How to write a resume in one page

How to write a resume in one page

Your resume is a narration your entire career story. But most have the question about the ideal length of a resume and the answer is simple - the length of your resume depends on the job you are applying for.

Professionals with over 10 or more years of experience or certifications can have a two-page resume. But candidates with little or no experience can benefit from creating a one-page resume.

Wondering how can a one-page resume benefit you, well for starters a single page resume tends to stand out because most applicants prefer two-page resumes. Thus, your achievements and qualifications are easier to spot on a one-page resume as there is less reading to do. Finally, most recruiters claim that they do not read past the first page, hence anything written beyond the first page will be forgotten.

Now-a-days, both students and professionals have more qualifications to add to their resumes, as there are more awards, self-study courses, internship projects, software skills, and extra-curricular activities available today compared to a few years back.

Unfortunately, it is also the sheer number of these experiences that makes it hard to cut your resume length. Below are some tips that will show you how to make your resume one page:

Use Smaller Margins

The margins of your word document can be maximised and minimised according to your resume content preference. You can minimise your margins to squeeze in the last two lines of your achievements that you worked so hard to achieve. But do not forget to save it in PDF to preserve the margins of your resume when it is printed.

Use Smaller Fonts

Psst, here is the ultimate secret to make your resume fit in one-page. Smaller fonts. Most recruiters encourage a 12-point font in the resumes, but if there is a requirement you can also decrease it to 10 points. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that your resume must be readable without zooming. You can adjust the line spacing so it is easier to read.

Use Bullet Points

Use bullet points instead of long and lengthy paragraphs. Write in short sentences, up to two lines maximum. Use keywords, numbers, and power words to come up with punchy statements without fluff.

Reduce the Size of Your Contact Information and Address

The recruiters will find this information if it is required. But until they are interested in your profile, they will focus on your qualifications. Ensure your name and primary job title (if applicable) are slightly larger than the other texts. And use a smaller font size for the rest of the contact details.

Trim Your Resume Summary

The purpose of a resume summary is to highlight your most important qualifications. Hence it must not contain more than 10 bullet points or more than five lines of content in total. This will ensure that the recruiter reads those lines at ease and will consider your resume for an interview.