Best Examples of One-Page Resume Formatting Examples for 2024–2025

Real examples of one-page resume formatting examples you can copy

Let’s start with what you came for: concrete, real-world examples of one-page resume formatting examples. Think of these as templates you can sketch out on paper and then build in your favorite editor.

Example of a clean, classic one-page resume (great for most professionals)

This is the layout you’d expect from a solid, mid-level professional in marketing, operations, HR, or admin. It’s simple, ATS-friendly, and easy on the eyes.

Layout in words:

• Your name in a slightly larger font at the top, centered or left-aligned.
• One single line under your name with city/state, phone, email, and LinkedIn URL.
• A short, 3–4 line professional summary.
• A skills section in 2–3 columns of bullet keywords.
• Work experience in reverse-chronological order.
• Education at the bottom, plus certifications if relevant.

This is one of the best examples of one-page resume formatting examples because it works for so many roles. It avoids graphics, text boxes, and fancy columns that can confuse ATS scanners while still looking modern. For 2024–2025, recruiters are still expecting this kind of clean structure for most corporate jobs.

Example of a one-page resume for new graduates and students

If you’re a student or recent grad, you probably have more projects and campus involvement than formal jobs. Your format should highlight that.

Core structure:

• Name and contact details at the top.
• A short objective or summary tailored to the role.
• Education section near the top, with GPA (if strong), honors, and relevant coursework.
• Projects: bullet points describing class projects, capstones, or hackathons.
• Experience: internships, part-time work, and volunteer roles.
• Skills: software, languages, tools.

In this example of one-page resume formatting, the trick is to treat academic projects like mini jobs: use bullets that start with strong verbs and show outcomes. For instance: “Built a Python script that reduced manual data cleanup time by 40% for a class research project.” That kind of detail makes this one-page layout feel substantial even if your work history is short.

Example of a one-page resume for career changers

Career changers need formatting that tells a clear story fast. The hiring manager should be able to glance at the top third of the page and understand what you’re aiming for now, not just what you did before.

Typical sections:

• Name and contact details.
• A targeted summary that names your new target role.
• A “Relevant Skills” or “Core Competencies” section that matches the new field.
• A “Relevant Experience” subsection where you pull out projects, freelance work, or volunteer roles aligned with your new path.
• An “Additional Experience” subsection listing prior roles more briefly.
• Education and certifications.

This is one of the best examples of one-page resume formatting examples for people pivoting into tech, project management, UX, or data roles. Your formatting does the storytelling work: it visually separates the experience that matters for your new direction from the rest of your background.

Example of a minimalist, text-only one-page resume (ATS-first)

Some industries, especially larger corporations and government-adjacent roles, still prefer very plain, text-forward resumes. For these, you want formatting that is almost boring—in a good way.

What it looks like:

• No colors, graphics, icons, or headshots.
• Single column only.
• Clear section headings in bold, same font size as body or just slightly larger.
• Bullet points using simple symbols like circles or dashes.
• Plenty of white space between sections.

This example of one-page resume formatting is particularly helpful when you know your resume will go through an ATS before a human sees it. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management and other government resources regularly emphasize clarity and straightforward structure for applications; while they don’t prescribe a single format, they reinforce the value of readable, scannable documents.

For background on how employers screen candidates and why clarity matters, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics offers useful context on hiring trends and occupations: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/

Example of a modern, two-column one-page resume

Two-column layouts are popular for design, marketing, and tech resumes in 2024–2025 because they let you fit more onto one page without shrinking the font to unreadable sizes.

Common layout pattern:

• Left narrow column: contact info, skills, certifications, maybe a short profile.
• Right wider column: summary, work experience, projects, and education.

In these examples of one-page resume formatting examples, the left column acts like a sidebar with quick facts, while the right column tells the story. The risk is that some ATS tools may read columns in a strange order, so keep the most important keywords in the main body text as well. If you use this style, test your resume by saving as a plain text file to see if the reading order still makes sense.

Example of a one-page resume for tech and data roles

Tech hiring in 2024–2025 is still fast-paced, and recruiters often skim for tools, languages, and real outcomes. Your formatting should make those pop.

Helpful structure:

• Name and role title (e.g., “Software Engineer,” “Data Analyst”).
• Short summary that mentions your main stack or domain.
• Technical skills grouped by category: Languages, Frameworks, Tools, Cloud, etc.
• Experience section with bullet points that include metrics: response time reduced, revenue increased, users supported.
• Projects, especially GitHub-linked work, hackathons, or open-source contributions.
• Education and certifications.

This is one of the best examples of one-page resume formatting examples for engineers because it balances narrative and keyword density. For current expectations around tech skills and training, many university career centers (like MIT or Stanford) publish sample tech resumes and formatting tips; see, for example, Harvard’s career resources: https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/resumes-cvs-cover-letters

Example of a one-page resume for creative roles

Designers, content creators, and creative marketers often want their resume to show a bit of personality without turning it into a poster. A restrained creative format can do that while staying professional.

Elements that work well:

• A subtle accent color for headings.
• A slightly different but readable heading font paired with a standard body font.
• A short portfolio link or QR code near the top.
• A “Selected Projects” section with 3–5 bullets that describe campaigns, designs, or content pieces and results.

In these examples of one-page resume formatting examples, the creative touch is in the typography and spacing, not in heavy graphics. The resume still prints cleanly in black and white and remains legible when converted to PDF.

Example of a one-page executive-style resume

Executives and senior leaders often have long careers, but many still choose a one-page resume for networking, board roles, or speaking opportunities. The format shifts from task-level detail to high-level impact.

Typical structure:

• Name, title (e.g., “VP of Operations,” “Chief Marketing Officer”), and contact info.
• A strong executive summary with 3–5 lines of key achievements.
• A “Key Achievements” or “Selected Highlights” section with short bullets that include metrics (revenue growth, cost savings, headcount led).
• Condensed experience section listing recent roles with a few impact-focused bullets.
• Education, board roles, and affiliations.

This example of one-page resume formatting keeps the focus on scale and outcomes. It’s less about listing every responsibility and more about giving a snapshot of leadership impact.

Key formatting choices that make these examples work

Across all these examples of one-page resume formatting examples, a few patterns keep showing up. These are the quiet design decisions that make a resume easy to read.

Fonts, sizes, and spacing

A simple, readable font is your best friend. In 2024–2025, common choices include Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, and Garamond. Most resumes look best with:

• Name: 16–20 pt.
• Section headings: 12–14 pt, bold.
• Body text: 10–12 pt.
• Line spacing: 1.0 to 1.15.

If you find yourself shrinking the font below 10 pt to fit everything, that’s a sign you need to cut content, not squeeze more in. One-page resume formatting only works if a human can read it comfortably on a laptop screen or printed page.

Margins and layout

Standard margins (around 1 inch on all sides) are safe, but many of the best examples of one-page resume formatting examples use slightly smaller margins—around 0.5–0.7 inches—to reclaim space without looking cramped.

Things that help the layout breathe:

• Extra space before each section heading.
• Consistent bullet indentation.
• Avoiding long paragraphs; use 1–2 line bullets instead.

The goal is for someone to be able to skim your resume in under 10 seconds and still walk away with a clear sense of who you are professionally. Research on recruiter behavior consistently shows that first scans are very fast; the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has discussed this in the context of resume screening and hiring practices: https://www.shrm.org

Content hierarchy: what earns space on a one-page resume

On a one-page resume, every line has to justify itself. When you look at these examples of one-page resume formatting examples, notice how they prioritize:

• Recent, relevant roles over older, unrelated ones.
• Measurable results over task lists.
• Skills that match the job posting over generic buzzwords.

If you’re mid-career, it’s normal to summarize older jobs into a short “Additional Experience” section with just titles, companies, and dates. That’s still honest and complete, but it keeps the focus on what matters most now.

How to choose the right example of one-page resume formatting for you

With so many examples, how do you pick the one that fits your situation? A simple way is to match your context to the format.

• If you’re in a traditional corporate role: start with the clean, classic single-column example.
• If you’re a student or new grad: use the student example with projects and education near the top.
• If you’re changing careers: lean into the career changer format with “Relevant Experience.”
• If you work in tech: use the tech-focused example with a strong skills and projects section.
• If you’re in a creative field: adapt the creative example with subtle design touches.
• If you’re at the executive level: use the executive-style example with highlights and impact.

You can also mix elements. For instance, you might use the tech layout but borrow the two-column sidebar idea for skills. Or take the career changer structure and add a creative accent color. The point of reviewing these examples of one-page resume formatting examples is not to copy them pixel-for-pixel, but to understand the logic behind them and then customize.

Quick FAQ about one-page resume formatting examples

Q: Where can I see more real examples of one-page resume formatting examples?
Many university career centers publish sample resumes online, including one-page formatting examples for different majors and industries. These are often vetted by career counselors and recruiters. For instance, Harvard’s Office of Career Services shares sample resumes and formatting guidance: https://ocs.fas.harvard.edu/resumes-cvs-cover-letters

Q: Is a one-page resume always better than two pages?
Not always. For early and mid-career professionals, one page is usually preferred. For very senior roles or academic CVs, two or more pages can be appropriate. But for most corporate, tech, and entry-level roles in the U.S., a tight one-page format is often more effective because it forces you to highlight your strongest points.

Q: Can I use colors and graphics in a one-page resume?
Yes, lightly. Many modern examples include a single accent color for headings or lines. Just keep contrast high and avoid heavy graphics or large icons. If you suspect your resume will go through an ATS, stick to simple shapes and standard fonts.

Q: What’s an example of something I should cut to make my resume fit on one page?
Old, unrelated jobs (especially more than 10–15 years back), long lists of minor duties, or outdated skills (like very old software) are good candidates. Look at each bullet and ask, “Does this help me get the job I’m applying for now?” If not, shorten or remove it.

Q: Do I need different one-page resume formatting examples for each job I apply to?
You don’t need a brand-new design each time, but you should tweak the content. Keep one or two base formats you like, then adjust your summary, skills, and a few bullet points to match the keywords and priorities in each job description.

By studying and adapting these examples of one-page resume formatting examples, you’ll move from staring at a blank page to having a clear structure that supports your story. From there, it’s just editing: tightening your wording, sharpening your bullets, and making sure every line on that single page is working hard for you.