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A one column or two column resume?

Resumes play an important role in the hiring process. As an employee seeking for a job opportunity, the course of your career path will rely on the kind of resume you submit.

Some organizations emphasize a specific resume format. However, other organizations or employers accept any resume format whether it is a one-column or a two-column resume format.

Therefore, it is important that an interviewee designs a resume format that suits the desires of an interviewer. Nevertheless, in the modern world, the two-column resume layout is slowly replacing the traditional one-column resume layout for various advantageous reasons as discussed in this article. Despite this, the two resume layouts are equally important.

In this blog, we will walk you through:

  • One column resume layout and its advantages and disadvantages
  • Two column resume template and its advantages and disadvantages

Let us talk about in brief the advantages of one page, and two page resume:

Advantages of one column resume:

Advantages of two column resume:

One-column resume layout

The most common and traditional resume layout is the single column resume.

This resume format allows an individual to write all the personal information beginning from biodata, academic qualifications, skills, employment history, and hobbies among others in one column.

Single column format is arguably the most detailed resume format as it gives the applicant a room to exhaust all the information needed from a wider perspective. The figure below illustrates an example of a single column resume.

Advantages of Single Column Resume Template

Here are the advantages of a single column resume:

They are ATS-friendly and work well with the Applicant Tracking System

Keeping in mind that ATS systems are designed to scan standard resumes, they scan from right to left, picking important information including contact details and skills.

Therefore, developing your resume in a one column layout will ensure that the ATS system scans the relevant information in a clear way.

Interviewers will always look for standard resumes


Traditional one column resumes are easier to skim through and get the valuable information they are looking for. Therefore, it is essential that applicants consider designing single column resume, making the hiring manager's job easier when skimming through them.

One column resume is not subject to distortion when received by the end user

This means that one column resumes are convenient to read both as a word document and a PDF file, unlike the two-column resume format which may only be interpreted as a PDF file.

Disadvantages of Single Column Resume Format

Here are the cons of a single column resume:

One column resume consumes a lot of space

This can lead to paper space wastage. Whenever an applicant is designing a resume, it is advisable to list skills and other reasonable components such as hobbies by the use of bullets. In a single column resume, this will waste a lot of space as only a little space will be covered by content and the rest left blank.

The applicant focuses on a detailed description.

The hiring manager always look for specific items in a resume. By writing too many words makes it difficult for them to navigate through the resume easily.

In this way, recruiters may end up missing important points in an applicant's resume which could potentially reject your resume.

One column resumes require a lot of time to read through

Reading one column resume is a laborious.

Consider an organization which receives a thousand resumes per day, and the hiring manager has to review all of the resumes. Naturally the hiring managers only skim through resumes in seconds to find the key skills they are looking for that will determine whether they will come back to your resume later for interviews or not.

One column resumes are not attractive and appealing to the eye.

An attractive and well-designed resume will catch an employers attention hence giving it a chance to be considered.

Single Column Resume Template Sample

3+ years Experienced & CompTIA Security+ Certified Cyber Security Analyst highly skilled in performing tests, detecting network vulnerabilities, and fixing defects to maintain high-security standards. Proficient in monitoring operating systems and liaising with security professionals to implement strategies to implement VAPT activities and network/security policies.
• Cyber Security Risk Management • Network Security • System Administration • System Protection
• VAPT Activities • Documentation • Malware Analysis • Security Posture Improvement • Technical Analysis
• Vulnerability Remediation • Strategy Implementation • Client Servicing
Software: Tenable Nessus, Aqua, Twistlock
Languages: Python, Perl, PHP
Databases: MySQL, MSSQL
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
    Network Security & System Protection
    • Monitored computer networks for security issues and investigated security breaches & other cybersecurity incidents
    • Managed and administered operating systems while working on virtualization software and networking
    • Installed security measures like firewalls & data encryption programs to protect systems & information infrastructure
    Market Research & VAPT
    • Conducted research & stayed updated on IT security trends & news to develop company-wide best practices for IT security
    • Implemented the strategies to perform VAPT activities on networks, web servers, websites, and mobile applications
    Policy Formulation & Documentation
    • Collaborated with the security team of 15 to develop security policies, perform tests, and uncover network vulnerabilities
    • Documented & fixed detected vulnerabilities to maintain a high-security standard & assessed the damage they caused
    Malware Analysis & Security Improvement
    • Communicated vulnerabilities to clients networks & websites while aiding the Security Development team in patching
    • Detected intrusion & deployed software technologies like C, C++, PHP, Perl, Java & Shell while performing malware analysis
    • Aided with multiple vulnerability scanning technologies & packages while identifying new tools to improve security posture
    INTERNSHIPS
      Software Installation & Technical Support
      • Installed server software, configured database servers, and designed backup processes for server & associated data
      • Scheduled & performed regular server maintenance and monitored & maintained system health and security
      • Created accounts for 200+ users, assigned security levels, and provided end-to-end technical support & problem resolution
      • CompTIA Security+ | CompTIA | Mar '18
      EDUCATION
        • GPA: 4.7/5.0

        Two Column Resume Templates

        A two-column resume template which is also referred to as one page two column resume is a brief resume layout which focuses on presenting all the information on a single page.

        Also known as a double column resume layout, it is suitable for those individuals who are well versed in technology. Such individuals may include graphic designers and Information Technology experts. The figure below is an example of a double column resume.

        Advantages of a Two Column Resume

        Two Column Resume Templates are Always Less Wordy and Specific.

        For instance, when an individual who has been an Information Technology expert for several years in a certain company decides to apply for the same job in another company, it is unnecessary to focus much on the job description. However, the individual will focus much on skills. This will be more presentable in a double column resume template.

        One Page Two Column Resumes are Attractive and Presentable

        An employer will always find a two-column resume format appealing to the eye. This may give an applicant's resume some sense of uniqueness hence being put into consideration.

        It is clear and brief

        This ensures that the applicant focuses on career qualifications and experiences other than unnecessary information that may be tiresome to read.

        A Two Column Resume Offers an Applicant Room to Format Information

        You can format your sections with ease and neatly and flexibly arrange the resume in presentable subsections.

        Disadvantages of a Two Column Resume

        Two Column Resumes are not Compatible with Most ATS Systems

        As 2 column resume templates are not compatible with ATS systems, it may get rejected during the ATS screening process.

        Many Recruiters do not like Two Column Resumes

        Most candidates use the one column resume template to apply for a job. That's why, recuriters in general are familier with the one page resume template. And they often find it difficult to find key information from a 2 column resume template.

        Two Column Resume Template Sample

        Two-column-resume-template

        Key Takeaways

        Here are the key takeaways from the One column vs two column resume blog:

        • The choice of the resume should depend on both the applicant's and employer's preferences
        • Before choosing a resume format, one should consider the outcomes of a one column resume vs. a two-column resume whenever used
        • However, it is advisable that whenever applying for a job, the default format should be the one column resume format
        • For graphic designers and IT experts, it is advisable to use a two-column resume format
        • Individuals should ensure that they apply resume builders for perfect format results
        • When coming up with a one column resume format, it is good to use a one column resume builder
        • Likewise, when coming up with a two column resume builder, it is advisable to use a two-column resume builder.
        • You may use Hiration's online resume builder with both single column resume builders and double column resume builders

        If you want to build your one column or two column resume, go to Hiration Online Resume Builder and get your ATS-optimized resume.

        If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to reach us at team@hiration.com. We will get back to you as soon as possible.