Mastering the One-Page CV: What to Include and What to Leave Out
In a world where hiring managers and recruiters sift through hundreds of resumes daily, brevity is key. A well-structured, concise, and informative one-page CV can be the difference between landing your dream job or being overlooked. While crafting a one-page CV might seem like a daunting task—especially if you have years of experience or extensive skills—it's not impossible. In fact, it's an essential skill in today’s competitive job market.
Many recruiters spend only 7-10 seconds reviewing each CV, making it crucial to deliver all relevant information in a succinct, impactful way. The challenge is striking the right balance between providing enough detail to impress potential employers and keeping the content streamlined to fit on one page.
This article will guide you through the process of creating an outstanding one-page CV by explaining what to include, what to leave out, and how to use smart strategies to make the most of limited space. By the end, you’ll understand how to craft a CV that gets noticed without overwhelming your reader.
Why Use a One-Page CV?
Before diving into the specifics of building a one-page CV, it’s important to understand why they are often preferred in today’s job market. While certain industries or senior roles may allow for more extensive CVs, one-page resumes are favored for several reasons:
Easy to read: Hiring managers appreciate a CV that is succinct and easy to scan quickly. A one-page format forces you to focus on the most critical and impressive information.
Showcasing focus and discipline: Keeping your CV to one page shows that you understand the value of concise communication and can highlight your most important achievements efficiently.
ATS-friendly: Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) often scan resumes for key information. With a streamlined document, you increase the likelihood that your CV will be ATS-compliant and read by actual recruiters.
Emphasizes relevance: In limiting your CV to one page, you must include only the most relevant details for the position you're applying for, ensuring your application is tightly focused on the employer’s needs.
If you’re in an industry where a one-page CV is preferred, or if you’re applying for entry- to mid-level positions, sticking to this format is the best way to make a positive impression.
What to Include in a One-Page CV
1. Contact Information
At the top of your CV, include your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable). You don’t need to include a full address anymore; simply listing your city and country is sufficient in most cases.
Tip: Keep this section simple and make sure your email is professional. Avoid using outdated or irrelevant social media links, as these take up unnecessary space.
2. Personal Summary or Objective
The next section should be a concise personal summary or objective. This is a brief 2-3 sentence statement that highlights your professional background, key skills, and what you’re looking for in your next role. A well-written summary can quickly grab the attention of a recruiter and demonstrate how you align with the company’s needs.
For example: "Experienced marketing specialist with 5+ years in digital and content marketing. Proven track record of increasing web traffic and driving engagement through strategic campaigns. Seeking to leverage my expertise to support a dynamic team in reaching its growth goals."
Tip: Tailor this section for each job application to ensure it aligns with the specific position you’re applying for.
3. Key Skills
In a one-page CV, you won’t have room to elaborate on every skill you possess, so it’s essential to include only those most relevant to the job. Choose 5-7 skills that match the job description or are crucial in your field.
For instance:
Project management
Digital marketing
Data analysis
Social media strategy
Search engine optimization (SEO)
Tip: Use bullet points to make this section easy to scan. Avoid vague terms like “hard-working” or “team player”—instead, focus on specific technical or professional skills.
4. Professional Experience
This is the core of your CV, but in a one-page format, you’ll need to be selective about what you include. Focus on your most recent and relevant positions. For each job, include the job title, company name, location, and dates of employment. Below each role, use bullet points to highlight 3-5 key achievements or responsibilities.
For example: Marketing Manager, XYZ Agency
New York, NY
June 2019 – Present
Spearheaded a digital marketing campaign that increased website traffic by 30%.
Managed a $100k annual marketing budget, optimizing spend across channels.
Led a cross-functional team of 6 to execute marketing strategies across digital platforms.
Tip: Quantify your achievements where possible to provide concrete evidence of your impact. Use action verbs like “led,” “managed,” and “implemented” to convey leadership and initiative.
5. Education
Include your most relevant and recent educational qualifications. If you’ve been in the workforce for several years, there’s no need to elaborate on your high school education or unrelated coursework. Simply list the degree or certification, institution, and graduation year.
For example: Bachelor of Science in Marketing
University of California, Berkeley
Graduated: 2018
6. Certifications (Optional)
If you hold any certifications that are relevant to the position, list them in a separate section. For example, certifications in project management, software development, or specific tools like Google Analytics can make you stand out.
Tip: Only include certifications that enhance your application for the job you're applying for. If space is tight, you can omit older or irrelevant certifications.
7. Additional Sections (Optional)
Depending on your industry and role, you might consider adding sections like Languages, Volunteer Experience, or Awards. However, be selective about including these—only add them if they provide value and don’t detract from the more critical sections like experience and skills.
What to Leave Out of a One-Page CV
1. Unnecessary Personal Information
There’s no need to include information like your marital status, religion, or nationality. Most employers don’t require this information, and it can take up valuable space.
2. Irrelevant Jobs or Experience
If you’ve held jobs that are unrelated to the position you’re applying for, omit them from your CV or keep them to a brief mention if they provided transferable skills. Focus on the experience that best supports your candidacy for the specific job.
3. Detailed Job Descriptions
While it’s important to explain your role in each position, avoid writing detailed paragraphs about every responsibility. Instead, focus on accomplishments and results that are most relevant to the job.
4. Overly Long Lists of Skills
Listing too many skills can dilute the impact of your most important ones. Stick to the key skills that are most relevant to the job and avoid overloading your CV with a long, exhaustive list.
5. Hobbies and Interests (Unless Relevant)
While some hobbies can be relevant to certain industries (e.g., coding for IT professionals), most personal hobbies aren’t necessary for a one-page CV. Only include them if they add value to your application.
Conclusion: Creating the Perfect One-Page CV
Creating a one-page CV requires discipline and a clear understanding of what hiring managers are looking for. By focusing on relevant experience, key skills, and quantifiable achievements, you can craft a CV that is both concise and impactful.
If you’re struggling to fit everything into one page, consider using an AI Resume Builder to guide you through the process. AI-driven tools can help you identify which sections to prioritize and ensure that your CV is both ATS-compliant and tailored to specific job roles.
With the right approach, your one-page CV can open doors to new career opportunities. Check out CV examples to see how others in your industry have crafted their resumes and get inspired to make yours stand out.