Two-Page Resume: When Is It Acceptable to Use One? (With Examples)
In today’s competitive job market, condensing your achievements, professional experience, and skills into a one-page resume can feel daunting. While the standard recommendation is to keep your resume to one page, there are valid scenarios where a two-page resume is not only acceptable but may even be necessary.
This article will guide you on how to determine the appropriate length for your resume, the best practices for crafting a two-page resume, and strategies to keep your content concise. Additionally, we’ve included an example of a two-page resume for reference.
Key Takeaways
- You should generally avoid a two-page resume if you have less than five years of professional experience.
- Professionals with over ten years of experience or those in managerial roles may find a two-page resume appropriate.
- Regardless of length, prioritize conciseness in your resume.
How Long Should Your Resume Be?
The common guideline suggests that a resume should ideally be one page. While this is typically true, there are circumstances where a two-page resume is warranted.
When crafting your resume, consider the relevance of the information you include and the overall readability of your document. If your most pertinent information requires two pages, it’s acceptable to extend your resume accordingly.
Entry-level candidates or those with less than five years of experience should adhere to the one-page rule. However, seasoned professionals may be expected to have resumes that span two or more pages.
Who Should Use a Two-Page Resume?
While the one-page resume guideline is beneficial, many professionals advance beyond its constraints. Hiring managers may anticipate, or even prefer, two-page resumes for roles that demand significant accomplishments. Many qualified candidates feel they may lose out by sticking rigidly to the one-page rule.
The appropriate length of your resume often depends on your industry or job title. For example, in academia, you may be required to detail all of your publications, resulting in a longer resume. Similarly, managerial positions often necessitate a more extensive presentation of your qualifications.
Here’s a list of roles and industries that frequently require two-page resumes:
- Project Manager
- Computer Science Manager
- Data Analyst
- Engineer
- Accountant
- Artist/Designer
- Financial/Business Analyst
- Executives (especially C-suite)
In summary, experienced professionals may find it entirely appropriate to have a two-page resume, and for certain employers, it may be expected. The key is to ensure that your resume remains concise and tailored to the position you are applying for while effectively showcasing your experience.
Here are scenarios where a two-page resume may be justified:
- You possess over ten years of experience.
- You are crafting a curriculum vitae (CV) for an academic position.
- Your experience and achievements require a detailed presentation that extends beyond one page.
Example of a Two-Page Resume
[PAGE ONE]
Maya Auerbach | Studio Arts Educator and Professional Artist CONTACT INFORMATION
Phone: 801-629-2834
Email: Mayaauerbach@coloradocollege.edu
Website: Mayaauerbachartist.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mayaauerbach
Instagram: instagram.com/mayaauerbachart
SUMMARY
3D Visual Artist and Studio Art Educator with over 5 years of experience. Passionate about enriching Denver Arts Space through creativity and education. My academic career has been marked by exceptional student reviews due to my unique approach to arts education. As a professional artist, I have received awards and recognition from galleries, significantly boosting monthly visitor numbers.
EXPERIENCE
Associate Professor
Colorado College
2015–Present
- Maintained a teaching load of 14 hours, full-time undergraduate courses per semester.
- Engaged students through a mix of lectures, demonstrations, and guided art creation.
- Initiated independent 3D art projects to help students discover their unique styles.
- Organized and oversaw 20 senior art shows through individual mentorship each spring semester.
- Served as an academic advisor, holding regular meetings to guide students on their academic paths.
- Consistently received excellent student course reviews for 12 consecutive semesters.
- Designed and sculpted “True Views” during campus reconstruction, now a landmark on the Colorado State Tour.
Artist-In-Residence
Thompson Gallery
2016–2017
- Produced 10 unique pieces for the 2016 exhibition and gallery revamp.
- Assisted in curating three independent exhibitions.
- Collaborated with design teams to optimize gallery space for creators and visitors.
- Enhanced visitor relations through promotional education.
EDUCATION
Master of Fine Arts: Sculpture, Rhode Island School of Design
2012–2014
- Awarded Mariana Fellowship for fine arts study.
Bachelor of Arts: Fine Arts, University of Denver
2007-2011
- Recognized with Student Excellence in Art for senior exhibition.
PORTFOLIO
www.Mayaauerbachartist.com
SKILLS
Hard Skills: Ceramics, sculpture, 3D art, Photoshop, printmaking, site-specific installations, architectural design consultation
Soft Skills: Leadership, creativity, communication, mentorship, interpersonal intelligence
[PAGE TWO]
Maya Auerbach | Studio Arts Educator and Professional Artist CONTACT INFORMATION
Phone: 801-629-2834
Email: Mayaauerbach@coloradocollege.edu
Website: Mayaauerbachartist.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mayaauerbach
Instagram: instagram.com/mayaauerbachart
EXHIBITIONS
Exhibition 3
2019
- Collaborated with three artists to create a multimedia installation focusing on climate change for the Colorado College Art Museum.
- Created site-specific outdoor sculptures in the Earthworks tradition.
- Managed organization and scheduling for our team of four artists.
Exhibition 2
2016
- Crafted ten unique sculptural pieces from found materials for a solo exhibition at Thompson Gallery.
- Made key curatorial decisions, including writing and organization.
- Increased paid gallery memberships by 50% in the 2016 fiscal year.
- Received the Martha Mcnay Award for outstanding artistic and curatorial work.
Exhibition 1
2014
- Produced 18 unique sculptures from wood, wax, and plastic for a solo exhibition at Zauberstab Gallery.
- Recognized by Rhode Island Local Magazine as a “triumphant display from an emerging artist.”
- Boosted gallery surplus profits by 10%.
AWARDS AND HONORS
- 2019 — 1st Place, Sculpt the World competition, OATA
- 2018 — Distinguished Educator Recognition Award, Colorado College Board
- 2017 — Martha Mcnay Award for outstanding work in studio art and curation.
- 2015 — Big Time’s 40 under 40 recognition of young artists with remarkable accomplishments.
VOLUNTEERING
- Chief faculty volunteer for Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) at Colorado College.
- Facilitated monthly workshops for young artists on networking and self-marketing.
- Taught annual sculpture courses for incarcerated women at Colorado State Women’s Penitentiary.
CERTIFICATIONS
- Colorado Teacher Certification
- Adobe Certified Instructor – Photoshop
- Certified Applied Arts Facilitator
CONFERENCES
- 2019 Colorado Arts Conference— Panel speaker on sustainable design.
- 2018 Feminists in Academia Conference — Led a session on sculpture.
- 2017 Other Worlds Conference — Panel speaker on land art and sustainability.
- 2017 Martha Mcnay Conference — Keynote speaker on the relationship between curation and art creation.
Tips for Writing a Two-Page Resume
Creating a strong two-page resume begins similarly to any resume. Include the following essential sections:
- Your name and title
- Relevant contact information
- Summary statement
- Work experience
- Education
- Relevant skills
Additionally, consider including sections that highlight your relevant experience, such as volunteer work, publications, hobbies and interests, awards, or anything else that showcases your fit for the role.
Here are some tips for effectively crafting your two-page (or longer) resume:
- Include contact info on all pages, and skills and summary on page one: This ensures clarity and helps recruiters remember you, while also preventing loss of information if pages get separated.
- Maintain format consistency: Choose between a functional or reverse chronological resume. A functional format emphasizes your skills, while a reverse chronological format showcases your career progression.
- Prioritize important information: Make sure the most significant aspects of your resume stand out on the first page.
- Avoid section continuation across pages: Begin each new page with a fresh section to enhance readability.
- If the second page is less than half full, consider revision: An incomplete second page may suggest an unfinished resume; aim for a more concise single-page format or add more relevant details.
- Concentrate on the last ten years: Focus on recent experience to keep your resume current and avoid overwhelming length.
- Be concise and to the point: Even with a longer resume, use clear language and minimal words to convey your achievements.
Tips to Shorten Your Resume
Regardless of your chosen length, be sure that each page is necessary for your goals. If you feel your resume should be one page but cannot fit, apply these tips:
- Focus on the main idea of each sentence: Ensure each bullet point conveys a clear, concise idea. Aim for brevity—no sentence should exceed three lines.
- Eliminate filler words: Remove unnecessary articles, conjunctions, and prepositions to enhance clarity and maintain a functional writing style.
- Highlight accomplishments over duties: Instead of listing job responsibilities, focus on your most significant achievements relevant to the position.
- Remove irrelevant information: Eliminate any content that does not enhance your candidacy, such as optional sections like “hobbies and interests” or outdated skills.
- Adjust formatting: If necessary, consider changing design elements by widening your margins or tweaking font sizes, but keep margins no smaller than one inch.
Final Thoughts
A two-page resume can significantly enhance your chances of landing a job, particularly if you are an experienced candidate. The question of whether a resume can be two pages is nuanced—there are indeed instances where this format is appropriate.
Creating an impressive resume that distinguishes you from other applicants is a careful balancing act. Your resume should focus solely on the most impactful and relevant aspects of your professional journey.
The one-page ideal is rooted in the realities of the hiring process: shorter resumes are more accessible and easier for hiring managers to digest quickly. However, if condensing your experience compromises vital information, a well-crafted two-page resume may be the better choice.
Ask the Experts
What’s the goal of a resume?
William M. Mitchell CPRW
Resume and LinkedIn Profile Development Consultant
The Resume Clinic
The resume should not serve as a platform for lengthy narratives or elaborate statements. Respect your reader’s time by keeping content succinct and straightforward.
Recruiters typically spend 63% of their time on calls and skim resumes for an average of just 7.4 seconds. Use strategies that convey information in easily digestible formats.
Keep sentences to 20-25 words or fewer, utilize whitespace effectively, and assess the necessity of each line—ensuring it contributes meaningfully to your overall narrative.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
