Is a three-page resume ever acceptable?

A resume, as we all know, is supposed to be brief. It is a summary of your career, not a detailed history. It should focus on your achievements and the results you delivered for your employers, not explain your responsibilities in excruciating detail. It should focus on what you have done lately, not ancient glory. It should be telegraphic, not paragraphic. And last but not least, it should fit on one page.

Or not.

The total length of a resume remains a subject on which the experts disagree. While there are some who insist that one page fits all, many resume writing experts agree that people with long, extensive or distinguished careers should not slavishly adhere to the one-page rule. If two pages are needed to list all your relevant accomplishments, then use two pages.

But what if two pages don't cut it? Is it ever OK to add a third page to your resume?

The question is of more than passing relevance to individuals looking for managerial and executive level positions, as candidates for these types of openings often have lots of relevant experience and achievements that could be included on their resumes.

And the answer to the question is...Yes, depending on the situation.

There are cases where a job seeker would have a better shot at landing an interview by including more information. There are also fields of employment, such as teaching in higher education, and employers, such as the Federal government, where longer resumes are required for consideration. Executives may want to consider a three page resume if they have many achievements to their credit that a hiring officer should know about - but before adding that third page, first make sure that the achievements are relevant, that they are not too far out of date, and that they are tightly written. Only after weeding out excess information and loose prose is it then OK to tack on that third page.

Even at the upper levels, many resumes get quickly scanned in a prelimiary round of sorting out candidates. The briefer the resume, the more likely it is to get past the gatekeepers in most instances. But once again, there are instances where longer resumes work. In my next posts, I will share with you what a number of experts have to say about the specific situations where a resume of more than two pages is advisable, desirable, or required.

By Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is a veteran freelance writer, editor and public relations professional who lives in Philadelphia. Besides blogging for BusinessWorkForce.com, he has written for numerous publications and websites, would be happy to do your resume, and is himself actively seeking career opportunities on Nexxt. Check out his LinkedIn profile and read his other posts on BusinessWorkForceBlog.com.