While conventional job-hunting wisdom says that a resume should be one page, the length of the average resume has been increasing in recent years. Can a resume be two pages? The answer is a definitive yes. Learn when best practices dictate a longer resume, and see two-page resume examples in this guide
Can a Resume Be Two Pages?
It’s a common misconception that all resumes should only be one page. While it’s true that entry-level candidates or recent graduates may not need more than a page to cover their skills and qualifications, a longer resume is necessary in some cases.
When can a resume be two pages? Experienced professionals and those with specialized roles may need a two-page resume, and some industries, such as academia or project management, may also require a longer resume to cover all the relevant information.
Pros and Cons of a Two-Page Resume
Advantages of a two-page resume
One of the most significant advantages of a two-page resume is that it gives you more space to highlight your relevant experience, accomplishments, and skills. You have more room to detail achievements for each role and showcase various soft and hard skills. Two-page resume examples often look less cluttered and ensure you can provide a more complete work history.
Potential drawbacks of a two-page resume
Is a two-page resume okay for every candidate? Maybe not. When you use a two-page resume layout, you risk including unnecessary details because you have the space to do so. A longer resume can also be more challenging to organize, which can hurt readability.
When Should You Use a Two-Page Resume?
Experienced professionals and career advancers
Can a resume be two pages if you have enough information? In most cases, yes. Two-page resumes are ideal for experienced professionals or those seeking more responsibility because they let you highlight years of relevant work history without having to leave off any key accomplishments due to space.
Roles requiring specialized knowledge or extensive project work
If a role or industry requires specific knowledge or project-based work, such as in consulting or engineering, a two-page resume can provide the space you need to explain your qualifications. This format can accommodate additional headings, such as a portfolio of links to published works or a lengthy certifications list.
Recent graduates with strong extracurriculars or internships
Is a two-page resume okay for candidates without a lot of job experience? Yes, as long as there is enough other relevant information to justify the space. For example, a recent college graduate may use a two-page resume to outline relevant coursework, highlight internships, or list extracurricular activities and leadership experiences.
Tips for Making a Two-Page Resume Effective
1. Prioritize content for the first page
Is a two-page resume okay, or will it irritate the hiring manager? While most recruiters and human resources personnel will be fine with a two-page resume, it’s best to create your resume as if the hiring manager may only read the first page. Place the most relevant information on the first page toward the top, and ensure the resume summary section includes as many keywords and qualifications as possible.
2. Focus on concise language and measurable achievements
Use concise language and decisive action verbs when writing your resume. Varied and descriptive language is more engaging for the hiring manager and shows your communication ability. In bullet points, use metrics to highlight measurable achievements and accomplishments.
3. Include only relevant roles and skills
Don’t add information just to take up space. A longer resume is only better if what you’re including is relevant to the job. Limit your work experience to the roles you’ve held in the last 10 to 15 years or the most relevant ones. Skills lists should also focus on the most pertinent options or those listed in the job description as must-haves.
4. Create a clean layout across two pages
When creating a two-page resume, paying attention to formatting is even more important to ensure everything is consistent across both pages. This includes headers, section breaks, and font size. Look at two-page resume examples to get ideas for different layouts that may work well.
Two-Page Resume Examples and Templates
Now that you know the answer to “Is a two-page resume okay?” Yes, and here are some examples to help you get started.
Example for experienced professionals
Allison Rosenberg
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
Seattle, WA 12345
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Profile
A CEO with 10 years of experience within the banking industry, specializing in change management, business strategy, and portfolio management. A proven track record of delivering executive leadership to significant banks with over $200 million in assets.
Professional Experience
Chief Executive Officer, First Financial Bank, Seattle, WA | March 2018 – present
- Oversee all aspects of banking operations across seven branch locations and define long-term investment and business strategies in collaboration with the board of directors for a bank with over $200 million in assets
- Manage relationships with key stakeholders and evaluate and approve loan multi-million dollar loan applications for businesses, school districts, and local governments
- Spearhead change management initiatives to transform the bank’s culture with a focus on diversity, inclusion, and public service initiatives
Senior Investment Banker, Starlight Credit Union, Seattle, WA | June 2014 – March 2018
- Developed successful investment strategies for client portfolios valued at up to $25 million and delivered presentations to stakeholders
- Built relationships with corporate leaders and facilitated meetings between C-level executives and investors throughout the due diligence process
Key Skills
- Executive leadership
- Banking operations
- Investment banking
- Strategy development
- Change management
Certifications
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), CFA Institute | 2014
Education
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
University of Washington, Seattle, WA | June 2014
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Economics
University of Washington, Seattle, WA | June 2012
Example for industry-specific resumes
Stephen Ramirez
(333) 000-1234
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Profile
A board-certified physician with seven years of professional experience, specializing in internal medicine, patient advocacy, leadership, and cardiovascular conditions. A strong history of mentoring internal residents and medical students to improve care delivery.
Professional Experience
Physician, Internal Medicine, Purple Heart Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
September 2015 – Present
- Coordinate with the director of the internal medicine residency program to manage, train, and develop over 30 residents and medical students
- Develop ideal treatment plans to address non-threatening conditions, such as common colds, cases of flu, ear infections, and allergies
- Diagnose and treat patients with acute illness, such as bacterial and viral infections, and chronic diseases and conditions, like hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes
Internal Medicine Resident, The Ohio State University Department of Internal Medicine, Cleveland, OH
August 2012 – September 2015
- Coordinated with faculty physicians and other residents to provide care to patients with chronic conditions and acute illnesses
- Provided specialized care to patients in the sub-specialty ward, developed treatment plans, and educated patients on diagnosis and long-term health risks
- Participated in a month-long IM-PECS rotation
Education
- Doctor of Medicine, Baylor College Of Medicine, Houston, TX | June 2012
- Bachelor of Science in Biology, The University Of Houston, Houston, TX | June 2008
Key Skills
- Internal medicine
- Family medicine
- Mentorship
- Communication
- Bilingual
Certifications
- Board Certified, State Medical Board of Ohio, 2018
Example for students and recent graduates
Luis Rodriguez
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
New York, NY 12345
Profile
A speech pathology graduate specializing in speech-language therapy, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), American Sign Language (ASL), and team leadership. A proven track record of mentoring students within the Speech-Language program and providing English as a Second Language (ESL) tutoring services.
Education
Bachelor of Art (B.A.) Speech-Language-Hearing Science
Columbia University, New York, NY May 2021
GPA: 3.75/4.0
- Member, American Sign Language Club, 2018-2021
- Member, National Honors Society, 2017-2021
- Dean’s list, 2017-2021
- Summa cum laude
Professional Experience
Speech-Language-Hearing Writing Tutor, Columbia University, New York, NY
September 2020 – May 2021
- Coordinated with students weekly to identify weaknesses, resolved questions with speech, language, and hearing science course material, and developed strategies for academic success
- Resolved concerns regarding paper structure, prompts, revisions, and Modern Language Association (MLA) and American Psychological Association (APA) citation formatting
Classroom Assistant, Columbia University, New York, NY
September 2019 – September 2020
- Supported a professor in the execution of two English preparatory courses for incoming first-year students
- Taught two 30-minute sessions five days a week based on the needs of the students and focused on improving writing abilities and critical thinking skills
Volunteerism Experience
Volunteer Teaching Assistant, Brooklyn Literacy Center, New York, NY
June 2020 – present
- Supported one instructor in facilitating a three-hour class for ESL students, conducted evaluations to identify academic weaknesses, and assisted with implementing lesson plans and activities
Key Skills
- Speech-language-hearing therapy
- ASL
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Teaching
- Lesson plan implementation
- ESL
- ASD
Frequently Asked Questions About Two-Page Resumes
Is a two-page resume okay for all professionals?-
Yes, a two-page document is fine for most professionals as long as they have enough work history, skills, and accomplishments to warrant the extra length. If the additional information isn't relevant to the position or needs to be updated, it's best to leave it off.
How do I save time on a two-page resume?+
Use concise language to maximize space on your resume. Bullet points and the summary section can be fragment sentences to cut down on extra words. If your resume still seems cramped, look at two-page resume examples for formatting and layout tips to organize information better, or consider cutting out less relevant pieces.
Should I include a header on both pages?+
Suppose you're submitting your resume digitally, using a .docx, PDF, or Google Docs link. In that case, you don't need to include a header or contact details on both pages because the information is just a scroll away. If handing a paper resume to a hiring manager, include a header on each page to ensure it's clear who both pages belong to in case they get separated.
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