Please upgrade your web browser

These pages are built with modern web browsers in mind, and are not optimized for Internet Explorer 8 or below. Please try using another web browser, such as Internet Explorer 9, Internet Explorer 10, Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari.

Is the one page resume a must?

Advisor

Jesse Records Placerville, CA

I have 12 years work experience including several different positions held while in the military. I am switching fields so I need to highlight my education and software projects but I am having a diffucult time cramming it all on one page. I have met people with 30 years experience with a one page resume. Is it necessary or will recruiters toss it out?

21 November 2015 30 replies Resumes & Cover Letters

Answers

Advisor

Bob Schaefer Garland, TX

This is a good question.
I've interviewed and hired many people over the years and I think two pages are fine. You always need to remember that the resume is a tool to get you to the next step in the interview process, its not going to directly get you the job.
Instead of thinking about one resume that will do it all, think about having multiple resumes, each tailored to the specific job you are looking for.
As others have mentioned, you want to capture attention in the first half page and then use the remaining portion of the resume to reference experience.
Make sure to have several friends or family look at it to see what can be removed. You don't need every bullet to be a long sentence, try to keep the bullets to one line, which will help in the overall length.
I work in IT and from a technical point of view, I'm more interested that your are a reader and like to learn new technologies and approaches...rather than the fact that you spent an entire paragraph on all the 11 out of date application versions you told me about.
Research the company that you are interested in and delete the portions of your resume that don't apply.
Using a sports analogy, if I'm looking for an assistant baseball coach, I really don't want to hear how good you are or all your experiences in coaching volleyball, rather that you have extensive experience in coaching and motivating players in ....

5 January 2016 Helpful answer

Advisor

Donn LeVie Jr. Austin, TX

Jesse:
Hiring managers spend 10 seconds scanning the upper 2/3 of page 1 looking for the keywords of interest to them from your most recent experience. Be sure you have a "Professional Summary" section after your contact information (just best phone number and email address, and LinkedIn URL if you have one), and perhaps a list of accomplishments (NOT duties/responsibilities or task completions but bona fide accomplishments) or functional skills table after the Professional Summary. Be sure items in your bulleted lists are in decreasing order of importance to the hiring manager.

Like the advice from others, space on a résumé is valuable real estate, so be judicious in your word choices.

Good luck!

Donn LeVie Jr.
Donn LeVie Jr. STRATEGIES
The Hire Authority for Strategic Career Engagement

24 November 2015 Helpful answer

Advisor

Jerry Welsh Middleville, MI

The VP of Human Resources at Google indicated a good rule of thumb is 1 page for every 10 years. You are over the 10 years so 2 pages is acceptable. The key is are you targeting key words for your new career and are you targeting the job posting. If you are spending 2 pages displaying all your stations or training, which means very little in military terms then the extra page may not be needed. Value is the key.

Advisor

Bob Abrams Buffalo Grove, IL

I would suggest that you put a powerful grouping of accomplishments at the top of your resume because the recruiter may only allocate 15 seconds to your resume. I know a recent case where a top student at a major university was sending out her resume to companies where she had referrals, and she never got a job interview. She was rejected based upon her resume content. In most cases, if the first page is unappealing, then a second page is a waste of time. My 2 cents...

Advisor

Evelyn Torres Fort Smith, AR

Jesse,

My name is Evelyn Torres and I’m a Corporate Recruiter for ArcBest Corporation; so I guess you can say I see A LOT of resumes on a daily bases! My suggestion to you is to keep it as concise as possible. If it’s two pages I would print on front and back. Coming from a recruiter, it gets overwhelming when resumes run 2+ pages long. Additionally, we want to look at a resume and quickly assess whether we should pass this candidate to the next step in the process.

I would also like to note that adjusting your resume to highlight the relevancy may help you narrow down your experience as well. As a recruiter one of the most difficult things is assessing whether a candidate is a good match, so highlighting your experience that aligns well with the role is always a plus!
Thank you,

Evelyn Torres
Etorres@arcb.com

Advisor

Louis Schwarz Somerville, NJ

I have read a lot of resumes, if you don't get me on the first page, I don't go to the second page. 2 pages are standard, time is of essence, I want crisp informative employees, pictured by their resumes. I look for what you are doing now, not so much what you have done in the past, since I am hiring the future, not the past.
Good luck.

Advisor

Luke Thomas Redman Austin, TX

If you are switching careers or early in your post-military career, start with a 1-page resume and keep all your bullet points high-level. If you are progressing from one job to another in a relatively similar field, 2-3 pages is fine. Longer than that is probably only appropriate for an academic.

Advisor

Luke Thomas Redman Austin, TX

If you are switching careers or early in your post-military career, start with a 1-page resume and keep all your bullet points high-level. If you are progressing from one job to another in a relatively similar field, 2-3 pages is fine. Longer than that is probably only appropriate for an academic.

Advisor

Doug Hill Kearneysville, WV

My resume is 4 pages long. I want the job and see no reason to play fair;-) I let the hiring manager to know that there will be little chance that the job requirements will ever exceed my experience and qualifications. I am usually hired to fix a broken system and the hiring manager realizes that hiring the "one pager" that just left wasn't a good idea. If it is relevant,leave it in. And let the hiring manager know that with your experience, education, and background you see every challenge as an opportunity to excel!

Advisor

William Bahrt Sequim, WA

There is a lot of good advice here. Two pages is good; three if your field experience is extensive. However, if you are in a technical field with a significant work history and a whole bunch of training completed that is job related, write your brief two page resume and then write a complete resume that covers everything you have accomplished even if it 4 or 5 pages. You still want to be brief, hit the main points, and make it an accurate picture of who you are. You then give the interviewer the two page resume and hold the extensive version to answer questions and if requested give it to the interviewer. The resume is supposed to describe the applicant; not the other way around. Good luck and thank you for your service.

Advisor

Howard La Kier Atlanta, GA

Jesse, A one page resume/CV works for those with just a few years of work experience. You may be interested in a posting I wrote with CV guidance (https://acp-advisornet.org/questions/2542#answer-13783).

You mentioned a switch in career and software projects. If my experience in Information Technology and consulting can help you or you'd like someone to review your resume, please send me a message.

Advisor

Steven Newman Charlotte, NC

I agree. I work in the financial industry. I don't think I've ever seen a one page resume for any of our information technology positions. They are always generally two, and occasionally more. Good luck!

Advisor

Charles E. Cabler Florence, AL

Jesse, You have already received some great answers, but thought as a 30 year hiring manager, I would share these points with you. A two page resume is very acceptable today, and if you have additional important information to convey, consider using an addendum. If the resume is an eye-catcher, the addendum will fill in important information, but remain optional reading for the interviewer. Ensure your resume is dynamic not static (e.g., one size fits all) and focus on the particular job. Because of your diverse background, it sounds like you can easily tailor the resume to the job opportunity for which you are applying using industry terminology and buzz words. A "functional" resume format will give you the opportunity to group several skills together, reducing space and giving the prospective employer an overall look at you. Using this resume format, you can create a brief but concise summary statement at the beginning to capture attention and interest. If a resume appears to include the skills, experience and knowledge for which I am looking, I have no problem with a three page resume, and many other managers will have the same attitude. The key is a great summary to begin my read and pique my curiosity. Hope this is helpful and will be glad to share additional information if you desire.
Charles E. Cabler
charlescabler.vpweb.com

Advisor

Ron Orick Fort Smith, AR

I do not think that going over one page on your resume is too much of an issue, if you have important information that will not fit on one page. Since most resumes are now sent electronically and not paper copy, two pages are not a real issue. There has been some very good advice already given. I would echo two things, first, use a skills based resume to highlight how your skills match the job in which you are applying and second, change your resume for each job in which you are applying so the skills you have to offer that match the job description are reflected at the top of your first page.

Advisor

Stephen Kemp Peoria, AZ

I recommend no more than two pages for non-federal employment, your first page should be the most important. Keep in mind resumes are now scanned, think about how you organize it so it scans well and it is easy to read, I find that too many people try to cram everything into a resume and it is confusing and difficult to read. Keep in mind that many former military use terms in their resumes that civilians may not understand. Make sure that a non-military person reading it understands what it is that you did.

Advisor

Christopher Ahlberg Holtsville, NY

I can only answer from a high tech company's point of view - we
certainly prefer (strongly) short and brief - and many times much
prefer Linkedin profiles over old school CV/resumes.

Most important: focus on what you've done recenlty - rather than
what you did a long time ago, regardless of how proud you are of it
(we all, inclusive of myself :), love to bring up stories from 20 years
ago but....)

Advisor

Mark Downey Garden City, NY

Jesse,

A one page is a must for someone with that amount of experience. As someone who has reviewed a lot of resumes, anything more gets bypass. Your cover letter is also important and should only be 3 paragraphs with four accomplishments tailored to the position.

Thanks

Advisor

Stefan Beyer Kirkland, WA

In short: make sure all your critical info is on the first page; the rest is for further reading if they like what they see on the first page.

I wrote an article which might help: https://acp-advisornet.org/articles/326/resume-cover-letter-multi-talented-individual

Advisor

Michael Olmsted, MBA - former US Army Janesville, WI

Jesse
You've received very good advice. I have been in transition a couple time in the past five years. What I found was a 2 page resume is normal and as others stated 3 is OK for more experienced people. As people have said, make sure the top 1/3 to 1/2 of your first page catches their eye. If it doesn't, they probably wont keep reading. Cover letters are a mystery. Most recruiters and corporate HR have said they don't read them. You still have to spend the time and write them and make the cover letter as specific to the company and position as you can.
Good luck and reach out if you want to discuss more.

Advisor

Catherine Klinger West Palm Beach, FL

Jesse, Military resumes tend to be much too wordy. People hiring for civilian jobs do not have time to read resumes that are several pages long.

The most important document is your cover letter, which needs to be customized for every job to which you apply. Read the job ad and then write a cover letter with bullets that directly reflect how you are qualified to meet the criteria in their announcement.

Best wishes, Catherine Klinger, Ph.D. (40 years business/human resources experience).

Advisor

jennifer holtzman Binghamton, NY

Keep a cover letter to one page and use bullet points but don't be afraid to go over one page!

Advisor

Jesse Records Placerville, CA

Thank you all for your answers! I do not think I have any fluff in the resume so I think I can keep it at its current length.

Advisor

Charles Bonilla Chicago, IL

I echo Donn's advice. I'd add that in the civilian sector, "less is more."

Many recruiters, HR screeners, etc., are looking at dozens, sometimes hundreds, of resumes for ONE position. To break through that clutter, I humbly suggest you TAILOR the resume to the specific position description to which you're applying. This takes some doing at times, but it could result in your rising near, or at, the type. It also contributes to quality applying rather than quantity applying.

A "side by side" is best: work with the position description on the left side of the screen, and your resume on the right. Use the position description as your guide and put your achievements in the context of that description.

Also, many time, a chronological resume with the most recent experience first, and that goes back 10 or 12 years, is preferred.

If your accomplishments in a particular period don't answer the position description, leave it on the resume to maintain the chronological integrity but summarize your accomplishment in one or two lines only.

Hope this helps.

Advisor

Kelly Williams Newark, DE

Jesse,

Typically our corporate resumes are two pages (three pages for executive level applicants) in length. Our federal resumes are 5-8 pages. If your resume is being processed by some sort of Applicant Tracking System, you are going to need more than one page of content to touch upon all the keywords/qualifications of the job announcement.

My company provides free resume critiques to all military service members. You can submit your resume to us via email or by using our secure online submission form:

Email: Info@ExpertResumeSolutions.com
Form: http://tinyurl.com/nwz27gc

Please allow 3-5 business days for completion.

Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kellywilliamsmaresca

Thank you for your service.

Warmest Regards,

Kelly Williams
Career Strategist & President
Security Cleared Careers
Expert Resume Solutions
Business: (732) 686-6455
Email: info@expertresumesolutions.com
www.ExpertResumeSolutions.com
Job Board: wwww.SecurityClearedCareers.com

Advisor

Gunnar Light Chandler, AZ

I agree with Joe Paschall (above) in his summary regarding resumes for federal employment which can be 10 or more pages and resumes for private industry usually being 2 pages. 3 pages is not unusual for a senior executive. When recruiting for senior sales and marketing staff for my department, I found myself thumbing through hundreds of resumes and the vast majority were 2 pages. Or online format printouts, which were usually a mess.

Advisor

James Watson San Diego, CA

Jesse-

I am retired after a 40 year career in industry where I hired over 100 people. Now I am helping veterans like yourself by helping with their resumes. If you would e-mail me your resume in Word to (drjamesfwatson@gmail.com) I would be happy to comment on it.

Jim Watson

Advisor

Angelo Cosme Springfield, MA

As Linda said, a two page resume is very common these. Make sure it captures important points of you work history. Transferable skills are very important.

Advisor

Jennifer Polhemus Santa Monica, CA

I agree with Linda D. But even if you allow yourself two pages, be economical with your text and really say something with every phrase. In other words, don't say in two pages what could have been said in 1.25 pages.

Advisor

Linda Dater Foothill Ranch, CA

A 2-page resume is very common, so don't sweat keeping your resume to only 1 page. I wouldn't go beyond 2 pages, though.

Advisor

Joe Paschall Madison, AL

Resumes for federal employment are typically 10 or more pages and resumes for private industry are usually 2 pages. I have never seen a one-pager other than for someone just entering the workforce from college.

Your Answer

Please log in to answer this question.

Sign Up

You can join as either a Veteran or an Advisor.

An Advisor already has a career, with or without military experience, and is willing to engage with and help veterans.
Sign Up as an Advisor.

A Veteran has military experience and is seeking a new career, or assistance with life after service.
Sign Up as a Veteran.