9 answers
Adonis
Student
Paterson, New Jersey
4
Questions
Updated
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What file type should I use for my online resume and how many pages should it be?
I have been wondering about these two questions for a while and would like professional answers, thank you kindly.
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9 answers
Jamie Wallace
Dell Technologies Supply Chain Advisor
14
Answers
Harker Heights, Texas
Updated
Jamie’s Answer
I would recommend .pdf file format. As far as length goes I would recommend one page. Often times employers are not going to look past the first page or so many years anywhere. They want to see what you have done the last few years.
Karina B
Educator
88
Answers
India
Updated
Karina’s Answer
Hi,
The resume can be a .pdf file converted from a word document.
The US professional resume is 1-paged.
Hope this helps.
The resume can be a .pdf file converted from a word document.
The US professional resume is 1-paged.
Hope this helps.
Mickael Rosenberg
Software Engineer
261
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Mickael’s Answer
Hi Adonis,
I totally concur with Jamie Wallace's answer. Adobe pdf is the best format to exchange with people. And for a young person like you, 1 page shall be enough.
Note this is a resume, which in French means summary: you are summarizing your life and leave the details for the interview. There should be enough details so that your skills are explained through either the courses you took or the internships/project/personal experiences that you had, or both.
But do not overdo it. This is extremely annoying for recruiters.
And please:
- Make the look and feel consistent.
- Sentences start with capital letters and end with a dot.
- Review and review again for any typographic mistakes.
- Have your resume reviewed by someone that is not from the field. That person should not choke too many times on acronyms. Not all reviewers may know the technology/tool that you may be describing.
If you ever have a comment on your resume from a recruiter, make sure:
- to not blame anyone but you,
- to take the advice seriously.
I totally concur with Jamie Wallace's answer. Adobe pdf is the best format to exchange with people. And for a young person like you, 1 page shall be enough.
Note this is a resume, which in French means summary: you are summarizing your life and leave the details for the interview. There should be enough details so that your skills are explained through either the courses you took or the internships/project/personal experiences that you had, or both.
But do not overdo it. This is extremely annoying for recruiters.
And please:
- Make the look and feel consistent.
- Sentences start with capital letters and end with a dot.
- Review and review again for any typographic mistakes.
- Have your resume reviewed by someone that is not from the field. That person should not choke too many times on acronyms. Not all reviewers may know the technology/tool that you may be describing.
If you ever have a comment on your resume from a recruiter, make sure:
- to not blame anyone but you,
- to take the advice seriously.
Patricia F.
2
Answers
Zürich, Switzerland
Updated
Patricia’s Answer
Hi Adonis,
apart from the tips you have been provided with, I would keep it short, simple, and accurate. With simple I mean I would not use very nice templates with lots of colours (I am sure you know which ones I mean), simplicity is the key. A recruiter wants to find important information quickly as they receive many CVs all the time.
If it’s too long, I would leave experience or relevant skills for the job you are applying for.
I hope this helps.
apart from the tips you have been provided with, I would keep it short, simple, and accurate. With simple I mean I would not use very nice templates with lots of colours (I am sure you know which ones I mean), simplicity is the key. A recruiter wants to find important information quickly as they receive many CVs all the time.
If it’s too long, I would leave experience or relevant skills for the job you are applying for.
I hope this helps.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6342
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hey there, Adonis!
Creating an online resume? Great! Let's dive into the different file types you can use, and how long your resume should be. We're going to make it simple and easy to understand, so you can make the best decision for your job application.
File Types for Online Resumes:
1. PDF (Portable Document Format): PDFs are a top pick for online resumes. They keep your layout and formatting the same across all devices and systems, so your resume always looks neat and professional. Plus, they're secure and can't be easily changed by others. Many employers love getting PDF resumes because they can easily view and print them without any issues.
2. DOCX (Microsoft Word Document): DOCX is another popular choice for online resumes. It works with Microsoft Word and other word processing programs, so you can easily tweak your resume. But, be aware that a DOCX file might look different on different devices or systems if they don't have the same fonts or settings.
3. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): HTML is used to create web pages. It's not as common for online resumes as PDF or DOCX, but it has some cool perks. An HTML resume lets you control the design and layout, making it super customizable. You can even add interactive stuff like hyperlinks, multimedia, and responsive design features that adjust to different screen sizes. Just keep in mind, you'll need some coding skills or a website builder to create an HTML resume.
Optimal Length for an Online Resume:
Your online resume should be short and sweet, but still show off your skills, qualifications, and relevant experience. While there's no hard and fast rule, it's usually best to keep your online resume to one to two pages. Here's what to think about when deciding on the length:
1. Relevance: Stick to info that's directly related to the job you're applying for. Make sure your resume highlights the skills and experiences that match the job's requirements.
2. Experience Level: If you're a new grad or don't have much work experience, a one-page resume should do the trick. As you get more experience, you can stretch your resume to two pages if needed. But, don't add irrelevant or old info.
3. Readability: Make sure your resume is easy to read and looks good. Use clear headings, bullet points, and short sentences to get your point across. Don't cram in too much text or unnecessary details.
Top 3 Go-To Reference Websites:
1. The Balance Careers (www.thebalancecareers.com): This site is packed with career advice and tips, including how to create resumes and pick the right file type for online applications.
2. Indeed Career Guide (www.indeed.com/career-advice): Indeed is a well-known job search site with tons of resources. Their career guide has lots of info on job hunting, resume writing, and formatting.
3. Harvard Business Review (hbr.org): This site is known for its expert content on business and careers. They often share articles and guides on the best practices for resumes, including file types and length.
Remember, while these sites are trusted and reliable, it's always a good idea to check info from multiple sources to make sure it's accurate and up-to-date.
Creating an online resume? Great! Let's dive into the different file types you can use, and how long your resume should be. We're going to make it simple and easy to understand, so you can make the best decision for your job application.
File Types for Online Resumes:
1. PDF (Portable Document Format): PDFs are a top pick for online resumes. They keep your layout and formatting the same across all devices and systems, so your resume always looks neat and professional. Plus, they're secure and can't be easily changed by others. Many employers love getting PDF resumes because they can easily view and print them without any issues.
2. DOCX (Microsoft Word Document): DOCX is another popular choice for online resumes. It works with Microsoft Word and other word processing programs, so you can easily tweak your resume. But, be aware that a DOCX file might look different on different devices or systems if they don't have the same fonts or settings.
3. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): HTML is used to create web pages. It's not as common for online resumes as PDF or DOCX, but it has some cool perks. An HTML resume lets you control the design and layout, making it super customizable. You can even add interactive stuff like hyperlinks, multimedia, and responsive design features that adjust to different screen sizes. Just keep in mind, you'll need some coding skills or a website builder to create an HTML resume.
Optimal Length for an Online Resume:
Your online resume should be short and sweet, but still show off your skills, qualifications, and relevant experience. While there's no hard and fast rule, it's usually best to keep your online resume to one to two pages. Here's what to think about when deciding on the length:
1. Relevance: Stick to info that's directly related to the job you're applying for. Make sure your resume highlights the skills and experiences that match the job's requirements.
2. Experience Level: If you're a new grad or don't have much work experience, a one-page resume should do the trick. As you get more experience, you can stretch your resume to two pages if needed. But, don't add irrelevant or old info.
3. Readability: Make sure your resume is easy to read and looks good. Use clear headings, bullet points, and short sentences to get your point across. Don't cram in too much text or unnecessary details.
Top 3 Go-To Reference Websites:
1. The Balance Careers (www.thebalancecareers.com): This site is packed with career advice and tips, including how to create resumes and pick the right file type for online applications.
2. Indeed Career Guide (www.indeed.com/career-advice): Indeed is a well-known job search site with tons of resources. Their career guide has lots of info on job hunting, resume writing, and formatting.
3. Harvard Business Review (hbr.org): This site is known for its expert content on business and careers. They often share articles and guides on the best practices for resumes, including file types and length.
Remember, while these sites are trusted and reliable, it's always a good idea to check info from multiple sources to make sure it's accurate and up-to-date.
Adrian Cunningham
Senior Specialist - Technology Development Program at AT&T and Graduate Researcher at UC Riverside
10
Answers
Updated
Adrian’s Answer
Hello! Definitely recommend starting it in MS Word and then making it a PDF for distribution. Usually a resume shouldn’t be more than 1-2 pages but it all depends on what job you’re applying to and what all you need to put in your resume for that job. I usually have different resumes for different types of jobs I would apply to, just to tailor the resume as needed.
Jimil Burkhart
Software Engineer
97
Answers
Gilbert, Arizona
Updated
Jimil’s Answer
When it comes to creating an online resume, the most commonly used file types are PDF and Docx. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, so the choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and the platforms you plan to use to share your resume.
PDF is the most widely accepted file type for resumes and it is also the most reliable way to ensure that your resume will look the same across all devices and platforms. PDFs are also easy to print and download, making them a good choice for online resumes. However, editing a PDF resume can be difficult, so you'll want to make sure that you have the final version ready before converting it to a PDF.
PDF is the most widely accepted file type for resumes and it is also the most reliable way to ensure that your resume will look the same across all devices and platforms. PDFs are also easy to print and download, making them a good choice for online resumes. However, editing a PDF resume can be difficult, so you'll want to make sure that you have the final version ready before converting it to a PDF.
Soumya Bandyopadhyay
Mechanical Engineer
54
Answers
Fremont, California
Updated
Soumya’s Answer
Thanks for the question; my answers to the specific parts of the question:
Recommended format: .pdf
Recommended no. pages in general: 1 (Best Bet)
Recommended no. of pages for an industry job: 1 (Always Preferred)
For academia/research-related positions, you can go up to 2 pages in a Resume, if you are enlisting journal/conference publications, invited talks and presentations in your Resume. Almost always it can be condensed to 1 page as well (Example: make a presentation with critical outcomes of research and include a link, or include the publications in a scholar profile and include the link).
Recommended format: .pdf
Recommended no. pages in general: 1 (Best Bet)
Recommended no. of pages for an industry job: 1 (Always Preferred)
For academia/research-related positions, you can go up to 2 pages in a Resume, if you are enlisting journal/conference publications, invited talks and presentations in your Resume. Almost always it can be condensed to 1 page as well (Example: make a presentation with critical outcomes of research and include a link, or include the publications in a scholar profile and include the link).
Sarah Luden
Corporate Affairs
7
Answers
Comanche, Texas
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Agree with others that PDF is preferable and 1 page. Keep the important stuff you're most proud of at the top and a quick overview statement of who you are and what you're looking for is important. Recruiters and hiring managers look at A LOT of resumes, so whatever you can do to bring personality to it is good.