The Great Debate: One Page vs. Two Pages

For decades, the golden rule of resume writing was simple: keep it to one page. No exceptions. But as careers become more complex and job markets evolve, that rule has become more of a guideline. In 2025, the question of resume length is more nuanced. The right answer depends entirely on your level of experience, your industry, and the job you're applying for.

The goal is not to hit an arbitrary page count. The goal is to create a document that is concise, relevant, and compelling. Every word on your resume should serve a purpose and fight for its right to be there. Let's break down when to use a one-page resume and when it's okay to expand to two.

When a One-Page Resume is Non-Negotiable

The one-page resume is still the standard in many situations. Its power lies in its conciseness and scannability. A recruiter can get a complete picture of your qualifications in a single glance. You should stick to one page if:

• You Have Less Than 10 Years of Experience: If you're a recent graduate or in the early stages of your career, you likely don't have enough relevant experience to justify a second page. Trying to stretch it will only lead to filler content and weak bullet points.
• You Are Making a Career Change: When changing careers, your focus should be on transferable skills and relevant experience. A concise, one-page resume helps you present a focused narrative without getting bogged down in irrelevant past roles.
• The Job Posting or Industry Demands It: Some industries, like finance or consulting, have a strong preference for one-page resumes. Always research the conventions of your target industry.

How to Keep it to One Page: Be ruthless with your editing. Use bullet points instead of long paragraphs. Focus only on the last 10 years of experience unless earlier roles are exceptionally relevant. Adjust margins (no smaller than 0.5 inches) and font size (no smaller than 10pt) carefully.

When a Two-Page Resume is Acceptable (and Even Preferred)

As your career progresses, trying to cram 15, 20, or more years of significant achievements onto a single page becomes impossible. In these cases, a two-page resume is not only acceptable but often necessary to do your experience justice. You can use a two-page resume if:

• You Have 10+ Years of Relevant Experience: If you are a senior-level professional, a manager, or an executive, you need space to detail your leadership experience, major projects, and significant accomplishments.
• You Are in an Academic or Scientific Field: CVs (Curriculum Vitae) in these fields are often much longer, as they need to include publications, research, presentations, and grants.
• You Have a Long List of Technical Projects or Skills: For roles in IT, engineering, or software development, you may need the extra space to list technical skills, programming languages, and a portfolio of projects.

The Rules for a Two-Page Resume:

• The first page must be impactful. Your most important qualifications and recent experience must be on page one. The recruiter might not even look at page two if page one doesn't impress them.
• The second page must be full. A second page with only a few lines on it looks weak. Aim to have at least half of the second page filled with relevant content.
• Put your name and contact info in the header of the second page. This helps if the pages get separated.

Whether you need one page or two, Hirective's templates can adapt. They are designed to look professional and clean at any length, and the AI builder can help you condense or expand your content effectively to fit the right format for your experience level.

Conclusion: Relevance Trumps Length

Ultimately, the perfect resume length is the one that allows you to tell your career story in the most effective and concise way possible. Don't add filler to reach two pages, and don't cut out critical achievements to stick to one. Focus on relevance. Every line on your resume should be tailored to the job you want. If you do that, whether it takes one page or two, you'll have a winning document.