What is a two-page CV?
A CV is a professional document that applicants use to showcase their qualifications and professional experiences to a potential employer. This document summarises your professional and educational background whilst also providing employers with a comprehensive list of your hard and soft skills that make you a suitable fit for the available role.
A one-page CV is usually the best option to keep your CV concise and accessible to hiring managers. Even so, there are instances where a two-page CV document is more appropriate and effective to use.
When to use a 2-page CV
Many job applicants typically avoid a two-page CV when applying to available roles, especially entry-level applicants. There are some circumstances that make a two-page CV most appropriate and effective for applicants to use, especially for seasoned professionals, including the following:
A job description requires lots of experience
A two-page CV is necessary if a job listing requires extensive professional experience to qualify for the role. It’s the ideal format to showcase an array of relevant professional experience and professional achievements gained throughout your career so far.
Compared to entry-level applicants, seasoned professionals have an extensive array of career information to share with employers when demonstrating their suitability for a particular role. Specific industries and positions demand a two-page CV due to the experience that employers expect applicants to have.
Using a one page CV limits and damages your message to employers
Sometimes, having to restrict yourself to a one page CV can be damaging to your chances of securing a job role and impressing hiring managers. The simplest way to test whether a one-page CV is limiting to your application is to cut down your two-page CV into a single page and review whether it expresses your suitability for the role and your professional qualifications and achievements successfully. If it doesn’t, you know that a two-page CV is the most suitable option for you to use to increase your chances of standing out to hiring managers and employers.
Tips for writing a 2-page CV
Below is a list of important tips that you can use when writing your two-page CV to ensure that it’s appealing and effective in attracting the attention of hiring managers:
1. Repeat both your name and your contact information on the second page
Repeating your name and your contact information on both pages of your CV is extremely important when writing a two-page CV. This is because it’s important that hiring managers who are reviewing your CV can immediately attach your professional achievements and experience to you.
Suppose a hiring manager was glancing through many submitted CVs and finds a particular achievement very appealing on the second page of your CV. In that case, it’s valuable for them to immediately identify this achievement with you as your name and contact information are visible as a reminder of who you are.
2. Avoid repeating a skills list on the second page
Avoiding repetition on both pages of your two-page CV is important to prevent overstuffing your CV. If you simply repeat the same information on the second page as the first page of your CV, a two-page CV format is redundant. Resisting repetition across the two pages of your CV is essential. Repetitive CVs can distract the hiring manager from the unique and important details you’ve documented on your CV.
3. Avoid repeating your professional introduction summary on the second page
It’s equally important to avoid repeating your professional introduction summary on the second page of your CV document. The second page of your CV, besides your name and your contact information, is usually meant to contain brand new information that the hiring manager hasn’t already read about you. Make sure your CV remains appealing and engaging when hiring managers get round to reading the second page.
4. Make sure to include all of the most important information on the first page
When using the two-page CV format, it’s still important to ensure that all of the most valuable and relevant information from your professional career gets documented on the first page of your two-page CV. The most important information needed on the first page includes your relevant work experience, your list of both hard and soft skills and any relevant certifications achieved. The second page of your two-page CV is the most suitable to contain any additional information, including any publications you have written, any conferences that you have attended and other non-role relevant skills or achievements.
5. Number your pages
Numbering your pages across your two-page CV document is important to ensure that hiring managers recognise that the first page doesn’t exist singularly. By adding a ‘1/2’ and a ‘2/2’ at the top of each page, you can help make sure that hiring managers read both pages of your CV and recognise that they aren’t copies.
6. Avoid submitting a double-sided CV
A useful tip is to avoid submitting a double-sided CV. Instead, hand in two pages. By handing in two separate pages, you are ensuring that hiring managers do not simply ignore the other side of the page, which can happen if you submit your CV double-sided. With many CV documents being digitally submitted nowadays, you can avoid submitting a double-sided CV document.
7. Ensure you also have a one-page CV alongside your two-page CV
Writing a one-page CV and a two-page CV is hugely advantageous, even if you end up only ever using one. Writing a two-page CV first is a good way to realise what information you want to share with employers. Then you can be critical and reflective when condensing it down into a one page CV document. This is a useful exercise for revealing your professional strengths and the other details that you definitely want to keep on your CV. You can use both CVs when applying for roles, as the one page CV document is still valuable for roles that do not demand as much extensive experience to qualify.
2-page CV template
Here’s a two-page CV template for you to use when writing your own CV. This template provides you with a sense of structure and page organisation whilst also detailing what information you can include.
Page 1 of 2
[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]
[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City], [State]
Professional Summary
[Introduce yourself and your educational and professional background while highlighting a couple of your key skills that make you stand out as an applicant.]
Experience
[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State]
- [List of main responsibilities, duties and achievements. Use strong verbs, explain what you did and the outcomes or quantified results from your work]
- [Job duty]
- [Job duty]
- [Job duty]
- [Job duty]
[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State]
- [Job duty]
- [Job duty]
- [Job duty]
[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State]
- [Job duty]
- [Job duty]
- [Job duty]
Skills
[Category]: [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill]
[Category]: [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill]
Page 2 of 2
[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]
[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City], [State]
Education
[Degree and major] | [Name of school or university]
[Dates of study]
[Degree and major] | [Name of school or university]
[Dates of study]
Certifications
[Certification name], [Host organisation] – [Year completed or expiration date]
[Certification name], [Host organisation] – [Year completed or expiration date]
