Getting Conflicting Advice About Resume Length? Here Is What You Should Do.
Are you getting conflicting advice about resume length? Here is what you should do.
One of the most common questions I get is, "How long should my resume be?" Job seekers seem to think there is a magical number out there that is ideal for resume or CV page length. I hate to burst your bubble, but there is no ideal number.
It depends.
Yes, it depends. It depends on several factors.
How much experience you have. Are you a student or a recent graduate? Are you mid-career or in a senior role?
What is the purpose of the resume? Is it for uploading into an Applicant Tracking System? Or are you using it for networking?
What is the industry? Are you applying for a government position? How about an academic role or a highly technical role?
The purpose of the resume (or CV) is to get you an interview. So, how many pages your resume should be will depend on the information needed to help the reader decide if they want to interview you. That is why there is no magic number.
What Do Recruiters Say
I thought it would be helpful to hear what actual recruiters think about resume length. So I reached out to recruiters in all different industries and hiring at all levels. The vast majority responded that they would prefer a one-page resume. That makes perfect sense. Reading less would be more efficient for recruiters, especially when time is at a premium.
So I followed up with a question about whether the recruiter had any issues with someone presenting a two-page or longer resume. No one expressed any deep concern as long as the information was relevant to the job they wanted.
Katherine Cress, Executive Recruiter | MSI International
"I believe if the information on the resume is valuable and pertinent to the job you are applying for then the length doesn't matter. I also believe since most recruiters/HM look at resumes over the computer, a 3 page long resume isn't as off-putting than say getting 3 physical pieces of paper stapled together."
Her resume, by the way, is one page with five years of experience.
Ben Arasi, Recruiter at The Ash Group
"For the length of a resume, I generally don't care how long it is, unless you are going back further than 20-25 + years which I have found not to be relevant in IT or Engineering positions (the bulk of which I work on). So I would say that I wouldn't want to read/see resumes longer than 4 pages. "
Tom Panagos, Executive Recruiter at Automation Anywhere
"I do care about the length of a resume as it says something about the person. Early career people that have more than one page are putting a lot of fluff into it. I suggest that those with experience of 10 years plus keep it under 2 pages. This shows the ability to be concise and to highlight the most important aspects of their careers. Those with significant experience, especially those with breath in their careers, could go to 3 pages but beyond that is too much. If you are 15+ years in your career, your first few years/jobs really no longer matter. List them with years but don't add details."
Corey Rupp, Talent Acquisition Partner, US at Current Health
"It's interesting- when I was a job seeker I always felt compelled to fill 2 pages, and had to really challenge and edit myself to condense it to one page. But, as a recruiter, I strongly prefer a one page resume. Keep it relevant, keep it succinct. Show that you can not only craft your story and sell yourself, but also that you can keep it digestible. I feel the same about cover letters. Don't include it just because you think you should, but only if it's a value-add to the resume."
Ashley Elliott, Talent Acquisition, Footlocker.com
"I would say that I don't care if a resume fits all on 1 page...but once it gets to 3+ pages, it's excessive and I stop reading! My advice would be to make sure the resume is tailored to the position and includes the most relevant experience, which should help pare it down to a page or two. Candidates also need to make sure that they have things to speak about in a phone screen or interview- not every single thing needs to be listed on the resume! My personal resume is 1 page."
So as you can see, one or two pages are okay but ensure the information is targeted for the role.
So Here Is My General Advice
From my years of experience as a Corporate Recruiter, here is what I would advise.
A one-page resume should suffice for those in the trades (plumber, carpenter, etc.).
A one-page resume should work well for recent grads and those with five years or less of experience.
If you have more than five years of experience, you may be okay with a two-page resume. Make sure all the information you put on it is relevant. It may make sense to remove it from your resume.
Most recruiters advised not to go over two pages. However, there may be specific occasions, such as a government or academic resume asking for specific information (publications and presentations), where having a three-page or more resume might be appropriate.
You can create an "Earlier Career" section to capture roles or companies where you worked that could have significance for the reader. You do not need to elaborate duties or accomplishments, especially if it is a repeat of other information already on the resume.
Indefinite and definite articles of speech, such as "a," "an," and "the," can be deleted to save space.
No matter the type of position you want or the length of your career, review the job description of any job you are pursuing. Look at what is asked for in terms of knowledge, skills, or experience. Then, make sure what you have on your resume that matches those requirements. Remove anything that does not do this.
Conclusion
As you can see, Recruiters have various opinions on the appropriate length of a resume/CV. Career Coaches do as well. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to resume length. Remember that it is not about what YOU want to tell; it is about what the reader needs to know. Craft your resume so that no matter the length, it provides relevant information to show your value and get you that interview.
Here are some other blog posts that might be of interest about resumes.
Ask The Career Coach: How to Make Writing a Resume Easier
Nine Resume Formatting Mistakes You Should Avoid
What is the Big Deal about a Resume Being ATS Compliant?
Shelley Piedmont is a job search coach. She wants to help job seekers put their best foot forward by providing the tools for a successful job search. If you need career coaching, resume preparation, interview skills assessment, or LinkedIn profile assistance, she can help. Schedule a 15-minute no-obligation consultation.