Yes, A Two-Page Resume Is Effective: 3 Writing Tips To Keep In Mind

If you are reading this, congratulations! You have graduated from the four walls of your institution and are now on the search for your dream job. But as you draw up your accomplishments, you realize a page is not enough. Hence, the possibility of this question comes up: “Is it okay to have a two-page resume?”

Is this a common question? Yes. We know this process all too well. Several studies have shown that a one-page resume is ideal for employers. Why? It is because of the KISS rule, of course – “Keep It Simple And Short.” Having a single page on a resume gives your future boss a clear and concise snapshot of what you have to offer. 

On top of that, they do not have to flip through page after page of the things you have done in great detail. Due to this, you undergo an internal panic. You tweak this font, increase the margin, and reduce the size. Yet, you are still stuck at two pages. 

But we are here to tell you not to fret. Let go of the panic. Did you know that the two-page resume still fits within the employer’s ideal? Breathe out. We will tell you why. 

(Also read: How To Make An Effective Resume? Here Are Its 5 Essential Parts)

Is it OK to have a two-page resume?

The answer is yes with a special condition. According to CollegeRecruiter, you have to let your resume tell the story. What does that mean? Just like the phrase “content is king,” quantity and quality must go hand in hand in order to be effective. This means that your resume must interest your reader without going overboard in length. 

At the same time, reducing your resume to a page when you want to share more can be damaging in the long run. Sacrificing important achievements to make the single-page cut may also compromise what the company you are applying to deems important. 

CNBC also shares that most recruiters also take time to read two-page resumes. This is because employers want to know more about the details behind each achievement. In fact, most seasoned professionals (those in the industry for 10 years or more) go over one page, which is understandable. It is difficult to summarize such a long career history in just a single-page document, after all.

How do you write a two-page resume?

As a fresh graduate, it may be daunting to weigh the options. Should you go for brevity or bravery in sharing more? To help you with such a choice, we have some writing tips to help you with this. 

1. It all comes down to order.

No, this is not about commandeering. It is about organization. Whether you have a current resume or are beginning to make one, find out your priorities. Lots of space can be a bit intimidating because too much freedom could also set your head spinning about where to begin. 

The question you have to answer here is, “What should my employer know about me?” Think of it as an elevator pitch. But instead of 30 seconds talking, you have them hooked in the first few sentences of reading. 

In order for your resume to stand out, put important information first. This includes your personal information, your objectives, and your career highlights. Such examples include: internships and extracurricular activities. If you did not undergo apprenticeship, you can place your focus on what you did outside of your academics. 

Were you an honor student or scholar? You can place your educational attainments at the forefront of your resume. 

Aside from having your employer get to know you, you should also answer the question, “Why should they know about me?”

2. Let the second page round you up. 

Much like a hypeman or a cheerleader, believe us when we say that a second page can act in that capability. If the first page is enough to make your future employer flip the page, ensure the second is worth flipping for. 

Most professionals make the mistake of dumping a huge chunk of information on the latter part of the resume. But there must be an underlying purpose behind the things you put there. 

As a fresh graduate, you may ask, “I don’t have an illustrious career to deserve such a space. Do I need two pages?” And the answer is still a resounding yes. Employers love a star student. It is not really just about the grades, but how the amount of achievements come together over a period of time. 

Having a second page is also especially helpful to soon-to-be professionals that are gunning for a specialized role. Use this portion to detail all the skills you are capable of, the seminars you attended, and the certifications you received. If your first page is the main character, your second page is the best friend. Even if they stand in the background, they are still worth having a look-through. 

3. Optimize the length of your resume.

Think of yourself as a brand and your resume is the marketing plan. Ultimately, you still have to decide whether investing in a second page is still worth it. But you must be able to have the story down pat. If you feel like two pages must be the optimal length for you to share about who you are, so be it.

However, if you feel like you are just trying to fill up space, opt for a single page instead. An indicator of “too much space” on your resume is if you fill up only (or less than) halfway through to the second page. However, do not attempt to stuff your resume with filler information that does not contribute anything substantial.

Employers can tell if you are trying to occupy space for the sake of length. If they find out that you are doing this, your resume might end up in the can. Play around with fonts, alignment, and layout to maximize your achievements. It is always all about spotlighting the highlights, and that includes the visuals too. 

Two is better than one

This old adage exists for a reason. In most cases, the singular always trumps the double, especially if you are trying to keep things snappy and concise. But remember that you are in control of your own destiny. Within that breadth, you are the storyteller of your own life, and in this instance, your career. 

Start by listing your achievements down. It helps to have an outline of what you want it to look like. This way, you can also ensure that you do not forget the most important things. Most of all, even the smallest details make a huge difference. 

But what is the most important step? Beginning your resume. There is nothing better than seeing your achievements printed on paper. So what are you waiting for? It is time to get cracking! We wish you the best of luck.

It’s time to kickstart your career so #LetsGetToWork! But before anything else, make sure you take a look at our comprehensive Career Tools to ensure you get the help you need. 

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Sample Resume 2

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