One Page or Two, and Format Basics

Short, clean and easy to scan

A common guideline is one page for students and early-career engineers and up to two pages for experienced engineers with lots of relevant work; conventions vary by country and company, so check what is normal where you apply. Whatever the length, every line should earn its place. Use a single-column layout, a readable font at a sensible size, consistent dates and spacing, and clear section headings. Send a text-based PDF (exported from a document editor, not a scanned image) unless the application asks for another format. Name the file clearly, for example firstname-lastname-resume.pdf. Avoid photos, ratings bars for skills and dense graphics unless local norms expect them.

A basic format checklist

Apply before sending any version.

[ ] length fits your experience (often 1 page early career, up to 2 later)
[ ] single column, consistent fonts, sizes and spacing
[ ] standard headings: Experience, Projects, Skills, Education
[ ] dates aligned and in one format (e.g. Jan 2024 - Present)
[ ] text-based PDF; text can be selected and copied
[ ] file name: firstname-lastname-resume.pdf
[ ] no skill rating bars, no tables used for layout
[ ] spell-checked; read aloud once
[ ] links work and point to the right pages

Test the copy-paste

Open your PDF, select all the text and paste it into a plain text editor. If the order is scrambled or words are missing, simplify the layout.

Quick check: Which file is generally the safest choice to send?

• A zip file of HTML pages
• A scanned image of a printed resume
• A screenshot of a website
• A text-based PDF exported from a document editor