On the surface, it’s a simple question: how long should a resume be? But many job seekers still aren’t sure. And this is despite realizing how critically important this is. After all, the length of your resume will greatly impact how it is received by employers. Go too long and recruiters will throw your resume in the discard pile. Go too short and the document won’t convey everything it needs to convey.
Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss exactly how long a resume should be and why, in addition to exploring the myriad of variables that can affect this decision. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to move forward in confidence, ready to impress your dream employer and land a great job.
Let’s Cut Right to the Chase
In our opinion, a resume should be either one or two pages in length max. If you have less than 10 years of work experience, we suggest sticking to one page. If you have over 10 years of experience, two pages are fine, but don’t go longer than two (or risk the hiring manager’s eyes glossing over!)
Steal My Secrets: A 1-Day DIY Guide to a Killer Resume, available as both an Ebook and paperback on Amazon, provides additional information about our 1-2 page length recommendation, including spelling out the exact number of bullets you should write for each job.
But We Should Consider Other Opinions Too
With that said, there are varying opinions on the topic. Traditionally, a one-page resume was considered the gold standard. Its concise nature was believed to encapsulate a candidate’s essence, skills, and experience effectively. However, as time has passed and the professional world has changed, so have the expectations surrounding resumes.
The length of a resume is arguably more fluid these days and influenced by various factors, including industry norms, career level, and individual experiences.
For recent graduates or those with limited work experience, a one-page resume generally suffices. This amount of space allows a new grad to highlight key academic achievements, internships, and relevant skills succinctly.
Conversely, seasoned professionals with a wealth of experience might naturally require more space to detail their extensive career journey. In such cases, a two-page resume may be warranted. However, brevity remains crucial; every detail should contribute to painting a comprehensive yet concise picture of one’s professional prowess.
It’s Necessary to Strike the Right Balance
Remember, the relevance of your resume’s content matters more than the page count. A well-crafted, focused one-page resume can outweigh a longer, more convoluted document. Thus, the key lies in striking the right balance between depth of information and readability.
When deciding how long to make your resume, consider the hiring manager’s perspective. Recruiters often sift through hundreds of applications at a time. They want to see a quick snapshot of a candidate’s suitability within seconds. A concise, targeted resume that emphasizes relevant achievements and skills that align with the job description will likely capture their attention more so than a multi-page one with tons of text.
ATS Barriers Add Another Aspect to the Debate
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software adds another dimension to the debate that we should really address. Used by hiring managers to automatically filter resumes, these programs scan documents for certain keywords and phrases. As a result, the language you use on your resume matters a lot. But when it comes to resume formatting and length, there don’t appear to be any fixed rules, although adhering to a two-page limit often seems to align well with ATS requirements.
In general, this software isn’t known to penalize applicants for long resumes – instead, it may pick up on additional keywords to your benefit – but always keep in mind that a real person will likely read your resume at some point too.
Also, note that tailoring your resume for each application is critical. One way to realistically achieve this is to build a comprehensive master resume that you selectively curate for each job ad. Highlighting experiences and skills directly relevant to the desired position can justify a slightly longer resume.
However, regardless of length, certain fundamental principles hold true. A cluttered, lengthy resume without clear formatting, bullet points, and proper organization risks losing the reader’s interest. White space can be a powerful ally, aiding readability and drawing attention to key details. (Visit this page for more resume writing tips and tricks.)
There Are Lots of Factors to Consider, But Concise is Always Best
The ideal resume length remains somewhat subjective and can be affected by many variables. However, even if the one-page rule isn’t necessarily absolute anymore, it’s still crucial that you prioritize content relevance, clarity, and readability. It can’t be said enough: tailoring your resume to suit the job description is essential.
Ultimately, a resume—be it one page or more—should serve as a compelling narrative that entices the reader to learn more about your professional journey.
For specific step-by-step instructions on how to craft an impactful resume that will help you land the perfect job, get your hands on a copy of Steal My Secrets: A 1-Day DIY Guide to a Killer Resume as soon as you can. Check out the book on Amazon today!