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One column or two column resume?
Should resumes be one column? Or is it okay to have a 2 column resume?
Some organizations emphasize a specific resume format. However, other organizations or employers accept any resume format, whether one-column or two column resume format.
Therefore, an interviewee must design a resume format that meets the requirements 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.
Resumes play an essential role in the hiring process. As an employee seeking a job opportunity, the course of your career path will rely on the kind of resume you submit.
Read on to get an insight into the following FAQs:
Is It Better to Have a One Page Resume or Two?
Both one column and two column resume have their advantage if we draft a resume the professional way.
Look at the advantages listed below to decide which format suits your needs:
Advantages of one column resume:
- One column resume is ATS-friendly
- Interviewers prefer one column resume
- One column resume does not distort if converted to another format
Advantages of a two column resume:
- A two column resume has less content and is focused on the job
- Two column resumes are aesthetically pleasing
- Two column resumes have enough space to format information
Also Read: What is the best resume layout in 2022?
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 room to exhaust all the information needed from a broader perspective.
Advantages of Single Column Resume Template
Here are the advantages of a single column resume:
They are ATS-friendly
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.
Interviewers Look for Standard Resumes
Traditional one-column resumes are easier to skim through and get the valuable information they are looking for.
Therefore, applicants must consider designing a single-column resume, making the hiring manager's job easier when skimming through them.
It Does Not Distort When Received by the End-user
This means that one-column resumes are convenient to read as a word document and a PDF file, unlike the 2 column resume format, which may only be interpreted as PDF.
Disadvantages of Single Column Resume Format
Here are some disadvantages 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. This will waste a lot of space in a single-column resume 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 looks for specific items in a resume. Writing too many words makes it difficult for them to navigate the resume easily.
In this way, recruiters may miss essential points in an applicant's resume, leading to rejection.
One Column Resumes Are Difficult to Read
Reading one column resume is laborious.
Consider an organization that receives a thousand resumes daily, and the hiring manager has to review all 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 Does Not Grab Attention
An attractive and well-designed resume will catch an employer’s attention right away, giving it a chance to be considered.
Single Column Resume Template Sample
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- GPA: 4.7/5.0
Two Column Resume Templates
A two column resume template, also referred to as a one-page two column resume, is a brief resume layout that 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.
Also Read: Is two page resume format suitable for job applications?
Advantages of a Two Column Resume
The advantages of two column resumes are:
Two Column Resume Templates Are Less Wordy and Specific
For instance, when an individual who has been an Information Technology expert for several years in a certain company applies 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 Grabs Attention
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 considered.
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 Enough Room to Format Information
You can easily format your sections and neatly and flexibly arrange the resume in presentable subsections.
Also Read: How to choose the right resume paper?
Disadvantages of a Two Column Resume
The disadvantages of two column resumes are:
Two Column Resumes Are Not Compatible with Most ATS Systems
As 2 column resume templates are not compatible with ATS systems, they may get rejected during the screening process.
Many Recruiters Dislike Two Column Resumes
Most candidates use the one-column resume template to apply for a job. That's why recruiters are familiar 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
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 2 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 2 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.
Go to Hiration career platform which has 24/7 chat support and get professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries.
You can also write to us at support@hiration.com.
