The One-Page Resume Rule
The general guideline is that resumes should be one page for every 10 years of experience. For most professionals with less than 10 years in the workforce, a one-page resume is not only acceptable — it's preferred.
Why Recruiters Prefer One Page
Recruiters spend 6-7 seconds on initial resume scans. A concise one-page resume forces you to highlight only your most relevant qualifications, making their job easier and your candidacy clearer.
Who Should Use a One-Page Resume?
Less than 10 years experience
Standard recommendation for early to mid-career professionals
Recent graduates
Entry-level candidates typically don't have enough content for two pages
Career changers
Focus on relevant skills; older experience can be condensed or omitted
Most industries
One page is the default expectation unless applying for academic or senior executive roles
When Two Pages is OK
Senior executives (15+ years), academics (CV format), technical roles with extensive project lists, or federal government positions may warrant two pages. See our two-page resume guide.
8 Ways to Fit Everything on One Page
Struggling to condense? Try these proven techniques.
Remove outdated experience
Jobs from 15+ years ago can be omitted or summarized in one line
Cut irrelevant positions
If it doesn't support your current goals, leave it out
Use concise bullet points
Aim for 1-2 lines per bullet, focus on achievements not duties
Reduce margins carefully
0.5-0.75 inch margins are acceptable (never below 0.5)
Choose efficient fonts
Arial Narrow, Calibri, or Garamond fit more text legibly
Eliminate filler words
Remove 'responsible for', 'duties included', 'various'
Merge short job stints
Group similar roles: 'Various Contract Roles (2019-2021)'
Skip the objective
Objectives waste space; use a targeted summary instead
What to Remove from Your Resume
These common items waste valuable space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it OK if my resume is 1.5 pages?
Avoid 1.5 pages — it looks unfinished. Either condense to one full page or expand to fill two pages properly. A clean one-page resume is always better than a sparse two-page resume.
What font size should I use for a one-page resume?
Use 10-12pt for body text (never below 10pt) and 14-16pt for your name. If you're squeezing below 10pt to fit content, you have too much content — edit down instead.
Should I shrink margins to fit more content?
Margins between 0.5-0.75 inches are acceptable. Never go below 0.5 inches as it looks cramped and some printers will cut off content. If you need smaller margins, cut content instead.
How many jobs should be on a one-page resume?
Typically 2-4 positions for a one-page resume. Focus on your most recent and relevant roles with 3-5 bullet points each. Older or less relevant positions can be listed with just title, company, and dates.
Can I use two columns to fit more content?
Two-column layouts can work but may cause ATS parsing issues. If using columns, keep important content (experience, skills) in a single-column format and use columns only for supplementary info (contact, skills list).