One page resume template
A one page resume is a promise to the reader that you have done the editing for them. This template, called Compact in the CV Maker, helps you keep that promise. It uses slightly smaller type, tighter line spacing and narrow margins, without making anything hard to read, so a full work history fits on a single sheet.
It suits early and mid career applications, internal moves, job fairs, networking and any advert that asks for one page. It is also the quickest way to see whether your content really fits: if it spills onto page two even here, the content needs cutting, not the layout.
Free, no account needed. Your CV is built in your browser and downloads as a PDF or an editable Word file, in A4 or US Letter.
How to fit a resume on one page
Work through these in order. Most resumes fit by step three.
- Cut the profile to three lines. It is a summary, not a cover letter.
- Keep three to five bullet points for your current role, two or three for the one before, and one line or none for older roles.
- Remove bullet points that describe duties anyone in the job would have. Keep the ones that say what changed because you were there.
- Combine short sections. Training and certifications often fit under one heading.
- Drop references from the page and choose Available on request.
The preview shows the page count as you type. Watch it while you edit, and stop cutting as soon as it reads Page 1 of 1.
Readable at a small size
Compact uses a clear sans serif, the kind people already read every day on screens and forms, at a size that stays comfortable when printed. Headings keep a thin line under them so the page does not turn into a block of text. If you need even more room, the Design panel lets you choose Small text and Narrow margins on any template, but for most people Compact as it comes is the right balance.
Example of a tight, strong entry
- Account Manager, Brightway Logistics, 2021 to Present
- Grew a portfolio of 40 accounts by 18% in two years through quarterly reviews.
- Won back three lapsed clients by rebuilding delivery schedules around their peak weeks.
- Trained two new account managers and wrote the team's renewal checklist.
Three lines, each with a result. That is all most readers need from one role.
When two pages are fine
One page is a strong habit, not a law. Senior roles, academic and medical posts, and jobs where publications, projects or licences matter can justify two pages. In the US and Canada one page is common for anyone under around ten years of experience. In the UK and Ireland two pages is widely accepted. If you do use two, make the second page worth turning to.
Change the look, keep the fit
Compact comes in charcoal. You can choose any accent colour, another font pair or a different heading style in the Design panel without losing the space it saves. Text size, spacing and margins are the three settings that change how much fits; leave those as they are and change anything else freely.
What to cut first
When you need space, cut from the bottom of the page and the far end of your career first. Hobbies and interests go before skills. Older roles shrink before recent ones. Lists of software you used once go before the tools you use every week. Your education can shrink to one line per qualification once you have two or three years of work behind you.
Never cut your contact details, your current role or the results that make you different. If those still do not fit on one page, you probably need two, and that is fine for your career stage.
One page in the UK and in the US
In the US and Canada a resume of one page is the norm for most people, and recruiters expect it. In the UK, Ireland, Australia and much of Europe a two page CV is common and nobody minds. Compact suits both: one page where it is expected, and a tidy, easy to read page where two would also be accepted. Switch between A4 and US Letter above the preview before you download.
A last check before you send it
Download the PDF and open it before you send it. Check that the page count reads one, that the last line of the page is not a heading on its own, and that your phone number and email address are correct. A one page resume is read quickly, so every line on it should earn its place.
Start with the Compact layout
The CV Maker opens with this template chosen. Fill in one section at a time and watch the page update beside the form. If you change your mind, switch layout on the first step or the review screen: everything you typed comes with you.
Use the Compact templateQuestions about this template
Should a resume be one page?
For most people with under ten years of experience, yes. It forces you to keep only what matters for this job, which also makes the resume stronger.
What is the smallest readable font size?
Body text around 9.5 to 10 points stays comfortable in print for most readers. Compact stays within that range rather than shrinking text to force a fit.
Will my words be cut off if they do not fit?
No. Nothing is ever cut or squeezed. If your content needs more space, the preview shows a second page so you can decide what to shorten.
Can I download it as Word?
Yes. Choose Word on the review screen. Word may reflow the text slightly on another computer, so check that it still fits one page before you send it.