Should I have a one or two-page resume for law school?
Asked by: Prof. Deontae Gorczany Jr. | Last update: December 31, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (62 votes)
In fact, most law schools will happily accept resumes that are 1-2 pages in length. That's right, your resume can finally be longer than one page for these purposes.
Is it better to have 1 page resume or 2?
Does a resume need to be one page? The short answer as to whether your resume should be one page is still, ideally, yes. Employers have to look through dozens, if not hundreds, of resumes to fill a position. They want the resumes to be quick and easy to read, so the shorter, the better.
How long should a law school resume be?
Your resume can be one or two pages. Law schools don't really care about the length, as long as you're not using a tiny font to keep it to a single page, or adding in unnecessary details to make it two pages. A two-page resume is not necessarily better than a one-page resume, and vice versa.
Can my resume be 2 pages as a student?
The short answer is that a college student's resume should usually be one page, with some exceptions.
Does a legal resume need to be one page?
Most law student resumes are one page. If you have extensive professional experience or a technical background it may be appropriate to have a two-page resume. If your resume is two pages, make sure that your name is on the second page (Robin Hood, page 2), but omit the complete header.
9 Biggest Law School Application Resume Mistakes
Do employers look at 2 page resumes?
In the end, the length doesn't matter quite as much as the content filling the pages. If you can capture your qualifications on one page, great. But if it takes two pages or more, that's OK, too. “I've had new grads do well with two-page resumes and top executives do well with only one page,” Isaacs says.
How long should a lawyer's resume be?
If you want the hiring manager to thoroughly review your qualifications, keep your resume around one page in length. You can exceed the one-page rule if you have five or more years of relevant legal experience, but keep it to no more than two pages.
Is there anything wrong with a 2 page resume?
Two pages is fine. Never use a two-page resume if you're applying for any kind of junior or entry-level role. This is a hard and fast rule — at this stage of your career, you simply don't have enough experience to justify more than a single page.
Is a 2 page resume OK for grad school?
Grad School CVs: Graduate school applications will sometimes use the terms "CV" or "résumé," but what they usually want you to submit is what Karen Kelsky calls a "CV-résumé hybrid" and what we'll call simply a "grad school CV." In other words, they usually want a shorter document (2-3 pages at most) with minimal ...
Is a one page resume too short?
Unless you have 20+ years of experience, a single page should be more than enough. Your resume should be a summary of your most relevant, most recent work experience. It's not supposed to be a detailed account of everything you've ever done in your life.
Should a law school resume be one or two pages?
In fact, most law schools will happily accept resumes that are 1-2 pages in length. That's right, your resume can finally be longer than one page for these purposes. With that in mind, clarity and readability is critical. So, widen those margins (to 1-inch) and increase that font size (to at least 11-point font…
What not to put on a resume for law school?
An “Objective” or “Summary of Qualifications” section
Your law school résumé is very different from a work résumé—so avoid using your work résumé as your template. And make sure it doesn't contain an objective or summary of qualifications. They serve no purpose except to make your law school résumé unnecessarily long.
How should I format my resume for law school?
- Experience. Include both jobs and internships. ...
- Education. Include degrees, distinctions such as magna cum laude, and academic awards. ...
- Activities. ...
- Personal. ...
- Make it scannable. ...
- Use bullet points, but no more than three per entry. ...
- Give context for each entry. ...
- Format consistently.
Is a 2 page resume ats friendly?
“Typically, resumes are concise, ideally one to two pages, and formatted in a way that showcases your qualifications quickly and effectively to hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS),” says Clair Levy, a Certified Resume Writer for Precision Resume Solutions.
Is it okay if my resume is 1.5 pages?
1.5 pages will leave too much empty space, and make your application look unprofessional. If you have under ten years of relevant work experience, you should write a one page resume. If you have more than ten years, however, a two page resume is acceptable. Just make sure it's not 1.5 pages long.
Should I use a 2 page resume or CV?
Yes, a resume can absolutely be two pages long, especially for individuals with extensive experience, advanced education or diverse skill sets. While the traditional one-page resume is best for entry-level candidates, a two-page resume allows more space to showcase a broader range of achievements and experiences.
Should a professional resume be 1 or 2 pages?
Most resumes should be between one and two pages long. However, some can be three pages or more.
Is it okay if my college resume is 2 pages?
A college resume that shows your educational and life accomplishments (mainly from your high school years) to prospective college admissions representatives should be one to two pages long.
How long should a resume be for grad school?
Try to stick to 1-2 pages.
Most people have heard that they need to keep their resume to 1 page, however, that's really advice for most college undergraduates who don't have the range of relevant experience that a PhD student or postdoc has.
Is a one page resume good or bad?
Here are some reasons why you should keep your resume to one page: It makes it easier to read. Hiring managers usually only have a short amount of time to scan through your resume. Keeping your resume to one page gives them time to find work experience and skills that match their requirements.
How long should a resume be in 2024?
A resume in 2024 should be either one-page or two-pages long, it will depend on your years of experience. Typically, a one-page resume is the most commonly submitted to a job application but it's normal for senior-level or managerial positions to receive professional resumes that are two-pages long.
Should a college resume be one page?
For résumés, limiting your document to one page is a good approach for new college graduates and high school students. Some employers may specifically ask for a one-page résumé. However, do not shy away from adding that extra page of accomplishments—as long as it is relevant and persuasive.
Do law schools look at resumes?
Law schools look for tailored resumes that communicate professionally and concisely – like lawyers.
What is the average tenure of a lawyer?
Average tenure in legal jobs is 5.4 years.
What is the best format for a legal resume?
Use bold, underlining, and italics consistently to enhance readability. Select either bullet points or a paragraph format for your position descriptions. Make deliberate style choices, then stick to them throughout. Ensure your resume is error free.