Can a resume be 2 pages?

Well, the short answer is definitely yes.

Your work experience determines how lengthy it can get.

However, there are lots of possible variations that you need to consider while drafting a 2 page resume format:

  • Significant contribution points
  • Relevant certifications or skills
  • Quantifiable achievements

Building a two page resume can be tricky as you need to frame it in easy-to-read language to grab the recruiter’s undivided attention.

You can refer to a two page resume template if you have 10+ years of work experience. We are here to help you build a two page resume with our two page resume templates and answer these essential questions:

How do you choose the perfect two page resume template for your job? Look out for some special 2 page resume tips and the answers to the most asked 2 page resume questions at the end!

Also Read: How to curate a professional resume to land your dream job?

Is 2 Pages OK for Resume?


Yes, a two page resume is possible. It is common if you have more than ten years of experience in the same field.

However, there are multiple limitations you must follow. First, let's look at the specs.

  • You may or may not repeat your name on page 2, depending on the free space you have
  • Do not repeat your skills/summary on page 2
  • Put the most important/relevant facts on page 1
  • Add page number on resume
  • Don't submit a double-sided 2 page resume format

When Can You Use a 2 Pages Resume?


You can send a two page resume if you have more than 10 years of relevant experience.

However, there are a few parameters that otherwise justify writing a two page resume.

So when can a resume be two pages?

If you have:

  • multiple relevant projects
  • extracurricular/co-curricular achievements

If you are a:

  • seasoned worker
  • targeting a senior position

We advise you not to leave your resume a little less than two pages. Always make sure it reaches the complete length of the first or the second page.

Hiration pro tip:
If your projects do not fit within 1 - 2 pages, always add an annexure with all your projects.

Who should have a 2 page resume?

Essentially, consider a 2 page resume format for the following career options/industries:

  • Sales
  • Marketing
  • Computer Science
  • Engineering
  • Project Management
  • Finance & Administrative
  • Accountancy
  • Data Analysis
  • Business Analysis
  • Office Management

Two Page Resume Templates


Most of the time, recruiters expect a short one page resume.

But what if you have a lot of work experience? Or tonnes of extramural achievements, projects, and certifications?

It becomes difficult to fit all the information on one page. In such a case, a two page resume comes to the rescue.

The two page resumes, however, are risky. You may fear that the second page of your resume will be left unread or worse unattached.

Remember that your 2 page resume does not need to contain lots of depth about your past jobs and abilities.

A 2 page resume and a cover letter are just a quick snapshot that opens the door for further prospects. The employer may ask for more details from you in the interview.

Only send a longer document if it is requested in the job description (like a C.V. for academic jobs).

Why Do You Need Two Page Resume?


A two page resume is sometimes a matter of choice and sometimes a matter of dignity.

Before the days of email, resumes were faxed and further back, hand-delivered. Pages got separated, particularly off the fax, but also on desktops ( I am referring to a physical, rather than computer-displayed, desktop).

That is where all the "your resume should be one page long" advice ultimately comes from.

Nowadays, many people are not required to print a resume unless the recruit needs to take notes on it. Therefore, we recommend you not print on front and back on paper and use two separate papers to print 2 page resumes.

Pages don't get separated in the digital domain, so 2 pages are OK - provided you aren't just making it longer to appear more impressive. And if you're an established professional, even a 3 page resume can be acceptable under certain circumstances (like having 15+ years of relevant but diversified experience).

A resume should NOT be more than two pages. However, a CV could be more than two pages, but you're not writing a CV, are you?

Unless you're targeting jobs around the European continent, you do not need a CV. A 2 page resume format contains almost all the information, as does a CV.

How to Shorten a Resume?


The most effective way to shorten a resume is by using one-liner bullet points instead of long paragraphs.

Bullet points will improve the readability of your resume and will make it as concise as possible.

You can use the following steps to frame highly effective bullet points for your resume:

  • Start your points with a power verb
  • Add numbers to quantify your information
  • Use technical keywords to parse through the ATS
  • Address every point in the cause-effect relationship
Hiration pro tip:
You can use bullet points for every section of your resume except the resume summary/objective.

One Page vs. Two Pages Resume Format


If you have enough relevant experience, training, and certification about the position to showcase on over one page of your resume, then go for it.

Also Read: How to draft the best one page resume?

The two page resume example which follows can give you the best ideas about how and when to use a two page resume.

William Traynor
AWS Solution Architect
SUMMARY
7+ years experienced AWS Solution Architect with proven track record in Solution Design for Cloud technologies in IT Infrastructure functions. Adept at developing solutions, procedures & service standards for project transformation and business excellence. Proficient in designing effective solutions for cloud deployment, transitioning multiple projects & ensuring seamless delivery of services.
KEY SKILLS
• Cloud Computing • Requirement Gathering • AWS Setup & Architecture • Agile Methodology • Cloud Setup & Management
• Troubleshooting • Liaison & Coordination • User Authentication & Access • Stakeholder Management • Automation
• Load Balancing • Cloud Deployment • User Training • Requirement Analysis
INTERNSHIPS
Stark Tech LLC
Start typing, then use the up and down arrows to select an option from the list
    With more than 150 projects, the company has a large customer base of more than 70 customers all over the USA
    • Worked as a Web Developer & Mobile Application Intern to develop web pages by using scripting languages
    PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
    Mydrid Technologies
    Start typing, then use the up and down arrows to select an option from the list
      Mydrid is a top technology consulting organization with 1,000+ employees servicing millions of clients across 80+ countries
      Environment: AWS Cloud Technology: VPC, EC2, Auto scaling, ELB, SNS, Security , AWS Services EC2, RDS, EBS, S3, Amazon VPC, Route53, ELB, CloudWatch, Cloud Formation, Auto Scaling, SNS, CloudTrail, IAM
      AWS Setup & Architecture
      • Evaluated 5+ proposals daily & recommended the best technical solutions to migrate the application to AWS
      • Created the architecture and created the Cloud Formation template to facilitate deployment
      • Provided complete infrastructure solution to 30+ clients including configuration, BOM of Server & Storage components
      Cloud Management & Troubleshooting
      • Deployed the Elastic Load Balancer & configured HTTPS certificates & managed scalable & highly available systems on AWS
      • Setup a VPC environment & designed an effective backup strategy depending upon client requirements
      • Superintended production applications on AWS & initiated corrective depending on customer feedback & surveys
      • Complied with the established software development life cycle methodology to deliver effective solutions
      User Authentication & Access
      • Administered SingleSignOn LDAP authentication for users by employing AWS AD connector
      • Employed IAM to create & control AWS users & groups access to AWS services and resources
      Stakeholder Management
      • Collaborated with onsite/offshore development resources from delivery partners to develop & test integrated solutions
      • Coordinated with a team of 5 Developers to initiate Advance procedures, triggers, functions, Indexes & exception handling
      • Liaised with the QA team to optimize queries by creating various clustered and non-clustered indexes
      OldHouse Tech Consulting
      Start typing, then use the up and down arrows to select an option from the list
        OldHouse Tech Consulting is the leading provider of software consultancy services in North America with 500+ employees
        • Devised & developed scalable, highly available, and fault tolerant systems on AWS
        • Successfully ported a legacy, on-premises application to AWS and achieved significant increase in availability
        • Played a key role in selecting appropriate AWS service based on data, compute, database, or security requirements
        • Analysed client requirements & determined system architecture requirements to achieve business goals
        • Oversaw end-user training & problem analysis for server, desktop, and IT infrastructure
        • Monitored servers, devices, and applications to identify & rectify potential issues on time
        NewShire Technologies
        Start typing, then use the up and down arrows to select an option from the list
          NewShire Technologies is the leading provider of software consultancy services in North America
          • Directed and managed continuous delivery systems and methodologies on AWS and physical infrastructure
          • Implemented & automated solutions on AWS cloud via Jenkins Pipeline, Terraform, Cloud formation, Ansible, Shell
          • Designed, managed & maintained tools to automate operational processes to reduce the time from 5 hours to 2 hours
          EDUCATION
          B.E. Computer Science
          Start typing, then use the up and down arrows to select an option from the list
            With 184 Academic Departments & Programs, the university's current faculty holds 8 Nobel prizes
            • Top 15 percentile of the class
            CERTIFICATIONS
            • AWS Architect Certification Training | Mercury Solutions | May '16
            TECHNICAL SKILLS
            Cloud: Amazon AWS (Computing Services, Storage Services, Database Services, Security and Identity Services: IAM, KMS, Networking Services, Management Tools)
            Database: MySQL, MySQL 5.6, T-SQL, MongoDB, Neo4J, Enterprise, Oracle, PL/SQL, RDBM
            Languages: Python, Java, Nodejs, PHP
            DevOps Tools: Packer, Jenkins, Ansible, Puppet, Docker
            OS: Windows, Linux
            Software: Apache, Nginx

            Also Read: Which are the best resume templates of 2023?

            Two Page Resume Template


            Here are some 2 page resume examples that you can use to build your resume in 2023:

            Sales & Distribution Head


            • Material Colour 2 Page Resume Example

            KLAUS_WOODS_Sales_Head_mATERIAL-_cOLOUR-1

            KLAUS_WOODS_Sales_Head_mATERIAL-_cOLOUR-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            • New York 2 Page Resume Example

            KLAUS_WOODS_Sales_Head_New_York-1

            KLAUS_WOODS_Sales_Head_New_York-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            • London Two Page Resume Template

            KLAUS_WOODS_Sales_Head_London-1

            KLAUS_WOODS_Sales_Head_London-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            • Rainbow Two Page Resume Sample

            KLAUS_WOODS_Sales_Head_Rainbow-1

            KLAUS_WOODS_Sales_Head_Rainbow-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            Senior Database Administrator


            • Amsterdam 2 Page Resume Sample

            MARSHALLERICKSON_Business_Development_Head_Amsterdam-1

            MARSHALLERICKSON_Business_Development_Head_Amsterdam-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            • Barcelona Two Page Resume Template

            MARSHALLERICKSON_Business_Development_Head_Barcelona-1

            MARSHALLERICKSON_Business_Development_Head_Barcelona-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            • Athens Two Page Resume Example

            MARSHALLERICKSON_Business_Development_Head_Athens-1

            MARSHALLERICKSON_Business_Development_Head_Athens-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            • Professional Black Two Page Resume Template

            MARSHALLERICKSON_Business_Development_Head_Professional_Black-1

            MARSHALLERICKSON_Business_Development_Head_Professional_Black-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            Project Manager (PMP)


            • Professional Blue Two Page Resume Sample

            ELLARIA_SAND_Senior_Product_Manager_Professional_Blue-1

            ELLARIA_SAND_Senior_Product_Manager_Professional_Blue-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            • Modern Teal 2 Page Resume Sample

            ELLARIA_SAND_Senior_Product_Manager_Modern_Teal-1

            ELLARIA_SAND_Senior_Product_Manager_Modern_Teal-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            • Global Citizen Red Two Page Resume Example

            ELLARIA_SAND_Senior_Product_Manager_Global-Citizen_Red-1

            ELLARIA_SAND_Senior_Product_Manager_Global-Citizen_Red-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            • Uniform Brown Two Page Resume Template

            ELLARIA_SAND_Senior_Product_Manager_Uniform_Brown-1

            ELLARIA_SAND_Senior_Product_Manager_Uniform_Brown-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            Senior Architect & Tech Lead


            • Boxed Navy 2 Page Resume Sample

            Jonathan_Nolan_Senior_Product_Manager_Boxed_Navy-1

            Jonathan_Nolan_Senior_Product_Manager_Boxed_Navy-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            • Trendy Design Two Page Resume Example

            Jonathan_Nolan_Senior_Product_Manager_Trendy_Design-1

            Jonathan_Nolan_Senior_Product_Manager_Trendy_Design-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            • California 2 Page Resume Sample

            Jonathan_Nolan_Senior_Product_Manager_California-1

            Jonathan_Nolan_Senior_Product_Manager_California-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            • Miami Two Page Resume Sample

            Jonathan_Nolan_Senior_Product_Manager_Miami-1

            Jonathan_Nolan_Senior_Product_Manager_Miami-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            Art & Creative Director


            • Paris Two Page Resume Template

            JEFF_STRATUS_Brand_Manager_Paris-1

            JEFF_STRATUS_Brand_Manager_Paris-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            • Royal Blue 2 Page Resume Sample

            JEFF_STRATUS_Brand_Manager_Royal_Blue-1

            JEFF_STRATUS_Brand_Manager_Royal_Blue-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            • Round Timeline Two Page Resume Sample

            JEFF_STRATUS_Brand_Manager_Round_Timeline-1

            JEFF_STRATUS_Brand_Manager_Round_Timeline-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            • Diamond Timeline Two Page Resume Example

            JEFF_STRATUS_Brand_Manager_Diamond_Timeline-1

            JEFF_STRATUS_Brand_Manager_Diamond_Timeline-2

            Try this design in our Online Resume Builder now!

            Choosing the Best Two Page Resume Template


            When you choose two pages resume format, begin by deciding what to include on your 2 page resume and what to remove. It makes the drafting and editing process relatively easy.

            • Freshers can opt for a one page resume format.
            • Senior working professionals can opt for a two pages resume format.

            After choosing a two page resume template, focus on choosing the best layout for your resume.

            Also Read: What is the best resume layout?

            Resume FAQs


            1. Can a Resume be More than One Page?


            Clearly, Yes. Your resume size depends on the relevant experiences/certifications/expertise that determines your fit for the target job.

            2. When Can a Resume be 2 Pages?


            There are five significant cases when you can use a 2 page resume. When you have:

            • Greater than 10 years of relevant work experience
            • An extensive list of projects
            • Relevant extra/co-curricular activities or achievements
            • Multiple significant certifications
            • Apply for a senior position

            3. When Should You Not Use a Two Page Resume?


            If you're an entry-level candidate, there's almost no need to write a two-page resume. You simply don't have enough experience yet. The exception? If you're going for an internship and have lots of academic achievements, make your resume two pages.

            4. Should I Staple My 2 Page Resume?


            Keeping your two page resume front and back or stapled is another confusion but you should simply opt for paper clips.

            If the recruiters want to scan your 2 page resume, staples might get in the way. Whereas, one can easily remove the paper clips.

            5. Is It Wrong to Use a Two Page Resume Template?


            Well, templates are the neatest and most organized structure for any document. Hence, you can use a two page resume if you have enough content for it.

            Also Read: How to format your resume in 2023?

            Key Takeaways


            Make a two page resume if:

            • You have a significant amount of relevant work experience
            • You have 10+ years of professional experience
            • You have extramural achievements/projects/certifications relevant to the job

            Make a one page resume if:

            • Your job profile is in a conservative field
            • You have a limited work experience
            • You are applying for an entry-level or part-time job
            • A one-page resume is requested in the job description

            Filter your 2 page resume by prioritizing the following factors:

            Most Relevant: what you must keep
            Irrelevant: what you can do without
            Insignificant: what can stay only if you have enough space

            Limit your experience to the ones most relevant to the target job.

            Go to the 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.

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