What To Know About Writing a Two-page Resume

A two-page resume can be effective in the right situations, or it can be a detriment. What should you know about writing a longer resume?

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Two-page Resume

When you start looking into resume writing, one of the questions you might ask is, “How long should a resume be?” In discussions over resume length, many experts suggest sticking with the one-page resume. The one-page resume is short, simple and effective, making up the majority of job applications. However, what about a two-page resume? Could this be a better way to list years of experience and skills? Here’s what you need to know.

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What Is a Two-page Resume?

A two-page resume is pretty self-explanatory: a resume that is two pages long. The two-page resume layout may be less common than a one-page resume format, and this longer resume format may not be right for you, but if you’re thinking about using one in your job search, here are some elements to consider.

When To Use a Two-page Resume

Firstly, what are some reasons you might need a second page of your resume? There are some good reasons you might choose a professional resume with two pages. Here are a few of them:

You have over 10 years of relevant experience to cite. Only assume this if the job description actively asks for more than 10 years of experience, as you can cut your work history section short otherwise.
You’re applying for a higher-level job. Someone who’s applying to be a CFO has more of a right to consider a two-page resume than someone who’s fresh out of high school and applying for an entry-level position.
You have a lot of achievements and awards. If your certifications take up a significant portion of your resume, those bullet points might benefit from some extra space.
Your job relies on lots of freelancing work. Often, freelancers need to include individual projects and jobs in their resume, leading to a two-page resume. These freelancing jobs are part of your work history just like anything else.

Essentially, you need a lot of professional experience in order to justify a two-page resume. Think of a single-page resume as the standard, but be ready to change it up as needed.

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When To Stick to a Single-page Resume

What elements mean that a single-page resume is likely the best option for your needs? Here are a few things to consider.

You’re applying for an entry-level job. If you’re applying to a job that doesn’t need any experience or needs less than two years of experience, you don’t need a two-page resume to discuss all the ins and outs of your work history.
Your resume is less than a page and a half. If you’re going to have two pages to your resume, your headings need to fill all two pages. Otherwise, the second page is just going to look empty. Look to use bullet points and concise phrases to streamline your content without sacrificing readability or deleting any important information you need to present to the employer.
Lots of your experience isn’t relevant to the job. If you’re going through a career change, for example, you can probably drop a lot of your work history, causing your two-page resume to slide back down to one.
Your field is used to one-page resumes. Some more complicated fields might use two-page resumes (or even three pages on rare occasions), but if resume examples from your field typically end at a single page, do the same.

Again, assume that a one-page resume is the right choice to start with, but if you find that you have enough relevant information for a two-page resume, it can be a great choice for many situations.

FAQ: Two-page Resumes

Q: Should I repeat my header on the second page?

The resume header is where you put your contact information and social media, including your LinkedIn. Typically, you should avoid repeating it on the second page. The process of formatting a two-page resume can be even more daunting than formatting a single one, as understanding what to include and not to include can be difficult. This is why the ResumeHelp resume builder is such an excellent resource. This resume maker can help you through everything from your resume summary to your work experience and your education experience. Then it will automatically format it to appeal to recruiters.

Q: Are there two-page resume examples out there?

You won’t typically find a two-page resume template that’s directly advertised as such. Instead, you’ll often find single-page resume templates that you can expand into a second page easily. This makes it simple for you to expand your resume easily, putting you above any job seekers who are trying to write their own resume formats.

Q: What information should I include on the first page of my resume?

The first page of your resume should include your most important information—the information you want a hiring manager to see at a glance. This is typically your skills, resume summary, and most relevant information from your experience section. Your resume format will also play a part in this, as the most important information in your resume will go on the first page.

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