how to write a one page resume template

Free One-Page Resume Templates for 2024 [Free Download]

Having difficulties fitting your resume into one page ? 

We don’t blame you!

Without the right resume template, sticking to 1 page can be really hard.

In this article, we’re going to cover 20+ of the best one-page resume templates for all career stages and preferences.

And you know what’s the best part? These designs are all 100% free and just a click away.

• 6+ one-page resume templates for Online resume builders
• 8+ one-page resume templates for Microsoft Word
• 6+ one-page resume templates for Google Docs

6+ One-Page Resume Templates for Online Resume Builders

Online resume builders are the best option for creating your resume . 

They are already set up neatly for you and you just have to fill in your information.

The colors, font , format are all customizable to your liking, and you even get live feedback on how to fill in your resume.

Awesome, right? 

You make a great first impression AND save money and time! 

Whether you’re a student looking for a creative way to show off your skills on your first job resume , or an executive in need of a professional one-page template, there is something for everyone on this list.

#1 - Simple by Novoresume

Who’s it for: Senior Positions, anyone with a lot of work experience . Perfect for conservative industries such as law or banking.

Simple by Novorésumé lives up to its name. It’s the perfect resume if you’re looking for simplicity and convenience. 

This well-organized, easy-to-read resume format is ideal if you’re in a senior position. 

The hiring manager is most probably looking for modesty and tasteful professionalism , and this template helps your achievements shine without any gimmicks.

The black and blue is a needed change from the black and white employers are used to, while still keeping you professional.

#2 - Creative by Novorésumé

Who’s it for: Someone applying in a creative industry like advertising, marketing , publishing, design; entry-level applicants. 

This vibrant template is the right choice if you’re looking to stand out. It brings your skills and work experience into focus in a visually appealing way.  

Creative uses infographics and bulleted lists to create a pleasant-looking, stylish resume. 

It has a gorgeous four-color combo that leaves a striking first impression. 

And, at the same time, the resume still looks professional.

It’s well organized and the design doesn’t overdo it with the playfulness . That’s why we love this template so much: balanced flawlessly, it’s both cheerful and professional. 

#3 - Modern by Novorésumé

Who’s it for: Professionals in the business or technology industries .

Modern by Novorésumé is a breath of fresh air! It uses square brackets, bulleted lists, infographics, and different icons to attract the hiring manager's attention. 

The dark green color gives it a stylish look but keeps everything modest and modern as well. 

The resume sections are divided into two columns: they include personal information, work experience, skills, organizations, awards, and languages, all on one page.

#4 - College by Novorésumé

Who’s it for: Recent college graduates with some work experience, current university students 

This resume template works best for students & recent graduates applying for internships or entry-level jobs. 

Every section is well-organized to provide room for your work experience and skills. 

And on top of that, this template is contemporary and visually appealing as well. The blue borders and bold letters give College personality and style, without it appearing tacky. 

#5 - Executive by Novorésumé

Who’s it for: Senior executives applying in a creative or green industry  

Do you need to show how qualified you are for the position AND have your personality shine through your resume? 

Executive by Novorésumé does just that. 

This vivid resume template features attractive emerald green headings and subheadings. The color makes it stand out and adds a touch of personality. 

The emphasis, however, is put into your profile, skills, and work experience. 

The skills section is highlighted in green, and it’s the first thing the hiring manager gets to see.

So, make sure to wow them with your best skills .

#6 - Basic by Novorésumé

Who’s it for: Conservative, traditional industries

Sometimes, a minimalistic resume is the best resume. 

If you want to focus more on the contents of your resume than the design, definitely check out Basic.

Basic offers a concise and well-organized layout. Everything the hiring manager needs to see stands out at first glance, so you’ll have a high chance of landing in the “To-Be-Interviewed” pile!

8+ One-Page Resume Templates for Microsoft Word

A basic black and white resume on Times New Roman is not going to make you stand out from the crowd or benefit your job application. 

But that doesn’t mean you have to create your resume on special software to catch the eye of the hiring manager. 

Microsoft Word is still a very popular way to create a resume that stands out.

Read on to find 8+ Microsoft Word one-page resume templates! 

#7 - Elegant Dark Microsoft Word Resume Template

Who’s it for: Anyone applying for a high-end position: senior professionals, executives, etc.

Where to find it: Freesumes

We visualize elegance with Rolex watches and limousines. We don’t often relate elegance to resumes and documents. 

Yet this unique, gorgeous template is packed with charm and finesse. 

This dark template will assure your resume doesn’t fall into the circular file. It attracts attention because of its unusual white, yellow, grey scheme of colors. 

The dark grey of the background reflects seriousness and sophistication, whereas the soft yellow creates a gorgeous contrast that softens the appearance. 

It is perfect if you have a lot of professional background since it creates plenty of space in the experience section that allows you to display all of your employment entries.

#8 - Clean and Light Microsoft Word Resume Template

Who’s it for: Someone with minimal work experience. Entry-level candidates and recent graduates.

Where to find it: Behance.net 

This lively template is the right choice for you if you don’t have a lot of experience to put into your resume. 

It helps you create a profile that sums up your career and values in a minimalistic, refreshing way by using boldface, all-caps, and a two-column structure to make it easy to read for the HR manager.

With the overall simplicity of the black and blue colors, the header on the top sticks out immediately at first glance.  

We like it because it’s also easy to use and customize. All entries are scannable and extremely clear-cut. The cherry on top: it comes with a bonus Word cover letter template.  

Speaking of cover letters - the right cover letter can really be a game-changer. Check out our complete guide to cover letters and learn what it takes to stand out. 

#9 - Equilibrium Microsoft Word Template 

Who’s it for: Any professional and creative role

Where to find it: freesumes

We call this template Equilibrium because it balances formatting and structure. 

The layout is strategically made to keep the hiring managers focused on your most impressive achievements. 

It uses geometric design and colors to separate sections from one another. 

Equilibrium focuses on work experience, education , and emphasizes expertise. You can choose to customize the sections but for the most part, it’s very straightforward and simple to use. Just fill in the blanks and send it in. 

#10 - Clean and Compelling Microsoft Word Resume

Who’s it for: Recent graduates, entry-level applicants. 

Where to find it: freesumes 

This modest template is going to surely help you win over any HR manager.

You can use the Objective section on the right to communicate your goals and ambitions to potential employers.

While this isn’t a section you’d typically see on a resume, if done right, it can really have an impact.

The warm colors used are awesome for standing out and catching the HR manager’s eye. 

The faded grey in the background adds formality as well as divide the sections. Finish with a professional photo on top of the resume , and you’ll be set for success.

#11 - Police Officer Resume Template

Who’s it for: Law enforcement officers 

Where to find it: smashresume

If you work in law enforcement, this template is hand-made just for you.. 

It’s well organized and professional and also divided into two columns to save you space. 

One column includes your personal information, education, key skills, and certifications. 

The other covers your resume objective and professional experience. 

This template is creative as much as it is systematized. There are plenty of icons, infographics, and columns that break the monotony. 

The font is neat and groovy and the icons have a splash of protective blue that adds personality. 

Package features include: 

• A4 paper size
• Customizable and editable objects, color, text 

#12 - Web Designer Word Resume Template

Who’s it for: Web developers and designers. 

Where to find it: behance

Innovative and artistic, this resume is a gem to look at. 

Web Designer by Venkata Naresh follows a color scheme and layout that’s been made particularly for people working in the web industry. 

It includes a contact information section , education, professional skills, personal skills, profile, work experience, awards, and hobbies . 

This template also comes with: 

• A CV and Cover Letter
• 3 Color Styles
• Dark and Light Versions

#13 - Vintage Rose Word Resume Template

Who’s it for: Marketers, influencers, bloggers

Because of the vintage rose color, this resume is a bit on the feminine side.

This Word Template is a big employer charmer because it displays all important information at first glance; all on one page! 

The layout is made to highlight your work experience, brand , and achievements. 

The “Skills” area has bar charts to take the spotlight, whereas the “About Me” area gives you some space to present your personality. 

Vintage Rose is ideal if you want a clean and modern resume, with just the right amount of style.  

#14 - Goldrod Yellow Word Resume Template

Who’s it for: Any creative role

This Word template uses a bright yellow as a leading color, making sure that your resume really stands out from the bunch.

The warm color reflects positivity as well as makes the resume stand out from the pile.

Professionalism doesn’t get lost in the process, though. Everything is easy to use and customizable. 

Extra tip: You can choose to change the big “Education” banner on the bottom to a “Skills” section if you think they should take priority. 

For a full extensive list of Microsoft Word resumes, check out our complete guide [with free downloads].

6+ One-Page Resume Templates for Google Docs

Some ready-made Word templates can be tormenting. You start making some changes, and before you know it, the entire layout gets completely messed up.

That’s not a problem you will have with Google Docs templates, though.

Google Docs resume templates in this list are customizable online, efficient, neat, convenient, and most importantly: 100% FREE . 

#15 - Border Design Google Doc Resume Template

Who’s it for: High school and college graduates

Where to find it: Google Docs

Are you a student or graduate with not much real-life work experience? This template is for you.

There are plenty of different sections any student or graduate can fill in with personal information: skills, objectives, volunteer work, education. Our favorite part: this template is pleasant to read and has a lot of personality as well. 

The mint borders and small icons, various social media links and simple font keep everything original and tasteful. 

#16 - Serif Google Doc Resume Template

Who’s it for: Someone in a senior position, banking , computer scientist

Where to find it: Templates Gallery

This resume has a blue pop of color that creates a neat first impression while keeping things professional. 

It gives you a lot of space to show off the work experience, skills, awards you are most proud of. 

It also saves an extra sweet spot if you want to list your languages. 

#17 - Simple Professional Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Senior professionals in marketing or advertising, web & graphic designers

This modern-looking one-page template is perfect for marketers, advertisers, and web designers. 

It offers plenty of considerable space to talk about your achievements and experience. 

Icons are kept minimal, and the layout is elegant and clear-cut.

#18 - Blue Creative Google Docs Resume

Who’s it for: Marketers and social media experts 

Applying for a design job where you’ll be making plenty of web content? 

Then don’t miss this striking infographic resume! 

The Google Docs template uses a strong shade of blue and aesthetic visualizations to highlight each header and section. Fun and appealing, it features a header, skills, awards, experiences and an “about me” area. 

#19 - Modern Writer Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: Book editors, journalists, librarians, copywriters, scriptwriters, web content writers. 

Yes, this template is exactly what you think it is: a resume for the modern 21st Century writer .

So, if the job you are applying for is related to books, scripts, publication - this is the right choice for you. 

The “Modern Writer” is unique since it has a classy font and a showy pop of pink color. The header gets highlighted too, because of the thin black underline. 

#20 - Smart and Professional Google Docs Resume Template

Who’s it for: a professional with a lot of experience and education

Where to find it: in this direct Google Docs link

This smart template is for the overqualified candidates. 

It puts its focus into three main categories: work experience, profile, and education. 

All sections have a good deal of space you can write your long professional track record in. 

Contrary to regular templates, this template features a colorful header that’s eye-catching. 

Want to discover more Google Docs resume templates ? We have an article for that!

Key Takeaways 

Hopefully, we helped you find the right one-page resume template!

Not sure which one to pick? Let’s briefly go through some of the most important things to keep in mind when choosing your one-page resume template:

• Pick a template that’s relevant to your field. If you’re applying for a banking job, you don’t want your resume to be sunshine and rainbows.
• Pick a design that’s going to stand out (but not too much). Standard, black-and-white resumes are nice, but that’s what everyone else does.
• Want to make your life easier? Use a resume builder. You won’t have to suffer the pain of Word messing up your template!’

Discover More Resume Templates

• Chronological Resume Templates
• Functional Resume Templates
• Combination Resume Templates
• Creative Resume Templates
• High School Resume Templates
• 2 Page Resume Templates

Suggested Readings:

• How to Make a Resume | Beginner’s Guide
• 150+ Must-Have Skill for Any Resume
• 40+ Resume Summary Examples [+ How-to Guide]

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How To Write A One-Page Resume

Recruiter-backed advice on building a one-page resume that still showcases all your essential skills by condensing statements, reducing margins, combining headings and tailoring your roles.

5 months ago   •   6 min read

So, you’re facing the challenge of creating a high-performing resume that showcases your essential skills but still fits onto one page. You don’t want to omit anything relevant, but how do you fit everything into one page without cutting important details?

To condense your resume to one page, focus on recent, relevant experience and remove anything not directly related to the application. You can also reduce your margins, merge related sections, and eliminate any duplicate information.

In this article, we’ll discuss why it's preferable to write a one-page resume, how to choose what to cut and what to include, and how to organize your resume to maximize readability and maintain a professional look.

Do you really need a one-page resume?

The short answer is yes and no. While it's not wrong to have a two-page resume, modern recruiters only spend an average of 7 seconds reviewing an application. With a two-page resume, a recruiter will spend less time reading each page, so it’s better to write one great page than two mediocre ones.

But surely it's better to include more information than less? Actually, no. The more you give a recruiter to read, the harder it is for them to pick out the information they want. While you might be tempted to include everything you've ever accomplished, it's far more useful to determine what a recruiter is looking for and showcase these skills upfront.

For most applications, a one-page resume is best , especially for entry-level positions or students. Only consider a two-page resume if you’re a senior professional with extensive relevant experience. Never make your resume three or more pages ; It just won't be read.

If you're wondering whether your one-page resume effectively showcases all relevant experience and skills or if it should extend to two pages, upload it to the tool below for tailored insights on optimizing length and content.

How to make your resume one page

Knowing how to make your resume shorter is as much about knowing what to cut as what to include. The key is to be concise and direct, and only include your most impressive achievements. You might think you can't fit your resume on one page now, but even the longest resume can be trimmed down with a little targeted editing.

Tailor your resume to each application

The number 1 rule for fitting your resume onto one page is to tailor your experience to each application by only including information directly relevant to the job you're applying for. This means evaluating everything on your resume and only selecting roles and accomplishments that showcase the specific skills the new position is looking for.

For help targeting your resume, use our Targeted Resume tool to scan your resume for relevant keywords and receive personalized feedback on areas that can be improved.

Reduce margins and font size

You can reduce your page margins to 0.5 inches and font to 11 or 10 points to give yourself a little more room when trying to fit everything onto one page. But don't use a font smaller than 10, or margins less than 0.5, as this will make your resume cramped, harder to read, and overall less professional.

Remove duplicate information

When describing work experience, remove redundancy by combining statements and bullet points that discuss similar points. This will help you reduce unused space while also making strong, concise statements.

For example, the two bullet points below both discuss project management skills and describe similar roles and responsibilities:

• Led a cross-functional team in project planning, scheduling, and execution.
• Managed project budgets and ensured financial goals were met.

To reduce space, combine these two points into one sentence:

• Spearheaded cross-functional project teams, overseeing planning, scheduling, and budget management to consistently meet financial goals.

Cut irrelevant sections

Remove outdated resume sections that don't directly add to your application. Resume sections to consider cutting include:

• Objective statement: Replace your objective statement with a targetted resume summary , or simply remove it altogether. Modern recruiters are more interested in what you can bring to the table than what you're looking for in a position.
• References: Employers will ask for references when it's relevant and don't expect them to be included on your resume.
• Hobbies and interests: This section is often irrelevant to your application and can be cut to maintain clarity and relevance. Replace hobbies with skills that explain your abilities rather than your interests.
• High school information: If you have completed further/higher education, your high school details are generally no longer relevant and can be removed entirely.
• Education details: If you're a mid to senior-level professional with enough relevant work experience, reduce your education section to only your most recent accomplishments and degree.
• Volunteering: Though helpful for entry-level candidates, if you have enough paid experience for your application, remove any volunteering work and focus on paid roles.

Prioritize your most recent experience

Remember, you don't need to include every job on your resume, especially entry-level and short-term positions. Prioritize your most recent experience and focus on jobs that showcase relevant skills and quantifiable achievements. Remove any experience, education, and qualifications over ten years old unless it's specifically relevant to your application.

Make the most of each line

While you don't want to cram your resume so full of text it becomes hard to read, you can use some specific techniques to save space where it counts.

For example, when creating your resume header , instead of listing your address, phone number, and contact information on separate lines, combine all this information into one line, separated by dashes (-), dots (∙), or vertical bars (|). This creates a professional-looking header that reduces wasted space at the top of your resume, as shown in the example below.

You can save space by using a semicolon (;) to separate information on the same line. This is especially helpful in your education and qualifications sections, as shown below.

You can also use a semicolon to separate different subsections within your Skills or Additional Information sections, such as varying skill proficiency levels , as shown below.

Combine similar sections

If you have multiple sections to your resume that include a small amount of relevant information, consider combining your headings to make a more compact and streamlined document.

Work experience, volunteering, and professional projects can be combined into an "Experience" section to showcase all your relevant work experience, and education, certificates, and qualifications can be combined under one "Education" section.

Use an "Additional Information" section

"Additional Information" is a helpful section to highlight extra information relevant to your application that doesn't fit into other standard resume categories. Combining this extra information under one heading helps reduce space taken up by section headings and improves the readability of your resume.

Additional information should be listed at the bottom of your resume, and can include:

• Language skills
• Technical skills (if not including a specific skills section)
• Certificates, qualifications, and additional training
• Awards and achievements
• Volunteering or unpaid experience
• Publications
• Personal or professional projects
• Interests and hobbies

One-page resume examples

Here are some examples of optimized one-page resumes for entry-level and mid-level applicants. For more examples, head to our Resume Worded template library to browse and download various professional resume templates.

Here is an example of an entry-level one-page resume:

And here is an example of a senior-level one-page resume:

• Career Advice

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Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

• Career Blog

One Page Resume: The Ultimate Guide and Examples for 2024

A one page resume is a shortened, condensed version of a traditional resume that highlights key skills and experiences on a single page. This format is becoming increasingly popular due to its ease of use and ability to quickly communicate important information to potential employers.

Why Should You Use a One Page Resume?

With the job market becoming more competitive, job seekers need to find ways to stand out from the crowd. A one page resume is a great way to do this. It allows you to showcase your most relevant skills and experiences to potential employers without overwhelming them with unnecessary information.

Benefits of a One Page Resume

There are many benefits to using a one page resume, including:

Increased readability: A one page resume is easier to read and digest than a longer, more complicated resume.

Improved chances of getting noticed: With so many job applications flooding in, employers are more likely to take notice of a concise, well-crafted one page resume.

Ability to highlight key skills and experiences: By focusing on the most relevant information, job seekers can better showcase their qualifications to potential employers.

Simplified application process: Many recruiters and hiring managers prefer one page resumes because they are easier to handle and manage.

A one page resume is an effective way to present your qualifications and stand out in a competitive job market. By carefully crafting your one page resume, you can increase your chances of catching the attention of potential employers and landing your dream job.

Researching and Preparing Your Resume

When it comes to creating a one-page resume that stands out from the crowd, a significant part of the process is researching and preparing your resume. This section will cover four critical areas: knowing your audience, identifying your transferable skills, understanding resume formatting, and choosing the right font.

A. Knowing Your Audience

Before diving into writing your resume, you need to know your audience. The person who will be reviewing your resume will be looking for specific skills and qualifications based on the job that they are hiring for. Research the company you are applying to and try to understand their needs and values. This will help you tailor your resume to the specific job and stand out from other applicants.

B. Identifying Your Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are those that can be used in various professions and industries. Identifying your transferable skills is crucial when creating a one-page resume. These skills may include communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving. Be sure to highlight them in your resume, as they will be important to the person reviewing your application.

C. Understanding Resume Formatting

Resume formatting can play a significant role in whether your resume gets noticed or not. Use bullet points, headings, and proper spacing to make your resume visually appealing and easy to read. Be consistent with your formatting, use a clear and concise language, and avoid using jargon or buzzwords. Keep in mind that your resume should be easy to scan, and the most important information should be at the top.

D. Choosing the Right Font

Choosing the right font may seem like a minor detail, but it can impact the overall look and feel of your resume. Use a font that is easy to read, such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri. Avoid using decorative or script fonts, as they can be difficult to read. Keep your font size between 10-12 points, and use bold or italics for emphasis.

Researching and preparing your resume is an essential part of creating a one-page resume that stands out. By knowing your audience, identifying your transferable skills, understanding resume formatting, and choosing the right font, you can create a resume that showcases your strengths and increases your chances of getting hired.

Writing Your One Page Resume

As a job seeker, the ultimate goal is to catch the attention of potential employers and showcase your professional value. In the age of information overload, the one page resume has become a vital tool to communicate a condensed representation of your experience and achievements. In this section, we will guide you through the essential sections of your one page resume: crafting your professional summary, highlighting your relevant experience, showcasing your achievements, and including your education and certifications.

A. Crafting Your Professional Summary

Your professional summary is the first thing that recruiters will see in your resume. Creating a compelling and engaging summary will help you to stand out from other applicants. Keep in mind, that it should be concise, focused and relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Some key elements to consider when writing your professional summary are:

• Highlight your top skills, expertise, and experience.
• Mention your most relevant accomplishments.
• Use industry-specific keywords and phrases to demonstrate your knowledge.
• Communicate your career aspirations.

As a rule of thumb, your professional summary should be no longer than 3-4 lines. This section is often called the elevator pitch, think of it as an objective statement to capture the reader’s attention and encourage them to read more.

B. Highlighting Your Relevant Experience

Highlighting your relevant experience means focusing on the most relevant job experiences, skills, and accomplishments related to the job you’re applying for. Remember to switch throughout your resume to a results-oriented approach. Detail how you contributed and added value to your previous roles.

The key to highlighting relevant experience is to tailor your resume to the job description. Read the job description carefully, identify the requirements and qualifications, and use them as a guide to showcase your relevant work experience.

C. Showcasing Your Achievements

Your achievements demonstrate how you’ve contributed to and impacted the organizations you’ve worked for. When showcasing your achievements, use active language and strong verbs that showcase your success.

Here are some tips to help you showcase your achievements:

• Quantify your accomplishments with numbers, facts, and figures.
• Use bullet points to make it easier to read and present information in a structured way.
• Use persuasive language that demonstrates your ability to exceed expectations.
• Highlight achievements that are most relevant to the job position you’re applying for.

D. Including Your Education and Certifications

Your highest level of education and professional certifications can demonstrate your qualifications and your commitment to your profession. Depending on the position, this section can be placed before or after professional experience. When writing this section, make sure to highlight the relevant qualifications and certifications that are most relevant to the job you are applying for.

Writing a one page resume requires crafting a professional summary that highlights your top skills and expertise, focusing on relevant experience while showcasing your most significant achievements, and demonstrating your qualifications and certifications.

Tips for Optimizing Your One Page Resume

As technology continues to advance, it is becoming increasingly important to optimize your one-page resume to ensure that it stands out in the crowded job market. Here are four tips to help you optimize your one-page resume:

A. Incorporating Keywords

Keywords play a critical role in ensuring that your one-page resume is noticed by hiring managers and recruiters. To determine which keywords to use, take a close look at the job description and identify the skills and qualifications that are required for the position. Use those keywords throughout your resume, including in your summary, education, work experience, and skills sections.

B. Utilizing Action Words

When writing your one-page resume, it is important to use strong action words to describe your accomplishments and duties. Use words such as “achieved,” “managed,” “created,” or “implemented” to convey your achievements and responsibilities. This not only highlights your past accomplishments but also gives a glimpse of your potential impact on future employers.

C. Quantifying Your Accomplishments

While it is crucial to highlight your duties and responsibilities in your one-page resume, it is equally important to quantify your achievements. Use numbers or percentages to showcase your impact in previous roles. For example, instead of saying “led a team,” say “managed a team of ten employees, resulting in a 30% increase in productivity.” This approach highlights the value you bring to the table and can set you apart from other candidates.

D. Tailoring Your Resume for Each Job Application

Finally, tailor your one-page resume to each job application you submit. This includes using the keywords, action words, and quantified accomplishments that are relevant to the role. Be sure to also highlight how your skills and experience align with the job requirements, and customize your resume to match the company’s culture and mission.

Optimizing your one-page resume by incorporating keywords, utilizing action words, quantifying your accomplishments, and tailoring it to each job application can significantly improve your chances of landing a job interview. Use these tips to create an effective one-page resume that catches the eye of recruiters and hiring managers.

Examples of One Page Resumes

In this section, we will provide you with three examples of one page resumes for entry-level, mid-career, and executive positions. These examples will give you an idea of how to tailor your resume based on your experience level and the position you are applying for.

Example #1: Entry-Level Position

123 Main Street | City, State | (123) 456-7890 |  [email protected]

Motivated and detail-oriented recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration seeking an entry-level position in the finance industry. Strong analytical skills, solid understanding of financial principles, and a demonstrated ability to work in a team environment. Eager to contribute to the success of a dynamic organization and gain practical experience in financial analysis and reporting.

• Bachelor of Business Administration (Finance)
• XYZ University
• City, State
• Graduation: Month Year
• Financial analysis
• Data analysis
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Financial modeling
• Microsoft Excel
• Communication
• Problem-solving

Financial Analysis Project

• Conducted comprehensive financial analysis on a publicly traded company, including ratio analysis, trend analysis, and financial statement interpretation.
• Prepared a detailed report summarizing the company’s financial performance and providing recommendations for improvement.
• Presented findings to a panel of faculty members and industry professionals.

Intern | ABC Company

City, State | Month Year – Month Year

• Assisted the finance team with various tasks, including data entry, financial report preparation, and expense tracking.
• Collaborated with colleagues to analyze financial data and identify trends and patterns.
• Contributed to the development of financial models and forecasts to support decision-making processes.

Certifications

• Financial Modeling Certification
• Microsoft Excel Certification
• Fluent in English and Spanish

Example #2: Mid-Career Position

Sarah Johnson

456 Elm Street | City, State | (123) 456-7890 |  [email protected]

Results-driven finance professional with 7+ years of experience in financial analysis, budgeting, and strategic planning. Proven track record of optimizing financial performance, implementing cost-saving measures, and driving business growth. Strong analytical skills, leadership abilities, and expertise in financial modeling and forecasting. Seeking a mid-career position in a progressive organization to utilize skills and contribute to the achievement of financial objectives.

Financial Analyst | XYZ Company

City, State | Month Year – Present

• Conduct financial analysis to identify trends, assess performance, and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Develop and maintain financial models for budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to analyze business cases, assess investment opportunities, and support decision-making processes.
• Prepare and present financial reports and presentations to senior management.
• Streamline financial processes, resulting in improved efficiency and accuracy.

Senior Accountant | ABC Company

• Managed the company’s financial accounting processes, including general ledger maintenance, reconciliations, and month-end close activities.
• Prepared financial statements, budgets, and forecasts.
• Implemented internal controls and ensured compliance with accounting principles and regulations.
• Led a team of junior accountants, providing guidance and support in day-to-day operations.
• Master of Business Administration (Finance)
• Financial analysis and modeling
• Strategic planning
• Financial reporting
• Cost analysis
• Process improvement
• Team management
• Advanced Microsoft Excel
• ERP systems (SAP, Oracle)
• Certified Financial Analyst (CFA)
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

Example #3: Executive Position

Michael Thompson

789 Oak Street | City, State | (123) 456-7890 |  [email protected]

Accomplished executive with over 15 years of experience in senior leadership roles, driving business growth, and delivering exceptional results. Proven track record of strategic planning, operational excellence, and building high-performing teams. Skilled in financial management, business development, and organizational leadership. Seeking an executive position to leverage expertise and drive continued success in a dynamic and challenging environment.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | XYZ Corporation

• Oversee all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and risk management.
• Develop and implement financial strategies to drive business growth and maximize profitability.
• Provide strategic guidance to senior leadership in decision-making processes.
• Lead a team of finance professionals, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

Vice President of Business Development | ABC Inc.

• Led the business development function, identifying and pursuing new growth opportunities.
• Developed strategic partnerships and negotiated key contracts to expand the company’s market presence.
• Conducted market analysis and competitive intelligence to inform strategic decision-making.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to launch new products and drive revenue growth.
• Financial management
• Business development
• Leadership and team management
• Change management
• Risk management
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Stakeholder relations
• Contract negotiation
• Board presentations
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Executive Leadership Program

Common Mistakes to Avoid

As you craft your one page resume, there are several pitfalls that you’d want to avoid. Here are the most common errors that job applicants commit:

A. Including Irrelevant Information

One typical blunder is inserting unrelated information into your resume. It’s vital to keep your resume relevant and insightful as possible. Only mention work experience, skills, and achievements that are aligned with the job you’re applying for.

B. Overusing Industry Jargon

While it’s essential to showcase your knowledge and expertise in your field, it’s also critical to balance it out with simple and understandable language. Using too much industry-specific jargon is a turn-off for hiring managers who are non-experts in your field.

C. Failing to Proofread

Submitting a document full of grammatical and spelling errors can lead to impression that you didn’t put much effort into your application. Always proofread your resume multiple times – or better yet, get someone else to do it for you.

D. Using a Generic Resume

Tinkering a general resume won’t guarantee success in landing your dream job. Instead of using a one-fits-all approach, customize your resume for every job application. This way, you can emphasize the qualifications and accomplishments that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

By avoiding these common resume mistakes, you’re one step closer to creating a winning one page resume.

Formatting and Design Options

When it comes to crafting your one-page resume, formatting and design options can make a huge difference in the impression you make on potential employers. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when choosing the right resume template and incorporating design elements:

A. Choosing the Right Resume Template

There are many resume templates available online, ranging from simple and straightforward to creative and extravagant. When selecting a template, it’s important to consider your industry and the type of job you’re applying for. For example, a graphic designer might opt for a more visually appealing template, while an accountant might choose a more classic and conservative look.

In addition to aesthetics, it’s important to select a template that is easy to read and presents your information in a clear and concise manner. Remember, the goal of your one-page resume is to quickly and efficiently highlight your skills and experience – not overwhelm the reader with unnecessary details.

B. Incorporating Color and Graphics

While using color and graphics can add visual interest to your resume, it’s important to use these elements sparingly and purposefully. For example, using company colors or incorporating a small icon can help your resume stand out while still maintaining a professional appearance.

However, it’s important to avoid using too many colors or too much graphic design, as this can become distracting and make it difficult for the reader to quickly find key information. Remember, the focus should always be on your skills and experience, not on fancy design elements.

C. Using White Space Effectively

One of the most important design elements of any one-page resume is white space. When used effectively, white space can make your resume look clean, organized, and easy to read. Conversely, cramming too much information into a small space can make your resume appear cluttered and overwhelming.

To use white space effectively, consider breaking up your resume into sections and using headings and subheadings to clearly define each section. You can also use bullet points and lists to make information more easily digestible.

D. Creating a Professional Look and Feel

Ultimately, the goal of your one-page resume is to create a professional and polished impression on potential employers. This means paying attention to small details like font choice, spacing, and alignment.

When selecting a font, choose something simple and easy to read, such as Arial or Times New Roman. Avoid using decorative fonts or fonts that are difficult to read. Additionally, be sure to keep your spacing and alignment consistent throughout your resume to maintain a polished and professional appearance.

By taking the time to carefully consider your formatting and design options, you can create a one-page resume that effectively showcases your skills and experience in a visually appealing and professional manner.

One Page Resume vs. Two Page Resume

When it comes to resume writing, one of the most common questions job seekers ask is whether to use a one page resume or a two page resume. Depending on your work experience and industry, the answer may vary. In this section, we will explore the pros and cons of a one page resume, when to use a two page resume, and how to convert your two page resume to one page.

A. Pros and Cons of a One Page Resume

A one page resume is typically recommended for those who are just starting out in their careers or those who have less than 10 years of professional experience. Here are some pros and cons of a one page resume:

• It is concise and to the point, making it easier for recruiters to read and understand.
• It forces you to prioritize and focus on the most important information.
• It shows that you can communicate effectively and efficiently.
• It may not be enough space to include all of your relevant work experience and accomplishments.
• It may be challenging to highlight your skills and achievements in a short format.

B. When to Use a Two Page Resume

A two page resume is typically recommended for those who have extensive work experience, advanced degrees, or multiple certifications. Here are some scenarios when a two page resume may be appropriate:

• You have previous experience in different industries or roles that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
• You have achieved significant accomplishments, such as awards, publications, or patents.
• You have advanced degrees or professional certifications that are relevant to the job you are applying for.

C. How to Convert Your Two Page Resume to One Page

If you have a lot of experience and accomplishments that you want to include on your resume but are limited to one page, do not worry. There are ways to make your two page resume fit into one page. Follow these tips:

• Start by identifying the most relevant and significant accomplishments and experiences.
• Eliminate details that are not critical or that can be discussed during the interview process.
• Use bullet points and short phrases to highlight your accomplishments and skills.
• Use a smaller font size and adjust the margins accordingly.

Whether you should use a one page resume or a two page resume depends on your experience and the job you are applying for. A one page resume is great for those who are just starting out or have limited experience, while a two page resume is suitable for those with extensive experience or advanced degrees. If you have a two page resume but need to convert it to one page, follow the tips above to ensure that you highlight your most impressive qualifications and achievements.

ATS Compatibility

When it comes to job applications, understanding how ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) work is crucial. These automated systems are designed to filter through resumes and select the most qualified candidates based on keyword matches and other criteria.

A. Understanding How ATS Works

To optimize your one page resume for ATS, you first need to understand how these systems function. Generally, ATS will scan your resume for keywords and phrases that match the job description. If your resume does not include these keywords, it may be instantly rejected by the system.

ATS also looks for specific formatting and organization. For example, it may have difficulty reading fancy fonts, text boxes, or tables. Additionally, ATS may struggle with resumes that include graphics or images.

B. Optimizing Your One Page Resume for ATS

To ensure that your one page resume passes the ATS screening, it’s important to prioritize including relevant keywords and phrases throughout your resume. This may mean tailoring your resume for each individual job application and incorporating industry-specific jargon.

In terms of formatting, it’s helpful to stick to simple, easy-to-read fonts and avoid using text boxes or tables. Instead, use concise bullet points to showcase your skills and experiences.

C. Testing Your One Page Resume with ATS

Before submitting your one page resume to any job applications, it’s a good idea to test it with ATS. There are several free online tools available that can simulate ATS screening, allowing you to see where your resume may be falling short.

By taking the time to understand how ATS works and optimizing your one page resume for these systems, you can increase your chances of getting noticed by potential employers and landing your dream job.

Reviewing and Refining Your One Page Resume

Once you have created your one page resume, it’s important to review and refine it before submitting it to potential employers. This section covers the steps you should take to ensure your resume is polished and ready to impress.

A. Getting Feedback from Others

One of the best ways to improve your one page resume is to get feedback from others. Reach out to colleagues, friends or family members who have experience in the industry you are applying for and ask them to review your resume. They might have valuable insights, suggestions or critiques that you can use to make your resume stand out.

B. Revising Your One Page Resume

Based on the feedback you receive, you should revise your one page resume accordingly. Ensure that your resume is visually appealing and easy to read, with clear headings and sections. Use action verbs and metrics to showcase your achievements and experience, and tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for.

C. Proofreading Your One Page Resume

Before submitting your one page resume, it’s crucial to proofread it thoroughly. Look out for spelling and grammatical errors, missing information, or awkward phrasing. Double check that your contact information is accurate and up-to-date.

D. Finalizing and Submitting Your One Page Resume

Once you have revised and proofread your one page resume, it’s time to finalize it and submit it to potential employers. Save your resume as a PDF to ensure it looks the same across different devices and software. Keep in mind that your one page resume should be accompanied by a cover letter that highlights your interest in the position and why you would be a good fit for the role.

Reviewing and refining your one page resume is essential to making a strong impression on potential employers. Get feedback from others, revise your resume accordingly, proofread it thoroughly, and finalize and submit it with a cover letter that showcases your enthusiasm and qualifications for the job.

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How to Create a One-Page Resume Format

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Why use a one-page resume format?

How to create a one-page resume format, one-page resume template, one-page resume example.

After you’ve spent years in the workforce, you may decide it’s time to apply for another job. When you have extensive work experience, plus other impressive skills and achievements, your resume can become longer than one page. Read this article to learn how to streamline your experience, education and skills to fit on a one-page resume format.

You should use a one-page resume format because it makes it easier for hiring managers to review and share your resume with other people in the company. In addition, a one-page resume ensures all of your qualifications are easy to find.

Here are some things to consider when creating your one-page resume:

1. First, consider the position you’re applying to

You may want to modify your resume plan according to the employer’s needs and your work experience. Sometimes, specific careers need longer sections, but this isn’t always the case. For example, a senior role might focus more on experience than an entry-level job. 

Take time to review the job listing thoroughly to have a better feel for what the hiring manager wants to see. This can help you condense sections so your resume is easier for them to scan. 

2. Second, create a list of accomplishments and work activities

If you have an extensive work history and impressive achievements, it can be challenging to know what to cut out. Make a list of key accomplishments and work duties. Focus on your responsibilities and include any relevant achievements, which may be much longer than one page in the beginning.  

3. Third, identify relevant information 

Now that you’ve created a detailed list of information pertaining to your career and accomplishments, you can begin highlighting or circling key sections that closely match the requirements of the role. This helps you eliminate irrelevant information and helps you create an outline for your resume. When you’re ready, you can start the process of organizing relevant sections into a condensed version that fits on one page. 

4. Fourth, create your first draft and shorten it

Create a new resume that’s as close to one page in length as possible. There’s no need to worry if it goes longer than that on the first try. Think of it as a rough draft that changes in length and content. When you’re ready, go through your resume again to identify any unnecessary information and remove sections that may be better suited for other positions. Reference the job listing as you write and try to only include information pertaining to that particular role.

5. Fifth, list your information with bullet points

Using bullet points creates an easy-to-read format that guides hiring managers to the most important sections of the resume. Plus, it looks more organized. Under each key section, include a bullet point, then describe your key accomplishments related to that role rather than focusing on responsibilities. This strategy creates more of an impact than stating daily tasks because it explains your responsibilities through achievements. Try to include specific numbers, percentages and timeframes in your description while paying attention to length. 

6. Sixth, eliminate unnecessary information

There are a few sections you can remove from your resume to ensure it’s one page. You may opt to remove your objective or summary and instead expand your experience section. If you have decades of career experience, consider leaving off information that is older than 10 to 15 years. It is not necessary to list your high school if you have a college degree and other credentials. It is no longer necessary to include the phrase ‘references available upon request’ at the end of your resume. The job listing or hiring manager will let you know if you need to provide references.

7. Seventh, adjust spacing and font

Another great way to fit information onto one page is by adjusting the spacing between lines and new sections. In most word processors, you can do this within the paragraph settings. Select single spacing and opt to remove spaces in between new paragraphs. Additionally, you should try applying a 10-point font size to your resume (while keeping your name at 14-point or higher) to see if you can create more space while still making sure it’s easy to read.

8. Finally, save your resume in PDF format

Unless directed otherwise in the job listing, save your resume as a PDF to ensure that hiring managers and recruiters see the document as you intend them to see it. This eliminates the chance for changes in formatting that could result in your resume being two pages.

Follow this template when creating a one-page resume that highlights your most relevant work experiences and career accomplishments:

[Name] [Address] | [Phone number] | [Email]

Summary (optional)

[Brief summary that highlights your most relevant experience and qualifications]

• [Use bullet points to list skills relevant to the desired job position]

Professional Experience  

[Current or most recent employer], [Job title]

[Month, Year – Month, Year]

• [Bullet list of most important successes]

Achievements  

• [List achievements relevant to the desired job position]

Education  

[University or college] | [Year degree earned] | [Degree]

Use this example as a reference when writing your own:

Jenna Smith 2002 Maplewood Avenue, Tampa, FL 33601 | 555-555-5555 | [email protected]

Senior administrative assistant with 15+ years of experience and degree in business administration. Coordinated complex schedules and travel arrangements for four corporate executives while completing office administration duties. Ready for new challenges related to bookkeeping, office management and schedule setting. 

• Excellent communication:  Proficient in all forms of communication, including online, in person and written
• Computer savvy:  Proficient in QuickBooks, G Suite, MS Office, database management and productivity apps
• Detail-oriented: Attentive to employee needs, accurate documentation and efficient processes
• Key strengths: Communication, organization, time management, teamwork and discretion

Professional Experience

Cityscapes International, Executive Administrative Assistant

November 2005 – July 2019

• Trained over 20 administrative assistants on office procedures, including file management, customer service, professional communication and scheduling
• Scheduled 500+ office meetings for various departments and executives while providing technical support for online conferences
• Made weekly travel arrangements for all company employees, including company executives with complicated schedules that required additional documentation

Driftboats Plus, Administrative Assistant

May 2003 – November 2005

• Communicated with over 2000 clients and customers regarding company products and service; contributed to the implementation of an official return and exchange policy
• Completed extensive bookwork related to company sales and invoicing
• Wrote 24 company newsletters that involved interviewing clients and customers and securing digital assets

Achievements

• Streamlined the data entry process, freeing up 40% of work time for other company resources
• Saved $10,000 in administrative costs after negotiating a deal with a new software company

University of Florida | May 2003 | Bachelor of Business Administration, 3.9 GPA

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Dive Into Expert Guides to Enhance your Resume

How to Write a One-Page Resume

Should a resume be one page?  Ideally yes, it’s generally better to  create a one-page resume  as employers generally  scan resumes in seconds . However, depending on the type of job you’re applying for, and your level of experience, a  two-page resume  can be more effective.

The reason why a  one-page resume  is better in the majority of cases is that employers  don’t want to read long resumes . As they have so many to look through, a  short, concise resume  is much more likely to grab their attention.

Writing a one-page resume  also gives you the chance to focus on and  emphasize your strongest selling points . It can be difficult to decide what to leave out. You may have many achievements that you’re proud of, but  it’s worth it .

Using a one-page  resume template  is a good place to start. It’s then a case of  choosing what’s most relevant  for the position you’re applying for.

How to create a one-page resume

Nowadays, the  best one-page resumes  have to be concise and eye-grabbing enough to stand out when a person shuffles through a pile of them. They also need to  contain the right words and terms  to get past  Applicant Tracking Systems (ATMs) , that scan resumes to see if they contain the right keywords.

The best way of doing this is by making a  one-page editable resume  which you can tailor to each job application. You can do this by carefully reading through each job and  identifying the key job requirements  (use the keywords to help you), and to them work these into your resume.

As well as  adding the necessary keywords , you also need to carefully consider which of your  skills ,  work experience , and  qualifications  are  most relevant to the job  you’re applying for.

If you are writing a  student resume  or an  entry-level resume , it may be the case that it’s easy to fit most (if not all) of your achievements on a  one-page job resume . If you are more experienced, what to leave out will require more consideration.

Writing a one-page resume: what to leave out?

What not to include on your resume?  If you’re struggling to reduce your resume down to a  single-page resume , start by writing a  list of your achievements  and work experience and include details of what they involved.

Then  analyze each position  you’re applying for and  choose the parts from your list  that match the job. Write your  most relevant achievements  into your resume by writing short, concise bullet points which  focus on your accomplishments .

You shouldn’t include any work experience which you gained  more than 10-15 years ago . There’s no need to say  “references available on request”  as this goes without saying.

If your resume is still  longer than one page , reduce your education section. You shouldn’t include your high-school education or irrelevant qualifications. Using an  online resume builder  is a time-effective way of nailing the  one-page resume   format .

Does a resume have to be one page?

No. Although most employers prefer to receive  one-page resumes , it is not always the case. When an employer is looking for someone with extensive experience, it is necessary to write a  more-than-one-page resume .

There are certain professions that are exceptions and it’s  commonplace to produce long resumes . These industries include medicine, law, and academia. For the vast majority of applications, a  one-page resume is best .

Remember you can always  include a link to your LinkedIn profile , other professional social media sites, or a website you’ve been involved in. This gives the employer the choice of viewing a  longer version of your background .

Whereas your  resume should be targeted  for each application, your LinkedIn should be  much more in-depth , providing detailed accounts of your  education , skills, and work experience.

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Click here to directly go to the complete one page resume sample.

Should a resume be one page?

One page resume is easy for hiring managers to scan over quickly.

It is not overwhelming, and with the right guidance, can contain a lot of valuable information.

Are you looking for crisp one page resume examples that get you those shortlists for interviews?

Read on to know the perfect one page resume template for your job profile . Look out for some special tips and tricks here and there!

Table of Contents

• What is a One Page Resume?
• Who Should Have a Two Page Resume?
• How Do You Write a One Page Resume?
• How Do You Format a One Page Resume?

What Are Called One Page Resume Templates?

Most of the time, a short and crisp resume is the best choice .

Your resume does not need to contain lots of depth about your past jobs and abilities. A resume and a cover letter are just a quick snapshot that opens the door for further discussions; hence one page resume is the best option. In your interview, the employer may ask for more details from a job seeker.

Only send a longer document if it’s mentioned in the job description (like a C.V. for academic jobs).

Also Read: How to write a resume?

One Page vs. Two Page Resume Templates

If you wonder how to make one page resume template or should a resume be one page, then fret not! We got you covered.

Make a one page resume if:

• Your job profile is in a conservative field
• You have less than ten years of job experience

A two-page resume isn't ideal for applying to any job unless there is a requirement.

Make a two page resume if:

• You have a significant amount of relevant work experience
• You are making a senior-level resume (10+ years of professional experience)
• The JD asks for your entire work history

Sample One Page Resume Templates

Here are some of the one page resume examples for your reference.

Material Color one page resume template

• Marketing Manager & Senior Sales Professional

Simple Black One Page Resume Template

Traditional Maroon One Page Resume Template

Round Timeline One Page Resume Template

Signature Timeline One Page Resume Template

Boxed Navy One Page Resume Template

Orange Twist One Page Resume Template

Gradient Green One Page Resume Template

Trendy One Page Resume Template

Modern Teal One Page Resume Template

Uniform Brown One Page Resume Template

Global Citizen Red One Page Resume Template

Professional Blue One Page Resume Template

California One Page Resume Template

New York One Page Resume Template

Royal Blue One Page Resume Template

Diamond Timeline One Page Resume Template

Global Citizen Green One Page Resume Template

Professional Black One Page Resume Template

Do Read: How long should a resume be?

How to Make a Resume One Page?

Students and professionals both have a lot of qualifications to add to resumes today. They have awards, certifications, projects, skills, etc.

But with this massive amount of experience, it’s difficult to write everything in a one page resume.

But here are some tips to answer your question “how to make resume one page.”

Shorten Resume Margin

The first thing you should do to fit your resume into one page is reduced resume margin. Ideally, the resume margin should be 1 inch on all sides. But if needed, you can reduce the resume margin to 0.5 inches on all sides. But not less than that.

Use Different Resume Formats

You can use double-column resume format to include more information on one page.

Use Smaller Fonts

Another easy way to create a one page resume is by using a smaller font.

Most resumes are written in 12 point font. But you can use a 10 point resume font which is perfectly acceptable in a professional setting. It also reduces the size of the resume.

Avoid Adding Unnecessary Information

Do not include unnecessary information in your resume, such as your hobbies, references, date of birth, irrelevant professional experience, etc.

Use Bullet Points

Do not write the resume in paragraphs. Instead, use short bullet points. It significantly reduces the resume size and helps you fit your experience into one page.

Also Read: Best way to email a resume to recruiter

One Page Resume Template Format

Here's how we should go about a one page resume template:

Summary/Objective : This should be the top section of your resume. Go for an objective instead of a summary only if you are a fresher.

Key Skills : Club all your key skills in this section as per your profile and the job posting of the role you are applying for.

Professional Experience : Jot down all your relevant work experiences. Make sure to list down your latest and relevant experiences only, to save space for other information.

Projects : If you've worked on projects which highlight your professional accomplishments, do mention them.

Internship : If you are applying for an entry-level role or are a fresher, you can mention your relevant internship experiences too.

Certifications/Training : Must leave some space at the end to jot down relevant certifications and training experiences.

Education : Ideally, this should be the last section of your one page resume template and you should list all your relevant qualifications here.

Does a resume need to be one page? Absolutely! Recruiters only give 7 seconds to review a resume. So, you need to make sure your resume is conscious enough so that recruiters don’t have to spend more time on it to get everything.

If you want to squeeze your experiences into one page, you can totally do it. You just have to get selective on the information you are adding to the resume.

Go to Hiration career platform which has 24/7 chat support and get professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries.

You can also write to us at [email protected] and we will make sure to reach out to you as soon as possible.

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One Page Resume Templates

No matter what level of experience you have, you can easily craft a one-page resume using one of our pre-made templates below. Just click on your favorite, and replace the info with your own.

Double Column

Single page resume template. Bold heading fonts point the recruiter straight to what’s important in your resume.

1-page resume template. Perfect for experienced candidates who can fit more experience without compromising length.

Single Column

One-page resume template. For job-seekers who prefer a classic one-column layout.

Two-column resume template. Organize your information into two columns for a well-structured and easy-to-follow format.

Space-saving resume template. Optimize the space on your resume to maximize the impact of your information with a space-saving design.

Text-focused resume template. Convey your information in a clear and straightforward manner with a text-focused design that is simple and easy to read.

What is a one-page resume template?

The one-page resume template has a layout designed to present the most relevant information about the applicant. It contains summarized text that is easy to read and scan.

This type of resume is born out of understanding the two key principles of application processing. The first one is that the most important information is expected to be in the first one-third of the document. The second principle is that the HR officer only has a few seconds to decide if your resume goes in the bin or not.

A well-prepared single-page resume demonstrates that you are a very organized person who knows how to prioritize and who values the time of the recruiter. It also demonstrates that vanity is not one of your disadvantages.

When to use a one-page resume template?

• Position: The single-page resume template is suitable for any position. It is very important to use this template if you are a candidate for an entry position with less experience. Often, for such jobs, there are more candidates. This means that a lot of resumes need to pass through the recruiter’s desk. Your chance is better if you avoid fluff. If you have more experience, and you are a candidate for a senior position, you might consider making your resume two pages or more.

Tips for building the best one-page resume template

Using infographics, icons, and bullet points on one-page resumes can help present information compactly. Still, you need to have a rather minimalist approach to make sure the document is easy to read.

Narrower space between sections and reduced resume margins are tricks that will allow you to fit more content on one page. Nevertheless, keep enough white space so that the document looks organized.

With a one-page resume, the best background is white. If you have two columns, infographics, icons, bullet points, and a lot of information presented in a smaller font do not add more complexity.

We recommend minimalist and compact fonts such as Oswald , Bitter , and Volkhov . With these fonts, you will be able to fit more information on a single page.

With one-page resumes, you need to adopt a minimalist approach regarding colors. You can use one color to highlight your sections’ headings. Use the same color for your bullet points and icons. If you have infographics such as pie charts they will add a few more colors, but this is acceptable.

According to statistics, your resume will be processed by a recruiter in 6–10 seconds. Then he or she will decide if the resume lands in the bin or not. This is why the layout is as important as the information itself.

The layout needs to present as much information as possible on the first one-third of the page. The challenge is that the information also has to be easy to read and understand.

This is why The Header is very important. This is the place for your contact details such as name, phone, and email. You may also add your city and state. Do not add an exact address such as street, floor, and apartment number. This information is not relevant. With a one-page resume, you can also decide not to include your picture, but you can add a link to LinkedIn for more information. The recruiter will be able to see your picture there if he or she decides.

The header is also the place where you can add your headline . Be short. Think of something catchy that will represent you, just with one phrase.

Next comes the Summary section. In 2–3 sentences you must highlight your greatest achievements, skills, education, and work experience. This is the place where you need to shine and basically demonstrate to the recruiters why hiring you would be a good idea.

The Job (Work) Experience section is placed under the Summary section , aligned left. Use bullet points and list out your positions in reverse chronological order. If the position is irrelevant at the moment, do not go into details. If the position is relevant to your current application, you can explain using 1–2 sentences what your duties were. Try to use action verbs and be short.

Next comes the Education section . It is also left-aligned. With a one-page resume, you do not have a lot of space, so you must only list your most recent degree. Of course, if your previous degrees are relevant or required, you will also need to include them.

A two-column format will allow you to utilize the available space on the page more effectively. In case you decide to choose it, you can position your Achievements and Skills sections aligned right just opposite the Job Experience and the Education Sections. This is very important because the information in both sections is presented only by keywords or phrases. It needs to be supported with more details in the Job Experience and Education sections.

With a one-page resume, the space for Additional sections is limited. In case it is relevant, you can also add Languages , Hobbies , Projects , or Interests sections. If you have to decide what to include and what not, make sure you leave sections that would help you make an impression as a suitable job candidate.

Number of pages

One-page resumes are much more appreciated by HR officers for practical reasons. However, as per industry standards, you can feel free to add another page for every ten years of job experience you have

One-page resume template pros and cons

• The one-page resume is preferred by recruiters because it is easier and faster to work with.
• Sometimes if the resume is printed out or even reviewed on a computer screen, the recruiter could forget to look at the second page. With a one-page resume, there is no such risk
• A one-page resume is much easier to improve, correct and redact. All the information is on one screen, and you can control it better.
• A one-page resume is not the best choice for creative personalities and positions.
• If you have 20-30 years of Job Experience, it will be very hard to fit all the information into one page
• With a one-page resume, you risk missing important information in case you do not prioritize what to include properly.

Frequently asked questions about one-page resume templates

Should my resume be one page, when is it okay to make a two-page resume, can a resume be 1.5 pages.

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How to Make a Credible One Page Resume

Trying to fit in all the important career information into one 8.5×11″ document is no easy task. Still, the common job search lore goes that having a one-page resume is always the best way to go. Or is it? Let’s dig in together! 

Should a Resume Be One Page Long?

The general conclusion is that yes, it’s best to file a one-page resume whenever you can if you are in the beginning/middle of your career. But things are not absolutely black and white when it comes to resume length. Can a resume be more than one page? Again, yes. 

No one will fret upon a two-page resume if you are a senior candidate with 10+ years of experience and multiple job posts under your belt — all relevant to the new job you are routing for. 

Lengthier resumes are also fine for candidates with a wide set of technical skills , educational credentials, and industry accolades. 

Lastly, if you are applying to a job abroad and get asked to file a CV, rather than a resume , it’s OK to go beyond a single page. 

You can learn more about the ideal resume length from our previous post. 

How to Fit Resume on One Page: Tips and Tricks 

OK, so you are certain that you’ll do better with a one-page resume. Now the big question is: how do you fit all your professional deets into that single page without resorting to using an eight-point font or trying to cram a lot of text into the available white space?

After creating over 150 one-page resume templates , we can say with confidence that the next tricks will work like a charm!  

1. Adjust Your Page Margins and Layout 

Most people leave page margins at the pre-set default option of 1-inch in Microsoft Word when they start designing their resume. 

But, you can actually trim this a few simple steps to have a bit more elbow room. Here’s how it’s done:

• Go to Layout > Margins

• Select either one of the pre-suggested configurations or add a custom range

NB: Don’t forget to test if your design looks good in other word processing software or when sent via email as an attachment!

As a rule of thumb, it’s OK to go with a half an inch margin, but not less. In this case, you will still have a defined white space edge and your resume won’t look really cramped together.

2. Merge Sections Together

Every great resume has at least three standard sections — header, work experience, and education. Plus, some optional ones such as Skills, Hobbies, and Interests , Accolodates, Resume Objective , Professional Bio, etc. 

While all of them can play a role in hiring, they eat up some valuable space. After all, having multiple sections requires extra room for large headings.

So if you really need to cut down your resume to one page, aim for three or four distinct sections and combine the rest. 

For example, you could combine your resume objective and professional bio or add accolades to the work experience section. Also, you can pack all the different things you want to mention, as short bullet-point highlights under an ‘Extra Information’ section.

Let’s take a look at one of our popular one-page resume templates — Contrast Resume Template .

It has 4 distinct sections you can use to your advantage: 

• The sidebar area where you can place your professional bio or resume objective
• Skills sections that you can pack with keywords and popular skills that employers look for
• Header area you can use to leave your contact details, personal website, or squeeze in personal branding statements. 
• Lofty work experience section that can be tweaked to fit more positions 
• Minimalistic education section to list the essentials. 

This design is also versatile enough to be further tweaked up to your liking. You can forgo the bio/objective in favor of an “Extra Information” section or place your contact details and short elevator pitch there to expand the Skills area. 

3. Condense Information

Always look at ways of combining some of your information that may be important, but it doesn’t have a direct bearing on the job that you are applying for. For example, where you list your educational qualifications, instead of listing each qualification or achievement on a single line, condense them together and leave off any early or lower-level qualifications that an employer may not be interested in knowing about.

Treat your employment history in the same way. If you have created your work experience to read as your job title and company address in a block style with each part of the address on single lines, then you can free up some space by just putting your job title and company name on one single line and cut out the company address completely.

Even your own personal details can take a healthy trim. Many career experts recommend that you don’t include your home address on your resume just in case the employer judges candidate suitability depending on their location and proximity to the workplace. Simply including your name and contact number, email address, and LinkedIn profile.  

4. Spring Clean for Redundancies 

Don’t go about describing every job duty you had at every job listed — most will likely duplicate one-another. Instead, focus on listing one-two main accomplishments for each entry and sprinkle in some relevant hard and soft skills . 

Take a look at our customer service resume example . Instead of going at length about every job, you can just write a one-line description and then provide a quick bullet point list of accomplishments/skills. So that your entry looks the following way:

Customer Service Specialist (April 2017 – March 2020)

Started in telephone customer support and quickly transitioned to web chat support. Assisted retail customers with concerns related to their orders, billing, shipping, and returns. 

• Ranked highest in the European region for chat resolution speed.
• Employee of the Month (August, October, Dec)
• Zendesk, HubSpot Live Chat, and Salesforce proficient 

5. Adjust Your Line Spacing And Font Size

Recruiters want to see resumes that are easy on the eye, so the need for your resume to have good line spacing is still important. However, you can maximize the space available by adjusting your line spacing to give you a little bit more room.

If you are using MS Word to create your resume, then you can manually change the line spacing between paragraphs and different sections. The default setting is actually quite generous, so even if you change it to shrink down the line spacing by half between paragraphs and sections, you will still get a defined visual space, but you can squeeze out an extra couple of free line spaces for more information by doing this.

While going as small as an 8-point font may mean certain eye-strain for a recruiter trying to read your resume, you can safely change to 10-point font and still leave your resume perfectly readable. It would be wise to leave your name at least at a 14-point font if not larger.

6. Trim Your Bullet Points

Bullet points are the key trick for fitting as much information as possible into a one-page resume. The key here, however, is to avoid writing full length, logically connected sentences. 

Instead, think of your bullet point as a mini headline — short, catchy, and sufficiently communicating one key idea. 

Here are some extra tips for writing powerful bullet points for your resume:

• Avoid complex, lengthy words (unless these are actual keywords)
• Keep your bullet point to one line to avoid space waste 
• Aim for the same bullet point length to make your resume look neater 
• Make your bullet points symmetrical i.e. always start with a verb or noun. 
• Keep the bullet points thematically-related.

Here’s how we incorporated all of these tips in our hospitality resume example : 

The Royal Suits, Downtown Miami (2018 – 2020)

Concierge and Guest Services Supervisor

Skills and accomplishments:

• Provided guest services to over 1,500 guests per month 
• Organized personalized entertainment and shopping experiences
• Managed all the concierge services for VIP guests
• Brought in extra 20% via services upsells/cross-sells per month 
• Maintained customer satisfaction rating of more than 98%

7. Don’t Fret About The Resume Length Too Much!

There is no harm in having two versions of your resume – one single page version and one longer multiple-page version. These can be very handy to keep on file for when an employer specifically asks you to submit one or the other. A lot of employers will initially ask for a one-page resume, and then follow that up with a request for a more detailed resume for when they are creating a shortlist for the job interview.

To Conclude 

If you’ve tried all of the tips above and still didn’t arrive at the coveted one-page resume length, don’t sweat it any further.  At the end of the day, it is your skills, qualifications, and past experiences that make the most difference! So go with a two-page resume or two versions of your resume, if you feel that a lengthy version will represent you better as a job candidate. 

Finally, if you need some extra help, you can always browse our ever-growing collection of professional resume templates that are already optimized to pack a powerful punch within a single page!

This article has been originally published on April 30, 2018 and has been extensively revised and updated on November 12, 2020.

Elena runs content operations at Freesumes since 2017. She works closely with copywriters, designers, and invited career experts to ensure that all content meets our highest editorial standards. Up to date, she wrote over 200 career-related pieces around resume writing, career advice... more

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One Page Resume Templates

These single-page resume templates are the ideal way to show off your career at-a-glance for busy hiring managers and recruiters.

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One Page Resumes: Your Complete Guide Being Concise and Impactful (With Examples)

3 key takeaways

• Why you should consider a one-page resume
• Examples of one-page resumes (and why they're effective)
• How to use the Teal AI Resume Builder to format a one-page resume template quickly and easily

One-page resumes—they might sound too good (or too short) to be true. 

But knowing how to showcase the incredible things you’ve done and all that you’re capable of in one concise, impactful document could be the key to grabbing attention and standing out from the competition.

Why consider a one-page resume?

In today's job market, the one-page resume has become increasingly popular. And just as the sun set on the VHS resumes of the 1980s, gone are the days of listing every job and responsibility and exhaustively detailing all of your skills.

The market is saturated with so many job seekers. Many of whom are extremely talented.  This means hiring managers and recruiters are inundated with countless applications. They simply don't have the capacity to navigate lengthy documents. A concise and well-structured one-page resume allows them to assess your qualifications and how they align with an open role—quickly. 

When should a resume be one page?

Should a resume be one page? That depends. One-page resume templates aren't always the best option for every candidate or every role. But there are specific scenarios where they're particularly beneficial. If you find yourself in any of the following situations, a one-page resume format might be ideal.

• For recent high school or college graduates or professionals with limited work experience
• For anyone in the first 1-5 years of their career 
• In fields that value brevity
• In industries that prioritize concise communication (like communication or public relations)

Understanding one-page resume format 

Learning how to make a resume one page often comes down to two elements: the sections you include and strategic formatting. 

One-page resume sections 

When creating a one-page resume, it's crucial to include the following sections: 

• Contact Information: Your name, city, phone number, email address, LinkedIn URL, and portfolio link (if applicable) 
• Professional Summary: A concise introduction highlighting your key qualifications and one or two notable achievements that showcase impact.
• Work Experience: Showcase your relevant work experience in reverse chronological order, emphasizing achievements listed as bullet points that align with your desired role.
• Education: Mention your educational background, including degrees, certifications, (and any notable academic achievements if you're a recent graduate). 
• Skills: Highlight your core skills and competencies directly relevant to the job you're applying for. Consider tailoring this section to match the keywords mentioned in the job posting.

Pro Tip: The Teal Job Application Tracker pulls keywords and other important language from the job description to help you tailor your resume for every role. 

One-page resume template format

So, keeping those necessary sections in mind and with limited space, how can you make the most of your resume template format? 

• Use concise language: Be clear and succinct in your descriptions, avoiding unnecessary details or excessive wordiness. 
• Prioritize relevant information: Focus on the most recent and relevant experiences, skills, and achievements that align with the job you're applying for.
• Choose a clean and readable font: Opt for a professional and legible font style, keeping the font size between 10 and 12 points.
• Utilize bullet points: Use bullet points to highlight key points and achievements, making your resume easier to scan and read quickly.
• Reduce margins and spacing: Adjust the margins to save space without making your resume appear cluttered. Do your best to keep your resume margins between 0.5" - 1." 

The formatting tool within the Teal AI Resume Builder can help you quickly and easily optimize your resume's physical structure by customizing elements like font, margins, template style, and more in one location with a single click.  

Does a resume have to be one page? Debunking the myth

Much like any "general recommendation," the one-page resume guideline isn't always applicable. 

Every job seeker has different a different skill set, professional experience, and expertise. And where one candidate might exclusively have academic projects to showcase, another might have 20+ years of straightforward work experience in the same career with progressing responsibilities.

So while a single-page resume might be great a great option for some, there are particular situations and circumstances where your experience might impact, “ How long should a resume be ?”

A multi-page resume might be more appropriate if you:

• Have a career in academia, scientific research, or government  
• Have more than 15 years of experience
• Are an executive leader
• Are a C-suite level applicant

How to make a resume one page without losing value

A resume is your personal marketing tool. So how can you market yourself effectively on a one-page resume without losing value? 

Be selective with content 

Carefully review your background, skills, and accomplishments, and choose the most relevant experiences for the job you're applying to. 

Your content should be tailored to the job description—only addressing what the hiring manager or recruiter is looking for. Even if it feels hard, eliminate irrelevant or outdated information to create space for more essential details.

Focus on achievements 

Instead of listing all your responsibilities, emphasize your resume accomplishments and quantifiable results. Highlight valuable information like specific achievements demonstrating your skills and impact in previous roles. 

For example, you don't need to list that you managed social media accounts and created content. Instead, using an achievement like "Increased social media engagement by 50% within three months through the implementation of targeted content strategies, resulting in a significant boost in brand visibility and customer interaction." highlights the responsibility while drawing attention to your impact. 

Prioritize the most relevant information

Place the most relevant information towards the top of your resume. Your strongest qualifications (those with the most impact) should be easily accessible. 

It's also important to prioritize details within each section. For example, in the "Work Experience" section, only focus on accomplishments, projects, and responsibilities that demonstrate the skills and experiences most relevant to the job you're applying for. Or, if you find yourself short on space in the "Education" section, focus on your highest level of education.

One-page resumes vs. two-page resumes: which is better for you?

The decision between a single-page resume template or a two-page resume depends on your unique career journey, industry, the role you are applying for, and your overall professional goals.

A one-page resume can be valuable if you have limited work experience or are in the first 10-15 years of your career. It allows you to concisely highlight your relevant skills, education, internships, and notable achievements. 

On the other hand, professionals with several years of experience, mid-level or senior-level positions, or those in fields that require extensive documentation of achievements may benefit from a two-page resume to detail their work history, leadership roles, specialized skills, and other relevant accomplishments. 

So what are the pros and cons of each format? 

One-page resume pros:

• Concise and focused
• Quick and easy to read 
• Ideal for those early in their career 

One-page resume cons:

• Limited space
• May lack comprehensive detail

Two-page resume pros:

• Comprehensive representation
• Suitable for experienced professionals
• Flexibility in presentation

Two-page resume cons:

• Risk of excessive detail
• Time-consuming review
• Printing, formatting, and resume template constraints

Ultimately? The best resume format is the one that aligns with your career journey, industry, the role you’re applying for, and overall professional goals.

How Teal’s AI-powered Resume Builder can help

The Teal  AI Resume Builder  is an all-in-one tool for creating a concise one-page resume that looks professional  and  emphasizes your value and impact. 

With the Resume Builder, you can construct an exhaustive career history, then pick and choose the information you want to include for any role you're applying to based on relevancy. 

Teal also gives you four options for resume templates—allowing you to change the layout of your resume quickly. But no matter how often you change your resume template or export your document as a pdf, the information itself won't shift or change as it often does with something like google docs resume templates.

Formatting is one of the most critical ways to save space on a one-page resume. The Resume Builder offers multiple ways to change your:

• Accent color
• Date alignment
• Date format
• Work experience groupings
• Work experience date range

Each of these settings can be adjusted with a clickable drop-down menu—giving you complete control over your resume layout.

Inspiring one-page resume examples

Why it works: Olivia's one-page resume is the perfect balance of white space and detail. It effectively represents their qualifications by showcasing relevant experience and achievements using three concise bullet points or less for each role. Olivia's resume also highlights measurable achievements while demonstrating a track record of delivering successful projects and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

See more one-page resumes in these front-end developer resume examples .

Why it works: Even in a senior-level role, Megan's resume showcases measurable impact and impressive qualifications in one page. And while their education may be robust, to save extra space, Megan focuses on the highest level of education they received by showcasing an MBA rather than any prior education.

For more customer-success manager one-page resumes, explore these customer success manager resume samples .

Why it works:  As an entry-level candidate, Ted has chosen to showcase multiple academic design projects and the impact of those projects. Rather than taking up valuable space listing part-time jobs or career objectives, Ted makes the most of their resume real estate by only listing achievements relevant to a role as a junior graphic designer. 

Explore more one-page graphic design resumes in these graphic designer resume examples.

Start creating your one-page resume

A one-page resume can showcase your skills in a concise and impactful way if done correctly. And while a single-page format might not be for everyone, it can be particularly effective during the first 10-15 years of your career.

Using a one-page resume template, like those in the Teal AI Resume Builder , will help you optimize your resume in a clean, professional, and organized way—leaving you with more time to focus on the important details like tailoring your content, skills, and qualifications to align with the role you're applying for.

Ready to get started?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to have a one page resume.

Yes! Just remember to prioritize your relevant and recent work experience. Be sure to include positions that align with the job you're applying for and highlight accomplishments and responsibilities that demonstrate your skills and qualifications.

Is a two page resume ever okay?

Absolutely! Just focus on refining and condensing your content. Remove any irrelevant or outdated details and prioritize the most impactful and relevant information. Utilize concise language, bullet points, and strategic formatting to make the most of the available space.

How far back should a resume go?

A well-crafted one-page resume should effectively showcase your qualifications and achievements to make a strong impression on hiring managers. It's about presenting the most relevant and impactful information rather than the length of the document. Focus on at least the last ten years of your experience, but be mindful that you should include positions that are relevant to the job you're applying for, so if that ends up being fifteen years of your experience, that's okay, too. The key is relevance.

Kayte Grady

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How to Write a One-Page Resume

How to Write a One Page Resume

• What Employers Want

Benefits of a One Page Resume

When to use a multi-page resume, how to cut and trim a resume, sample one page resume, provide additional information online.

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Should your resume be longer than one page or should you try to condense it to keep it on a page? There isn't really a yes or no answer. The length of your resume  depends on the type of candidate you are and your level of experience.

In general, most employers want a concise resume without a lot of extraneous information. They only spend seconds reviewing it, so the more compact it is, the easier it will be for the hiring manager or recruiter to review. In addition, many employers use software to screen job application materials, so making sure your resume is focused on the job you're applying for will help you get chosen for an interview.

In some cases, a longer resume might be in order . For example, graphic designers or visual artists might benefit from creating an illustrated resume, and academics, researchers, or long-time executives may need more than one page to capture the breadth of their experience. But, in general, it's best to avoid overburdening busy recruiters with a resume that drags on and on.

How Long Employers Want Resume to Be

Here are the details on what companies prefer, based on a Saddleback College Resume Survey:

• One-Page Resume - 47.7%
• Two-Page Resume - 11.4%
• Depends on the level of the position - 34.1%
• No preference - 6.8%

Especially if you're applying to a large company, there's a high likelihood that your resume will be printed out to be reviewed by multiple people, or at least shared electronically. Having a short and concise resume makes it easier on the hiring manager and also increases your own chances of standing out.

Unless you are explicitly asked to submit a specific type of resume, sticking to a simple, single page is a surefire way to make sure that it will be able to be downloaded - or printed out - and reviewed by anyone who needs to look at it. It's much easier to read a single page resume than it is to review a multi-page document.

According to the survey above, most employers want a one-page resume unless the position requires experience. If a job wants an employee with extensive experience, you can and should include all of your applicable experience on your resume (although most employers do not want applicants to include more than 10-15 years of experience ).

There are also certain professions that are exceptions to the one-page resume. For example, in academia, medicine, and international jobs, a curriculum vitae is often much longer than one page. Graphic designers or visual artists might also create an illustrated or graphic resume, which might exceed one page. However, these professions are the exception to the general rule that a one-page resume is best.

Make sure everything you include in your resume is relevant to the position, down to your word choice. Because many employers use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to screen job application materials, try to use keywords from the application in your resume. This will increase your chances of making it past the first round of resume reviews.

• Create an inventory . If you're struggling to pare down your resume to one page, start by creating an inventory of your accomplishments and work activities. List your responsibilities and your achievements in great detail. Your inventory document might span as many as three or four pages. Try to include a diverse spectrum of skills that have led to successes in each role.
• Match your qualifications to the job . Analyze each job that you are considering and circle the statements that correspond most closely to the requirements for that particular position. Piece together the most relevant statements into a shorter, targeted version of your resume.
• Start long and cut back . The first draft might be longer than one page. If so, try to eliminate statements that provide less significant evidence regarding how you would add value to the role, until you get down to one page. Try to be as specific as possible with the information you list and be as concise as you can in your writing.
• Use a bulleted list and keep your job descriptions concise. Focus on your accomplishments, not your daily responsibilities.
• Cut out any extra years . Even if you are an experienced candidate, you should include no more than 10 or 15 years of experience on your resume.
• Trim the education section . You don't need to include high school education or continuing education classes unless it enhances your candidacy.
• Skip the references . It's not necessary to say "references available upon request" on your resume. It's understood that you will provide  references , if required, as part of the job application process.

This is an example of a one page resume. Download the one page resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Sample One Page Resume (Text Version)

Anna Page, BSN, RN 1234 Dogwood Avenue • Johnson City, TN 37601 • (123) 456-7890 • anna.page@email.com

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

Energetic and deeply dedicated Registered Nurse offering 8 years’ hospital healthcare experience.

• Nursing : Deliver quality nursing care in high-stress ER settings, deftly performing patient assessments, taking vital signs, administering medications, setting up IV pumps, and providing wound and ostomy care.
• Regulatory Compliance : Ensure strict compliance with all JCAHO and HIPAA standards.
• Communications : Communicate effectively in English and Spanish to educate patients and families in treatment plans and medical statuses.
• Key Strengths : Proven leadership and collaborative talents, easily motivating and guiding nursing staff in daily shift tasks and responsibilities. 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

JOHNSON CITY MEDICAL CENTER, Johnson City, TN Registered Nurse (09/2014-Present) Skillfully provided nursing care at Level I trauma center to patients suffering cardiac arrest, multiple traumas, strokes, overdoses, and assaults. Performed defibrillations, intubations, auto transfusions, Medlock insertions, and other medical interventions.

• Served as preceptor for new nursing students.
• Supervised ~40 RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and medical technicians in provision of quality medical care.

LAUGHLIN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, Greeneville, TN Registered Nurse (06/2010-08/2014) Provided ER nursing care and lifesaving medical interventions to patients, collaborating seamlessly with multidisciplinary healthcare team members to establish treatment plans.

• Consistently achieved top ratings on performance evaluations as well as earning 3 formal commendations for providing excellent patient care.
• Willingly worked overtime and on weekends to ensure adequate ER staffing.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) East Tennessee State University College of Nursing, Johnson City, TN

Registered Nurse (RN), State of TN; PALS, ACLS, BLS, First Aid, and CPR certified

~ Additional information and recommendations available at www.linkedin.com/in/AnnaPage. ~

Of course, it's always a good idea to have more information available for connections or hiring managers who want a bigger picture of your background and qualifications.

You can streamline your resume by providing additional information online. Including links to your LinkedIn profile or personal website will allow you to leave that information off of your resume, saving you space.

Include a statement on the bottom of your resume, such as "Additional information, recommendations and portfolio samples available at www.linkedin.com/in/yourname." If you have sparked the interest of a recruiter with your short resume, then she will be motivated to gather more in-depth information about your background.

How To Make A Resume (With Free Template)

Published: May 7, 2024, 9:00am

Table of Contents

What is a résumé, how to make a résumé, 7 tips for writing a résumé, free résumé template, bottom line, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Whether you’re a college graduate entering the workforce or a parent returning to work after a long time, you need a compelling résumé to show recruiters you’re the best fit for an open position. We’ve compiled the steps you need to take to create your résumé and included a few tips to guide you when building your résumé. You’ll see what goes into a résumé that hiring managers respond to.

A résumé is a formal document recruiters ask applicants for as part of a recruitment process to assess their suitability for a specific role. A résumé provides an overview of your professional background and history, including your qualifications, work experience, skills and notable achievements. It records your professional development and is a potential employer’s first impression of you.

Here’s what a résumé does for you:

• It allows you to market yourself
• It shows recruiters how your experience can contribute to the organization’s growth
• It helps recruiters determine whether or not to call you for the next recruitment step

While there are different types of résumés with various content arrangements and formatting styles, here is the information required to build your résumé.

Add Your Name and Contact Information

When creating your résumé, the first item on your list should be your first and last name and primary contact information—phone number and email address. Also, adding a link to your website, portfolio or professional social media account gives potential employers multiple contact options and insight into your work, especially as a creative. Including your complete mailing address, city and state is also okay if the job listing calls for local applicants.

Include a Professional Summary or Objective

Your professional summary highlights your qualifications, skills and career goals. So, focus on concisely showing how your experience relates to the role you’re applying for. If you’re just getting started, changing careers or returning to the job industry after a break, opt for a professional objective, a summary of how your skills and qualifications can help you do well at the job. However, highlight something valuable the company can gain from you.

Add Your Work Experience

To determine your value, prospective employers examine how you’ve practicalized your knowledge and skills in your previous roles. So, include your previous job titles, organization names, company locations and employment dates. Then, include three to five accomplishments under each role.

Use action words, numbers and outcomes to explain your accomplishment while carrying out your responsibilities. For example, instead of saying you worked on a software updates team, say something such as “developed over 50 software updates that enhanced consumer productivity by 55%.” First-time job seekers can include internship and volunteer experience, but ensure you indicate that it was unpaid.

Include Your Education

List your education history, leaving the highest level at the top. Here are a few things to keep in mind when drafting this section.

• If you graduated more than 10 years ago, there’s no need to include your graduation year
• If you don’t have any work experience, indicate relevant coursework or internship
• If you’re still pursuing a degree or diploma, include the start date, but leave the completion date blank, unless there’s a graduation date
• Include your high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) only if you don’t have a college degree
• If recent, include awards, honors and scholarships and the year you received them

Highlight Relevant Skills

Dedicate a section of your résumé to highlight your hard and soft skills to show recruiters that you’re well-rounded. Aim for six to eight of such skills as are relevant to the role. Soft skills are people skills such as leadership, interpersonal and communication skills, while hard skills are the technical skills required for a specific job. Adding your aptitude, such as “proficient” or “intermediate” can also enhance your value. If applying without work experience, focus on transferable skills such as critical thinking and communication, which are helpful for any role.

Add Relevant Certifications, Licenses and Training

If your job requires certifications, include a section for that below the Education section. List the following.

• Certification or license title
• Certifying body or agency
• Date of certification
• Expiration date (if applicable)

Leverage Your Achievements

To make your résumé set you apart from other candidates, include a section to outline achievements and awards that further highlight your accomplishments and what you can contribute to an organization. These include honors, projects, publications (online or print), volunteer work and leadership positions. Awards show your commendation by those you’ve worked with, while volunteer experience augments your résumé as an applicant without work experience.

Below are a few tips to follow when preparing your résumé.

1. Ask for Help

Speak with those in your field, including peers and career counselors. Glean from their recommendations and pay attention to shared resources’ general language and formatting style.

2. Use the Appropriate Format

Make your résumé easy to scan. A few formatting tips based on what recruiters prefer are:

• Keep your résumé to one page, unless you have over 10 years of work experience. In that case, a two-page résumé is okay
• Set an inch margin on each side of the document
• Use popular fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, Georgia or Helvetica, and stick to font sizes of 14 to 16 for headers and 10 to 12 for the body
• Choose 1.0 or 1.5 inch line spacing
• Set margins to 1 inch on all sides
• Save your résumé as a PDF or Docx, using your full name and sometimes the job title as the file name
• Adhere to the specific résumé format instructions that came with the call for application

3. Tailor Your Résumé for Each Role

While it’s common to want to include every experience, include only the experience relevant to the role you’re applying for and adjust your summaries, skills, certifications and other information on your résumé to fit that role.

4. Include Necessary Keywords

Since many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) , which use keyword algorithms to filter résumés, ensure you incorporate keywords in the job description. Such keywords will fit right into your work experience and skills highlight sections.

5. Use a Résumé Builder or Template

Consider using a professional résumé template, which only requires you to fill your information in the blank spaces. Human resources (HR) experts design these templates so you can trust them. Plus, they make it easier to build your résumé.

6. Proofread Your Résumé

Review your résumé for grammatical errors, typographical errors and inconsistencies to show recruiters how well you pay attention to details. You can ask someone to read through your resume before sending it over to a recruiter.

7. Keep to Instructions

If a job listing gives specific instructions on the format or content of your résumé, adhere to them to avoid sifting out at an early recruitment stage.

Using a résumé template makes it easier and faster to make a résumé recruiters expect from job applicants. Several résumé templates are available for download, but consider using only those from reliable résumé builders. Customize any of these résumé templates from Indeed and Canva .

Here’s a minimalist résumé template typed out for you.

Name Location Phone number Email address Summary

Work Experience Position Company name Location Description

Skills Skill Years of experience Skill Years of experience

Education School Degree Field of study Location

Your résumé goes ahead of you to help a recruiter determine whether or not they want to interview you to learn more about how your background and experience can fit into an open role and grow their organization. So, ensure you include the necessary information and build your résumé with the tips we’ve collated from HR professionals. They will help you nail your dream job, even if you’re starting out or resuming your career.

What do you put on a résumé if you lack experience?

Even as a fresh graduate or parent returning to the job market, you can draft a résumé that catches a recruiter’s attention by highlighting your transferable skills and completed projects. For example, a fresh graduate can include certifications, volunteer or community service, apprenticeship or internships and extracurricular activities such as club and sports participation.

A returning parent can include nontraditional experiences such as homeschooling and babysitting to demonstrate their leadership and problem-solving skills, amongst the several skills and experiences that come with parenting.

How do I write a résumé to pass an ATS?

You’ll need to study the job post carefully and customize your work experience and keywords to match the primary keywords in the job description . You can also use a résumé writing service to run a free review of your résumé or build a new one from scratch.

Should your résumé be concise or detailed?

Recruiters often spend less than a minute on a résumé since they usually have to review several applications. So, make sure your résumé is concise—comprehensive but brief. “Remember, the goal of your résumé is to land an interview, not to provide every detail about your experience. Once you’re in the conversation, you can share more information about your qualifications.” —Shannon Burkel

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How To Write A Resume In 7 Steps (With Examples)

• How To Write A Resume
• Resume Skills Section
• Resume Objective Section
• Career Objective Section
• Resume Reference Section
• Resume Summary Section
• Resume Summary Example
• Resume Interests Section
• Address On Resume
• Relevant Work Experience
• Anticipated Graduation Date On Resume
• Education Section On Resume
• Contact Information On Resume
• Statement Of Qualifications
• How To List Publications On Resume
• Accomplishments On Resumes
• Awards On Resume
• Dean's List On Resume
• Study Abroad On Resume

Resumes are still the most important document in your job search . Generating a professional and interesting resume isn’t easy, but there is a standard set of guidelines that you can follow. As hiring managers usually only spend a short time looking over each resume, you want to make sure that yours has a reason for them to keep reading.

If you’re looking to write a resume, rewrite a resume you already have, or are just curious about resume format, then you’ve come to the right place. This article will go through the steps to writing an excellent resume, as well as offering examples for what sections of the resume should look like.

Key Takeaways:

A resume is a short document that details your professional history in a way that tailors your experience and skill set for the particular job you’re applying for.

Resumes follow a few standard formatting practices, which hiring managers and recruiters expect to see.

Highlighting your work experience, skills, and educational background with relevant keywords can help you get past applicant tracking systems and into more interviews.

How to write a resume

Writing a resume involves using the proper formatting, writing an introduction, and adding your work experience and education. Stuffing your entire professional life into a single page resume can feel overwhelming, but remember that you’re distilling the relevant parts of your professional experience in order to catch the eye of the recruiter .

Formatting your resume. To start, use a word processor such as Microsoft Word or Google docs. Standard resume formatting calls for:

1 inch margins

10-12 point font

A professional, commonly-used font

Additionally, there are three resume formats that are commonly used. Most people should stick with a chronological resume format , but the combination resume format and functional resume format can be effective for more advanced workers or those who have significant gaps in their resume.

Write a resume header . It doesn’t matter if you have the best resume in the world if the hiring manager can’t contact you. Every single resume should include the following contact information:

Your full name. First and last.

Your phone number. Use a personal phone number, and make sure your voicemail is set up properly.

Your email address. Nothing inappropriate — [email protected] is a safe choice.

Location. City, State, Zip Code is fine, but you can include your full mailing address if you think it’s appropriate.

Your social media (optional). LinkedIn is the obvious one you’d want to include, but make sure your profile looks good. If you have an online portfolio , either on a personal blog/website or on a site like Journo Portfolio , feel free to include that here as well.

Your job title. Also optional, but can be useful for applicant tracking systems.

Resume introduction. You have four options for your resume introduction: a resume objective, summary statement, resume profile, or qualifications summary. For most job-seekers, a resume summary statement is the best choice. Regardless of which resume introduction you choose, avoid first-person pronouns (I/me/my).

Resume objective. A resume objective is the goal of your resume. Since the objective of every resume is to land a job, this is not the most original or impressive opener you can have.

On the other hand, it’s a good choice for an entry-level applicant or someone who is changing career paths . This should be a 1-3 sentence summary of why you’re motivated to get the position you’re applying for.

Who should use a resume objective: Entry-level applicants, career-changers, and recent college graduates.

Resume summary. This is the best opener for most job-seekers. As the name suggests, a resume summary highlights the most salient aspects of your resume.

It should include your current position, how many years of experience you have, some of your biggest achievements, and possibly your career goals. This should be a 1-3 sentence spiel and should include some quantifiable experiences.

Who should use a resume summary: Most job seekers; anyone with quantifiable accomplishments to emphasize and a broad range of skills.

Qualifications summary. A bullet point list (4-6 points is the sweet spot) of your qualifications for the position. It’s best used by applicants going for jobs that require a fixed skill set. It’s not a great choice for entry-level applicants who lack quantifiable achievements.

You’ll notice that a qualifications summary takes up more space than a resume objective or summary, but it can actually save the hiring manager time if you provide a bunch of valuable information right off the top.

Who should use a qualifications summary: Those applying to a job with requirements for certain skills and job-seekers who have a lot of experience in their industry and/or field.

Resume profile. A resume profile is similar to a resume summary, but goes into more detail about your accomplishments at your current or former job, while also telling the reader about your career goals. Think of a resume profile as a section that pulls all the best parts of your work experience section into one place.

Who should use a resume profile: Anyone with significant accomplishments under their belt, expertise in a niche field, or applying to a job in the same industry that they have lots of experience in.

Resume headline. Resume headlines aren’t necessary, but you can include one alongside any of the four types of resume introduction listed above. A resume headline comes between your contact information and the resume introduction of your choice.

Headlines can be used by entry-level applicants and experienced job-seekers alike. The important point is that your headline should be short and to the point. Additionally, you should use title case when writing your resume headline (capitalize words as you would for a book title).

Who should use a resume headline: Any job-seeker who wants to showcase their experience or unique value right off the bat.

Work experience. Your work experience section is the place to let hiring managers know that you have relevant experience that would allow you to handle the job you’re applying for.

If you’re using the chronological resume format, your work experience section would come after your resume summary/objective. In a funcitonal reumse, it would follow your skills section. Either way, work experience should be listed in reverse-chronological order (most recent experience at the top).

When listing your work experience, you should include all of the following information:

Job title. Start by stating the position you held at the company. These are easy cue for the hiring manager to look at and determine whether your past positions would help you succeed at their company.

Company Info. Include the name of the employer, the location where you worked, and perhaps a brief description of the company, if it isn’t a well-known name.

Dates Employed: Use the mm/yyyy format if you want to be sure that most applicant tracking systems (ATS) will pick it up. Whatever format you use for dates, be consistent, or your resume will look sloppy.

Job Description. Don’t just list your job’s responsibilities; hiring managers and recruiters already have an idea of your duties based on the job title. Instead, list your most important and impressive responsibilities/achievements at the job with bullet points. Determine which of these are most relevant for your new role based on the job description.

Ideally, each bullet should be no longer than a single line. However, two lines is acceptable, if used sparingly.

Always start with a strong action verb, followed by a quantifiable achievement and a specific duty. For example: “Developed ad campaigns for clients, increasing sales by an average of 27%.” Each job title should include 3-5 bullet points.

The order that you include this information can be changed around, as long as you are consistent throughout your resume. However, the bullet points detailing your job’s achievements should always be the last item for each entry.

It’s important that you tailor your resume’s work experience section to the job you’re applying for. We recommend reading the job description carefully and highlighting the action verbs in one color and the skills, adjectives, and job-specific nouns in a different color.

Educational background. In almost all cases, your education section should come after your professional history. If you’re a recent college graduate with limited work experience, you may choose to put your educational achievements first.

Like the section on your professional history, educational experiences should come in reverse-chronological order, with your highest level of education at the top. If you have a college degree, you don’t need to add any information about your high school experience. If you didn’t finish college, it’s okay to give a list of what credits you did complete.

Each educational experience can be listed in the following format:

Degree/Program Name College/University Name Dates attended

You don’t need to add anything else, especially if your resume is already impressive enough. But if you’re struggling to fill up the page, or you feel that aspects of your educational experience will help make you a standout, you may consider also including:

Minor. If you think it rounds out your not-exactly-relevant-to-the-job major nicely.

GPA. Only if it was 3.5 or higher. Otherwise, it’s not going to do you any favors to include this.

Honors. Dean’s List, Cum Laude, etc.

Achievements. If you wrote a killer thesis/dissertation that showcases intimate knowledge relevant to the job to which you’re applying, you can include its title and a very brief description.

Extracurricular activities. Only include if they’re relevant. For example, if you’re applying for a management position and you were president of your student government.

Certifications/Licenses. If the job you’re applying for requires/likes to see certain certifications or licenses that you have, you may include them in this section as well.

Skills section. Your impressive skills should be scattered logistically throughout your professional history section, but you should also include a section solely dedicated to highlighting your skill set . Skills can be broken down into two categories:

Hard skills are skills you learn through training and indicate expertise with a technical ability or job-specific responsibility.

Soft skills are your personality traits, interpersonal abilities, and intangible qualities that make you more effective at your job.

Your resume should have a healthy mix of hard and soft skills, as both are essential to job performance. However, since soft skills are harder to prove in the context of a resume, we recommend leaning more toward hard skills. Additionally, whenever you list a soft skill, make sure that it has a correlating item in your work experience section.

For example, if you say you are skilled in collaboration, you should mention a time when a team project was a major success somewhere in your work experience section.

Optional sections. If you still have space left or there’s more you want to show off that doesn’t quite fit in any of the above sections, you may consider adding an additional section covering one or more of the below categories:

Language . Being bilingual is always impressive, and can be included on a resume for any company. Highlight this more if your position involves liaising with international distributors and/or clients. Don’t lie about your proficiency level.

It may be best to not mention it if you’re not particularly proficient speaker . Such as if you took courses in school, or haven’t really managed to gain fluency. It can end up looking like an attempt to inflate your credentials, which you want to avoid.

Volunteer experience . Always a good thing to include. It shows you’re a team player who behaves in a way that promotes the greater good, without thought of personal gain. Especially good for entry-level candidates and those applying for jobs at a non-profit. If you have gaps in your work history, you can also consider including volunteer experiences in your work history section instead.

Personal projects. A personal blog, published works, or a portfolio of your past projects are all good things to include. They show you take initiative, enjoy and take pride in your work, and that you can handle the responsibilities of the job, if relevant.

Certifications/licenses. If you didn’t include these in your education section, this is another good place to list relevant certifications or licenses that you have.

Interests . This is largely just a space filler if your resume is light in other areas. However, if your hobbies are directly related to the job that you’re applying for, it’s not a bad idea to include them. And it might draw a recruiter’s attention if you end up sharing some of the same interests as they do.

If you have several seemingly random items that are valuable, but don’t warrant creating a whole separate section for, you can also make a section called “Additional Experience.” Here you can include all of the above categories in one place. Just make sure that each item is clear and easy for readers to understand.

Resume samples

Now that we have a good idea of how to write a resume, let’s take a look at some example resumes:

Jack Pilgrim Washington , DC 14015 – (555) 444-3333 – [email protected] – www.linkedin.com/jpilgrim Resume Summary Graphic designer with 3+ years of experience creating and implementing promotional materials and social media graphics. Worked with sales and marketing teams to increase inbound calls by 23% YoY through compelling digital media. Adept at planning, managing, and prioritizing multiple deadlines at once, and thrives in fast-paced work environment. Work Experience Creative Designs | Washington, DC Lead Graphic Designer | June 2018-Present Worked with sales and marketing teams to create landing pages, sales proposals, and supporting media elements to drive sales by over $250,000 per quarter Trained, managed, and mentored team of 4 junior designers to fulfill 40+ project orders on a weekly basis Conducted UX research through surveys, usability testing, and data analysis to plan content marketing strategy, driving organic search traffic by 12% Presented proposals, results, and status updates to set of 4-7 clients, ensuring customer satisfaction at or above 95% for 3 years straight Happy Place | Alexandria, VA Junior Graphic Designer | July 2016-May 2018 Translated client needs and branding strategies into design and content strategy, increasing client retention by 22% Reduced project turnaround time by 8% by Utilizing web-based ticket system for completing and archiving finalized pieces Posted digital artwork to network IPTV using web interface to produce high-end info-graphics and other materials Happy Place | Alexandria, VA Marketing Intern | September 2015-July 2016 Assisted marketing team with data collection, analysis, and presentation using Google Analytics Drew up storyboards for new marketing campaigns alongside sales team, increasing brand awareness through social media Wrote 500-1000 word articles to pair with graphical elements on page, leading to a 40% boost in engagement on company website Education Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, Georgia May 2016 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design Skills Adobe Creative Suite Typography HTML/CSS WordPress Collaboration Organization

Allison Neederly Chicago, Illinois , 60007 | (333) 222-1111 | [email protected] | www.linkedin.com/allison.neederly Resume Summary Dedicated customer service representative with 4+ years experience resolving customers’ needs in-person, online, and over the phone. Top achiever at XYZ Inc. with a 100% customer satisfaction rate for Q1 of 2020. Friendly personable, and knowledgable about company’s products and services. Relevant Skills Customer Service Responded to upwards of 200 customer queries daily with XYZ Inc., reducing the average wait time by 56% and increasing customer satisfaction rates by 13% Ability to resolve conflict and create a positive atmosphere for shopping for both new and existing customers through technical proficiency Expert product knowledge and communication skills, and experience training and mentoring new customer service staff Web Chat and Phone Skilled in 3 web chat platforms for helping online customers resolve their queries quickly and accurately Achieved fastest call resolution rate at XYZ Inc., with an average resolution time of under 5 minutes per customer Performed outbound calls for customer satisfaction surveys, as well as writing web-based surveys for 10,000+ customers Troubleshooting Detailed product knowledge allowed for customer technical issues to be resolved at rate within top 5% of all customer service associates at XYZ Inc. Created manual for step-by-step directions for troubleshooting that was implemented for team of 100+ customer service reps Positive attitude took average tech-related negative response from 1/5 stars to 4/5 stars, increasing trust in brands and services Work Experience XYZ Inc. | Philadelphia, PA Customer Service Associate New Look Global | Burlington, VT Junior Customer Service Representative L.L. Bean | Burlington, VT Sales Associate Education University of Vermont | Burlington, VT May 2012 Bachelor of Arts in Humanities

Priya Laghari New York, NY | (222) 111-0000 | [email protected] | www.priyabizdev.com Resume Profile Strategy Development: Grew John Deere’s international sales by 13% by tapping into undeserved countries in Southeast Asia Management: Oversaw a team of managers representing marketing, sales, and product teams. Streamlined collaborative, cross-functional communications through agile and scrum management system CRM: Developed, customized, and implemented new customer relationship management database for accounts totaling over $10M in value Work Experience Business Development Manager 01/2015-Present Microsoft | Redmond, WA Developed product strategies and roadmap for Google AdWords, increasing inbound traffic by 26% YoY Reduced time training on new software by 50% for new and existing employees by implement e-learning programs Spearheaded digital marketing campaign worth $1M that saw a return of 200% in first year by qualifying leads earlier in the sales funnel Regional Sales Manager 11/2012-01/2015 Big Things Inc. | St. Louis, MO Managed territory encompassing 29 regional locations with an annual revenue of approx. $55M Worked with C-level executives to plan business strategies, resulting in 20% reduction in overhead costs Increased client retention by 12% in first year by implementing a CRM approach based on account profiling and elevating levels of relationship selling Account Manager 02/2009-11/2012 Solutions Corp. | Chicago, IL Implemented and developed CRM strategic plans, increasing retention of long-term clients by 22% Maintained 50+ accounts totaling over $35M in value Generated leads through one-on-one consultation via phone inquiries, online check-ins, and meeting office walk-ins Relevant Skills CRM: Proficient with Salesforce, Zoho, and HubSpot; some experience with Keap. Used various CRM software over a decade to successfully manage customer relations and quick to adapt to new software and tools that aid in quality of customer experience. Salesmanship: Negotiated and closed over several deals worth $1M+ and skilled in upselling and cross-selling. Adept at working closely with marketing and product teams to maximize the efficiency of the sales funnel for both inbound and outbound traffic. Presentation: Represented Microsoft Northwest Region at quarterly board meetings, ensuring all stakeholders were kept abreast of new developments and opportunities. Also deliver monthly presentations to big clients and vendors to maintain positive relationship. Data analytics. Expert at integrating data from various analytics platforms, including Google, Microsoft Power BI, and SAP BusinessObjects Education Colgate University | May 2008 MBA Fordham University | May 2006 Bachelor’s Degree in Business

For more resume examples and templates:

Resume examples by job

Google docs resume template

Resume templates

Resume builder

Resume Headers Samples:

Tip : Never put your contact info in the header of your document; some applicant tracking systems might miss it.

For more on how to write a resume header:

Resume Header

Resume Titles

Resume introduction examples

Entry-Level Resume Objective.

Recent graduate with a bachelor’s in Marketing from the University of Virginia seeking an entry-level role in content marketing. Excellent copywriter with 2+ years experience editing content as a member of the UVa Writing Center.

Career Change Resume Objective.

Eager to apply 7+ years of experience with customer success management to make successful outbound B2B calls, deliver customized business solutions to new and existing customers, and provide expert product knowledge in the role of Account Manager for XYZ Inc.

Example Resume Summary Statement.

Accountant with over 8 years of experience in the medical industry. Adept at advising on management of cash deficits, reconciling departmental accounts, and creating new accounts and codes. Coordinated invoice preparation system for ABC that reduced contractor overhead by 19% YoY.

English teacher with a love of language and 6 years of experience teaching high school students. Developed new curriculum that boosted freshman reading comprehension scores by 12% and created after school book club for AP Lit class, resulting in 100% of participating students achieving a 5 on the AP Lit test.

Example Qualifications Summary.

Executive assistant with 5+ years experience helping maintain efficiency in an office of 25 employees Communicated directly with internal and external stakeholders, helping Senior Vice President manage projects worth $5M+ Proactively managed office schedules, identifying and prioritizing changes to ensure client satisfaction Recognized in a company of 500 for “Outstanding Achiever” in May 2019

Example Resume Profile.

Detail-oriented IT Specialist with 4 years of experience overseeing and improving the infrastructure of IT systems. Adept at building and running troubleshooting systems and testing services. Decreased security risk by 47% through continual optimization, while also improving the speed of client portal by 22%. Excellent communicator both internally and for client-facing discussions. Achieved 98%+ customer satisfaction ratings through weekly and monthly check-ins with accounts valued cumulatively at $500,000.

Entry-Level Resume Headline.

Bilingual College Graduate with 80 WPM Typing Speed and Tutoring Experience

Experienced Resume Headline.

Business Development Specialist with 6+ Years Experience Scaling Start-Up Tech Teams

For more on resume introductions:

Resume objective statement

Resume summary statement

Resume summary statement examples

Qualifications summary

Sample resume work experience sections

Work Experience XYZ Industries | Seattle, WA Marketing Associate | May 2019-Present Delivered weekly presentations to client-base to communicate brand messaging, increasing client retention by 11% Served as liaison between marketing and product teams, resulting in projects finishing 2 weeks early, on average Leveraged Excel skills to create and maintain spreadsheet to track consumer insights, emergent trends, and inform decisions of marketing team through competitive analysis Managed team of 5 contractors to juggle multiple priority projects simultaneously, never missing a deadline Initiated an affiliate referral program that PR team went on to turn into a revenue-generating stream valued at $30,000 annually ABC Corp | Seattle, WA Marketing Intern | September 2018-May 2019 Developed, maintained, and processed 20+ digital consent forms and distributor forms Worked collaboratively with a team of 10 marketing professionals, closely aligning our goals with the PR team Provided data analysis using Google Analytics and performed keyword research to increase blog traffic by 56% over six months Answered up to 50 customer queries by phone and email each week

For more on building the perfect resume work experience section:

Resume work experience section

First resume (no experience)

Examples Of Education Resume Sections

Graduated recently from a 4-year program.

Western Illinois University | Macomb, Illinois May 2020 Bachelor of Arts in Sociology | Minor in Psychology 3.95 GPA magna cum laude Dean’s List all semesters

Two degrees.

Fordham University | Bronx, New York April 2016 Master of Chemical Engineering Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, New York April 2014 Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Anticipated graduation date (not yet graduated).

DePaul Univeristy | Chicago, Illinois Bachelor of Arts in History – Degree anticipated May 2021 Current GPA: 3.8

Older job seeker (graduated 10+ years ago).

University of Chicago | Chicago, Illinois Bachelor of Business Administration

High school graduate (no college degree).

Johnston High School 2016-2020 Head of Computer Club

More on crafting the perfect resume education section:

Education resume section

GPA on resume

Dean’s list

Magna cum laude

Examples Of Skills For Resume

Examples of hard skills include:

Examples of soft skills include:

Here’s more information on how to incorporate skills into your resume:

Resume skills section

Hard skills

Soft skills

Top skills for professionals

Skills-based resume

Resume writing FAQ

What is a resume?

A resume is a one to two-page document that focuses on professional experience, past achievements, education and certifications, and specific skills tailored to the job you’re applying for.

Almost every job application requires a resume, and hiring managers use them as a first impression in determining which applicants get a shot at an interview.

Whether you’re fresh out of college or have 30 years of professional experience, this guide should help craft a resume that stands out from the crowd and get you one step closer to landing your dream job.

What is the format for writing a good resume?

Most people will want to use a chronological or reverse-chronological resume format. This format is compatible with most applicant tracking systems (ATS) and is easy for employers to read. Additionally it helps highlight your experience, which helps prove your qualifications.

How far back should a resume go?

A resume should go back no further than 10 to 15 years. However, it is important that all your information is relevant. Therefore, do not include job experience that is irrelevant to your application, even if it’s fewer than 10 years old. Save that information for later discussions.

Should you personalize your resume for each job?

Yes, you should personalize your resume for each job you apply to. Many recruiters use ATS now, which will search for keywords in a resume and reject those that don’t have them. That means that the skills you choose to highlight as well as your opening, such as your resume summary, should be altered to suit each job you apply to.

You don’t need to rewrite the entire resume for each job, but it does show attention to detail and initiative to make sure that your resume is customized. It also makes it more likely that you’ll get past the first step of the process.

State of New York Department of Labor – Resumes, Cover Letters and Job Applications

Harvard University – Create a Resume/CV or Cover Letter

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Matthew Zane is the lead editor of Zippia's How To Get A Job Guides. He is a teacher, writer, and world-traveler that wants to help people at every stage of the career life cycle. He completed his masters in American Literature from Trinity College Dublin and BA in English from the University of Connecticut.

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