Should You Use a Two-Page Resume?

A two-page resume is just as it sounds — either a professional or student resume that is two pages in length. Two-page resumes are most frequently used by seasoned professionals who have 10 or more years of experience in their field. Many employers even prefer more seasoned workers to use two-page resumes as they allow the candidate to fully elaborate on their experience, skills, and other pertinent details related to the job. No matter how many pages your resume is, focus on catching the attention of the hiring manager and making an impact on them with your resume.

There are a few instances in which a two-page job resume is appropriate or even preferred. The most common instance is if you are a mid-level professional and have several years of experience in your current career. Employers typically want to know that a person is well-equipped to perform the position they are applying for, and a more extensive work history may be necessary to show this.

Another instance in which using a two-page job resume is a good idea is when applying for management, upper-level management, or a C-level position. Because these jobs require much more responsibility and prior experience than entry- and mid-level jobs, the hiring manager will likely want to see more work experience rather than less on your resume. For this reason, a resume that’s two pages in length will often work best and give you plenty of room to elaborate on your experience and qualifications.

A two-page professional resume may also be acceptable if you are unable to fit all of your experience and qualifications on one page. Rather than try to cram all of the information onto a one-page resume using a tiny font that is hard to read, consider crafting an easy-to-skim and well-laid-out resume to ensure the reader can understand everything included and isn’t turned off by too-small font or other styling mishaps.

There are several alternatives to two-page resumes. These alternatives include:

• Chronological resume: This type of resume is one that begins with your work history and typically ends with your education. You list your most recent work experience first and then work backward to include all previous positions that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. This type of resume makes it very easy for employers to quickly see your past work experience and determine if you have the skills needed to fill the position.
• Functional resume: A functional resume is one that prioritizes experience and skills rather than work history. Rather than including a work history section that breaks down your duties at each position, you would include an accomplishments or professional experience section and elaborate on the skills you acquired from your experience.
• One-page resume: A one-page resume is a great option for new or entry-level employees who have little or no work experience. For example, a recent college graduate would likely benefit from a one-page resume as they probably don’t have much work experience. You can also use a one-page resume if you are making a career change and don’t have a lot of work experience related to your new career choice.
• Combination resume: A combination resume is one that combines a functional and chronological resume. It typically begins with a list of your qualifications or skills and then goes into your chronological professional work experience. This resume type allows you to emphasize both your skills and work history.

The following is a two-page job resume template you can use as a guide when crafting your own:

[First and last name]

[Address]

[Email address]

[Phone number]

[Summary: Use this section to describe your career objective and briefly touch on your skills and experience. It’s best to stick to two or three sentences if possible.]

[Key skills]

• [List your relevant skills in a bulleted list. Use specific and quantifiable skills where possible.]
• [List your relevant skills in a bulleted list. Use specific and quantifiable skills where possible.]
• [List your relevant skills in a bulleted list. Use specific and quantifiable skills where possible.]

[Professional experience]

[Title you held in previous position]

[Name of company]

[Location of company]

[Start date and end date]

• [Include a bulleted list of your primary duties in this position. Include specific and quantifiable examples where possible.]
• [Include a bulleted list of your primary duties in this position. Include specific and quantifiable examples where possible.]

[Title you held in previous position]

[Name of company]

[Location of company]

[Start date and end date]

• [Include a bulleted list of your primary duties in this position. Include specific and quantifiable examples where possible.]
• [Include a bulleted list of your primary duties in this position. Include specific and quantifiable examples where possible.]

[Title you held in previous position]

[Name of company]

[Location of company]

[Start date and end date]

• [Include a bulleted list of your primary duties in this position. Include specific and quantifiable examples where possible.]
• [Include a bulleted list of your primary duties in this position. Include specific and quantifiable examples where possible.]

[Title you held in previous position]

[Name of company]

[Location of company]

[Start date and end date]

• [Include a bulleted list of your primary duties in this position. Include specific and quantifiable examples where possible.]
• [Include a bulleted list of your primary duties in this position. Include specific and quantifiable examples where possible.]

[Education]

[Name of university or college attended]

[City and state of university or college]

[Dates attended]

[Name of degree obtained]

[Name of university or college attended]

[City and state of university or college]

[Dates attended]

[Name of degree obtained]