When it comes to business etiquette, some unwavering standards seem to exist with no definite rules explaining why – consider the expectation that you will always send one Thank-you after an interview. And while the choice of File format to be used when sending your resume via email may depend on why you are sending it. Another common question that haunts many job seekers: How many pages can (or should) this resume be?
Traditional wisdom often dictates that a one-page resume is the way to go as it provides potential employers with the most succinct summary of your talents and expertise at a glance. But if you have a ton of experience and awards, why limit yourself to such a shortened resume? As with most things related to job hunting, it turns out that the answers to these questions are not final, but rather that there are more guidelines to follow. However, if you follow a few basic principles, they shouldn’t contain too much of a problem.
Beginners should have shorter résumés
Of course, it’s easy to see why someone who is just starting out has a shorter resume. Their careers are just beginning and they don’t have the breadth of experience that could otherwise extend a seasoned professional’s résumé. So if you’re just starting out, there is no need to fill your resume with high school awards and college clubs. Stick to what is relevant to the position you are applying for.
However, if you are a seasoned employee trying to switch careers, you may also not have much experience entirely relevant to the new field you are entering. Hence, your resume may have to be as a result. That is often said Recruiters spend six seconds Before deciding whether or not to further screen a candidate, scan a resume. It is therefore imperative that you are precise and still present yourself in the best possible light.
As Moira Lawler writes for them Recruitment platform Monsterhighlight keywords that both reflect your experience and indicate that you understand the specific requirements of the position for which you are applying. Among the most important things to consider, she notes:
Deal strategically with keywords, quantify your successes and, above all, keep them precise. This way, your résumé leaves a good first impression on the recruiter, as it usually serves as the first point of contact when applying to a company.
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In other words, if you have a really short résumé, it is important that what is listed there shows you that you understand the requirements of the job and that you are able to meet them.
When résumés can (and should) be longer
When I was just starting out, I was told by an older colleague that my resume must always be a page, no exceptions. I haven’t strictly followed this rule since then, and the decision hasn’t affected my career at all (at least I’m currently employed).
If you want a long résumé you need to have every inch of that space counted. It is far better to have a precise and economical one-page résumé than a long and incoherent two-page résumé. However, if you have a ton of relevant experience and accomplishments, there is nothing wrong with splitting your credentials over two or even three pages.
Marc Cenedella, The founder and CEO of the career resource website Ladders suggests a general rule – a two-page resume is required for anyone who has been with the workforce for 10-25 years. For those with careers under the age of ten, a one-page resume is likely to be sufficient.
And when it comes to driving longer, he advises:
Two pages are long enough to detail your background, achievements, and previous assignments. This length allows you to show the progress of your career over the decades while also providing enough detail about the past five years to give the audience a very good idea of your skills and accomplishments for your resume.
If you find yourself in the camp of workers with less than 10 years of experience who still have honors or achievements to record, the record should be as precise as possible, even if you extend to a second page. In short, you don’t want it to appear like you’re trying to expand your experience to more than one page. If you do, you can be sure that your accomplishments deserve that extra space.
