People often ask me what the perfect resume length is. As with everything resume related, the answer is “depends” There are many factors. There are no “rules” that a resume must be a certain page length. just 1 page. Because length alone does not determine the effectiveness of a resume.
Still, page-by-page rumors persist.
Job seekers often have the misconception that recruiters, hiring managers, and HR professionals don’t read resumes longer than one page. It simply isn’t true.
Most resumes are only read for a few seconds, beginning For screening, the first review simply determines a match. If the applicant is considered a serious candidate, the resume will be read in more detail.
Regardless of length, if someone who reads your resume decides you’re not the right fit for the job, they’ll stop reading your resume. But if you meet the job requirements and share compelling content, the person will want to know more.
When recruiters and HR managers survey resume length, they say: “As long as it is necessary to communicate your qualifications””…and not a word more. This means writing “lean and clean” to maintain appropriate length while providing quality content that supports decision-making. . A piece of paper.
Here are some guidelines for keeping your resume short.
- If a few lines of your resume extend beyond the second or third page, it may be worth editing the text or adjusting the font, margins, and line spacing to reduce the number of pages. Check out our tips for saving space.
- Don’t embed important information on the second page. If you don’t grab the reader’s attention on the first page, you may not get good content.
- You can go beyond two pages if you can judge based on experience. Senior management often needs him three pages to tell a solid career.Yet the content should still be there Customized, value-driven.
- Regardless of length, make sure that everything you include is relevant to your job goals and what recruiters want to know about you. Focus on metrics and outcomes, not tasks. This strategy checks the details.
- Please note that not all resumes are printed. Many are read on the screen. Bringing files to life makes it easy for anyone to scan them on any device. Don’t cram content in small fonts on just one page (as advised by a respected recruiter).
Be aware of the one-page resume rule
How often have you heard someone say that about a resume Must Is it one page long? Or read this advice online?
I’ve heard this countless times. Heck, you’ll still see posts in your social media feeds touting the best one-page resumes (“Recommended Resume Templates”).
nevertheless, study found that “recruiters are 2.3 times more likely to prefer a two-page resume than a one-page resume,” regardless of career level.
The same study also noted that “recruiters spent nearly twice as much time reading a two-page resume.”
food for thought.
Now, I’m not saying Page 2 works for everyone. Each job seeker is unique, so resume lengths may vary.
Ultimately, you need to strategically determine your resume length and also focus on other factors that support a successful resume, such as:
• How to present your resume. It doesn’t matter how long (or short) your resume is if it’s rough and hard to read.
• How will you target your resume? A generic resume of any length will not perform as well as a customized file.
• Content impact. A basic job description alone will not give you any recognition. Share specific success stories related to your role.
Instead of focusing on the length of your resume, focus on writing a resume that shows value to your readers. Create exceptional, relatable content that readers won’t want to stop reading.
Looking for help writing a to-the-point yet impactful resume? Contact us to discuss.
