Use two pages when relevant evidence cannot fit comfortably on one and the application permits it. Give the strongest material useful space instead of squeezing text or adding filler. Follow explicit limits; current USAJOBS resumes are limited to two pages, with narrow announcement-directed exceptions described by OPM.
When two pages make sense
Consider two pages when the role needs substantial relevant experience, qualifications or projects that would become hard to read on one. A fixed number of years does not determine the answer. For USAJOBS, the current limit is two pages; OPM applies it to Title 5 competitive and excepted service announcements and describes narrow exceptions that must be directed by the announcement.
Fill page two with purpose
If you go to a second page, aim to fill at least half of it. A second page with only two or three stray bullets looks accidental. Let page breaks fall between jobs or sections, not in the middle of a bullet.
What goes on each page
Give the most relevant recent work enough space to explain your responsibilities and supported outcomes. Shorten older or repetitive material, while keeping the timeline accurate. Keep additional education, credentials or projects only when they help the reader assess this application. Do not pad a second page to fill it.
- Add a small header on page two with your name and “Page 2 of 2”.
- Make sure no bullet is split across the page break.
- Fill at least half of the second page so it looks complete and deliberate.
- Keep your most important keywords and strongest numbers on page one.