’s published, rather than a long description that would take up many paragraphs.

Pavel’s resume is a great example of someone who has taken our modern resume template and made the most of it.

Pavel has utilized the Technology section of our resume builder to give a snapshot of the programs he is familiar with. Here, we see five highlighted technologies. It’s simple but effective. This cuts down on writing full sentences to show what systems you’re comfortable with.

Taking a look at Pavel’s experience section, we can see how job-rich it is. We’re looking at 6 job titles – from a researcher to a co-founder and CEO. Data science is a relatively new and expansive area of tech.

For this reason, it’s beneficial to include as many previous experiences as you can that relate to possible duties. Each job is accompanied by a quick bullet point that explains all of Pavel’s responsibilities, and everything is written concisely.

Much like William, Pavel intertwines his impact with his previous experience by providing a significant metric to measure his achievements.

For example, he showed the moon and stars to 5000+ people.

This short description focuses the recruiter on tangible evidence that does not take up a lot of space. If a recruiter wants to know more, they will ask in an interview or over email.

Pavel’s experience is further explained in a simple list of his Selected Courses . Here, space is saved by collecting all relevant and important courses he’s taken in a single section. The titles are enough for the recruiter to understand his skill.

Gal shows us that any resume template can be used when building a one-pager. Using Enhancv’s staple – the double-column resume – Gal makes an impact without drawing things out.

Accomplishing this in two-three sentences will do wonders to signal to companies that you fit within their culture – ultimately getting you an interview sooner.

Gal makes use of Enhancv’s technologies section but renames it as an “Expertise” section. With this, the recruiter can easily see that Gal is gifted when it comes to B2B, B2C, SaaS, and more. This is an excellent example of cutting paragraphs down to singular words with the same impact.

Again, Gal introduces his impact by providing a significant metric to measure his achievements. For example, “driving 50% to 100% annual revenue growth”. This captures his ability in one bullet point, as opposed to several sentences on ways he brought a change in a previous company.

Whether you’ve got 25 years, a decade, or a month of experience, making a strong impression is essential. A single-page resume helps you do that.

We gathered the career counseling team at Enhancv and put all their know-how around writing impactful one-page resumes.

Use a double-column or compact resume template.".

A one-pager resume with plenty of experience will not fit on a single-column template. At Enhancv, our double-column template is specifically designed to meet applicant tracking systems requirements and with one-page resumes in mind. You can fit up 50% more information compared to what general resume templates allow for.

Write short, action-oriented bullet points.

Cut the fluff and focus on the make-it-or-break-it moments in your career. Stick to active words and use buzzwords properly .

Draw inspiration from the examples above, or recollect the moments that made you the professional you are today. If you need more inspiration, we have over 500 job-specific resume examples for you to explore and inspire from.

Use smaller fonts.

Choose a smaller font size but make sure the text remains legible. Size 10 or 11 looks fine and passes readability checks, anything smaller would make your resume hard to read.

Fonts like Oswald , Bitter , and Volkhov are more compact and allow you to fit more text on a single page.

Remove unnecessary sections.

When you have a lot of relevant experience, you can skip the Education section. Unless you have Cum Laude from an Ivy League university, you’re generally okay with not including your education. Leave off references as well, unless they’re highly relevant for the job position.

Make sure that your summary is short but packed full of information. It’s the best way to communicate who you are and your skill set in a single sentence.

Decrease the margins' size.

When you decrease the margins of your resumes you get to add more information, however, you have to keep in mind the readability of your resume. No hiring manager wants to read a wall of text.

Enhancv’s resume builder has in-built resume margins you can switch between that still keep your resume readable and easy on the eye.

Use creative sections to spotlight career milestones.

One-page creative resumes are the hardest to make. We’ve compiled over 20 creative resumes for you to check out. You can make your very own by signing up for Enhancv –– or you can hire our career counselors to help you make your resume .

Single-page resumes seem difficult to create until you get the hang of it –– focus only on experience and skills that show how you can make an impact in the company you’re applying at.

• Cut the extra fluff. Choose only the relevant, result-driven information.
• Use different sections to reframe and communicate your experience in short and engaging ways.
• Choose an Enhancv resume template and focus only on the information and not the design.
• Focus on font size and margins to fit as much information as possible.

• Resume Guides

What Is Your Leadership Style - Interview Question (+ Answers)

How to answer the “what do you think this company could do better” interview question, infographic: resumes around the world, how to write a second interview thank-you email (template included), how to get a job in silicon valley: industry trends, secrets, and expert advice in 2024, how to put an mba on your resume (with examples).

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Free One-Page Resume Templates for 2024 [Free Download]

Having difficulties fitting your resume into one page ? 

We don’t blame you!

Without the right resume template, sticking to 1 page can be really hard.

In this article, we’re going to cover 20+ of the best one-page resume templates for all career stages and preferences.

And you know what’s the best part? These designs are all 100% free and just a click away.

• 6+ one-page resume templates for Online resume builders
• 8+ one-page resume templates for Microsoft Word
• 6+ one-page resume templates for Google Docs

6+ One-Page Resume Templates for Online Resume Builders

Online resume builders are the best option for creating your resume . 

They are already set up neatly for you and you just have to fill in your information.

The colors, font , format are all customizable to your liking, and you even get live feedback on how to fill in your resume.

Awesome, right? 

You make a great first impression AND save money and time! 

Whether you’re a student looking for a creative way to show off your skills on your first job resume , or an executive in need of a professional one-page template, there is something for everyone on this list.

#1 - Simple by Novoresume

Who’s it for: Senior Positions, anyone with a lot of work experience . Perfect for conservative industries such as law or banking.

Simple by Novorésumé lives up to its name. It’s the perfect resume if you’re looking for simplicity and convenience. 

This well-organized, easy-to-read resume format is ideal if you’re in a senior position. 

The hiring manager is most probably looking for modesty and tasteful professionalism , and this template helps your achievements shine without any gimmicks.

The black and blue is a needed change from the black and white employers are used to, while still keeping you professional.

#2 - Creative by Novorésumé

Who’s it for: Someone applying in a creative industry like advertising, marketing , publishing, design; entry-level applicants. 

This vibrant template is the right choice if you’re looking to stand out. It brings your skills and work experience into focus in a visually appealing way.  

Creative uses infographics and bulleted lists to create a pleasant-looking, stylish resume. 

It has a gorgeous four-color combo that leaves a striking first impression. 

And, at the same time, the resume still looks professional.

It’s well organized and the design doesn’t overdo it with the playfulness . That’s why we love this template so much: balanced flawlessly, it’s both cheerful and professional. 

#3 - Modern by Novorésumé

Who’s it for: Professionals in the business or technology industries .

Modern by Novorésumé is a breath of fresh air! It uses square brackets, bulleted lists, infographics, and different icons to attract the hiring manager's attention. 

The dark green color gives it a stylish look but keeps everything modest and modern as well. 

The resume sections are divided into two columns: they include personal information, work experience, skills, organizations, awards, and languages, all on one page.

#4 - College by Novorésumé

Who’s it for: Recent college graduates with some work experience, current university students 

This resume template works best for students & recent graduates applying for internships or entry-level jobs. 

Every section is well-organized to provide room for your work experience and skills. 

And on top of that, this template is contemporary and visually appealing as well. The blue borders and bold letters give College personality and style, without it appearing tacky. 

#5 - Executive by Novorésumé

Who’s it for: Senior executives applying in a creative or green industry  

Do you need to show how qualified you are for the position AND have your personality shine through your resume? 

Executive by Novorésumé does just that. 

This vivid resume template features attractive emerald green headings and subheadings. The color makes it stand out and adds a touch of personality. 

The emphasis, however, is put into your profile, skills, and work experience. 

The skills section is highlighted in green, and it’s the first thing the hiring manager gets to see.

So, make sure to wow them with your best skills .

#6 - Basic by Novorésumé

Who’s it for: Conservative, traditional industries

Sometimes, a minimalistic resume is the best resume. 

If you want to focus more on the contents of your resume than the design, definitely check out Basic.

Basic offers a concise and well-organized layout. Everything the hiring manager needs to see stands out at first glance, so you’ll have a high chance of landing in the “To-Be-Interviewed” pile!

8+ One-Page Resume Templates for Microsoft Word

A basic black and white resume on Times New Roman is not going to make you stand out from the crowd or benefit your job application. 

But that doesn’t mean you have to create your resume on special software to catch the eye of the hiring manager. 

Microsoft Word is still a very popular way to create a resume that stands out.

Read on to find 8+ Microsoft Word one-page resume templates! 

#7 - Elegant Dark Microsoft Word Resume Template

Who’s it for: Anyone applying for a high-end position: senior professionals, executives, etc.

Where to find it: Freesumes

We visualize elegance with Rolex watches and limousines. We don’t often relate elegance to resumes and documents. 

Yet this unique, gorgeous template is packed with charm and finesse. 

This dark template will assure your resume doesn’t fall into the circular file. It attracts attention because of its unusual white, yellow, grey scheme of colors. 

The dark grey of the background reflects seriousness and sophistication, whereas the soft yellow creates a gorgeous contrast that softens the appearance. 

It is perfect if you have a lot of professional background since it creates plenty of space in the experience section that allows you to display all of your employment entries.

#8 - Clean and Light Microsoft Word Resume Template

Who’s it for: Someone with minimal work experience. Entry-level candidates and recent graduates.

Where to find it: Behance.net 

This lively template is the right choice for you if you don’t have a lot of experience to put into your resume. 

It helps you create a profile that sums up your career and values in a minimalistic, refreshing way by using boldface, all-caps, and a two-column structure to make it easy to read for the HR manager.

With the overall simplicity of the black and blue colors, the header on the top sticks out immediately at first glance.  

We like it because it’s also easy to use and customize. All entries are scannable and extremely clear-cut. The cherry on top: it comes with a bonus Word cover letter template.  

Speaking of cover letters - the right cover letter can really be a game-changer. Check out our complete guide to cover letters and learn what it takes to stand out. 

#9 - Equilibrium Microsoft Word Template 

Who’s it for: Any professional and creative role

Where to find it: freesumes

We call this template Equilibrium because it balances formatting and structure. 

The layout is strategically made to keep the hiring managers focused on your most impressive achievements. 

It uses geometric design and colors to separate sections from one another. 

Equilibrium focuses on work experience, education , and emphasizes expertise. You can choose to customize the sections but for the most part, it’s very straightforward and simple to use. Just fill in the blanks and send it in. 

#10 - Clean and Compelling Microsoft Word Resume

Who’s it for: Recent graduates, entry-level applicants. 

Where to find it: freesumes 

This modest template is going to surely help you win over any HR manager.

You can use the Objective section on the right to communicate your goals and ambitions to potential employers.

While this isn’t a section you’d typically see on a resume, if done right, it can really have an impact.

The warm colors used are awesome for standing out and catching the HR manager’s eye. 

The faded grey in the background adds formality as well as divide the sections. Finish with a professional photo on top of the resume , and you’ll be set for success.

#11 - Police Officer Resume Template

Who’s it for: Law enforcement officers 

Where to find it: smashresume

If you work in law enforcement, this template is hand-made just for you.. 

It’s well organized and professional and also divided into two columns to save you space. 

One column includes your personal information, education, key skills, and certifications. 

The other covers your resume objective and professional experience. 

This template is creative as much as it is systematized. There are plenty of icons, infographics, and columns that break the monotony. 

The font is neat and groovy and the icons have a splash of protective blue that adds personality. 

Package features include: 

• A4 paper size
• Customizable and editable objects, color, text 

#12 - Web Designer Word Resume Template

Who’s it for: Web developers and designers. 

Where to find it: behance

Innovative and artistic, this resume is a gem to look at. 

Web Designer by Venkata Naresh follows a color scheme and layout that’s been made particularly for people working in the web industry. 

It includes a contact information section , education, professional skills, personal skills, profile, work experience, awards, and hobbies . 

This template also comes with: 

• A CV and Cover Letter
• 3 Color Styles
• Dark and Light Versions

#13 - Vintage Rose Word Resume Template

Who’s it for: Marketers, influencers, bloggers

Because of the vintage rose color, this resume is a bit on the feminine side.

This Word Template is a big employer charmer because it displays all important information at first glance; all on one page! 

The layout is made to highlight your work experience, brand , and achievements. 

The “Skills” area has bar charts to take the spotlight, whereas the “About Me” area gives you some space to present your personality. 

Vintage Rose is ideal if you want a clean and modern resume, with just the right amount of style.  

#14 - Goldrod Yellow Word Resume Template

Who’s it for: Any creative role

This Word template uses a bright yellow as a leading color, making sure that your resume really stands out from the bunch.

The warm color reflects positivity as well as makes the resume stand out from the pile.

Professionalism doesn’t get lost in the process, though. Everything is easy to use and customizable. 

Extra tip: You can choose to change the big “Education” banner on the bottom to a “Skills” section if you think they should take priority. 

For a full extensive list of Microsoft Word resumes, check out our complete guide [with free downloads].

6+ One-Page Resume Templates for Google Docs

Some ready-made Word templates can be tormenting. You start making some changes, and before you know it, the entire layout gets completely messed up.

That’s not a problem you will have with Google Docs templates, though.

Google Docs resume templates in this list are customizable online, efficient, neat, convenient, and most importantly: 100% FREE . 

#15 - Border Design Google Doc Resume Template

Who’s it for: High school and college graduates

Where to find it: Google Docs

Are you a student or graduate with not much real-life work experience? This template is for you.

There are plenty of different sections any student or graduate can fill in with personal information: skills, objectives, volunteer work, education. Our favorite part: this template is pleasant to read and has a lot of personality as well. 

The mint borders and small icons, various social media links and simple font keep everything original and tasteful. 

#16 - Serif Google Doc Resume Template

Who’s it for: Someone in a senior position, banking , computer scientist

Where to find it: Templates Gallery

This resume has a blue pop of color that creates a neat first impression while keeping things professional. 

It gives you a lot of space to show off the work experience, skills, awards you are most proud of. 

It also saves an extra sweet spot if you want to list your languages. 

#17 - Simple Professional Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Senior professionals in marketing or advertising, web & graphic designers

This modern-looking one-page template is perfect for marketers, advertisers, and web designers. 

It offers plenty of considerable space to talk about your achievements and experience. 

Icons are kept minimal, and the layout is elegant and clear-cut.

#18 - Blue Creative Google Docs Resume

Who’s it for: Marketers and social media experts 

Applying for a design job where you’ll be making plenty of web content? 

Then don’t miss this striking infographic resume! 

The Google Docs template uses a strong shade of blue and aesthetic visualizations to highlight each header and section. Fun and appealing, it features a header, skills, awards, experiences and an “about me” area. 

#19 - Modern Writer Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Book editors, journalists, librarians, copywriters, scriptwriters, web content writers. 

Yes, this template is exactly what you think it is: a resume for the modern 21st Century writer .

So, if the job you are applying for is related to books, scripts, publication - this is the right choice for you. 

The “Modern Writer” is unique since it has a classy font and a showy pop of pink color. The header gets highlighted too, because of the thin black underline. 

#20 - Smart and Professional Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: a professional with a lot of experience and education

Where to find it: in this direct Google Docs link

This smart template is for the overqualified candidates. 

It puts its focus into three main categories: work experience, profile, and education. 

All sections have a good deal of space you can write your long professional track record in. 

Contrary to regular templates, this template features a colorful header that’s eye-catching. 

Want to discover more Google Docs resume templates ? We have an article for that!

Key Takeaways 

Hopefully, we helped you find the right one-page resume template!

Not sure which one to pick? Let’s briefly go through some of the most important things to keep in mind when choosing your one-page resume template:

• Pick a template that’s relevant to your field. If you’re applying for a banking job, you don’t want your resume to be sunshine and rainbows.
• Pick a design that’s going to stand out (but not too much). Standard, black-and-white resumes are nice, but that’s what everyone else does.
• Want to make your life easier? Use a resume builder. You won’t have to suffer the pain of Word messing up your template!’

Discover More Resume Templates

• Chronological Resume Templates
• Functional Resume Templates
• Combination Resume Templates
• Creative Resume Templates
• High School Resume Templates
• 2 Page Resume Templates

Suggested Readings:

• How to Make a Resume | Beginner’s Guide
• 150+ Must-Have Skill for Any Resume
• 40+ Resume Summary Examples [+ How-to Guide]

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How to Fit All of Your Experience into a One-Page Resume

12 Tips on How to Fit Your Experience in a One-Page Resume

1. leave off any unnecessary information, 2. don’t include work or volunteer references, 3. use resume templates to build your resume, 4. favor the pdf file format (unless asked), 5. showcase your most relevant experience, 6. write bullet points instead of paragraphs, 7. don’t over explain in your education section, 8. focus on your most impressive achievements, 9. trim your summary (or remove it entirely), 10. change your font or make it a point smaller, 11. use smaller margins (but don’t go too far), 12. get creative with your formatting and layout, wrapping up.

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How to Fit Resume on One Page

Updated September 28, 2023 14 min read

Resume length is important for all the candidates applying for the job despite their experience. An appropriate length as per the experience helps the employers find the information they are looking for in a resume, easily.

A one-page resume is very important for an entry-level or freshly graduate candidate. You may want to add everything in your resume which you think will impress the hiring manager.

However, things are contrary to the receiving end. Hiring managers expect to see a one-pager resume from such candidates. They even encourage candidates with higher experience to not go beyond one page.

Therefore, in this article, we have listed down ways through which you can fit your resume on one page without affecting the quality of it. Read on!

Remove Repetitive Points

If you have performed some task or similar task at two different organizations, then there isn’t any need of writing the task under every organization. Only mention where you did your best and achieved desirable results. Adding this will make the employer understand your point. However, repeating the task under every organization won’t create the impact you intended to create.

For example, you led a sponsorship team for two different organizations so you won’t add ‘Successfully led a group of people and managed to get outstanding sponsorships for the event’ under each heading. But you will add it where it is most effective.

Make a Collaborative Approach

You may want to add separate headings for a new section every time which according to you looks neat. It indeed looks neat. However, our goal is to make the content fit one page. Making new headings will take up space on your document. A better approach is to use the Collaborative Strategy . The strategy involves cutting down similar headings and combining them into one single heading.

For example, combining skills and interests or volunteering and extra-curricular .

If you believe that the sections, you wish to combine have varied contents then add them all into the Additional Information section. We usually suggest avoiding the section but add it if it feels necessary and comes under one page.

Work on Margins

You may have heard or read that an ideal margin for a resume is 1 inch. However, one must not be afraid to customize it according to the need. To fit the resume content to one page you can reduce the margin by few points as necessary. There is not an ideal margin for fitting the resume for one page. You can try adjusting all the sides of the document page and choose the one that fits the best. You don’t have to pull the contents to a far edge nor you have to go beyond 1 inch to make the emptiness at the border look noticeable. Margins are distorted if the file is opened in another version of Microsoft Word, so do save your resume in PDF to preserve the margins when it goes for printing.

Similar to adjusting margins, adjusting font size also helps in restricting the resume to one page. There are several ways you can use fonts to utilize the space. A common approach is to decrease the font size. Ideally, it is suggested to keep the font size to 12, but, you can decrease it to 10 points as well. Additionally, you can use bold, italics or decrease the section headers. You can play with your font size as long as it looks presentable and fits the resume to one page.

Bullet Points

When you start describing each section, you tend to write paragraphs about it. You want to fill in every piece of information you have regarding that section. Writing paragraphs can be time-consuming and are ineffective.

Employer will not have time to read your paragraphs. If he skips it then he won’t read the information that you want to express, there. Therefore, bullet points are the lifesaver here. It not only concise the information and makes the format look neat but it also saves up a lot of space occupied by the paragraphs. Don’t go beyond 1-2 lines in a bullet point. Short bullet points work best.

The Skills Section

For beginners, one of the takeaway points that will lend them a seat at the interview is the skills section. Employers are primarily looking for a person that possesses the skills suitable for the position they have applied for. However, it is cliché to mention leadership, confidence, project management, teamwork in your skills section.

Nearly every candidate fills these soft skills in their section. You have to make your resume stand out and fit it on one page as well. Therefore, make your hard skills side heavier than your soft skills. This will not only take less space but will give you an edge among other candidates as well. Additionally, you can only mention the skills required for the job you are applying for. It will help you get past the applicant tracking system and will not use too much space.

Prioritize Including Recent Information

In your university, college or school life you may have taken part in numerous extra-curricular or you might have indulged in numerous internship experience. You don’t have to include all of that in the resume. Look at your job description carefully and see which of those activities and internships can support your candidacy for the job. Only then include those experiences and information in your resume to save up space. You need to be careful on what to include and how far you can go in a resume to make it strikingly attractive and worth reading.

Don’t Add A Line For Each Information

To make things look neat, you may want to add each piece of information on a separate line. For Example, when adding your educational information, you included the name of the institution, years studied, GPA, courses and projects all on each separate lines. It does look neat but what if it is carrying your resume to another page. To rectify that, you have to multi-use lines.

You can add years studied and GPA in a single line in brackets after the institution name. Similarly, when adding a previous work experience, you can add a company name and job title in a single line.

Remove Unnecessary Education Information

Education Information is important for fresh graduates since this section along with the skills and internship section serves as a substitute for work experience. It depends on your current employment status and experience what is necessary to include in the education section.

People who have considerable work experience don’t need to go into details of educational background; listing degree and institution is sufficient to go through. For fresh graduates, education background is necessary but including every other information that will be irrelevant for the job can be removed. Once you get your degree, adding high school information is also considered irrelevant.

Limit your experience. You will want to flood your resume with all the experience you had over 10 and more years. However, including all the experience will make your resume ineffective and it will occupy unnecessary space only.

Employers suggest including the past 10 years of experience only that indicates your career progression. In case you have been working at a single company or a single position for the past 10 years, then you can separate the positions or the task you held in the time frame to show your achievements and skills you gained through it.

Don’t Include The Old Ways

There are many traditional techniques still implemented in the resume. These include ‘references available upon request, describing the type of job you are looking for, adding high school section, adding interest or hobbies. These are the common sections and strategies that have passed on through generations and have become obsolete now.

The references available line is clichéd now since the employer always expects that you give proof to the stuff you add to your resume. Similarly, this is not an era where you describe what your needs are, rather employers will be hiring you upon the company’s needs. So writing an objective that suggests your needs rather than a company’s needs, will only backfire on you. Also, adding the high school, interest and hobbies section is irrelevant now since they don’t add value to the resume. Instead, they are just fillers that occupy the necessary space in your resume.

Your employer won’t be concerned about your interest and hire you for the job.

Accomplishments Win You Interview

Work experiences , internships , extra-curricular or projects have worth only if you earned some accomplishments from it. Adding these sections and filling them with their descriptions will not attract the employer. It is the achievement that you earned that will attract the hiring manager.

Include your best results and achievement to impress the recruiter and affirm him that you can handle the challenges of the company. If you still have space, you can mention the path you took to achieve your desired results since that will make the employer read through your strategy and further understand you.

Contact Information on One Line

Similar to what you did with the education section, including contact information in one line will save you a lot of space. Following the traditional format of adding each piece of information in every line looked line but occupied a lot of space. Therefore, the one-line format is concise and saves space. Luckily, the recruiters don’t mind the format as well. You just have to separate them with dot, slashes or vertical lines and you are good to go.

An acronym is formed from initial letters of two or more words and pronounced as a single word. Acronyms save a lot of space. Once you get a hand on the industry-accepted acronyms you will be saving a lot of space. For Example, Bill of Material (BOM), Control Plan (CP), Balance Sheet (BS), Return On Assets (ROA), Profit and Loss (P&L), Quality Assurance (QA) and much more. They are readable, understandable and employers approve them. So use it when describing your work experience, projects or internships. However, don’t use acronyms when listing down skills.

In case the company uses the Applicant-tracking system and they don’t use acronyms to search through the resume then you’ll be left out!

Format With Us

You may go through different templates in MS Word but end up prolonging your resume unnecessarily. Don’t worry. Use our resume builder and feel free to become creative with your resume using our tools.

Final Words

You have read through all the tips and tricks for limiting your resume to one page. Now, go back to your resume and apply all these tricks to make a neat, concise and one-pager resume. Happy job hunting!

Editorial staff

Brenna Goyette

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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How to Keep Your Resume to One Page

Last Updated: January 31, 2023

This article was co-authored by Kent Lee and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Kent Lee is a Career and Executive Coach and the Founder of the Perfect Resume, a career development services company based in Phoenix, Arizona. Kent specializes in creating customized resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters, and thank you letters. Kent has over 15 years of career coaching and consulting experience. Previously, he has worked as a Career Consultant for Yahoo and has worked with thousands of clients including Fortune 500 executives from around the world. His work and career advice have been featured in ABC, NBC, CBS, Yahoo, Career Builder, and Monster.com. This article has been viewed 38,129 times.

While a longer resume may be merited if you're applying for an executive-level position or have 20+ years of experience, for most people a one-page resume is sufficient. Any longer than that and you run the risk that the hiring manager won't read the whole thing. If your resume is longer than a page, it's likely bloated with information that you don't need. Keep your resume to one page by tailoring it to the job you're applying for, then editing that content so that it's actionable, direct, and specific. If after that your resume is still more than a page long, try adjusting the formatting to see if you can get it to fit. [1] X Research source

Tailoring Your Resume to the Job

• For example, suppose you're a recent graduate applying for a full-time job as a financial analyst. While in school, you worked as a parking attendant. However, since your work as a parking attendant is not relevant to the work you would do as a financial analyst, you can leave it out.
• Some part-time jobs may have relevance, even if they aren't in the same industry. Think about your job experiences critically. For example, if you're applying for a job as a veterinary technician, it might be relevant that you worked as a pet groomer or pet sitter.
• Your resume essentially markets you to the potential employer and shows them why you are a strong candidate for the job. You don't need to include anything that doesn't add to that message.

Tip: If you have a varied educational or professional background, it can be helpful to create a "master resume" that includes everything. Then you can simply copy and paste from the master to quickly create a resume tailored to a particular job.

• Hard skills include certification or demonstrated proficiency in computer programming or operation, the ability to speak languages other than your first language, and office skills such as typing speed. Do not include soft skills, such as "leadership" or "team player." Instead, show these qualities through the description of your accomplishments.
• It can be tempting to list hard skills you don't actually have. Be careful with this because it may come back to haunt you. Assume that, if hired, you will be asked to do anything included in the job listing as part of your job.

Tip: When listing hard skills, use the same terminology the employer used in their job listing. Many employers use computer software to scan resumes for keywords, and mirroring their terminology can put your resume on the top of the pile.

• For example, if you're applying for a job as a veterinary technician, you would definitely want to include information about volunteering at your local animal shelter, zoo, or nature center.
• If you have the space, you can leave in significant volunteer work even if it doesn't directly relate to the job you're applying for. This is a good idea if you've researched the employer and know they support particular causes related to your volunteer work.

• If an employer does require references, you can often include them on a separate piece of paper, rather than including them on your resume.

Tip: As with creating a master resume, it's also helpful to have a master list of references. That way you can make sure you're offering references that will provide each potential employer with information about you that's most relevant to the job.

• For example, if you play a sport in a community amateur league, you might want to keep that information on your resume if you're applying for a job as a sports writer.
• If you really need the space, you might include them as a line under your work experience section. Change the section heading to "Experience" rather than "Work Experience."
• Through your research, you may have discovered that you and the hiring manager have various hobbies or interests in common. In that situation, it's tempting to leave them on your resume. However, it's better to save them for the interview when you can strike up a conversation about your mutual interests.

• If the degree isn't required for the job, you can leave it off entirely. For example, if the job listing states that a bachelor's degree is required, you would need to include your bachelor's degree on your resume even if it was in a field of study unrelated to the job. However, if you had a higher degree, you could safely leave the bachelor's degree off to save some space.
• If you have a bachelor's degree, you don't need to include your high school education. The potential employer will realize that you have a high school diploma if you have a bachelor's degree. However, you may want to leave it on if you went to an elite high school and you learned through research that the hiring manager graduated from the same school.

Editing Your Content

• Depending on the length of this section, removing it could give you an extra 3 to 5 lines that you can use for valuable content that sells your experience and value to the potential employer.

• For example, suppose in one of your previous jobs you created a training course called "Negotiation Tactics." You're now applying for a new position that requires extensive negotiation, and you want to highlight your expertise in that area as well as your leadership skills. You could write: Created "Negotiation Tactics" course; 10 sales executives increased sales by 25%.
• Specific numbers draw the eye as a potential employer scans your resume and don't take up a lot of space. For example, "Drafted 24 trial briefs" gives your potential employer far more information than simply saying that you drafted documents for senior attorneys. If you round or estimate, include a word such as "around" or "about" so the potential employer doesn't get the impression you're using an exact figure.

• For example, if you have a retail sales position listed on your resume, you might have a bullet point for responsibilities related to customer service and another for sales goals. If you had managerial responsibilities, you would likely have a third bullet point discussing your performance as a manager.
• Read your bullet points aloud and note where you repeat words. For example, "Designed customer service training program to train coworkers to provide better customer service" could be shortened to simply "Designed customer service training program; satisfaction rating increased 18%."

Tip: Generally, avoid having more than 3 or 4 bullet points per item. You don't need the same number of bullet points for each item on your resume – for some items, you may have more to say than for others, and that's to be expected.

• Start bullet points with an action verb. Then, write a brief description of your action or responsibility. Place a semi-colon after that phrase, then include a brief description of the outcome of that action. For example, instead of writing "developed and implemented an email campaign that increased sales by 10% in 1 month," you could write "developed/implemented email campaign; increased sales 10% in 1 month."
• You can often use punctuation instead of conjunctions, which will cut a few characters. For example, instead of writing "designed and conducted training program" you can write "designed/conducted training program."

• For example, instead of talking about "point-of-sale transactions," you can use "POS transactions." The potential employer will likely understand what this abbreviation means, particularly if you're applying for a job in the retail sector.
• At the same time, avoid filling your resume with a lot of industry jargon that has a loose meaning. It can make you look as though you aren't actually that knowledgeable and are simply throwing together industry buzzwords.

• For example, instead of writing "Successfully trained 10 employees on new computer system," you might write "Implemented training program; increased productivity by 38%."

Adjusting Your Formatting

• Make all the text in your resume the same size, rather than having the names of employers or schools larger than the rest of the text.
• If the labels or headings for the sections of your resume are larger than the rest of your text, you can also experiment with making them smaller. Try making them the same size as everything else.

Tip: Use bold and italics to make headings and other important information stand out from the rest of the text. Just keep your usage consistent throughout the entire document.

• Decrease line spacing by the smallest increment possible. Make sure your words don't overlap and can still be read. You may want to print out your resume and see how it looks.

• Particularly if you're emailing your resume, there's a good chance your resume will never be printed on paper. However, you still want to make sure it's printable if necessary.

• If you want to use multiple columns, you're better off starting a new document rather than simply converting the document you have. You'll have an easier time arranging your information correctly.

Tip: While it's not common, you could also try using landscape orientation. It works especially well with multiple columns and can help your resume stand out. However, this approach probably isn't advisable in more traditional fields, such as medicine, law, or finance.

Expert Q&A

• Once you've finalized your resume, convert it to a PDF to preserve your formatting. That way, you can email it to the potential employer without worrying about your formatting getting ruined. Include your full name in the filename for the PDF. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.themuse.com/advice/6-pro-tips-for-cutting-your-resume-down-to-one-page
• ↑ Kent Lee. Career & Executive Coach. Expert Interview. 2 April 2020.
• ↑ https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/trim-resume-one-page-0217
• ↑ https://www.themuse.com/advice/final-cut-words-to-strike-from-your-resume

About this article

An easy way to keep your resume to one page is to tailor it to the job you’re applying to and cut out anything that doesn’t directly relate. For example, if you’re applying for a position as a financial analyst, you shouldn’t keep in your summer job as a parking attendant. You should also remove any references unless your potential employer specifically asks for them. If an employer asks for references, include them on a separate page rather than listing them on your resume. Another way to save space is by completely removing a “Career Objective” section since your goals are clear simply by applying to a position. For more tips, including how to make space on your resume through formatting, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write a Resume: The Only Resume Guide You’ll Need in 2024

• Kaja Jurcisinova , 
• Updated January 16, 2024 16 min read

Your resume is arguably the most important document you'll create during a job search. So taking the time to learn how to write a resume properly can make a job hunt much quicker and easier.  

What would otherwise take you hours of hard work and research can be done in a few minutes. All you have to do is follow our simple step-by-step guide on how to write the perfect resume. 

In the end, a good resume gives you a chance to make a great first impression and ultimately decide if you'll be invited for an interview. 

What makes a great resume?

• Clear division of resume sections
• Prioritizing relevant information
• Tailored for a specific position
• Typo-free and well-written
• Usage of bullet points

There's more to it, though.

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

What is a resume?

Before you start writing your resume, how to write a resume, step 1: choose the right resume format, step 2: add contact information and personal details, step 3: begin with your professional summary, step 4: list relevant work experience, step 5: summarize your education , step 6: highlight your soft and hard skills , step 7: add optional resume sections.

• Step 8: Wrap it up with a cover letter 

Final tips before you click “Send”

Let's cover the basics first. Before we learn how to write a good resume, we should know what a resume even is. 

The word resume comes from French, meaning “summary” . This is the perfect word because that’s exactly what a resume is: a short, straight-to-the-point summary that details your professional achievements, skills, qualifications, education, work experience, and past employers. It's also known as a curriculum vitae (CV) .

The aim of a resume is to get invited to a job interview . It should aim to convince an employer that you're a good fit for the job. 

Because of that, your resume should be adjusted and tailored to each job vacancy.

TL;DR Here's a step-by-step video guide on how to write a professional resume in 2024

If you’re already familiar with what should be on your resume and just want a quick and informative recap, or if your time is limited, just check out our 5-minute step-by-step video guide .

Before we move on to how to write a resume, we recommend setting a few minutes aside for research. These few minutes can save you hours of frustration and ultimately make your job search that much easier.

Here’s what we recommend to research before you write your resume: 

• Research the company, specifically the “About Us” page. This is a great place to search for keywords you can use in your resume or cover letter. What are their mission statement and their values?
• Research the position you’ll be applying for. Great resumes are tailored to a specific job opening. You can do this by asking these three questions as you go through the job post: “ What are the essential keywords? What adjectives, nouns, and phrases occur repeatedly? What language does the company use?”
• Discover your strong points , as this will make it easier to pinpoint the qualities you want to highlight in your resume. Ask people around you: “What are my skills and abilities, and what are my weaknesses?” Also, look at your past accomplishments. What were the skills and abilities that helped you succeed in the past?

Another way of preparing for writing your resume is by looking at these well-researched, specifically tailored, and properly formatted resume examples in our database. You can even filter them by your job title.

Not enough time?

Let your resume write itself. All you’ll have left to do is edit the draft.

We'll walk you through nine essential steps to help you create a standout resume.

Different resume formats cater to different types of job seekers, depending on the experience level and career goals. The  three most commonly used  resume formats are chronological, functional, and combination (hybrid).

Your resume should include your contact/personal information right at the top, in a so-called resume header. A resume header is  more than just your name and contact details . Depending on your career path, there's a lot more that can (and should) be included in this section. To find out what to include, what to skip, and how to format it keep on reading.

A professional summary (also called resume profile or resume summary) is a short paragraph that summarizes your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. Think of it as a teaser for the rest of your resume.

This is the most important section of your resume. You need to include key information like : names of companies, locations, job titles, positions held, dates of employment, responsibilities you've had. Then: - list the jobs in reverse-chronological order - write in bullet points - include your quantifiable achievements - avoid buzzwords - use action verbs and keywords from the job description

The education summary section, though important, varies in significance based on your career stage . As an experienced professional, prioritize work history and skills, placing education after. Keep it concise, including university, degree, and graduation year.

Skills fall into two categories: hard and soft. 1. Hard skills are teachable and measurable, acquired through training, and include computer proficiency, language abilities, project management, etc. 2. Soft skills , linked to personality traits, can enhance both work and personal life, encompassing communication, leadership, and time management, among others.

These can include: achievements and awards, certifications and licences, language skills, publications, references, hobbies, social media, volunteering, or custom sections.

A good cover letter should answer the following questions: 1. Who are you?  2. Why are you interested in working for their company? 3. Why are you the best fit for the job opening? 4. How can you enrich their company?

In the following chapters, we look at each step in more detail and give you helpful tips and examples.

Once you know what the company and job require and you’ve identified your strengths and weaknesses, you should be ready to pick the right resume format.  

Make this choice depending on the stage of your career: 

• Are you a seasoned professional ? Then you should pick a resume format that emphasizes your experience.
• Are you a fresh graduate? Then your resume should highlight any transferable skills you’ve acquired during your studies.
• Are you changing careers? Then a combination of the two will produce the best results.

Pick the best option for your career from the three dominant resume formats that are in use today:

• Chronological resume format. Probably the best choice for experienced professionals. Lists the candidate’s jobs and accomplishments in chronological order. Main resume section : Work Experience.
• Functional resume format. Great for fresh graduates, IT professionals, or other skill-based professions. Emphasizes skills instead of experience. Main resume section: Skills.
• Combined resume format . A combination of the previous two.

Let's take a look at what these resume formats look like in practice:

Chronological resume format

Functional resume format, combined resume format.

The resume format you choose will determine how you organize the information on your resume. It will also attract attention to some things and away from others. 

Take time to understand your strengths and weaknesses and choose accordingly.

You want the recruiter to read the strongest and most relevant parts of your resume at the start. For more, check out a guide on how to choose the right resume format .

Your contact/personal information should always be at the top of your resume in a so-called resume header .

Compared to the other resume sections, filling in the contact information section may seem super easy. That's until you start asking more questions.

Should you put your address on the resume? How to include social media , and should you? And what about the date of birth? 

Well, let’s see: 

• Name. Absolutely necessary. Put your first name first and surname last. Middle name is optional.
• Title. Optional. If you’re applying for a position in a traditional or specialized field, it's good to add your Ph.D., MBA, or other titles to it.
• Email address. Absolutely necessary, even when you’re sending your application by email. Your email address should look professional (e.g. [email protected] , NOT [email protected] ). Always use your personal email address, not the email address with the domain of your current employer. 
• Home address. Somewhat problematic. Your neighborhood can say a lot about you in some cases, disclosing living in a certain area can lead to discrimination. On the other hand, if you’re located in the same city as the company, it may help you to get the job, as it saves the company that they'd have to spend on a relocation package (of course, only if the job isn't remote).
• Phone number. Necessary. Many employers will call you by phone to arrange an interview, instead of doing it by email.
• LinkedIn. Recommended. And if you don’t have a LinkedIn profile yet, consider creating one. Make sure your profile is complete and up-to-date.
• Social media. Optional. Include it only if it’s related to your job. GitHub, Behance, and even your Facebook or Instagram profile will do (if you regularly post content that has to do with your profession). Here are a few tips on how to include your social media . 
• Blog/website. Optional. Similar to social media. If you have a blog , website, or digital portfolio related to your chosen profession, don’t be afraid to show it off.
• Photo. Problematic. It depends on the country. In most English-speaking countries, they don’t add a photo. See this guide to know if you should put a picture on your resume .

Your professional summary should be a list of about 4-5 bullet points or a short paragraph that summarizes your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements.

You can think of it as a teaser for the rest of your resume. Make sure it’s interesting enough to hook the hiring manager right in.

But how do you write a good professional summary?

• Write your professional summary last. It’s surprisingly easy to do if you’ve already finished other sections of your resume.
• The first bullet point should describe your professional title. Don’t forget to add the number of years of experience. Write it in bold if the number is especially impressive.
• Pick the most impressive parts of your resume and rewrite them into snappy bullet points. Tease your potential employer into reading further.
• Pack your professional summary with relevant keywords. Think of ATS. This will help you get through automated pre-screenings.
• Quantify every achievement if possible. This will make you look even more professional. 
• Tie every bullet point to the requirements introduced in the job offer.

If you do everything right, you should end up with something like this:

The work experience section is what most people picture when they think “resume” .

The trick is to focus on your past achievements , not your responsibilities. 

Hiring managers are likely to know what your responsibilities were supposed to be. In most cases, your job title says it all.

If you want to stand out, you should tell them how you excelled in your previous job instead. 

And there’s hardly a more effective way to do that than by mentioning your achievements.

But how do you list your work experience on a resume?

• Put your work experience section in the right spot. If you can boast a lot of professional experience, put your work experience section right under your resume summary. If you don’t have enough experience yet, put it just below your education section. Finally, if you prefer to highlight your skills instead of experience, put your skills section first.
• Give it a proper heading. Keep it simple and stick to “Work Experience” or “Employment History” as other headings might not be understood by applicant tracking systems (ATS) .
• List your jobs in reverse-chronological order. Start with your most recent experience and work your way back from there. Based on your level of experience, decide how far back should your resume go .
• Don’t include the job description. Instead of listing what you were supposed to do, try to tell your potential employers what positive results you had.
• Write in past tense. This will help you focus on your past achievements instead of responsibilities. It also sounds better.
• Show your problem-solving skills. In the end, hiring managers want to know how effective you’re going to be in solving real problems. There’s no better way to show your problem-solving ability than to briefly describe how you solved difficult problems in the past. Follow the PAR scheme: What was the (P)roblem? What (A)ction did you take? What was the (R)esult?
• Quantify results. Hiring managers love measurable results. Because of that, a single number often speaks more than a thousand words. Don’t say that you “increased the company’s revenue significantly.” Instead, don’t be afraid to brag about “increasing the company’s revenue by 20%.”
• Use bullet points. Bullet points help you structure each subsection. Try to limit yourself to about 5 bullets per job.
• Avoid buzzwords. People used some phrases in their resumes so much, these words have become meaningless. Everybody seems to be an out-of-the-box creative thinker with a knack for innovation nowadays. But in reality, only very few people really are those things. See what other 10 buzzwords you should stop using on your resume
• Use action verbs . Unlike buzzwords, action verbs carry the weight you need to persuade an employer to hire you. Just to mention a few, these are words like “developed” , “increased” , “facilitated” and others. For more action verbs, check out our resume cheat sheet .
• Keywords. Reread the job description and carefully pick the most important keywords. These are the words that best describe the position you’re applying for, and that will attract the attention of the ATS system. 

In the end, your work experience section should look a bit like this:

The education summary section is where you list your degrees and relevant academic accomplishments.

Based on your degree and where you're in your career, it can be either the least or the most important part of your resume.

Are you an experienced professional?

Once you become more experienced, the education section takes a back seat to your work history and hard skills.

In other words, your education section should come after your work experience section, not the other way around. It also shouldn't be too long. For instance, your grades are no longer relevant.  

It’s enough if you include the name of your university, the name of your degree, and the year you graduated.

Here’s an example:

Are you a fresh graduate?

Then your degree is still one of the strongest cards you have to play.

In practical terms, it means that you should place your education section at the top of your resume — right between your professional summary and work experience section.

It should also be a bit longer. 

These are the things you should add to your education section if you’re a student or a fresh graduate:

• Academic awards. AP scholar, Duke of Edinburgh award, National Merit Award, President’s Award, school subject-based awards, dean’s list, etc.
• Scholarships. Athletic scholarships, scholarships for women, creative scholarships, etc.
• Academic conferences and symposia. Don’t forget to mention the scope and name of the paper you presented at a conference.
• Relevant student societies. Debating or programming clubs. If you were on a student committee of any kind, mention that too.
• GPA. Only include your GPA if it was higher than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. If your overall GPA was lower, mention your overall GPA. Alternatively, mention your summa cum laude or magna cum laude .
• Academic publications. Producing an academic work worth publishing is impressive no matter the context.

In the end, your education section can look like this:

Before you start writing, you should know there are two types of skills : hard skills and soft skills.

1. Hard skills can be learned, taught, and most importantly — measured. Acquiring them requires deliberate effort, training, and time.

Hard skills can be, for instance: computer skills, language skills, manual skills, mathematics, project management, etc.

2. Soft skills are tied to your personality traits. These skills can come as part of your upbringing, or you can acquire some later in life through self-improvement. These skills can bring value to any job, as well as your private life.

Examples of soft skills include: communication, leadership, time management , creativity, decision-making, etc.

But how to make your skills stand out?

• Focus on what’s most relevant. Do you have any of the skills mentioned in the advertisement for your desired job? Good. Make sure to include them in your resume’s skills section.
• Organize your skills into subcategories. Divide your skills section into several subsections like computer skills, soft skills, languages, and others.
• Don’t underestimate soft skills. 67 percent of HR managers said they’d hire a candidate with strong soft skills even if their technical abilities were lacking. On the contrary, only 9 percent would hire someone with strong technical credentials but weak soft skills.
• There are skills you shouldn’t include. Never include any skills you don’t have, skills that have nothing to do with the job, skills everybody should have, or skills that have become obsolete.

Apart from the standard resume sections we just mentioned above, are also optional sections. 

A good rule of thumb is to add an optional section only if it's relevant to the job you're applying for. If done properly, these sections can help you:

• Fill the gap when lacking experience
• Highlight additional skills and expertise 
• Let an employer know more about who you are

Pro tip: Optional resume sections can be especially important to companies that prioritize hiring candidates who fit their workplace culture. 

Here are some of the most common optional sections: 

Technical skills

This section can be a nice addition when applying for (surprise!) technical jobs. 

Some examples of technical skills are: programming languages, software proficiency, project management, and data analysis.

Technical skills are usually measurable, so if you decide to include them in your resume, use a graph or a scale to illustrate how strong they are. Adding visual elements to your resume not only looks nice but also shows your ability to be precise and analytical.

Achievements and awards

Scholarships, competitions, work-related awards, or even promotions to leadership positions in your job — all of these can be considered important professional achievements. 

Either distribute them across other parts of your resume or put them in a dedicated section. The latter allows you to truly highlighted them. 

And if you choose to include them in a separate resume section, don't forget to mention the dates and the name of the company/institution at which you've accomplished the achievement. 

Professional references

In today's competitive job market, strong professional references can be a game-changer. Consider including a ' Professional References ' section in your resume to provide potential employers with easy access to these valuable resources.

How to format references on resume? Here's what you should list for each reference:

• Their full name
• Their current job title and organization
• Their contact details (email and phone number will do)
• Your relationship with them (e.g., Former Supervisor)

Ensure you have their permission and inform them when actively job searching.

Once you decide who you want your references to be, it's time to ask them if they agree. Here's how to ask someone to be a reference via email .

Certifications and licenses

Listing the certificates and courses that you've successfully completed on your resume is never a mistake.

However, keep in mind that they should be related to the role that you're applying for. 

If you'd like to add a certificate to your CV but you're unsure about where to find the best course for you, check out this carefully curated list of the best online courses that will help you to get a job. 

Publications

In this section, you can mention all the relevant conferences, presentations, and written publications. 

This section is most useful if you're working in academia, marketing, or journalism. 

However, include it in your resume also if you're applying for a position that requires you to be an expert on the topic that you've written about.

Volunteering

This section lists your volunteer work . It should be treated similarly to a work experience section. The reason is that whether your work was paid or not, it still translates to real-life experience. 

This is true especially if you find yourself at the beginning of your career. In that case, feel free to place the volunteering section towards the start of your resume. 

On the other hand, if you're a seasoned professional, locate this section more toward the end of your document. 

This is the part of your resume that's the most personal. Here, let a little loose and let your personality shine through. List you hobbies and interests, even the quirky or unique ones.

Hobbies serve as a great way for a hiring manager to see you more as a person and less as just a name written on a paper. They can also break the ice during the interview stage.

Christy's word of advice

Really, it sounds so simple, but one of the best ways to stand out with your resume is to apply for jobs you’re a close fit for. So many people apply ‘just in case they’ll consider me if even I only meet some of the requirements’, then feel deflated when they’re rejected. The company has spent time figuring out exactly what they need and are paying their staff or a recruiter to find that. Look closely at the minimum/essential requirements, apply for jobs you’re a great fit for, and you’ll have much better luck!

Christy Morgan, Resident HR Expert

Step 8: Wrap it up with a cover letter  

Phew! Almost done with how to write a resume. Just a little bit of editing and proofreading, picking the right resume template , and you should be able to click send, right? 

Well, not quite. At least we wouldn’t recommend you sending it —  yet. 

The truth is that resumes are often put aside when not accompanied by a cover letter. It would be a shame if this happened to you, especially after all the time you’ve spent creating it. 

A good cover letter is a way to stand apart from the competition. It’s where you can show your hiring manager you mean business. 

And, if you're fresh out of college or changing career this step-by-step guide on  how to write a cover letter with no experience  will show you what to focus on instead. 

Here are 4 questions to guide you while writing your cover letter: 

• Who are you (professionally)? 
• Why are you interested in working for their company?
• Why are you the best fit for the job opening?
• How can you enrich their company?

When all it’s said and done, your cover letter should look something like this:

Cover letter example

This cover letter sample was provided by a real person who got hired with Kickresume’s help.

Want more inspo? Browse another 1,250+ cover letter examples by your profession.

And if you really want a memorable cover letter, we’ve got you covered. In fact, we’re certain it will be the only cover letter guide you’ll ever need . 

• The older the job, the fewer the details. In other words, don’t have 13 bullet points on a job from 5 years ago.
• Use off-peak hours for maximum attention , especially if you’re reaching out to an employer directly. Hiring managers are busy people and you want them to receive your resume when they have enough time to carefully read through it.
• Check your resume for typos. If English isn't your first language, employers might be inclined to overlook any grammatical mistakes that you make in your resume. Typos, on the other hand, are unforgivable. Your computer’s spell-check feature can help you fix that.
• Customize your resume for each job application. Every employer is different. And any hiring manager can tell if you’ve just sent them the same generic resume as to everyone else. So make sure you tailor your resume to each individual employer to increase your chances of getting hired.
• Get the introductory email right. It doesn’t matter that you have the best resume ever if nobody gets to read it. Attach it to an email that catches the employer’s attention from the get-go. Pay particular attention to the subject line that will make them read the full email, including the attachments.

FAQ: How to write a resume

One to two pages is the ideal. If you're at the junior stage of your career, one page is more than enough. Similarly, make sure that your resume isn't longer than three pages (and this may be stretching it already), even if you're a CEO.

Generally speaking, content is superior to form when it comes to resumes. However, a nice design is the first thing that catches the recruiter's attention — and that's precisely what you want. Moreover, if you're looking for a job in marketing, art, or design, the design of your resume naturally becomes your selling point, too.

Typos, being too general and not specific enough, not including relevant information, not using action verbs, and writing about duties instead of accomplishments.

The best format for sending a resume is PDF, as it keeps the visuals of the resume unchanged once the document is opened by the recruiter.

1.  Include standard resume sections.  Contact information, resume summary, work experience, education, skills. 2.  Include optional resume sections.  Awards, references, certifications, publications, projects, etc. 3.  Choose a resume format.  The three standard are: chronological, functional, combination.  4.  Use bullet points.  Use bullet points to make your resume easier to scan and highlight important information quickly.  6.  Think about the  margins .  Strike a good balance between not leaving too much white space and making your resume seem cluttered.  7.  Keep it to  one-two pages .  Unless you have extensive work experience, you should generally aim to keep your resume to one page.  8.  Consistency is key.  In all aspects of your resume, including the spacing, font, margins, etc. 9.  Use a professional resume   template  or layout which helps to structure the information effectively and makes it easy to read. 

Good job, you made it! If you still need more information on how to write a resume. You can go further in-depth in our section-by-section resume guide .

This article was recently updated. The original article was written by Noel Rojo in 2019.

Kaja Jurcisinova is a junior copywriter at Kickresume. Kaja completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of St Andrews in 2018 and graduated with a Master’s in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen in 2021. She was an intern at multiple cultural institutions across Europe, including the Dutch Museum Association in Amsterdam, the Matter of Art Biennale in Prague, and the European Cultural Centre in Venice. At the moment, she resides in Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.

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10 Ways to Improve Your Resume 

Your resume is often a first impression for potential employers. Make it a good one with these tips.

Whether you are creating a resume for your first job or applying for a role in a new company or industry,  your resume often creates the first impression an employer has of you, your skills, and your potential. Make that first impression a winning one with a few enhancements and priority updates.

10 winning resume updates

Use these 10 tips to highlight your credentials, qualifications, experience, and accomplishments in one document. 

1. Select the best template for your skills, experience, and goals. 

While you can build a strong resume on a blank document, consider using a template from a graphic design tool like Canva to build your resume, giving it a more eye-catching appearance. 

When choosing the design and layout , think about the following:

The role you’re applying for, and the job description. For example, a graphic designer might choose a bold, colorful template, while someone in accounting or finance might prefer a more traditional or corporate layout.

The aspects of your professional history that are the most relevant

Besides your name and contact information, the sections you'll need include education, previous employment and professional experience, tools you are trained to use, technical skills , certifications and courses you’ve completed, awards you’ve received, and hobbies and interests. 

How to position these sections within the template in the most advantageous way

2. Add skills or areas of expertise near or below your name. 

Summarize who you are as a professional before providing all of the details. This section can take up two or three lines on your resume and should include your area of expertise, such as “design thinking specialist” or “investigative journalist,” and a list of your most relevant skills.  

For each job you apply to, think about which skills the employer would most likely hire you for, and include those. You can often determine what's most important to the potential employer by examining the job listing. Try to keep your skills list specific and quantifiable, for example, "Agile project management" or "Python programming."

Read more: What Skills Should I Include on My Resume?

3. Include a robust and compelling objective.

In addition to conveying confidence in your abilities, this section can demonstrate to employers that you are intentional about your career and the application you are submitting. 

A resume objective can expand what you include in your area of expertise section by listing your professional goals and what you’d like to contribute to the company to which you’re applying. 

4. Display your online presence. 

Near your name and contact information, list any online accounts you have that can showcase your interests, passions, or previous work. The list could include social media, an online portfolio, or your website. 

Be sure to remove anything from your online accounts that you don’t want a potential employer to view. Post content that may be relevant to the job you’re applying for or that is your original work. 

Read more: How to Use LinkedIn - A Guide to Online Networking

5. Use relevant keywords.

One of the most important things to get your resume seen is to use keywords optimized for the applicant tracking systems (ATS) that recruiters and employers use to find prospective employees. An ATS allows recruiters to process hundreds of resumes for relevant keywords and narrow down the pool of applicants they’ll invite to an interview.  

Find the best keywords by:

Reviewing the job listing for keywords 

Googling “[industry] keywords” and making a list of the most relevant ones

Using a free ATS to scan your resume for opportunities to optimize your keywords

Using industry-specific terms and jargon also demonstrates your familiarity with your new field.

Read more: Resume Keywords: How to Find the Right Words to Beat the ATS

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6. Use action verbs.

In conjunction with your ATS keyword research, use action verbs , such as “managed,” “implemented,” or “developed,” to describe the tasks you performed or projects you completed in previous roles. Action verbs are a great way to specify your experience and emphasize your technical skills.

Here’s an example a cybersecurity analyst might use: “Implemented a backup system to add a layer of security company data.”

7. Quantify your accomplishments in previous roles.

Include a sentence with your job scope and a bullet list of accomplishment items under each job. Try to be specific and use concrete metrics that demonstrate the impact of your accomplishments. If you boosted social media engagement in your last marketing job , for example, include the percentage of that increase.

A formula for resume success

Use this formula when highlighting your professional accomplishments: "[Action verb] [X] to [Y], resulting in [Z]." Here’s an example a social media marketer might use: “Designed visual content to improve brand awareness, resulting in a 30-percent increase in Facebook conversion.”

8. Include a section for hobbies and interests.

This section can show more of your personality and abilities you did not list in other areas of the resume. Your hobbies and interests can be great conversation starters and position you as a well-rounded employee with versatile skills.

If you're looking for your first job and don't yet have much professional experience, you might turn to your extracurricular activities as a way to highlight key job skills, like problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, or teamwork.

9. Get ahead of concerns. 

At the same time that you include details about your professional history and career objectives that employers will find attractive, remain mindful of potential red flags on your resume and address them. 

Red flags might include short job durations and gaps in employment in your job experience section. For gaps in your employment history lasting longer than six months, consider including what you did during that time. Caregiving, travel, volunteer work, and independent projects are all opportunities to highlight related, transferrable skills .  

Read more: How to Get a Job with No Experience: A Job Seeker’s Guide

10. Eliminate clutter. 

Once you have most of the sections filled in, scan the resume for unnecessary details that you can remove. These might include:

Job experience from long ago, particularly if it’s not relevant to the position you’re applying for

Graduation dates

Details from your hobbies and interests section that are the least relevant

Buzzwords like “self-starter” and “hard worker”

Typically, your resume should fit on a single page, unless you have more than 10 to 15 years of related professional experience.

Next steps 

As you continue along your career path, treat your resume as an evolving document that you regularly update as you gain experience, skills, and other qualifications. Looking for new skills to add to your resume? Consider a Professional Certificate in data analysis, project management, cybersecurity, or IT support, designed to get you job-ready in as little as three months.

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