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When providing copies of a 2-page resume, is it better to staple the pages or print double sided?

Veteran

Angela Xhakolli Leesville, LA

12 March 2013 41 replies Resumes & Cover Letters

Answers

Advisor

Christopher Ahlberg Holtsville, NY

I'm the CEO of a high tech company. We get inundated with inbound job applications (which is a great thing!) and we try to look at everything.

My recommendation is:

a) have a meaningful email cover letter. 2 paragraphs that shows why you bring something unique to the specific company. very key. This matters 500x more than b) and c) below.

b) make your linkedin profile awesome - so (!) much more important than resume.

c) keep resume short. long is usually a cover up for lack of goodness. long lists of "i know how to use microsoft word" stuff doesn't help anyone. what you did last 6-12 months is more important than 5 years ago.

May sound brutal, but this is true.

18 September 2014 Helpful answer

Veteran

Lyn Snyder Tempe, AZ

Companies receive hundreds of resumes and if the computer doesn't shoot it down then the screener will if you are number 201 of a very long day so the K. I. S. S. adage is appropriate.

That said this might help you trim it down.

References:
References furnished on request (Have a printed copy ready when you go for your interview)

Awards:
2 - Outstanding Performer in _____
3 - Exceptional ______
or
Received 5 Top Performer Awards in the _____ field.

Copy and Paste your resume to a blank document and adjust individual sentences to right margin. Condense where appropriate to better reflect your abilities. This eliminates repetition and excess sentences.

Good Luck

14 June 2014 Helpful answer

Advisor

David Carter Saratoga, CA

Think full-page magazine ad.
When flipping magazine pages, a person decides in a few secs whether to continue reading an ad, and will spend no more than 30 secs reading it.
So, keep your "ad" to a page, and your key points should POP.

30 November 2014 Helpful answer

Advisor

Terry Dawson Houston, TX

I would say neither - just number page 1 and 2 -
staples are in the way - two sided will get missed

TD

25 November 2014 Helpful answer

Advisor

Peyton Ligon Birmingham, AL

The best Resume does not exceed one page. Remember that managers are looking at numerous resumes, and they want to review one page and then move on. Just note the required information that is called for, depending upon the industry you are applying to. Never provide references unless they are requetsed. And above all, use spellcheck!

24 November 2014 Helpful answer

Advisor

Craig Bush Boston, MA

I've been a hiring manager at several companies. Two rules of thumb:

1) 1 page per 10 years of experience
2) Single sided... not stapled.

19 June 2014 Helpful answer

Advisor

Chris Peck Atlanta, GA

Angela--
I echo the advice above for single-sided resumes. It's not the time to demonstrate your environmental side. I also agree that resumes should be limited to one-page, with some exceptions for specific senior-level positions. Condensing resumes to one page can be a challenging task that many struggle with but it's essential.

Rgds--Chris

17 March 2013 Helpful answer

Advisor

Eileen Laferriere San Antonio, TX

Some things that may help you condense your resume.....If your resume includes references, you can separate that and use that for interviews. No need to include that in the initial resume. Also a brief statement about education should suffice. You can elaborate during an interview if necessary. When I retired and was job searching, I would design my resume for the job I was applying for. I would remove the unrelated experience. Then along came Monster.com and that was a great tool at the time.

14 March 2013 Helpful answer

Advisor

Kimberly Roberts Cowpens, SC

First make sure your resume has your contact info (name, email, number) is on each page just in case the pages become separated when they reach their destinated employer (this is especially important when faxing a resume). Also you will want to number the pages (pg.1, pg.2), which is best done in the lower margins of the page. At no time do you want to staple your resume. If needed...paper clip. You should hand your resume just as it is, no staples, no paper clips, to the interviewer or hiring manager. Let them decide what to do with it from there. If mailing it...fold it neatly with your cover letter and mail.
Best wishes!

Veteran

Randy Long Churubusco, IN

I do not recommend the use of two pages, if absolutely necessary, do not staple. Typically Human resource screeners ignore or simply miss the back of double-sided pages. List your accomplishments with strong verbs, avoiding passive language. Word processing programs have good spelling and grammar checking capabilities, but ask another person to proofread to avoid the use of incorrect words (hat for that, cheese for choose…). The cover letters is where you sell yourself, but keep the reading grade level statistic rendered by the spelling and grammar check at about the 10th grade level.

Advisor

STEVE SWENERTON Boulder, CO

Lots of good advice here. Resume should be no more than two separate pages and never stapled. The cover letter is important and should be the tool to show why you are a really good and unique candidate. Many people feel that they do not want to brag about themselves, but this is the time to do that. Be honest and be positive and be results-oriented. Show high energy, show a skill at teamwork, but with individual achievement. And try to list achievements that show that you are an extraordinary person. And the cover letter needs to be no more than three to four relatively short paragraphs. Finally, show maturity, but high energy.

The resume needs to be very carefully crafted and professional in structure, appearance and content.

Advisor

Melissa Fisher Columbus, OH

NEVER two sided.

Try very hard to get to one page. Here's how:

- Remember, your resume is only to generate interest and get the interview. It is not every detail about you. The interview gets you the job.
- You should have QUANTIFIABLE (numbers-based) details in every bullet or at least 90% of them.
-- Examples: $ increase in sales, $ decrease in expenses, % increase/decrease, "doubled", "halved", "first in the state", "exceeded goals for 47 mos. straight", etc.
- Use a format with a bulleted summary at the top. Your resume gets 2-3 seconds of the hiring manager's attention. If you can't communicate succinctly, I probably don't want to work with you. Give them something to make them read further and want to meet you. Message me if you need a format. (melissafisher935@gmail.com)

Advisor

Heather Gillbanks Houston, TX

I agree with Terry with 1 addition - make sure your name is on BOTH pages!

Advisor

Andrew Jarvis Chicago, IL

Digital. Never print anything unless you are asked to. If I was interviewing someone and they said they emailed me their resume, or better yet shared the Google Doc with me (as read only of course) I would be impressed with their willingness to embrace new standards and not cling to the old tree-killing methods of the past.

Advisor

Lisa Carman Littleton, CO

No staples or 2 sided for resumes. Just make sure to include your name and contact info on both page 1 and page 2 and focus on your best assets and accomplishments to show what an employer can expect from you, on the job. I agree that your LinkedIn presence is extremely significant and is worth the time spent to make your Lin profile a compelling read. Also, the comment regarding writing a relevant, 2 paragraph email (and cover letter) is right on target!

Wishing you all the best in success!

Advisor

George Oestreich Fort Lauderdale, FL

As an employer for the past 40 years the cover letter should make me explore further. If the cover letter is free of errors, personalized, one page, is specific to the opportunity and looks professional I will go further. The resume form/layout is not critical to me but it must be free of errors, absolute employment dates, explain employment laps, and verifiable.

Advisor

George Oestreich Fort Lauderdale, FL

As an employer for the past 40 years the cover letter should make me explore further. If the cover letter is free of errors, personalized, one page, is specific to the opportunity and looks professional I will go further. The resume form/layout is not critical to me but it must be free of errors, absolute employment dates, explain employment laps, and verifiable.

Advisor

Dave Weinberg Rio Rancho, NM

Angela,

KISS is the answer. If you must go to two pages, do not staple or go double-sided. If you can get the most important stuff to one page - do it. Think of your resume as an enhanced business card. Only in certain areas, mostly high-tech/R&D/Academia are long multi-page resumes expected (they want a list of everything including publications, etc.), so unless you are going that way, a hard-hitting one pager is best.

Advisor

Rick Vangrin San Clemente, CA

2 pages is fine. Single sided. Use a red, blue or gold paper clip

Advisor

Lynsey Johnston Woodridge, IL

I read through all of the answers above and none of them are wrong. Whether your resume is one page, two pages, single-sided, or double-sided is a matter of preference of the recruiter/hiring manager/generalist reviewing your resume. My advise is to cater to the majority in terms of advise. If a well written cover letter and resume come across my screen (or desk), I never disregard it for being over one page (3+ pages can be excessive and may not be read) or for being single-sided or double-sided. My advise is to adapt your resume to the job you have applied to, focus on your accomplishments, and ensure all of the documents you submit (e.g., cover letter, resume, etc.) are well written.

Advisor

SUDHIR BAFNA Tucson, AZ

No more than two pages and make sure you number them (using the footer tool) as well as your first initial and last name. single sided

Advisor

David Icenhower Phoenix, AZ

Single Sided, High Quality Paper, Not Stapled. I used gold paperclips. - Dave Icenhower

Advisor

Robert Chilcoat San Diego, CA

As a young future minded IT executive, if you have to print it, I say two-sided. I would assume it meant you are environmentally conscious. It truly is a matter of opinion. Making a meaningful impression is far more important.

Also, the advice about your LinkedIn profile being more important than your resume is true as well.

Good luck!

Advisor

Kathryn Thies Chicago, IL

Don't worry about being one page: that rule is outdated. If you have enough good experience to fill 2 pages, go for it! If you do have 2 pages, use a colored paper clip to keep them together. The color draws the eye, the paper clip makes it easy to copy for multiple people on a hiring committee!

Advisor

Heather Gillbanks Houston, TX

@Derick had a good nugget, for you. Go to Glassdoor and see if you can determine the preferences of the companies where you are applying. Honestly, most companies only take in electronic versions of resumes, these days, so it really is not so relevant about the printing. :)

Most important is:
1) good cover letter (BRIEF - you want to hook, not bore them)
2) LinkedIn profile must be top notch
3) make sure there are no "silly"/ inappropriate/ questionable things posted on your other social media sites, because many employers will search FaceBook, Twitter, etc. to see who you really are
4) I agree with the 1 page per 10 years exp. comment
5) On MS Office products. EVERYBODY these days needs to be able to do that (it's like saying "I can operate a telephone" ... 50 years ago that may have been a skill, today it's a basic expectation, so take it off). When I see those packages explicitly listed, these days, the resume goes into the "B" (at best) pile. Even 3 years ago, I would have been more tolerant of it. Also, it depends a little bit on your field - if you are in a pretty non-technical space, it may be ok to leave it. Better to highlight other software, though - Oracle ERP, Photoshop, etc.

I receive many multi-page resumes. Not an issue for me unless it feels fluffy.
* ensure that the content is tight ... more is not better
* your best stuff should be at the top (i.e., if you're strongest in experience, don't put education first)
* nothing older than 15 years, unless it is truly something that will set you apart (published a book, for example)

Advisor

Mimi Miller Malden, MA

Hi Angela - thank you for your service! I disagree with the one page maximum. If you have lots of relevant experience, you should be calling that out to prospective hiring managers. My resume is 3 pages and I have never had an issue. I get calls from the applications that I submit it to. What I would recommend is doing it 2 pages but putting a header or footer alerting the hiring manager that it is more than one page. I wouldn't recommend the two-sided printing because most of the managers I know like to write notes on the back of the resume. Good luck!

Advisor

Jason Carrier Bedford, NH

Thank you for your service Angela !!! No staples and keep the resume single sided. With regard to one or two pages, opinions are always all over the place regarding this topic. I have civilian and military experience and have never been able to keep to one page. You need to decide what level of detail is truly needed for the position you are applying and understand the audience in which you are sending the resume to.

Veteran

Derek Ricke Lake Forest, CA

Seems like hiring managers fall into two camps of preferences... which means as a job seeker your best bet is to do research on the company you are applying to.. try to get in contact with recent hires at the company with similar levels of experience to you and find out how many pages they had in their resume.

Advisor

Marissa Letendre Tampa, FL

I also disagree with the one page philosophy. Most resumes are two pages. A one page resume will hurt many candidates more than it will help them. If your background cannot be effectively highlighted in one page, two pages should be used. Resumes no longer need to be one page and two page resumes are very common (most employers will expect them if you have an extensive background). Your resume should be printed on two separate pages and not stapled.

Thank you for your service.

Advisor

Mary Kennedy Fort Worth, TX

I actually disagree with the one-page philosophy. I have 25+ years in Human Resources and if I have someone with 15 years or more of experience, I want to see that. Two-pages is perfectly acceptable and I have reviewed resumes as long as 7 pages (not ideal btw - but I didn't toss them). Single sided, resume quality paper - but two pages is absolutely acceptable. Don't assume that one page will "entice" the reader and prompt them to call you. If I have to guess at your experience - your resume will end up in the "no" pile.

Let me know if you have specific questions.

Regards,

Mary Kennedy
mkennedy@sheplers.com

Veteran

Travis Streeter Sr., PLS, DML Richmond, TX

I currently have a 1-page and a 2-page resume. I will say that whenever my resume is requested, I always send the 2-page resume. I am hesitant about sending the 1-page resume, because of the different roles I have been a part of.

And to answer your question, personally I would print on two pages.

Advisor

Fouad Malik Los Angeles, CA

Resume can be one or two pages. There is no harm in having a second page if you have years of valuable work experience. For example, a college graduate with two years of work experience and just one job will have less work history and can fit in one page. Whereas a person with 10 or 20 years of work history with possible multiple jobs will need more space. So it is not fair to expect one page resume from all job seekers. However, second page should add value to the resume.

If you are handing out a two-page resume, two separate pages stapled together may be easier for person who is reading it.

Advisor

Douglas Lavelle Chatham, NJ

Thank you for your service. Simply put, one page. Use a Linkedin profile to capture all of background, achievements, etc. that may be a good way to edit your resume to one page. I hope this may prove useful.

Advisor

Monica Motley Manhattan Beach, CA

K.I.S.S. is the common advice here....meaning keep your resume short (one page!). If you need help condensing, just email me your resume... I'll give it a once-over and email it back.

MotleyMonica@gmail.com

Advisor

A A Boston, MA

I don't think we can settle the debate of one page vs. two page resumes in this forum, but as others have wisely said here, what is most important is that you include only your essential skills and achievements. Remember, a resume is a quick way to introduce yourself to a potential employer. The interview is where you get a chance to sell yourself. If you do decide to go with a two-page resume, I would staple it. It's too easy for a busy professional to not notice that there's a second side.

Good luck to you!

Veteran

Eric Moeller Ormond Beach, FL

Angela,
Lots of good advice above. As a hiring manager in the hi-tech industry I rarely see any resumes that are less than two pages so don't get too concerned if you're not able to do that. Having said that, I strongly agree with Eileen's advice to tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific job being applied for. This will allow you to condense it based on what's relevant to the position.

Also, when creating a resume that is condensed, I think that the most important element will be the opening: state your objective and give a few lines describing your attributes that make you a prime candidate.

Speaking of written communication, make sure that you follow up every interview for jobs that you're still interested in with an email to the interviewer(s) thanking them. This gives you the prime opportunity to summarize what was talked about and why they should hire you. I am certain that this pushed me over the top for getting hired from my last interview!

I'd be more than happy to review your resume for format and content if you like and offer my advice.

Best of luck!
Eric
eric.moeller@hp.com

Veteran

Dali Rivera Abingdon, MD

If your second page is as strong as your first page and you feel you must have it, then keep it. Otherwise, reduce it to one page. Best of luck!

Advisor

don cazer Schenectady, NY

i agree with these comments - one page. and don't just use one standard resume. adapt it to each employer/opening you are seeking.
don cazer, ccazer1@nycap.rr.com

Veteran

LaCinda Edelen Highland, MI

A resume should never be two-sided and only one page.

Advisor

James Roberts Marietta, GA

I agree with Eric. Pare it down to one page. All resumes longer than one page get filed in the round file. Also try to avoid the overuse acronyms and use those that only apply to the position at hand.

Advisor

Eric Knode Minneapolis, MN

Neither. Keep the resume separate from all other information provided and ensure it ends up in the hiring manager’s hands. I do not see to many resumes requiring 2 pages. I would suggest consolidating it down to 1 page if possible.

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