The Pros and Cons of One-Page Resumes
The advice to “keep it to one page” has echoed in job-seeking circles for years. But is the one-page resume still the gold standard in 2025? Or is it time to give your experience more breathing room?
At ResumeFormatter.io, we help users of all levels build modern, ATS-optimized resumes that fit their goals — whether that means one page or two. In this post, we’ll break down the real pros and cons of the one-page resume format, when it works best, and how to make the most of every inch if you go that route.
What is a One-Page Resume?
A one-page resume is a single, concise document that summarizes your professional experience, education, skills, and accomplishments. It’s the minimalist version of your professional story.
Most one-page resumes aim to be easy to scan and immediately impactful. In today’s hiring landscape, where recruiters spend just 6 to 8 seconds on an initial scan, brevity is key.
The Pros of One-Page Resumes
- Concise and Easy to Read: Recruiters appreciate resumes that get straight to the point.
- Ideal for Early-Career Professionals: If you’re a student or recent grad, one page is perfect.
- Mobile-Friendly: One-pagers are easier to read on phones and tablets.
- Great for Networking Events: A sleek one-pager is ideal for quick conversations and handouts.
The Cons of One-Page Resumes
- Too Little Space for Experienced Pros: Senior professionals may find it limiting.
- Can Look Cluttered: Cramming too much onto one page can reduce readability.
- Less Room for Customization: It’s harder to tailor your resume for different jobs.
Should You Use a One-Page Resume?
| You Should Use One Page If… | Consider More Than One Page If… |
|---|---|
| You’re a student or recent grad | You have 8+ years of experience |
| You’re applying for internships | You’ve held leadership or managerial roles |
| You’re attending a job fair | You need to list multiple certifications or projects |
| You want to highlight clarity over volume | You want to tell a more detailed story |
Tips to Maximize a One-Page Resume
- Focus on relevance — trim outdated or unrelated experience.
- Use bullet points to organize your content cleanly.
- Quantify your accomplishments (e.g. “Reduced costs by 20%”).
- Use a clean, ATS-friendly layout with smart spacing.
- Choose a professionally designed template that makes the most of space.
Final Thoughts
One-page resumes remain powerful — when used strategically. If you’re early in your career or applying to roles with concise expectations, go for it. But if your experience spans multiple industries, roles, or accomplishments, consider expanding to two pages to tell your story effectively.
Ready to Build Your Perfect Resume?
ResumeFormatter.io makes it easy to create a sleek, recruiter-ready resume in just minutes. Choose a one-page template or go longer — we support both. Want to try multiple formats or export in PDF, DOCX, or HTML? Explore our Pro Plans.
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