Resume Length

Resume Length How long should a resume be?The right resume length depends entirely on your background. Resume length is among the biggest quandaries for job landseekers. The presiding belief is that if its too long, you risk a hiring manager not reading the whole thing if its too short, you might look like you dont have enough experience. For all the times youve wondered, How long should a resume be? you probably figured the universe has decided on an answer by now. Alas. Theres no magic resume length that works for everyone.The trick is figuring out the best number of pages for your situation. Follow these tips.One-page resumesDecades ago, someone declared a resume should never exceed one page. This idea spread like wildfire and continues to this day, but is it time to debunk this rule once and for all?In my 30-plus years as a resume writer, Ive never come across definitive proof that a resume should be one page, says Norine Dagliano, nationally certified resume writer , nationally certified zugnglich profile expert, and owner of ekm Inspirations, a resume- and online-profile-writing service. Focusing primarily on the appropriate number of pages is a misdirected concern and can inhibit ones ability to effectively market themselves.If youre attempting to cram all your skills and experience onto one page, please stop. Ive seen job seekers and professional resume writers shoot themselves in the foot trying to fit two or more pages of content on one sheet of paper, says Dagliano. Telltale signs include tiny fonts, tight margins, dense paragraphs, lack of incremental spacing, or omission of relevant information.One page works beautifully for some job seekers, though. If you can prove that youre qualified for the job youre targeting on one page, go for it. This is typically the case for students and others with limited experience.There should be a relationship between your background, expertise, and career level and length of your resume, says Cathy Sut herland, managing director with ZRG Partners, a retained executive-search firm. If youre within ten years of finishing school, a one-page resume is fine.Consider a one-page resume ifYou have fewerthan ten years of experience.Youre pursuing a career change and your experience isnt transferable to your new goal.Youve held one or two positions with one employer.Two-page resumesBut how long should a resume be if youve been in the workforce for a while? The Goldilocks principle applies to two-page resumesits just right for most employees.Consider the resume reviewers point of view. They are trying to fill a position and looking for someone with specific credentials. By the time youve added a heading at the top and resume sectionsfrom qualifications summary to experience, education, and skillstheres not a lot of room left over for meaty accomplishments. Two pages gives you extra space to convince the reviewer to select you for an interview.If you extend your resume length to two pages, be koranvers to include the most compelling information on page one. You want page two to see the light of day.A two-page resume works well for someone with over 10 years of experience, says Sullivan.It would be tough to get all of the important information on one page.Consider a two-page resume ifYou have 10 or more years of experience related to your goal.Youre having a hard time conveying the value you offer on one page and find that youre deleting relevant accomplishments.Three pages or longerWhile three pages may seem like youre entering novella territory, this resume length can work for professionals who need the extra space.Before going to multiple pages, take inventory of why you need the longer format. Ask yourself if your resume is built on quality versus quantity. Have you let go of early career experiences that dont market you for your current goal?A resume should not be an obituary of ones career, says Dagliano. To keep it concise, write with the employers needs and wants in mind. Hint Review the job description to which youre applying and note what skills and qualifications the employer lists at the top.Consider a three-page (or longer) resume ifYoure a senior-level manager or executive with an impressive track record of leadership accomplishments.Youre in an academic or scientific field with a list of publications, speaking engagements, courses, licenses, or patents.Youre applying for a federal job that requires more information than a civilian application.You have a lengthy technical or project management background and need to provide case studies, project highlights, or lists of technical skills.The ideal resume length depends on youAre you a student or new graduate with qualifications that dont quite fit on one page? Go to two. Are you a CEO with a penchant for getting to the point? Try a one-page resume. The rule is there is no rule.Dagliano recommends removing resume length from the equation. Ask yourselfIs the content relevant?Is the theme consistent and clear?Is the information current?Are the details truthful?Does it distinguish you from the competition?Is it well written and grammatically correct?Is it keyword optimized?Is it formatted so its easy to read?She says that if all of these factors can be positively addressed on one page, so be it. But if it takes two pagesor moreto address each factor, thats fine too.Finally, dont sweat it. When asked if a candidate has ever been eliminated from consideration because the resume was too long or too short, Sullivan said absolutely not. If the persons experience matches the job opening, they will not be eliminated for that reason, she says. Its more important that the resume has a great brandthe resume length and flow has to be synergistic with the experience.Get some reassuranceKnowing how your resume should look isntalways clear. The skills you should highlightand how many of them to focus ondependson the jobs youre applying to, the companies, and other variables. Not su re your resume is properly set up?Get a free resume evaluation today from the experts atMonsters Resume Writing Service. Youll get detailed feedback in two business days, including a review ofyour resumes appearance and content, and a prediction of a recruiters first impression. Resume trends tend to change so its best to make sure yours is doing all it can to get a hiring managers attention.