How to Format a One Page Resume Effectively (With Example)

In this guide, you’ll learn how to format a one-page resume that looks good, reads fast, and gets results. We’ll keep it simple, clear, and straight to the point.

Steps to Format a One-Page Resume

So how do you pack years of experience, qualifications, and ambition into one clean, compelling page? With the below steps, we explain not just what to do when writing a one-page resume, but why it works.

Step 1: Start With a Strong Layout

Think of your resume like an interface: usability comes first. If a recruiter can’t scan your resume in under 10 seconds, it likely won’t make the shortlist.

Here’s how to nail the layout:

• Margins: Stick with 0.5–1 inch. Less than that looks jammed. More wastes space.
• Font: Go with something professional and clean. Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, or Georgia. Font size should be 11 or 12 for body text, and 13–14 for headings.
• Line spacing: Use 1.15–1.5. It’s easier on the eyes and creates room to breathe.
• Colour scheme: Black text on a white background is classic and ATS-friendly (Applicant Tracking System). Unless you're in design or media, avoid bold colours or elaborate visuals.
• File format: Always save and send as a PDF, not Word or Google Docs. PDFs preserve formatting.
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Step 2: Craft a Compelling Summary

A summary is an elevator pitch of one or two lines at the top of your resume. It’s not required, but when done right, it can hook the reader immediately.

What to include:

• Your current role or expertise
• Years of experience or standout achievements
• A hint of your personality or goals
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Example

Digital marketing strategist with 6+ years of experience in SEO, content, and paid campaigns. Known for data-driven solutions and scaling brand reach. Passionate about performance metrics and storytelling.

What to avoid:

• Full paragraphs
• Generic clichés like “hardworking team player”
• Your full life story
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Step 3: List Your Work Experience (Reverse Chronological Order)

Your work experience is your resume’s backbone. This section should take up the most space and show a clear story of progression, impact, and skills.

Format:

Job Title
Company – Location
Month/Year – Month/Year

• Bullet 1 (Achievement/result)
• Bullet 2 (Responsibility + outcome)
• Bullet 3 (Hard skill used + result)
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Example

Product Manager
FintechPro – New York, NY
Mar 2020 – Present

• Launched a budgeting app that gained 50K+ users in 6 months
• Collaborated with engineering and UX teams to cut onboarding time by 40%
• Managed roadmap prioritisation across 3 product verticals

Best practices:

• Focus on outcomes, not just duties.
• Use strong action verbs: Spearheaded, Improved, Increased, Delivered.
• Quantify when possible. (Think “Cut churn rate by 18%,” not “Worked on retention.”)
• Keep bullets concise: one to two lines max.
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Step 4: Highlight Your Relevant Skills (Strategically)

A good skills section serves two purposes:

1. It shows what you can do.
2. It helps you get past ATS filters.
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How to format:

Group relevant skills by category for easier scanning.

Example

Technical Skills: SQL, Tableau, Excel, Google Analytics
Design Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Figma, Sketch
Soft Skills: Leadership, Communication, Critical Thinking

Step 5: Keep Your Education Details Clear and Concise

Unless you’re fresh out of college, this section should be short and sweet with a single page resume format.

What to include:

• Degree or certificate
• University or institution
• Year of graduation (optional if over 10 years ago)
• Honours or distinctions (if noteworthy)
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Example

BA in Psychology, University of Cape Town, 2018
Graduated cum laude

Step 6: Add Value With Optional Extras

If you’ve still got space, and it adds weight, consider these optional sections:

1. Certifications

Only list industry-recognised or job-relevant certifications.

Example

• Google Ads Certified
• PMP – Project Management Professional
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect

2. Languages

Fluency in multiple languages can be a big advantage, especially in global industries or customer-facing roles.

Example

Languages: English (native), Spanish (fluent), French (intermediate)

3. Projects

This is especially helpful if you’re:

• A freelancer or contractor
• Transitioning careers
• A new graduate with limited work experience
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Example

UX Redesign for Local Nonprofit Website‍

• Designed and launched a new site architecture that increased user sign-ups by 33%.

4. Volunteer Experience

Volunteering shows initiative, values, and community involvement. It’s particularly valuable for entry-level or nonprofit applications.

What to Leave Out on Your One-Page Resume

A one-page resume is prime real estate. Every inch should work for you. Here’s what to skip:

• Your full address: Just city and country is fine.
• References: Don’t include or write “available on request.”
• Hobbies: Unless they directly relate to the role or show leadership.
• Photos or personal data: In most countries (including the U.S. and UK), headshots and age details are discouraged or irrelevant.
• Jobs over 10 years ago unless extremely relevant.
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A Quick Word on Design

Design is very important. But clarity trumps creativity, unless you’re applying for a role in graphic design or media. And you don't need a certified professional resume writer, you can do it yourself!

Best practices:

• Use bold, caps, or slightly larger font for section headings.
• Use bullet points instead of paragraphs.
• Use whitespace wisely. Maximize space and let your content breathe.
• Avoid tables, graphs, or text boxes, as these confuse ATS software.
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Final Checklist: What a One-Page Resume Must Include

Before you hit “send,” make sure your one-page resume ticks all these boxes. This CV checklist is your last line of defense to ensure your resume stands out not just to hiring managers' eyes but also to Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which scan resumes before they even reach a recruiter.

• Clean, ATS-friendly layout: Use standard fonts like Arial or Calibri, simple headings, and avoid graphics or tables that ATS software can’t read. White space is important because it improves readability and keeps your resume from feeling cluttered.
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• Summary section (optional but effective): A brief, sharp summary can give recruiters a quick snapshot of your professional identity and goals. Tailor it to the job and keep it punchy.
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• Clear job titles and impactful achievements: Use job titles that reflect your role accurately. Under each, focus on accomplishments, not just duties. Start bullet points with strong action verbs and highlight specific outcomes.
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• Quantified results wherever possible: Numbers catch attention. Did you increase sales, reduce costs, or improve efficiency? Put that in.
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• Relevant, tailored skill set: Match your skills to the job description. Separate technical from soft skills for clarity.
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• Brief education section: Include degrees or certifications relevant to the role without overloading the page.
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• Optional extras: Certifications, languages, volunteer work, or projects can boost your candidacy if they add meaningful value.
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• No filler: Every word should have purpose. Avoid vague statements or unrelated hobbies.
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• Saved as a PDF: This preserves formatting across devices and systems.
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• Final step: Spellcheck, then read aloud. A fresh pair of eyes (like a friend or mentor) can catch errors and suggest improvements you might have missed. This careful review shows attention to detail, an attribute employers value highly.
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Getting these elements right maximizes your chances of landing that interview and ultimately, the job.

Example of a One-Page Resume

Seeing a polished example can make all the difference. Below is a streamlined, well-organised one-page resume tailored for a marketing professional. Use this layout and content structure as a guide, then customise it to fit your own background and industry.

Copy

Jane Doe
Los Angeles, CA | janedoe@example.com | (555) 123-4567 | linkedin.com/in/janedoe

Professional Summary

Strategic marketing specialist with 7+ years of experience in digital campaigns, content strategy, and data-driven growth. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and boost brand visibility through creative, results-oriented initiatives.

Work Experience

Senior Marketing Manager
BrightSpace Media – Los Angeles, CA | Jan 2021 – Present

• Increased email campaign engagement by 40% through A/B testing and segmentation
• Led a rebranding project that boosted customer retention by 18%
• Managed a $500K annual digital budget with strong ROI tracking
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Marketing Coordinator
Redline Agency – Los Angeles, CA | Aug 2016 – Dec 2020

• Supported 12+ product launches with content, social media, and paid ad strategy
• Reduced customer acquisition cost by 22% using targeted Facebook campaigns
• Built monthly reports to track KPIs and campaign metrics
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Relevant Skills

Technical : Google Analytics, HubSpot, Adobe Creative Suite, SEMrush
Soft: Project management, Collaboration, Strategic thinking

Education

BA in Marketing, University of Southern California, 2015

Certifications

• Google Ads Certified (2023)
• HubSpot Content Marketing (2022)

This format is clean, skimmable, and packed with value. It highlights key accomplishments with data, uses space wisely, and avoids clutter, everything a one-page resume should do. Adjust it to fit your strengths, and keep every line working hard for your next opportunity.

Final Thoughts

A one-page resume format might feel limiting at first, but that’s exactly why it works. It forces you to focus on what truly matters and leave out anything unnecessary. Hiring managers don’t want to sift through pages of filler; they want a quick, clear snapshot of your skills, relevant experience, and achievements.

When you take the time to format your resume cleanly and professionally, it instantly becomes easier to read. Highlight your real wins like those measurable achievements that prove your value. Numbers, results, and specific contributions make a strong impact and set you apart from the crowd.

In the end, a focused, well-crafted one-page resume can speak louder than a lengthy document. It shows confidence, clarity, and respect for the reader’s time, qualities every employer appreciates.