How Long Should Your Resume Be?

Whether you are fresh out of college and on the job hunt or you are a seasoned pro searching for a new position, resume length is a tricky topic. To further complicate matters, many head hunters and recruiters now rely on scanning software that looks for specific keywords in job resumes they receive. In order to craft an appropriate resume, you need to pay close attention to both its length and its content.

Conventional wisdom suggests that your resume should not stretch longer than a single page. If you are an entry-level worker or even a professional midway into your career, a single page provides ample room to expand upon your educational and professional history. Only opt for a two-page resume length if you are an executive with several years of experience that you need to carefully document in your CV.

If you have multiple elements in your resume and struggle to stick to a single page, make certain you edit your resume for each job you consider. While the ideal resume length fluctuates little from job to job, the skills and experience you detail in your document should vary. Employers want to consider relevant information that applies to the job in question. If you cram superfluous details into your resume, recruiters are bound to move on to other candidates.

One simple way to edit a lengthy resume is to ask for a friend or adviser to take a look at it. If you have specific concerns regarding resume length, asking for another opinion helps you focus on what information you do and do not need to display. Conversely, if you write a sparse resume that contains too little information, a trusted confidant can help you flesh out your previous working history.

While your resume length does not provide much wiggle room, it is important to emphasize the difference between an appropriate resume and a letter of motivation. Also known as the cover letter, this document allows you to explore some of the more intricate details of your previous history with a would-be employer. Unlike a resume, which has very specific pre-defined sections and requirements, your letter of intent gives you much more control. This gives you the perfect opportunity to present yourself to the employer in a manner that reflects your unique skill set.

Crafting a professional resume is just one of the many challenges job hunters face. By paying close attention to resume length and only including pertinent information, you allow recruiters to zero in on the skills you bring to a particular job. While the task appears daunting initially, if you spend time revising and editing your resume, you are bound to create a document that generates job leads effectively.

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