Have you ever felt that you need two pages for your resume because of your experiences? But it is often said that Interviewers don’t have time to look into your resume. However, you don’t want to fit all your experiences on one page. So, the question is whether a two-page resume is okay or not. It’s a tough question to answer, but in this blog, let us discuss if a two-page resume could ship or sink your dream job opportunity.
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Is it Ideal to Write a 2-Page Resume?
The standard form of a resume is conveyed on a single page. It contains necessary details about oneself and provides accurate information to the interviewer. However, as there is no specific rule to determine the length of a resume, a detailed resume can be put forward when necessary.
A well-experienced candidate who has longer and more notable achievements in a specific domain may find it difficult to put forward her details on a single page. This being said, a 2-page resume can aid the situation when submitted neatly and engagingly. This help in situations where an experienced candidate is applying for a higher position, says an executive role, or shifting his company to a new one.
Who Can Write a 2-Page Resume?
Writing a two-page resume for an entry-level position may not be a good decision. It will make the resume a lengthy script to read for the interviewer. An employer will quickly scan the information on the given paper and look for the necessary qualifications that are suitable for the job. It is advisory for entry-level position seekers to make it short and crisp to grab the attention of the person sitting opposite the chair. But, it can be a little hard for a professional with 10-15 years or more experience in a field to fit his qualifications in a single page. In such a scenario, it is suitable to write a good 2-page resume to mark and highlight all the achievements over the years. The second page can be useful to include the skills that the employer is looking for. It is also important to check for the relevancy of the information you are providing and the gain it can create for the position you are looking for. Professionals who are seeking a role that requires a lot of experience such as Project Manager, Marketing Manager, Executive, etc. can go for a two-page resume.
Format of a 2-Page Resume
After deciding to create a two-page resume, it is important to look at the format. The format of a 2-page resume is highly varied from a standard single-page resume. The following template can fit making a good resume.
Page-1/2
1. Personal Details
This includes your name and current job role. Include your contact information on the header.
2. Summary/Objective
The summary should be 3-5 lines that include your capabilities and qualifications for the desired role. Avoid making bullet points in the summary and make it a paragraph.
3. Technical Skills
Include the set of skills that can aid in the role. It can be divided into soft skills and software skills if necessary. As the first page of the resume is important, make sure you place your skills in it. Also, prioritize the order of the skills you are going to mention.
4. Work Experience
Make this in the order of reverse chronological, that is, from the present day to your initial role.
Write it in the format of:
- Role (Year of Working)
- Company Name. (A Single description of the company can also be inserted)
- In bullet points, write all your achievements in that specific role. Make it short and precise.
5. Languages Spoken
List the languages you are well versed in and mark the level of your proficiency by scaling/ numbering. Such scaling can be applied to technical skills also.
Page – 2/2
1. Volunteer Work / Organizations
List out the NGOs or any other technical organizations you are part of. Details regarding that role can be neglected if there is any space congestion in the resume.
2. Education
List out your educational qualifications in reverse chronological order. If there are any achievements in that, they can be mentioned. Also, restrict your mentions till your graduation. Details regarding schooling and high school can be neglected.
3. Conferences/Publications
List the topic name, the event, and the year you have spoken or written. Details regarding the information given in that speech or article can be neglected.
4. Courses
Mention the special courses and certificates you have achieved in due time.
This can be used as a generalized format for writing a two-page resume. The layout of the resume can be based on your preference. For example, you can use a two-column model which has headings such as Technical skills and language skills in one column and Work experience in another column. Design your template based on the role you are applying for.
Ship or Sink Your Dream Role
A resume is the first piece of knowledge about you. It gives the overall look towards your personality and professional capability. The quality of content decides your stay in the potential role. Also, there is a chance of getting rejected due to an improper resume. Lay your foundation strong with your two-page resume and build your career effectively.
Tips to Build a Good Resume
Here are some tips you can follow towards building a good resume:
1. Precision and Accuracy
The length of your experience and achievements can be a long list. However, restrict the urge to write every single detail about them. Focus on writing the achievements in that role rather than detailing the role. Sort your works which help in the description of the potential job. Use accurate words to form better sentences. Refine the language and cut short unnecessary words and sentences. Cut Usage of appropriate font, size, and alignment is equally important. This can help in making an equal-spaced script.
2. The First Page is the Best
The attention while reading the first page will be more compared to the page turn. It is crucial to mark the important information on page one. Technical Skills, Work experience with achievements in each job role should be mentioned on the first page. Avoid continuation of a section on the second page. Start the second page with a new headline. The second page should have the information above half of the page. Avoid writing the same information (like skills or achievements) on the second page. Also, keep a separate paper for the second page. Don’t double-side the single paper.
3. Contact Information on Both Sides
You can keep a header about contact information on both pages of your resume. This can make the work of the interviewer a little easy. Also, number the pages of the resume.
4. Get Professional Help
Even after taking numerous steps in formatting the resume, there may be a few errors that might miss our eye. In such cases, asking for help from a professional or an interview expert can restrict possible mistakes. There are many websites available online that can build a good resume.
Conclusion
Even though your performance in the interview will be deciding factor for placement, your resume plays a notable impact in decision-making. A good resume will create a notable impact on the interviewer’s decision. Two-page can carefully address all your skillset and efficiency. A well-crafted resume can also create an impression that you know your work and its impact. Making a great two-page resume can sail the ship to the shore of the dream job.
