Which layout changes save the most space?
Spacing is usually the cheapest win. Line spacing and the gaps between sections take more room than most people expect, and margins come next. Font size should be the last layout change, because a recruiter reading on a laptop notices small text faster than a slightly tighter layout.
| Change | What it costs | Where to stop |
|---|---|---|
| Line spacing from 1.15 to 1.0 | Nothing visible on most templates | Keep a clear gap between sections |
| Margins from 1 inch (2.54 cm) to about 0.6 inch (1.5 cm) | A denser page | Leave enough white space at the edges for printing |
| Contact details on one line | Nothing | Keep phone and email as plain text |
| Skills as a comma-separated line instead of a list | Slightly harder to scan | Group by type: tools, languages, methods |
| Body text from 11 to 10 point | Harder to read on screen | Do not go below about 10 point for body text |
Margins and font sizes vary by template, so treat the numbers above as typical starting values, not rules. The guide to resume margins and spacing shows examples.
How do you shorten bullets without losing what they say?
Look for bullets that run one or two words onto a new line; trimming those saves a whole line each. Cut the opening filler ("Responsible for", "Worked on"), merge two bullets that describe the same project, and keep the number or result. The result is the part a recruiter remembers.
Two lines
Was responsible for working with the finance team on the monthly close process and helped to reduce the time it took from eight days to five days.
One line
Cut the monthly close from eight to five days with the finance team.
Same facts, roughly half the words. The verb moves to the front and the result stays.
What can you remove if layout and wording are not enough?
Remove what a recruiter for this job would not miss. Early roles unrelated to the target job can shrink to one line with title, employer and dates. An objective statement, "References available on request" and a list of soft skills can usually go. Keep everything relevant to the posting, even if it is old.
- "References available on request": employers ask when they need them.
- An objective statement, if you already have a summary.
- Bullets in roles older than your last two or three that say nothing about the target job: keep the role line, drop the bullets.
- Soft skills listed on their own ("hard-working", "detail-oriented").
- Duplicate tools listed in both the skills section and every bullet.
- A full street address: city and country are enough for most applications.
Cut content does not have to disappear. Keep it in a master document so the next tailored version can bring it back.
Does a resume have to be one page?
No. A single page is a common expectation for students and early-career applicants in the US, but plenty of guidance accepts two. Ruubu's country guides note that a US resume is one or two pages and a UK CV usually no longer than two A4 pages. Australia often expects more.
If you have ten years of relevant experience, a tight second page is better than an unreadable first one. The one-page vs two-page resume guide goes through the cases.
In what order should you work to reach one page?
Work from the least visible change to the most visible one, and check the page count after each step. That way you stop as soon as it fits and do not shrink text or delete lines you could have kept. Export a PDF at the end, because the page break in a PDF is what the employer sees.
Tighten line spacing
Set compact spacing and check whether the last lines moved up to page one.
Narrow the margins
Try narrow margins next. Most templates still look balanced.
Fix the widows
Find bullets with one or two words on their last line and shorten them.
Shrink old roles
Reduce unrelated early roles to a single line each.
Only then, smaller text
Drop the body text half a point at a time and stop at around 10 point.
Export and check the PDF
Open the PDF itself, not the editor preview, and confirm it is one page.
What does the Fit to one page button in Ruubu change?
In the Ruubu editor, Fit to one page measures the real render and applies the smallest set of design changes that fits: compact line spacing, then narrow margins. Smaller text is used only if you tick that option, and never below 9.5 point. It never deletes or rewrites a word of your content.
If design changes are not enough, it measures the Compact template and suggests it, without switching for you. "Shorten with AI" is a separate, paid option (Resume Pass or Pro, a few uses a week) that condenses your summary and bullets and keeps your numbers. Editing and the design changes are free in the resume builder; browse the templates to compare layouts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the smallest font size for a resume?
For body text, about 10 point is a sensible floor in common fonts such as Calibri, Arial or Inter. Headings can stay larger. Below that, the page gets harder to read on a laptop screen.
Is a two-column layout a good way to fit more on one page?
It fits more, but some applicant tracking systems read two columns in the wrong order and mix the text. A single column with tighter spacing is the safer choice.
Should I remove my education to save space?
No. Shorten it instead: degree, school and year on one line. Drop coursework and GPA once you have a few years of experience.
Can I put the overflow on a second page that only has a few lines?
Avoid it. A second page with three lines looks unfinished. Either fit to one page or fill the second page with relevant content.
Does changing margins affect how an ATS reads my resume?
No. Margins, spacing and font size do not change the text an applicant tracking system extracts. Tables, text boxes and columns can.
Related answers and guides
- How do I keep one master resume with all my experience?Answers
- How do I tailor my resume to a job description?Answers
- What CV format should I use when applying for jobs in another country?Answers
- Resume templatesWith and without photo
- One-page vs two-page resumeGuide
- Resume margins and spacingGuide
- ATS-friendly resume formatThe layout checklist