Team Yotru
When you are preparing your resume for a job application, one of the most common challenges is deciding how long it should be. Many job seekers create resumes that are two or even three pages long, thinking that including every detail will give them an advantage. In reality, most employers and recruiters prefer a one-page resume, especially if you are a recent graduate or have less than ten years of work experience.
A concise one-page resume makes it easier for a recruiter to see your strengths quickly. Hiring managers receive hundreds of applications for a single job posting and they often skim resumes for only a few seconds. A clear, focused, one-page resume ensures they find your most important skills and achievements right away. The good news is that almost any two-page resume can be condensed into a single page without losing impact. This article will walk you through how to do it step by step.
The main reason to keep your resume to one page is that it forces you to highlight only what is most relevant. Instead of overwhelming the reader with too much information, you give them exactly what they need to decide whether to invite you for an interview.
A one-page resume also demonstrates that you can communicate clearly and prioritize information. Employers see this as a valuable skill in itself. When you condense your resume effectively, you are showing that you can edit, organize, and present information in a professional way.
The first step in condensing your resume is deciding what is truly relevant to the job you are applying for. Every resume should be tailored to the specific position. If you are applying for a role in marketing, then a part-time retail job from five years ago does not need to take up half a page. It may show customer service skills, but it should be shortened to a single line or removed entirely if space is tight.
Look at the job description carefully. Identify the skills, tools, and experiences that the employer is asking for. Then review your resume and keep only the experiences that align with those requirements. Everything else can be summarized briefly or left out. This process alone often reduces a resume from two pages to one.
Another reason resumes become too long is because candidates write lengthy descriptions under each job. Many applicants include six or eight bullet points for each position, which makes the document heavy and repetitive.
To condense your resume, keep two to four bullet points per role. Focus on the strongest achievements. Each bullet point should be short and to the point. Ideally, keep each one to a single line.
For example, instead of writing:
“Responsible for managing the company’s social media accounts, posting content daily, creating graphics, and responding to customer messages”
You can write:
“Managed company social media channels and increased engagement by 40 percent through daily content and customer interaction.”
The shorter version communicates the impact clearly while saving space.
Many resumes include sections that are not needed for Canadian or American employers. You do not need to include a line that says “References available upon request.” Employers assume that you can provide references.
You also do not need to list hobbies or interests unless they are directly related to the job. For example, if you are applying to a fitness company, then listing “marathon running” could be relevant. Otherwise, it takes up valuable space.
High school information should also be removed once you have a college or university degree. If you have professional experience, you do not need to list every course you took during college. Keep your education section simple and focused.
Sometimes resumes become two pages long simply because the formatting is inefficient. Margins are too wide, spacing is inconsistent, or the font is unnecessarily large.
Choose a professional font such as Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman. Set the font size to 11 or 12 for the main text. Reduce the margins to 0.5 or 0.7 inches if needed. Use consistent spacing between sections. These small adjustments can save a surprising amount of space without making the resume look cramped.
When listing information, place details on the same line where possible. For example, instead of writing:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
University of Toronto
2018–2022
You can write:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of Toronto, 2018–2022
This keeps your resume clean and compact.
One mistake many people make is filling their resumes with job duties rather than results. Duties take up space without proving your impact.
For example:
“Answered phone calls, scheduled meetings, and assisted with daily office tasks.”
This can be condensed and made stronger:
“Streamlined scheduling and improved office efficiency by coordinating meetings and handling client communication.”
The second version uses fewer words, saves space, and demonstrates achievement. By focusing on measurable results, you can cut down your descriptions while making your resume more compelling.
If you have several older positions that are no longer central to your career, group them under a section called “Additional Experience.” Instead of listing four bullet points for each role, simply include the job title, company, and dates.
For example:
Additional Experience
Customer Service Representative, ABC Retail, 2016–2017
Administrative Assistant, XYZ Company, 2015–2016
This approach shows your work history without taking up half a page.
If you are a recent graduate, you may include details such as GPA, honors, scholarships, and relevant coursework. As you gain more experience, these details can be shortened or removed.
If you already have professional experience, your education section should be brief. Simply include your degree, institution, and graduation year. This frees up space for more relevant details such as professional accomplishments.
Many resumes list technical skills, language skills, and software knowledge in separate sections. To save space, combine them into one section called “Skills.” Use bullet points or a simple list.
For example:
Skills: Excel, SQL, Python, Fluent in French, Adobe Photoshop, Data Visualization, Team Collaboration, Leadership
This keeps your skills visible without stretching them across multiple sections.
When condensing your resume, check for repeated phrases. If you wrote “Collaborated with team members to achieve project goals” three times in different jobs, keep it once in the role where it mattered most. Repetition does not add value.
Once you have condensed your resume, read it carefully. Make sure it still flows logically and highlights your strengths. The one-page version should feel sharp, relevant, and easy to skim. Ask yourself if every line helps you get closer to an interview. If not, cut it.
Imagine a candidate with two pages that include:
By removing the high school and hobbies, shortening each job to three bullets, condensing education to two lines, and adjusting the formatting, the resume now fits comfortably on one page. The new version is not only shorter, but also stronger.
A one-page resume is not about cutting out important parts of your story. It is about telling your story in a clear, focused way that recruiters can understand in seconds. By prioritizing relevant information, shortening descriptions, removing unnecessary details, and formatting efficiently, you can transform a two-page resume into a powerful one-page document.
When in doubt, ask yourself a simple question for each line: “Does this help me get the job I want?” If the answer is no, remove it. The result will be a resume that is sharper, more professional, and more effective.
