resume format for second job

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Switching Careers? Here’s How to Write a Strong Resume.

• Benjamin Laker,
• Vijay Pereira,
• Abhishek Behl,
• Zaheer Khan

Start with a personal statement.

When you’re switching career paths, there’s one essential thing you need to focus on: updating your resume. Crafting a smart resume is key to showing your potential employer why you wish to make a change. While there’s no one right format to write a resume, here are some tips you can follow:

• Begin the resume with a personal statement. This is a short description about who you are, your reasons for changing your career, your new goals, how your previous experience can be transferred to the new industry, and why you’re perfect for the job.
• Next, instead of highlighting your work experience first, showcase the skills you’ve learned throughout your career. That’s because when changing careers, the hiring managers reviewing your application may not always be familiar with the roles and responsibilities of a different industry.
• Below your skills, you can include a more traditional description of your relevant work history. You don’t need to include every job you’ve ever had, especially if you’ve held a number of positions that don’t highlight any essential skills required for this role.
• Finally, end with a chronological list of your educational qualifications. You can also include details about any certifications or courses that you may be undertaking that may be relevant to the position you’re interested in.

Switching career paths and trying something completely new can open you up to exciting opportunities, help you learn new things, and even earn you more money. But it’s not always easy — especially if you’re looking to move into an entirely different field. Apart from doing your research and unearthing opportunities, there’s one essential thing you need to focus on before you make the leap: updating your resume.

• Benjamin Laker is a professor of leadership at Henley Business School, University of Reading. Follow him on Twitter .
• Vijay Pereira is a professor of strategic and international human capital management at NEOMA Business School.
• AB Abhishek Behl is an assistant professor of information management at the Management Development Institute Gurgaon.
• ZK Zaheer Khan is a professor in strategy and international business at the University of Aberdeen.  

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Career Advice for Job Seekers

8 resume writing tips for that second job search out of college

Whenever possible, include numbers and statistics, says McGuiness. These jump out to a recruiter and are a quick way to indicate your impact and value in previous positions. “Increased donations by 30% after implementing an annual silent auction” or “Managed a call center that received over 1,000 calls daily.”

4. Highlight certifications, training programs, stretch assignments and ongoing career or professional development

“It’s important for employers to know that you are invested in your career and are hungry to keep learning and developing,” says Eison.

If you attended a key industry conference, completed a certification or training class (whether online or in-person), reference this. For example, if you work in digital marketing and became Google AdWords Certified, or if you were trained on Adobe Experience Manager, list that. Better yet, list that with a success story/project example using those skills/programs.

In addition, recruiters are looking for candidates with great leadership skills. If you have taken on any additional responsibilities, projects or stretch assignments at your first job, you should include this on your resume.

“Companies are looking for ambitious leaders who are eager to learn and grow with their organizations,” says Eison

5. Highlight soft skills

Listing soft skills is important when writing a resume, because if a company is going to hire you, they will often train you using their own, unique processes.

“Those soft skills – like leadership, communication and team work – are harder to train, so companies want people that have those skills coming into the role,” says McGuiness.

But don’t just say you’re a “strong communicator” on your resume. Instead, show how you’re a strong communicator: “Presented quarterly earnings to senior directors and relayed their recommendations back to the team.”

Related: Communication skills factor into who gets promoted

6. Write the resume to fit the job description

“When applying for any position, at any level in your career, scan the job description and mimic frequently used keywords,” says McGuiness. “Most large employer utilize applicant tracking systems to help them sort hundreds, sometimes thousands of resumes to find the strongest candidates.”

The resumes that are a match to that job description, get noticed.

Related: Avoid common resume mistakes and stand out

7. Open with a strong summary statement

Take the guess work out of the recruiters hands and let them know what position you are interested in based on your skill sets, goals and passion, by creating a strong opening summary statement, says Eison. This isn’t a long-winded paragraph. This is short and to the point, like this:

Seeking financial analyst role where 2+ years of experience at a Fortune 100 organization will add value.

Bold the key terms, results, and language in that summary, and throughout the resume.

“Your resume will be skimmed at first, so make sure to bold your titles and other areas where you want to capture the hiring manager’s attention,” says McGuiness. “If they are intrigued, they’ll read more.”

Said Eison: “If you don’t have a clear summary, recruiters may wrongly assume the role you are applying to or they may not be able to decide where your skills would be an asset for the organization and your resume may be placed in the no pile.”

8. Proofread proofread proofread

“My biggest pet peeve is misspelled words and grammatical errors on resumes,” says Eison.

But it’s difficult to catch your own resume writing mistakes, so have a career coach, trusted colleague, roommate, significant other, or family member proofread your resume. Let’s be clear though: Asking someone (other than a career coach or recruiter whom you may know) to review your resume in terms of resume format or resume layout, is asking for trouble. Your roommate may be a great salesperson, but that doesn’t mean they are skilled at critiquing resumes. Your mom or dad be able to catch grammatical errors, but unless they work in HR, hire, recruit, or manage employees, their specialty is not “critiquing resumes” so save that for the professionals. But proofreading, that’s important. And anyone who can assist reading/reviewing the resume can catch mistakes.

Go to the last page of your resume and read it from the bottom to the top. Looking at it this way can give you another view and help provide clarity to each sentence and give one final proof for spelling, grammar, and/or formatting issues.

“The attention to detail in formatting, spelling, and grammar may seem trivial, but it can certainly make a huge difference and this may help you land an interview and ultimately getting your next job,” says Eison.

Use these resume writing tips to stand out, get noticed, and get an interview. Then in time, you’ll land that second job out of college, and continue to advance in your career.

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Resume For A Part-Time Job (With Examples)

• Combination Resume
• Chronological Resume
• Functional Resume
• Creative Resume
• Infographic Resume
• Resume For Graduate School
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• How To Write A Resume For A Part-Time Job
• Career Change Rresume

Taking on a part-time job can be a great way to turn your free time into extra income and learn many useful skills to help you in your career.

However, there are a few key differences you need to keep in mind when you’re applying for a part-time job that make it necessary to create a tailored resume , rather than just use your main resume.

In this article, we’ll discuss these differences and the unique challenges involved when applying for a part-time position . We’ll also explain exactly how to create a winning resume for a part-time job, as well as provide you with tips and writing samples to help you along.

Key Takeaways:

If you use your main resume for a part-time position, it may lower your chance of getting the job because of overqualification and specialization.

When writing a resume for a part-time job, you should include an objective statement explaining that you will be a part-time employee.

It’s important to tailor your qualifications to the job listing.

In your work experience section of your resume you should list two to three relevant positions you’ve worked at in the past.

How Is a Part-Time Resume Different From a Standard One?

What to include in a part-time resume, complete part-time job resume example, resume writing tips for applying to part-time positions.

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When applying for a secondary, part-time position to supplement their main job, professionals often make the mistake of using their main resume.

This may lower your chances of getting the role for two main reasons:

Overqualification. Being overqualified is typically a good thing when it comes to landing a job. However, this is not at all the case with part-time positions, which tend to be in high turnover industries such as retail, hospitality, and service.

In these industries, many hiring managers are wary of hiring overqualified individuals, as on average they tend to leave their positions more quickly.

Any benefit gained from hiring a team member with such qualifications is offset by the higher training costs and business disruptions involved with quick employee turnover.

When applying for a part-time job, you want to use a resume that displays you as a competent and perfectly qualified candidate, but you don’t want to come off as too overqualified.

Specialization. Chances are that the part-time position you get isn’t going to perfectly match the qualifications and skills required by your main job.

The resume you use to advance your accounting or software development career , for example, isn’t suited for applying to a position in retail.

Creating a new resume tailored specifically to the part-time job will improve your chances of getting that interview.

Here’s a tried-and-true resume structure that will help you communicate all the important information needed to secure you the part-time job you want:

Objective statement. While including a statement of intent isn’t necessary on a standard resume, it is when you’re applying for a part-time job.

Your working hours and schedule will likely be different from full-time employees, so it’s important to tell the employer that you’re looking for part-time work ahead of time to avoid any confusion once you meet for an interview.

In 2-4 sentences, you should:

State the position you’re seeking

Summarize what makes you a great candidate

Provide your availability in terms of working hours

Here’s a sample objective statement for a part-time bookkeeper position that touches on all three of the above items:

Full-time engineer seeking part-time work as a bookkeeper, applying excellent critical-thinking skills and proficiency with computers. A background in problem-solving and mathematical competency makes me the top candidate for this position. My availability is Monday – Friday, from 6:00pm – 9:00pm.

Skills section. List a few of the most important and relevant skills for the position. Make sure to cover a variety of hard and soft skills here. It’s important to highlight domain knowledge, but soft skills such as clear communication are equally critical.

Here’s a sample skills section for the same bookkeeping position:

Microsoft Office Excel Spreadsheet management Intuit QuickBooks Mathematical proficiency Highly organized and analytical

Work experience. This section is where you should list 2-3 relevant positions you’ve worked at in the past. Under each item, list a few work achievements that demonstrate your skills.

Limit each achievement to a single sentence and make sure to focus on the value you created for the employer, rather than just describe your duties.

Here’s a sample work history section:

Administrative Assistant ClearWater LLC May 2020 – Dec 2020 Prepared over 300 pages of paperwork for a company audit 2 weeks ahead of schedule. Efficiently filed orders and liaised with suppliers, saving the company $2000 per month. Organized all paperwork and diaries with precise detail, allowing new hires to transition into the job as quickly as possible. Promoted for implementing an office optimization plan that increased employee productivity by 7% Bookkeeper (part-time) Leeroy Associates Dec 2019 – May 2020 Created detailed reports for management using Microsoft Excel and FreshBooks. Maintained regulatory compliance and saved the firm $8,000 in potential fines. Streamlined general ledger and invoicing practices, increasing efficiency by 15%.

Education section. List your school , graduation date, and degree obtained. You may also optionally include particularly relevant coursework and your GPA.

Here’s a sample education section:

University of Michigan 2012-2016 B.S. in Computer Science GPA: 3.7

Here’s a complete sample of all the writing samples we’ve covered so far:

Adam Shultz [email protected] | 222-111-3321 OBJECTIVE Full-time engineer seeking part-time work as a bookkeeper, applying excellent critical-thinking skills and proficiency with computers. A background in problem-solving and mathematical competency makes me the top candidate for this position. My availability is Monday – Friday, from 6:00pm – 9:00pm. SKILLS Microsoft Office Excel Spreadsheet management Intuit QuickBooks Mathematical proficiency Highly organized and analytical WORK EXPERIENCE Administrative Assistant ClearWater LLC May 2020 – Dec 2020 Prepared over 300 pages of paperwork for a company audit 2 weeks ahead of schedule. Efficiently filed orders and liaised with suppliers, saving the company $2000 per month. Organized all paperwork and diaries with precise detail, allowing new hires to transition into the job as quickly as possible. Promoted for implementing an office optimization plan that increased employee productivity by 7%. Bookkeeper (part-time) Leeroy Associates Dec 2019 – May 2020 Created detailed reports for management using Microsoft Excel and FreshBooks. Maintained regulatory compliance and saved the firm $8,000 in potential fines. Streamlined general ledger and invoicing practices, increasing efficiency by 15%. EDUCATION University of Michigan 2012-2016 B.S. in Computer Science GPA: 3.7

All hiring managers are different when deciding which applicant to hire for a part-time job. However, the following part-time resume writing tips will help you maximize your chances of impressing them:

Tailor your qualifications. Unless you’ve worked the part-time position you’re applying to before, you’ll likely need to adapt your qualifications and experience from other jobs to meet the job listing’s requirements.

Don’t be afraid to get creative or mention skills from completely different industries, as long as they’re relevant.

For example, your experience as an engineer may seem completely unrelated to a part-time job in retail.

However, you could use examples of times you’ve solved technical problems to demonstrate the same critical-thinking skills that will help you address customer concerns as a retail worker.

Showcase computer skills. Many part-time jobs take the form of remote work .

Even if you’re applying for an in-person job such as retail, possessing computer skills will still help you use various store tools required for the role as well as set you far ahead of most other candidates.

Be specific. With most part-time positions receiving dozens of applications, you need to stand out to even get a chance of making it to the interview.

Writing your resume to target a specific or niche role is a great way to do that, as it’ll leave a stronger impression and define you as a unique candidate.

For example, suppose you’re applying for a clerical office job. After demonstrating your sufficient general qualifications for the role, you might choose to use the rest of your resume to highlight your technical competency.

This way, you’ll brand yourself as the “tech candidate” in the hiring manager’s mind, in contrast to the dozens of other qualified, yet generic competing applicants.

Branch out. Don’t be afraid to apply for jobs that you don’t have direct experience with, even at an entry-level .

Unless you’re pursuing a role that requires specific certifications or domain skills, you should be able to relate many skills you used on almost any of your previous jobs or volunteer roles to the current position.

For example, an individual who worked in the service industry could cite their excellent communication skills as a way to get even a technical job, as those positions often require collaboration and teamwork .

Prioritize demonstrating experience. Many rules for applying for full-time positions don’t apply when it comes to part-time jobs.

For example, many professionals intentionally leave contract work off their resumes because some employers see such work as an indication that the employee tends to hop between jobs.

For part-time positions, employers tend to care less about such aspects and instead just want to know if you’re experienced in the work that you’ll need to do.

Don’t worry about the etiquette of what to leave or leave off your resume, just focus on demonstrating as much relevant job experience as possible.

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Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.

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How To Format a Two-Page Resume (And When You Actually Need One)

Not sure how to format a two-page resume — or whether you even need one? This guide has you covered. With real examples and recruiter-backed advice, learn when and how to expand your resume beyond a single page to showcase your expertise.

2 years ago   •   10 min read

If a one-page resume is good, then a two-page resume must be twice as good, right?

Unfortunately, no. A two-page resume can be effective, but only if you really need one. Generally, two-page resumes are for people applying for C-level, executive, or other senior positions. Most entry or mid-level job seekers should stick to a standard one-page resume instead and focus on including relevant tailored information.

In this article, we'll discuss when a two-page resume is beneficial and when it's not, how to properly format a two-page resume, including tips on what sections to include and what order they should go in , as well as how to effectively transition from your first page to your second and create a professional, concise document.

When should you use a 2-page resume?

Before we jump into the details of how to format and lay out your two-page resume, let’s take a moment to discuss if a two-page resume is right for you.

When to use a 2-page resume

You should use a two-page resume format if:

• You have 10-15 years+ experience
• You’re applying for very senior or executive roles
• You're in an industry that typically uses longer CVs instead of traditional resumes
• You genuinely need one. (See our tips below to find out if you actually have enough relevant information to warrant a 2-page resume)

When not to use a 2-page resume

Most job seekers won’t need a two-page resume. In most cases, recruiters expect a single page but won’t automatically reject you if your resume spills over onto a second page. That said, you should stick to a standard one-page resume if:

• You’re a student or recent graduate
• You don't have a lot of work experience
• You're applying for an internship or entry-level position
• You need to add extraneous information (“fluff”) to fill out a second page

How to decide between a 1-page or 2-page resume

Not sure if you need a 1-page or 2-page resume? Our tip: Do both.

• Start by creating a two-page resume with all of your information on it.
• Next, trim the least important bits, including older jobs, duplicate accomplishments, and optional resume sections, until you get it down to one page .
• Now, take a look at both resumes side by side. If the one-page resume is good enough, use that. If it's missing essential skills, keywords, or accomplishments, go with the two-page version instead.
• Run both versions through an ATS resume checker for a side by side comparison.
• If your resume is less than a page and a half, always cut it down to a single page.

If you’re wondering if your resume should be one page or two, upload it to the tool below — it’ll evaluate your resume and give you feedback on resume length and other key areas such as resume margins, font size and style, and spacing.

Now you’ve decided if a two-page resume is right for you, let’s discuss how to make the most out of those two pages and how to ensure your resume still looks concise and professional despite the longer format.

How to format a 2-page resume

You should format your two-page resume sections in this order:

• Contact details

Resume title

Executive summary, areas of expertise, work experience.

• Additional sections (e.g. volunteer work, projects, certifications, board memberships, etc.)

You can skip straight to any of those sections for more information, or keep reading for the full details. But first, let's take a look at an example of a 2-page resume, and how it differs from a standard 1-page resume.

2-page resume template

Here’s an example of a two-page executive or senior level resume, which shows how to effectively list and organize content on the second page:

For more templates, check out our C-level and executive resume templates , which you can download in Google Docs or PDF format.

What to include in a 2-page resume: Essentials

Decided on using a 2-page resume format? Every 2-page resume should include these basic secctions:

Contact information

This section is no different on a two-page resume. Include your name, general location, phone number, email address, and (optionally) a link to your portfolio or LinkedIn profile, as shown in this example:

Unlike a standard one-page resume, where this is an optional addition, an executive summary is a must for a two-page resume. A resume summary puts your most relevant experience together up front, where it’s impossible to miss.

Include a brief overview of your experience plus a few key accomplishments in bullet points , as shown in this example:

This is the most important part of any resume, and that goes double for a two-page resume. The primary reason for having a two-page resume is that you have an extensive list of relevant work experience that needs to be included, so this will generally be the longest section on your two-page resume.

You can format your work experience differently on a two-page resume, as you have more room to play with. Consider splitting up your bullet points into core competencies with their own subheadings to help a recruiter quickly scan your experience and pick out the information they’re seeking. For example, you could split your experience into Revenue Growth, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Diversity & Inclusion, as shown in the example below.

You may also want to include a short blurb above your bullet points to quickly contextualize key elements of the role, for example, the scope of the business or the size of the department you led. For example:

In contrast to your work experience, additional sections like education should be shortened on a two-page resume. Include the name of the school and degree, location, and your major and relevant minor(s) . At this stage, you can leave off details like your GPA, coursework, student activities, and even your graduation date .

For example:

In a two-page resume, you can still include a short section at the bottom that lists technical skills, languages , certifications, awards, and other information. Title this section “Skills” or “Core competencies.” Consider splitting this section into key areas using subheadings to highlight specific competencies and make your resume easier to skim.For example:

If you want to find technical skills related to the executive/management role you’re applying for, use the tool below to get a list of relevant skills and keywords. The tool also gives you the option to upload your resume. It’ll perform a quick scan and tell you what skills are missing.

What to include in a 2-page resume: Extras

In addition to the above, here are some additional sections you can include on a 2-page resume:

This can go at the top of your resume and should match the exact title of the job you’re applying for. This can help your resume pass the initial ATS screening stage, especially if you’ve done similar work previously but under a slightly different title. In addition, you can add select keywords underneath to highlight your top areas of expertise, similar to a LinkedIn headline , as shown in the example below.

No, this isn’t just a fancy name for a skills section . An areas of expertise section goes at the top of your resume, underneath the executive summary, and should include a high-level overview of your broad areas of expertise rather than specific technical skills . This is an optional addition, but can be very helpful in highlighting your broader expertise and summarizing the overall theme of your work experience.

Additional sections

You can choose to include one or two additional areas in your two-page resume, including volunteer work , projects , certifications , board memberships , and professional affiliations.

But don’t feel the need to include all of these sections just to fill space. Instead, choose 1 or 2 that are most relevant to your experience and the job you’re applying for. For example, a projects section might be a good idea for work that requires programming or design skills , while board memberships and professional affiliations can emphasize that you’re well-regarded in your particular field.

Here is an example of a few additional sections that can add relevant information to your two-page resume.

For even more tips on how to format a 2-page resume, why not check out our definitive 2022 guide on how to write an executive resume ?

Formatting a 2-page resume: Do's and don'ts

Wondering about the nitty-gritty of how to format a two-page resume? Here's everything you need to know.

DO Put the most important information on page one

Submitting a two-page resume doesn't guarantee a recruiter will actually read more than one page. Make sure the most relevant information, like your most recent work experience, is on the first page so it doesn't get overlooked.

DO use consistent formatting

Maintain consistent formatting and style across both pages to create a cohesive, professional-looking document. This includes using the same font type , size, headings, and bullet points. See our guide on resume formatting tips for more details.

DO balance content and white space

Try not to overcrowd your resume and fill every area with text, as a cluttered resume can be overwhelming and hard to read. Instead, ensure there’s enough empty space to make the text easily readable. Maintain standard margins and consistent spacing between sections, headings, and bullet points to improve readability and aesthetic appeal.

DON’T Repeat information on the second page

There's no need to include the same information twice, so skip the resume title and summary on your second page.

DON’T Submit a double-sided resume

If your resume is two pages long, make sure it's printed on two separate pages, not on a single, double-sided page. A double-sided document is much easier for a recruiter to accidentally overlook.

DON’T Add unnecessary filler

Avoid the temptation to include irrelevant information just to fill space. Every section and bullet point should add value and relevance to your resume. Including unnecessary details can dilute the impact of your key accomplishments and strengths.

How to transition from your first to second page on a 2-page resume

When formatting a two-page resume, you want to make sure your information flows smoothly from the first to second page. Here are some tips to make this transition engaging and easy to follow:

Choose a logical place to break

Make sure that the content at the end of the first page is complete before transitioning to the next, and avoid cutting off sections midway. You will most likely be splitting your work experience between the two pages, but try to finish one role on the first page and start a new one on the second.

Use subheadings for clarity

For long sections like work experience that span both pages, use subheadings for clarity. If a role or project extends over two pages, use subheadings at the top of the second page to remind the reader what the information is related to.

Use headers and footers

Put details like your name, phone number, or email address in a header or footer so it appears on both pages. Use the header function on Word or Google Docs to make your formatting as professional as possible.

Use page numbers

Ensure the hiring manager doesn't miss the second page of your resume by including page numbers. Put "1/2" and "2/2" in your resume header or footer rather than simply writing a number at the bottom of the page.

Highlight section titles

Use bold or italicized fonts to highlight the start of a new section, making it clear to the reader when they are transitioning to a different segment of your resume.

The effectiveness of a two-page resume in different industries

Understanding the expectations of your industry is important when deciding on the length of your resume. Here's a look at various sectors and industries that commonly require/expect two-page resumes:

In academic, scientific, and medical fields

Professionals in these fields often have extensive publications, research, and project experiences that lends itself more to a two-page resume. A two-page resume allows space for this additional information, which is not generally included in other fields.

In creative and Tech industries

For roles in graphic design, architecture, IT, or software development, a two-page resume can be beneficial if you have a substantial portfolio of projects or a long list of technical skills and certifications. It allows more space to elaborate on your skills without overcrowding the resume.

In business, finance, and legal sectors

Higher-level positions in these industries, like executives or managers with years of experience, often require a two-page resume to cover a long history of relevant positions, accomplishments, and skills.

In government and non-profit organizations

These sectors sometimes prefer comprehensive resumes that detail all relevant experiences and qualifications, rather than just your most recent and relevant roles, often making two pages more suitable for government resumes.

However, even within these industries, a two-page resume is usually only appropriate for candidates with substantial experience or those applying for senior-level positions. Entry/mid-level applicants with less experience should still stick to a one-page resume, unless they have a compelling amount of relevant information that requires the longer format.

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Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Perfect Resume (With Examples!)

Your resume is arguably the most valuable piece of paper for your career. But this document can be daunting for many. Maybe you’re not sure how to fit in all your information onto one page. Maybe you’re not sure about the right way to format and write your resume. Maybe you don’t even know what the heck a resume is!

Whatever your concern, we’ll break down everything you need to know about making the perfect resume, from scratch.

What Is a Resume?

What are employers looking for in a resume.

• Pick Your Format
• Start With Your Basic Information
• Add in Your Work Experience
• Consider Including Volunteer Work or Other Experience
• Don’t Forget Your Education
• Top It Off With Some Skills and Interests
• Write a Resume Summary Statement (if Relevant)
• Tailor It to the Job (and the ATS)
• Edit and Refine It

What Are Some Examples of a Good Resume?

A resume is a summary of your career, whether yours is just getting started or has been going on for years. Coming in at around one page in length (two only under specific circumstances), it showcases the jobs you’ve held and currently hold, the responsibilities you’ve taken on, the skills you’ve developed, and the qualities you bring to the table as an employee. Together, those things make it super easy for any hiring manager to see your qualifications and fit for a role.

For all the work you may put into writing one, hiring managers actually spend very little time—mere seconds in many cases—looking at your resume. But despite this sad fact, it’s safe to say that creating a great resume (rather than hastily throwing one together) still matters.

“If you miss the mark, your resume may never be read. Even worse, you might be removed from the applicant pool by a computer before a human even knows you exist,” says Muse career coach Heather Yurovsky , founder of Shatter & Shine. So you want to get it right because, as she explains, isn’t the goal to “spend less time looking for a job and more time in a role you love?”

You might be wondering if you can lean on your LinkedIn profile instead of writing a resume. The answer, sadly, is no. Most hiring managers still expect you to submit a resume, even if they also look at your LinkedIn. Even if you don’t need a resume for a job you’re applying for now, you’re going to need one at some point in your career—they’re not anywhere close to going out of style. So it’s best to always have one at the ready should an opportunity pop up.

And although LinkedIn has plenty of benefits, a resume has one clear advantage: While your LinkedIn is usually a broader picture of your career trajectory, your resume gives you the opportunity to tailor your career story to a specific role or company (more on that later).

Oh, and you’ve probably heard of something called a CV? It’s slightly different from a resume , and usually more common with academics and job seekers outside the U.S.

Hiring managers look for three things on your resume, “What did you do? Why did you do it? And what was the result?” says Muse career coach Martin McGovern , owner of Career Therapy. “If you can answer all three of these questions in...your resume bullet points, you’re going to be on the right track.”

Clear, easy-to-understand language is key. “The truth is that most resumes make no sense. They are stuffed with jargon, they are too technical, and they are filled with redundancies. Try to read a resume that isn’t yours and you will quickly realize that it feels like an alien wrote it,” McGovern adds. Put yourself in the shoes of a recruiter who has no idea how your role works—how can you make your resume accessible to them?

The hiring manager also cares about more than just you and you alone—they care about you in relation to them. “Hiring managers want to see if a candidate matches the requirements” of the role they’re hiring for, Yurovsky explains. “Your resume should paint this picture so the hiring manager not only knows what day-to-day responsibilities you can handle, but why you, above other[s], bring value to their organization.”

How Do You Write a Resume?

Whether you’re someone who’s never written a resume in your life, or you need a nice, thorough refresher on the process of creating one, follow these steps to go from a blank page to a complete—and dare I say beautiful—document.

Related: This Free Worksheet Makes It Easy to Create (or Update) Your Resume

1. Pick Your Format

Before you start typing one single thing, you have to decide what you want the overall resume to look like.

Resume builders can be helpful for this step—they’ll take all your basic information and organize it for you, eliminating some of the legwork. You can also use a pre-made outline, such as one of these free Google Docs templates .

But it’s often safest to start with a clean slate all on your own and eventually upgrade to a more advanced layout. (If you'd still like a place to write all the relevant information before you get started, check out our resume outline .) This allows you to course correct, edit and re-edit, and choose a resume format that best fits your particular situation (after all, not everyone has a career trajectory that’s easy to compartmentalize).

In general, you’re most likely to cover and/or include sections on the following:

• Your work experience
• Your non-work experience, including professional organizations, community involvement, or side projects
• Your education and certifications
• Your skills (specifically hard skills) and interests

So how do you format and organize all of that information?

By far the most common (and safest, if you’re not sure which route to take) option is reverse chronological order . This means you organize your experiences from most recent to least recent. So your work experiences would go above your education, and your current role would go above previous roles you’ve held. This of course has its exceptions—maybe you went back to grad school between jobs, or your most recent role is irrelevant to the job you’re applying for. So the whole page may not be exactly in reverse chronological order depending on your situation. It’s just a guideline.

There’s also something called a functional or skills-based resume . This is used pretty rarely, mainly with career changers and those with limited or complicated work histories. It gets its name because it’s primarily about listing your skills rather than experiences, and showcases them above your work history and education.

You can also opt for a combination resume , which is a mix between a reverse chronological resume and skills-based resume. It highlights your skills at the top, but allows just as much room below to cover your job and school experience.

Use caution when choosing these two formats: “Combo and skills-based [resumes] can be hard to follow, because [they force] the reader to hunt for connections between your skills and experience, and [don’t] provide the full context of your work,” says Muse Career Coach Angela Smith , founder of Loft Consulting. “I’ve also heard a lot of recruiters say that they automatically discount skill-based resumes because they feel the candidate is trying to hide something. I don’t necessarily believe that, but I think it’s important for job-seekers to know that perception is out there.”

2. Start With Your Basic Information

Your contact information should always go at the top of your resume. In this header you’ll want to include anything that could be helpful for a recruiter to get in touch with you. Usually, this means adding in:

• Your full name (preferably the name you use across the web)
• Your phone number
• Your personal email address

You might also choose to include other basic information, such as your LinkedIn or personal website URL, your GitHub (for technical roles), your social media profiles (if relevant to the job), or your address. If you’re looking to move for a job, you may choose to leave out your address or write “open to relocating” to better your chances of getting an interview.

The key is to make this part as clear as possible. If a hiring manager can’t reach you, there’s no point in perfecting the rest of your resume.

3. Add in Your Work Experience

This section will most likely be the bulk of your resume. Even if you’re changing careers, employers still want to see where you’ve worked, what you’ve done, and the impact of that work to get a sense of your background and expertise.

Your “Work Experience” might be one entire category, or you might choose to break it up into “Relevant Experience” and “Additional Experience” to highlight the jobs that are most important for hiring managers to focus on. Either way, you’ll almost always want to have your most recent experience at the top and your older experience down below.

Within your work experience, you’ll want to include each official job title, the company (and possibly its location), and the years you worked there. Below that, you’ll add in two to four bullet points explaining what you did in that job, the skills you built and exercised, the tools you used, and the results of what you did. If you accomplished a lot during your time there, focus on the responsibilities that made the most impact or you’re the most proud of, as well as the ones that best align you with the job you’re applying for (more on that in the following sections). It’s key here to list, if relevant, quantitative as well as qualitative accomplishments.

For example, you might write:

Associate Accountant, Finances and Co., Ann Arbor, MI September 2017 – Present

• Manage billing and invoicing for more than 50 clients, ensuring the deadlines and needs of our enterprise partners, including Big Company and Super Star Org, are met
• Collaborate closely with sales, account management, and project management teams on project setup, maintenance, and invoice management
• Assist in the streamlining of invoicing guidelines and procedures through documentation and the implementation of new software, resulting in an average two-week decrease in total time spent per client

Your resume bullets should be in past tense if you’re referring to past jobs and present tense if you’re talking about your current roles. In addition, your bullets should always start with a strong action verb that best describes what you did. And if you have examples of your work, consider hyperlinking them here as well.

If you have a ton of experience and this category is starting to run long (read: over one page), consider kicking out your oldest jobs unless they’re super relevant to the job you’re applying for, or extra impressive for your field.

Not sure where to start? “It’s helpful to do a brain dump and create a document that has everything and anything you consider as experience or an achievement,” says Yurovsky. From there, she explains, you can start to whittle down what is and isn’t important. And you can refer to this document later if you ever decide to update your resume for a specific role.

Need more specific advice on listing your work experience on your resume? Check out these additional resources:

• When you’ve held multiple jobs at the same company: 2 Jobs, 1 Company: How to Show Multiple Positions on Your Resume
• When you’re not sure what your accomplishments are or how to explain them: Resume Revamp: How to Turn Your Duties Into Accomplishments
• When you want to spruce up a boring or insignificant job: How to Make Your Most Boring Jobs Sound More Interesting on Your Resume
• When you’re considering fudging a job title: The Answer to “Can I Change My Job Title on My Resume to Make It More Accurate?”
• When you’ve had a bunch of short-term gigs: How to List Temporary Jobs on Your Resume

4. Consider Including Volunteer Work or Other Experience

Anything you’ve done that’s not work experience—your side gig, volunteer work, special projects—can be hosted under clearly-labeled sections (“Volunteer Experience” or “Activities,” for example). Depending on how robust your work experience is, these things may be worth including, particularly if they’ve helped you level up your skill set or better align you with your dream job. Plus, they make you look that much more well-rounded, passionate, and hardworking.

If you’re a recent grad, you might also build out a section for on-campus activities, such as clubs, organizations, or leadership experience. This can be a great supplement if you’re lacking in the jobs department. You can frame these just as you would professional jobs—including your title, the organization’s name, and bullets describing what your role was and what you accomplished.

Read More: This Is Exactly How to List Volunteer Work on Your Resume

5. Don’t Forget Your Education

If you’re still in school or just graduated, your education can go at the top of your resume, but for pretty much everyone else, this goes near the bottom. Most people include their school, graduation year (for folks less up to about a decade out of school), major, and degree. Brand-new grads might also write in their GPA, honors and awards, study abroad, thesis, or other notable achievements. But keep this section super simple, as you don’t want it to take up too much space over your work experience.

It’s possible you have unique education experience, such as taking an online course or certification. If you did this specifically as a way to boost yourself within your industry, definitely include it. Again, list everything more or less reverse chronologically—so a grad school degree would go above an undergrad degree, and a more recent relevant online course would go above that.

Learn more about the ins and outs of listing your education on your resume:

• How to (and How Not to) List Education on Your Resume
• How to List Online Courses on Your Resume the Right Way (Because Yes, There Is a Wrong Way)

6. Top It Off With Some Skills and Interests

The skills section of a resume gets a bad rap, but it’s just as important as the rest of the stuff you include. It’s a quick list a recruiter can scan to see if your skill set aligns with what they’re hiring for. And it’s super ATS-friendly (ATS stands for “applicant tracking system,” the robot that in some cases reads your resume before a human does) because it allows you to add in keywords the machine is scanning for.

Usually this section goes at the bottom of your resume, but in special cases—such as a skills-based resume or when someone’s switching fields—you may place it further up.

What exactly do you throw in here? You’ll want to list any hard skills and applications you’re familiar with (Photoshop, SEO, JavaScript, to name a few examples), and, if relevant, your level of expertise. Avoid including soft skills here, like time management or public speaking—save those for your bullet points instead.

Be strategic when filling in your skills. Don’t list things you actually couldn’t do at a high competence level (I’m looking at those of you who say you’re “great” at Excel), and maybe nix skills that are completely irrelevant to the job you want. For example, you may not even need to include Excel if you’re applying for say, a design position, unless it’s listed as a job requirement.

Maybe you’re thinking, I’m a really good volleyball player, but that’s not a “skill,” right? No, it’s not, but it is a hobby. Adding in a hobby section at the bottom of your resume is underrated, and frequently a smart choice. It can be a great conversation starter with a hiring manager, and it can show that you’re a good culture fit—or a culture add—for the company. Also, it’s just a nice way to add in some of your personality. So tack on a bullet point listing out some of your interests, such as hiking, rowing, or crafting (no more than five to seven work-appropriate verbs), and you’re all set here.

7. Write a Resume Summary Statement (if Relevant)

You may have heard of a resume summary statement . They’re not super common, but they can be useful to include near the top of your resume if you’re looking to add clarity or context to your resume. If you’re a career changer, you might find a summary statement helpful in explaining your leap and tying your experience to your new path. Or if you’re a more experienced professional, you can use a summary statement to highlight a theme that brings your career trajectory together.

Overall, you probably won’t need a summary statement if your career is pretty linear and your bullet points do a great job of emphasizing what you have to offer in terms of skills and experience. But if you think it makes sense to include one, “Take the time to think about what the person reading your summary wants to know before you write it,” says McGovern. “Good summaries explain why you do what you do and how it can help. For instance: Merging a background in ABC, I help companies improve XYZ through 123. Summaries shouldn’t be any more complicated than that.”

So, taking McGovern’s example, you might say:

Merging a background in social media marketing and PR with seven years in the consumer tech space, I help companies improve their internal and external communication and brand awareness through data-driven, quality content and strategies that align with the modern trends of the space.

Yurovsky adds that “you don’t want your summary statement to be a dense paragraph with too much information. You want it to be easy to read, concise, and memorable. Almost like a tagline.”

Read More: 3 Resume Summary Examples That’ll Make Writing Your Own Easier

8. Tailor It to the Job (and the ATS)

Once you have your resume written out—you’ve broken down your work experience, tagged on some activities and additional experiences, and listed out your skills—it’s important to go back to the job description (or multiple job descriptions, if you’re applying to several similar jobs) and make sure that what your resume says matches up with the kind of candidate the employers are looking for. In other words, tailor it .

Let’s explain further. You’ll want to begin by tackling the ATS . This means combing the job description to see if individual words and phrases line up. What skills are they asking for, and have you listed them (so long as you actually have them)? What words are they using to describe their ideal hire, and do you use similar language in your resume?

Next, take a bird’s-eye view. If you were the hiring manager for the role, where on your resume would your eyes be drawn to? And what would you be looking for? Whatever you think will be most important for the recruiter, make sure it’s near the top of your resume, or otherwise emphasized.

Finally, dig into the role and responsibilities of the job. Does your resume reflect similar experience? If not, is there a way you can spin it so that it’s clear you’re capable of doing the job (and doing it well)?

These articles can help you if the word “tailoring” makes you start to sweat:

• What It Really Means to “Tailor Your Resume”
• Your Guide to Making Unrelated Experience Look Relevant on Your Resume
• A Cool Trick: How to Spin 1 Resume Bullet 5 Different Ways

9. Edit and Refine It

Please, please don’t just write your resume and shoot it out without giving it a second glance. Hiring managers may not spend hours browsing it, but if there’s one thing that sticks out more than anything else it’s a glaring typo.

The best approach? Write a rough draft, then leave and come back to it later with fresh eyes to give it an edit.

Cover the basics: Is your contact information correct and updated? Are you using the right verb tenses? Does everything look consistent and accurate in terms of spelling and grammar?

Then do some cutting if your resume’s quite long. It’s no longer a hard-and-fast rule that all resumes must be only one page—but consider it a smart guideline for most applicants, especially if you've got less than 10 years work experience. The exception is if you’re very senior or very established in your career; in this scenario, a two-page resume isn’t completely out of the question. Everyone else, read this article for advice on how to cut your resume down.

Formatting-wise, it’s key to consider a couple things. First, what font are you using , and is it legible (for a human and a robot)? When in doubt, go with one of these simple, but sleek, options: Arial, Arial Narrow, Calibri, Cambria, Garamond, or Helvetica.

Second, are you going to save it as a Word document or PDF ? Neither option is wrong, although a PDF helps ensure that your formatting is maintained, no matter what type of computer the hiring manager uses to open the document.

Third, is your resume formatted in a way that it’s skimmable? If it’s feeling crowded or overrun with words, read this: 12 Tiny Changes That Make Your Resume Easy for Recruiters to Skim .

Once you’ve given it a few good looks, it may be worth sending it to a friend or colleague (or even a career coach ) to get a second opinion. Don’t just have them edit it for spelling and grammar—they should dig into your bullets and offer feedback on whether or not your resume is showing you in the best possible light (it’s smart to also send them the job description for something to compare it to).

Here’s the thing: Your resume won’t ever look exactly like someone else’s, nor should it. How you choose to format it, organize your information, and talk about specific experiences depends not just on your career path, but on your field, the job you’re applying for, the company that job is at, and more.

So there isn’t a universal way to do a resume. But there are common themes. To give you some context as to how yours might turn out, here are three examples of different kinds of resumes.

The Most Popular: A Reverse Chronological Resume

As previously mentioned, a reverse chronological resume is preferred by many coaches and HR experts, mainly because it’s super readable. When everything’s in a clear order, it’s easy to skim and even easier to draw lines between experiences.

Who it’s good for: Just about everyone—from students applying to internships all the way up to senior-level executives (with an optional resume summary statement)

Download an Example Chronological Resume for a Software Engineer

The Unorthodox Route: A Functional or Skills-Based Resume

Rather than listing out your experience in reverse chronological order, a functional or skills-based resume has bullet points that reflect how each of your skills is demonstrated by the work you’ve done over the course of your career. At the bottom, you’ll include everything else, such as your education, job history, professional achievements, community involvement, and other technical skills. This is a good option if you have a somewhat all-over-the-place work history and want to tie everything together neatly.

Who it’s good for: Career changers whose work experiences may not appear to be relevant and people with an abundance of temporary jobs or gaps in their work histories.

Download an Example Functional Resume for a Project Manager

The Creative Angle: An Infographic Resume or Resume Website

This resume type is characterized by how it’s formatted visually. You may choose a reverse chronological order or skills-based style to organize your information, but also use graphics, colors, unique fonts, and even multimedia elements to help that information pop. Keep in mind that any creative resume is still likely subject to an ATS—and certain elements may be unreadable by a robot. So consider going this route only if you know a human will be reading your resume (and that said human might enjoy it).

Who it’s good for: People applying to creative roles (designers, editors, writers, marketers, video producers, for example), startups, or fun companies, or to jobs where a creative resume is encouraged, if not required.

Download an Example Infographic Resume for a Designer

Not a designer but want your resume to look just as pretty as this example? Check out these articles:

• 5 Sites to Create an Awesome Infographic Resume (Even if You’re the Least Creative Person Ever)
• How to Build a Resume Website That Will Impress Every Hiring Manager Who Sees It
• 5 Digital Tools That Will Make Your Resume Infinitely More Beautiful

Your resume is a living, breathing document. So while you won’t go through this whole process every time you apply for a job, you should be thinking about all these things as you go to update your resume for your next career step. You might decide later on to switch up the order, or remove or add things, or even get creative and try out a whole new format. If you’re not getting the calls back you expect, you may decide to scrap it and start over —and that’s totally OK.

Regardless of where this piece of paper goes and how it grows, when you give it the care and attention it deserves, you set yourself up for success. And you’ll make it that much more likely that you’ll land an interview and get the chance to prove to the hiring manager—over the phone or in person—what you’ve got to offer.

When to Use a 2-Page Resume [7 Samples Included]

We’ve all asked ourselves at some point, “How long should my resume be?”

The most common answer you’d get on the internet is straightforward: one page.

But what if your 2nd page is jam-packed with relevant work experience?

Or, what if you’re applying for a position in academia?

In this article, we discuss the appropriate length of a resume.

• Should you use a 2-page resume?
• What’s the right length for your resume?
• How to fit a resume on 1 page?
• 7 two-page resume samples (which you can reuse!)

Let’s get started!

Should You Use a 2-Page Resume?

One-page resumes are the norm in the industry. 

For a long time, recruiters have preferred concise, one-page resumes that can be looked over quickly. A 2013 survey of 475 Canadian hiring managers found that 39% of recruiters spend less than a minute looking at a resume while 23% spend less than 30 seconds. 

However, even though it is widely accepted that a resume should be one page long, there’s no rule that says yours can’t be longer. In fact, recent evidence suggests that for certain situations, two pages are preferable.

A 2018 experiment featuring 482 US-based hiring managers shows that recruiters are becoming more accepting of 2-page resumes, especially from applicants for mid and top-level management positions. 

In short, you can go with a 2-page resume if you’re:

• An applicant with over 15 years of experience
• Applying for positions in executive or middle management
• Applying for a role in academia. In which case, there’s no limit on how long your resume can be (more on this later)

Resume & Length - All You Need to Know

Still confused about the one-page vs two-page resume standoff?

We don’t blame you! The lines are pretty blurred. 

What if you have less than 10 years of experience, but a wide range of professional experiences that just don’t fit into one page??

What if you’ve been employed for 30 years and yet 2 full pages seem difficult to fill?

Or maybe a student with dozens of achievements? Is it okay to have a two-page resume then?

Let’s break it down one item at a time:

How far back should a resume go?

If you have a long work history, you should only go a maximum of 10 to 15 years back . 

Unless it was something outstanding, the recruiter doesn’t need to know what you were doing 20 years ago. Chances are, the jobs from the beginning of your career aren’t as impressive as the ones you’ve held more recently. 

For example, there’s no need to mention you were a market research assistant 18 years ago if you were head of marketing 3 years ago. 

Have some notable achievements from back in the day?

You can still list them without going back 20 years with your work experiences!

Just create a section called “Achievements” and use it to highlight all your career wins, whether they’re recent or old.

How long should a student resume be?

If you’re a student, you shouldn’t have any reason to go past one page. 

If you find yourself struggling to fit everything onto a single page, re-evaluate the information you want to present. Chances are, there are things you can cut altogether. 

An extensive list of hobbies and interests ? You can trim it or go without. 

Part-time babysitting job? No need to mention it when applying for an internship at IBM.

Look at your resume critically and make sure what you’ve written is concise and relevant to the job you are applying for.

If you’re certain that your personality is your most qualifying trait and a single page is not enough of a canvas, you can link your preferred and relevant social media account at your own discretion. 

What about CVs?

You should be aware that a curriculum vitae is different from a resume. However, in Europe, these terms are largely used interchangeably.

While a resume is tailored to each job you apply for and aims to sell you as the best candidate for that role, the purpose of a CV is to tell a detailed story about who you are, what you’ve achieved and what you are looking to achieve. 

This means it’s usually longer than a resume with an average length of 2-3 pages, and no maximum length restriction.

If you’re applying for a job in academia, you should write a CV . 

Resume Length Cheat Sheet 

To sum up, here’s a recap of recommended resume lengths based on experience level:

How to Fit a Resume on 1 Page

For students and entry-level professionals, sticking to a one-page limit should not be that difficult. 

For the more seasoned professionals, here are some tips to fit all of the necessary information on one page:

• Use an online resume builder . The templates they offer use the optimal typeface, font size, and layout for an aesthetically pleasing one-page fit. This saves you a lot of precious time since you don’t have to get involved with formatting at all. All that you have to do is fill in the information. 
• Tailor for the job. Mention only skills and experience relevant to the position you are applying for. Anything unrelated should be removed from the resume entirely. If the company is looking for a data scientist, there’s no need to mention your social media marketing internship. 
• Achievements over responsibilities . For each work experience entry, instead of listing your duties, focus on your achievements . What was your performance? What did you and the company gain? Can you put that in numbers? Quantifying your achievements will eliminate unnecessary adjectives and help you stand out. 
• Use bullet points. They’re easy to read and give your resume an organized look while also saving space. Don’t go past 6 bullets though, as the result will likely be a giant block of text. 
• Remove the high school entry. If you’ve attended college/university, it goes without saying that you also graduated high school. So, if that’s the case, you can just not mention high school altogether.
• Avoid repetition. If your responsibilities in several jobs were the same, try to be selective and only mention similar tasks once. If you’ve been a social media manager for three different companies, don’t write “created content” three times. Instead, focus on your top achievements for each role. 
• Have a concise resume summary or resume objective . After all, this is supposed to be a short, attention-grabbing intro to your resume. Use only 2-3 sentences (3 lines of text) to highlight your achievements and skills.

7 Two-Page Resume Samples

#1. simple resume template  .

With some upgrades from the traditional resume, the Simple resume template could be a great choice if you don’t want to experiment a lot. 

As the name suggests, it has a simple design and is perfect for any position. 

#2. Professional Resume Template

This all-time favorite template puts equal emphasis on your work experiences and skills. It has a minimalistic design that is easy to skim and makes the resume perfect for executive position applications. 

#3. Modern Resume Template

This template helps your resume maintain a professional look, yet stand out among others. It focuses on your previous work experiences and highlights your skills with a pop of color. 

#4. Creative Resume Template

If you’re applying for a job in marketing, advertising, design, or any position in the creative space, our Creative resume template is what you’re looking for. It starts with a bold header, emphasizing your resume summary or objective, followed by a more minimalistic design for the rest. 

#5. Functional Resume Template

This functional resume template highlights your work experience and skills you’ve developed through the years. It’s minimalistic, featuring a color-accented header and skills section. 

#6. Basic Resume Template

This template is as simple and clean-cut as they come. It uses a limited, monochromatic color palette and can be used in any industry.

#7. Executive Resume Template

Key Takeaways

Discussions over the length of a resume have been going on for ages and all answers seem to have a “but”.

We hope that this article helped clear some of the air around two-page resumes and when to use them. 

Before you go, here’s a recap of what we talked about:

• You can use a two-page resume if you have an extensive work history of over 10-15 years or if you’re applying for an executive position.
• If you’re a student or entry-level applicant, your best bet is to use a one-page resume.
• An online resume tool can save time by providing a customizable template to fill in, and make it easier to create a one-page resume.
• Using the appropriate typeface, font size, and line spacing can help you fit more information onto a page.
• If you’re a senior professional or a job-seeker in academia, though, you’re free to use a 2-page resume.

Discover More Resume Templates

• Minimalistic Resume Templates
• Chronological Resume Templates
• Combination Resume Templates
• Creative Resume Templates
• High School Resume Templates
• Google Docs Resume Templates
• Word Resume Templates
• One Page Resume Templates

Suggested Reading:

• How to Write Your First Job Resume [For 2024]
• 101+ Essential Skills to Put on a Resume [In 2024]
• The Complete Guide to Remote Work [W/ Tips & Tricks]

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How, When, and Why You Can Use a Two-Page Resume?

In This Guide:

Two-page resume faqs., how to write a two-page resume in 2021, what goes on the second page of a resume, when to go with a two-page resume, how to format a two-page resume, how to print (and save) a two-page resume.

Crafting a resume is a tricky business.

Everything from choosing the experience that you’ll include to picking the right outline is hard.

And even after you’ve made these small decisions, there’s another problem coming your way–you can’t fit everything on a single page.

Oh, no! A two-page resume won’t cut it!

Or would it?

Well, at Enhancv, we’re well known to take a different spin on resumes. In other words, we believe a 2-page resume can be an excellent fit for positions that require more experience or for people who’ve had a great run in their career.

That’s why we really got interested in the topic of extending your resume to a second page. Once we started working on it, it became very clear that to create a resume that extends on two or more pages, you should really think through the layout and how you’re going to structure everything in your resume.

Well, we think we’ve found the secret sauce to two-page resumes. I mean, Sam landed her dream job at Spotify by using a two-page cv by Enhancv. 😊

Before we start going in-depth on the topic of two-page resumes, we think it’s best to get some frequent questions out of the way first.

How long should a resume be?

Most recruiters seem to favor the one-page resume. It’s short, concise, and easy to read. However, at Enhancv, we think your application’s length should be determined by the position you’re applying for and the amount of relevant experience you have. Hence why we’ve made two-page resume templates for you to choose from.

That said, if you’re an experienced professional and you can’t fit your relevant experience on a single page, it’s okay to expand your resume to a second page .

Is a 2-page CV okay if you have a lot of experience?

While most people will hate on longer resumes, recruiters don’t have anything against them as long as the information you’ve provided is relevant and helps them decide. For example, if you have many skills that you can feature on your resume , then don’t shy away from expanding on a second page.

A 2-page resume is okay for people who have more than five years of experience in a given industry. The rule of thumb is to fill up at the very least half of the second page.

Now that we have some of the more general questions out of the way and made it clear that it’s okay to have a two-page resume in 2021 , we can dive more in-depth on the topic.

Namely, we want to cover a couple of things that people often overlook when making their CVs.

Keep the resume header on both pages.

When you can’t fit your resume on a single page, it’s best to treat the second page as a continuation of the first. You should keep the same header on the second page as you have on the first one .

Most likely, you’re well aware that recruiters are a very busy bunch. By making sure your name and contact information are present on both pages, you’re making things easier for them.

Make sure the most crucial information is presented on the first page of your resume.

It’s only normal for people to pay more attention when they’re reading the first page of your resume. When crafting your CV, present the most important and relevant information first.

For example, your achievements and successes, supported by numbers, should always come first , followed by relevant experience, while leaving the hobby section for page two.

Include contact information on both pages.

We briefly mentioned keeping the resume header on both pages. Still, to stress even more on that, we’re going to point out to keep your contact information on both pages of your resume .

In some instances, recruiters can go over a thousand resumes a week. That’s a whole lot! Make it easier for them by including your contact information in the header of both pages .

Treat the second page of your resume as a place to feature additional information.

Using a two-page resume means that you have tonnes of relevant experience. You can push your education and hobbies on your resume’s second page, leaving the first one to wow the recruiters.

If you want to include a degree or some other education on your first page, you can do so in the summary section. We’ve made a pretty detailed guide on building a powerful summary , so go give it a read!

The second page should be at least half full.

When you’re using two pages to present your experience, it’s essential to put in the effort and fill the second page at least halfway. There’s nothing more unprofessional than a two-page resume with only two sentences on the second page (I mean, you could’ve easily made some parts shorter to fit everything on a single page).

If you can’t seem to quite fill the page, then you can use some of Enhancv’s unique sections that can show a bit more about you.

How to format a two-page resume.

There are five main points that you have to follow when you’re crafting your two-page resume. Of course, if you’re using a tool like Enhancv, the resume builder will take care of 95% of those things, but here’s a list to follow if you’re doing your resume by yourself:

• Put your name and contact information on both pages;
• Use the same font and letter size on all pages;
• Focus only on the last 10 years of your professional experience;
• Keep things as concise as possible;
• Place the most important and relevant information first.

By simply following these five points above, you can be pretty sure your resume is relevant to the position you’re applying to.

Now that you know how to format your 2-page resume, it’s time for us to take a more detailed look at what exactly you should feature on the second page.

Briefly put, the second page of a resume should be reserved for information that’s important but not vital.

But how do I know what’s vital?

Great question! When you’re writing your resume, you can ask yourself one question to determine whether something is vital or not.

That question is, “If I skip this, would I still qualify for the job?” .

Let’s take the education section, for example. Suppose you’ve been a marketing director for the past decade. What’s more valuable–where you went to school or what you achieved as director of marketing at the last company you worked for?

The answer is pretty obvious, your education can be neatly placed on the second page of your resume.

How to structure the second page of your resume?

Now that you understand what information should go on the second page of your resume and how to structure that page, let’s take a look at how to structure the page.

For starters, it’s important to keep the design of the page uniform to the first page. The Enhancv resume builder does this automatically, so why don’t you go pick a template and start building yours now, for free?

Make sure the font and size are the same across both pages and that you fill at least half of the second page of your resume.

At Enhancv, we like real-life examples, so let’s take a closer look at Sam’s resume from the beginning of the article. Remember her? She stood out among 20,000 candidates applying for the same position at Spotify.

Sam did one of the most amazing things that you can do with your resume. She featured her experience prominently on the first page, accompanied by a powerful summary and a cheeky section about how she spends her time.

On the second page of her resume, Sam expanded her experience section with still relevant but not vital information. And to make sure the second page is just as impactful. She shared her favorite reads and her cooking chops . It’s cheeky and memorable.

How many people of those 20,000 do you think put how good at cooking they are?

We’ve briefly answered this question above in the article, but I’d like us to go over it one more time. To determine when you should go with a two-page (or even longer) resume, you have to ask yourself the question of how far back you should go .

Two-page resume when you have less than five years of professional experience.

In most resume examples, when you have less than five years of professional experience, it’s best to keep your resume to a single page length .

However, if you believe you have a lot of relevant academic experience that you can feature, then expand it to a second page.

Two-page resume when you have between five and 10 years of professional experience.

On the other hand, if you’re an experienced professional, then you can definitely expand your resume to a second page.

In fact, recruiters will praise you for properly spacing the words and not causing them a headache when reading your application.

One of the biggest pluses of a two-page resume is the extra space that you get. It allows you to feature more about yourself without sacrificing readability.

While we’ve absolutely omitted the need to format your resume with our resume builder , when you’re making your resume in Word, it’s best to stick to fonts and sizes that are easy to read.

Here’s a little cheat sheet for you when formatting your 2-page resume:

• Font: Arial Regular (Bold for titles);
• Font Size: 11 (minimum);
• Margins: 1-inch on each side.

Simple yet super useful. These same settings can be used for single-page resumes as well.

Now that you know how to format your two-page resume comes the next step–saving and printing.

If you’re sending a physical resume to a company , you have to make sure the resume is printed on two separate pages. Like, think about it, many people won’t even turn a page on the other side. The rule of thumb is to stick to single-side printing per page.

When sending a resume online, the best way to save it is as a PDF. When done right, it will keep links active, and no one will be able to edit it. This is also how each Enhancv resume is saved automatically.

Should you staple or paper clip the resume?

Okay, now that you’ve printed your resume, you have two separate pages that you want to keep together.

So, do you staple or paper clip your resume? We advise you to paper clip it. When stapled, it can be annoying to read, and if handled improperly, it can result in a tearing of the pages.

And that’s it! There’s the most comprehensive guide on two-page resumes you can ever read.

Everything from how to staple your resume, to actually properly formatting and using the right font. And if you don’t want to spend time tweaking font sizes and margins, then go with the more sophisticated approach and create your first proper resume with Enhancv!

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Do You Need a Two Page Resume Format?

If you’re like me, you might have “one page only!” ingrained in your brain when it comes to how long a resume should be.

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If you’re like me, you might have “one page only!” ingrained in your brain when it comes to how long a resume should be . However, once you’ve been in the workforce for several years, your one-page resume is likely bursting at the seams. Is a two page resume the answer? Turns out, it’s not as taboo as you (and I) may have thought.

Can a resume be two pages?

Yes, as long as the extra length is warranted. Here’s the thing–a two page resume is not an excuse to include everything you’ve ever done in your career. If you’re going to ask a recruiter or hiring manager to look through two pages, it better be worth it!

The two page resume is ideal, and even beneficial, for job seekers with five years or more experience in the same career field . Recent college grads and those changing careers will likely be better suited to a one page resume. Still, it can be tricky to know whether or not the two page resume is right for you.

When to use a two page resume

To figure out if you need a two page resume or not, try first drafting a resume without any editing at all. Include everything–relevant or not. Then, start cutting it down. Be ruthless in your trimming! Any work experience that is irrelevant to the job you’re applying for can be cut. If you’re unsure about a piece of information, chances are it’s not worth including. The goal is to get rid of as much fluff as possible.

Paste your resume and the job description in to the Jobscan resume optimization tool to see which skills, keywords, and experience are actually important to the job for which you’re applying.

When you’re done trimming, how long is your resume? If it’s more than a page and a half, the two page resume is a good fit. If it’s less than a page and a half, try expanding margins and changing resume format to see if you can make it fit on one page.

Benefits of a two page resume

Imagine you’re a recruiter. You have a pile of resumes to get through and limited time to get through them. You see one resume that is only one page, but it’s packed with information. Then, you see a two page resume with the same amount of information, but spread out in a way that makes it easy to skim quickly. The point? A shorter resume is not always better .

You might even have more success going up against applicant tracking systems if you use a two page resume. By giving yourself extra space to expand upon important resume keywords , or even creating a keyword bank or “skills” section , you make your resume more compatible with those pesky resume screeners.

How to Format a Two Page Resume

While the length will increase, the overall format of your two page resume will be similar to that of a one page resume. The bulk of your resume, especially second page, will be used for listing work experience, though the structure of the second page will vary based on the resume format you choose.

Regardless of format , there’s no need to include a resume header or contact information on the second page. Save that valuable space for your work experience.

It’s okay if your work experience entries are split between the two pages. What you want to avoid is having one entry split at the page break. Remember, it’s all about making your resume as readable as possible, both for the hiring manager and applicant tracking system.

Two Page Resume Format Examples

Check out our two page executive resume format templates here , including the template below.

Two page resume example from Jobscan.

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How to Format a Resume That Goes on to a Second Page

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How to Create a Master List of Resume Information for Yourself

Difference between summary of qualifications and work experience on a resume, the skills & objectives of a job as a front desk supervisor.

• How to Write a Resume While You Are Currently Working
• Electronic Resumes: How to Include a Cover Letter

It can be hard to fit all of your relevant experience on a one-page resume after you have been working for awhile. Two-page resumes are acceptable as long as they are formatted to be easy to read. Be sure you really do have enough information to require a second page, however. If you cannot fill at least half of the second page, it may be better to condense the details so your entire resume can fit on a single page.

General Tips for Job Applications

Even though you are adding a second page, you still need to be as concise as possible to hold the reader's attention. Keep the most important information on the first page. A busy hiring manager may not be interested enough to get to the second page of every resume.

Tailor your resume for each job application and include a cover letter to relate your skills to the open position. Always be truthful about your past experience. Employers will check your references and uncover any misrepresentations.

Basic Formatting Guidelines

Create a personal letterhead at the top of the first page so employers know right away they are looking at your resume. Include all of your current contact information, such as your mailing address, phone number and email address. Add a header to the second page to identify it as part of your resume.

Include your full name and phone number and the label "Page 2." Use a smaller font for the header than you used for the rest of the resume. Make sure the page break does not occur in the middle of a section. Keep the margins at 1 inch, and use a reasonable font for the body of the resume, recommends Purdue University's Online Writing Lab . Pages with narrow margins and small print are more likely to be tossed aside because they are hard to read.

Objective Statement and Skills

Start the resume with an objective statement that summarizes your career goals. Use this statement to also highlight one or two of your most valuable abilities on your resume. Skills should be easy to find. Instead of listing all of your job responsibilities and expecting the reader to look through the entire resume to find the important details, add a summary section on the first page.

Pick out five or six of your most important skills and list them with bullet points. Include any computer software or specialized equipment with which you are proficient that would impress the hiring manager for this particular employer.

Showcase Your Work History

Concentrate on the last 10 years of your work history unless you think listing an earlier position will help you get this particular job. List most recent job first and include the employer name, location, job title and dates worked. Describe your primary job duties and list your main accomplishments during your time at the company. Try to use achievements that are measurable, such as increasing sales by 20 percent or reducing your department's expenses by $100,000.

Education and Certifications

List your college or university degrees, professional certifications and other acknowledgements of your achievements on the second page. Depending on the type of job you are seeking, it may also be helpful to list volunteer organizations or community service projects in which you participated. If you are already running out of space for your work experience and advanced degrees, you can omit this type of incidental information.

• Purdue University: When to Use Two Pages or More
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7 Senior Recruiter Resume Examples for 2024

In the competitive field of recruitment, your resume is crucial. This article offers solid examples of senior recruiter resumes. Learn how to highlight relevant experience, key skills, and industry jargon. Equip yourself with the insights and strategies to present a strong and effective resume. Whether you are just moving into a senior role or seeking advancement, this guide provides the advice you need.

• 09 Aug 2024 - 5 new sections, including 'Where to place education', added
• 09 Aug 2024 - 5 new resume templates, including Aspiring Senior Recruiter, added
• 07 Aug 2024 - Article published

  Next update scheduled for 17 Aug 2024

Here's what we see in the best senior recruiter resumes.

Show Measurable Impact : The best resumes show impact using numbers. Common metrics in this job: time to fill , cost per hire , offer acceptance rate , candidate satisfaction score .

Include Relevant Skills : Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are ATS software , Boolean search , social media recruiting , data analysis , interviewing techniques . But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

Emphasize Full-cycle Recruiting : Highlight experience in full-cycle recruiting , from sourcing to onboarding .

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Senior Recruiter Resume Sample

Find out how good your resume is.

ummm here it is

Get an unbiased resume assessment

Want to know how your resume stacks up in the competitive recruiting field? Our AI-powered tool simulates how hiring managers evaluate resumes. It analyzes your document based on key criteria that top companies look for when hiring senior recruiters.

Improve your chances of landing interviews. Upload your resume now to receive a detailed score and personalized feedback on how to make it stronger. This unbiased assessment will help you craft a resume that stands out to employers.

Where to place education

As a senior recruiter, your work experience will often be the most important section of your resume. Place your education section after your work experience unless you have recently completed further education that is directly relevant to recruiting, such as an HR certification or a relevant master's degree. This helps employers focus on your practical experience first.

If you have just completed significant education, consider placing it first to explain any recent gaps in work history.

Highlight relevant achievements

When applying for recruiting roles, highlight your achievements that show your capability to find and place the best candidates. Mention specific metrics such as the number of successful hires or the reduction in time-to-fill positions.

Include examples of how you improved hiring processes, implemented new recruiting technologies, or worked with different teams to meet recruitment goals.

Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist Resume Sample

Right resume length.

For a senior recruiter position, you want to keep your resume length just right. Two pages are recommended as you likely have extensive experience and qualifications. This length gives you enough space to share your achievements without overwhelming the reader. Prioritize details related to talent acquisition strategies and success in connecting top talent with the right opportunities.

Focus on the clarity and readability of your resume. Use clear headings and bullet points to list your experiences. Remember to present your most impressive and relevant accomplishments on the first page. Details like your methods for candidate search, engagement, and examples of effective placement should stand out immediately. Avoid small fonts and thin margins as these make your resume hard to read.

Junior Recruiter Resume Sample

Breaking into recruiting.

Networking can be crucial for breaking into the field of recruiting. Connect with HR professionals and attend industry events to build relationships. Often, jobs in recruiting come from referrals.

Consider gaining experience through internships or volunteer positions where you can assist the HR department. This can provide you with relevant experience and open doors to full-time roles.

Senior Recruiting Manager Resume Sample

Aspiring senior recruiter resume sample.

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