10 answers
Sam
Student
2
Questions
Asked
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How long should my resume be?
How many pages, what info
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10 answers
Wayne Archibald
Cybersecurity Associate Director here to share knowledge!
229
Answers
Annapolis Junction, Maryland
Updated
Wayne’s Answer
Hello Sam! As a student or a recent graduate, or even someone with less than a decade of experience, it's best to keep your resume concise and limited to one page. Recruiters appreciate succinct, clear resumes, so deliver exactly that.
Wondering what to include and what to exclude from your resume? A standard one-page resume should encompass:
1. Resume title
2. A concise header with your contact details
3. A maximum of 3-5 job roles in your work experience section
4. Education
5. Other pertinent information, such as key skills, languages, or certifications
Typically, one page should suffice to incorporate all these elements. However, if your resume exceeds a page and needs trimming, follow these guidelines to condense it to a single page:
1. Exclude older work experiences.
2. Limit bullet points. For recent roles, include 3-6 achievements, while older roles may only require 1-2 bullet points.
3. Avoid repeating bullet points. If an accomplishment is already listed elsewhere in your resume, there's no need to duplicate it under a different role.
4. Streamline your education section. For current students, include the college name, GPA, expected graduation date, and email address. This should only occupy 1-2 lines beneath your work experience. If you've already graduated, mention your degree, institution, and any significant awards, but eliminate details like your GPA, coursework, and extracurricular activities.
Best of luck!
Wondering what to include and what to exclude from your resume? A standard one-page resume should encompass:
1. Resume title
2. A concise header with your contact details
3. A maximum of 3-5 job roles in your work experience section
4. Education
5. Other pertinent information, such as key skills, languages, or certifications
Typically, one page should suffice to incorporate all these elements. However, if your resume exceeds a page and needs trimming, follow these guidelines to condense it to a single page:
1. Exclude older work experiences.
2. Limit bullet points. For recent roles, include 3-6 achievements, while older roles may only require 1-2 bullet points.
3. Avoid repeating bullet points. If an accomplishment is already listed elsewhere in your resume, there's no need to duplicate it under a different role.
4. Streamline your education section. For current students, include the college name, GPA, expected graduation date, and email address. This should only occupy 1-2 lines beneath your work experience. If you've already graduated, mention your degree, institution, and any significant awards, but eliminate details like your GPA, coursework, and extracurricular activities.
Best of luck!
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1616
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Sam the way your resume is organized is critical to your success in landing a job interview. There are certain sections hiring managers look for in a professional resume. By filling in these sections, you can ensure that your resume makes it past an Applicant Tracking System and one step closer to your dream job.
CONTACT INFORMATION
The purpose of your contact information is to help the hiring manager quickly know who you are and how to reach you.
INTRODUCTION
Your resume introduction is a quick three-to-four sentence summarization to the hiring manager that details your experience, relevant skills, and other key qualifications. You can best think of your resume introduction as an elevator pitch. It’s the first resume section the hiring manager will see and should grab their attention immediately.
EXPERIENCE
Work experience is one of the most essential parts of a resume, and for most candidates will make up the bulk of their resume’s content.
SKILLS
The skills section of your resume sums up your expertise and skillsets to the hiring manager in a short, easy-to-read list. Regardless of how much experience you have, you should always include a skills section on your resume. To write a strong skills section, list your most marketable abilities and include a mix of both hard skills and soft skills to show employers that you’re a dynamic, well-rounded candidate. Hard skills will typically only include technical skills that you acquired through training, education, or otherwise hands-on experience. Meanwhile, soft skills most often consist of personality traits and people skills.
EDUCATION
The level of detail you add to your resume education section can vary based on how much work experience you have and the number of degrees you’ve achieved. For example, if you’ve just graduated from college, the education part of your resume should be highly detailed and include any information that’s relevant to the job you want.
The No. 1 rule of writing a resume is to keep it short and to the point. The general rule is no more than one page unless you have a very good reason for it to be longer, like an extensive career or a lot of highly applicable work experience. An easy way to keep your resume concise is to include only recent, relevant experience. While that yearlong first job might have taught you a lot about the field, it’s not always necessary to include every detail from your entire career history. Most experts recommend including jobs from the previous 10 or 15 years only, although this time frame may be shorter if you are new to the workforce. Including too many unrelated work experiences can make your resume appear too busy and draw attention away from your relevant qualifications. Your resume should be focused, clear and concise.
Hope this was helpful Sam
CONTACT INFORMATION
The purpose of your contact information is to help the hiring manager quickly know who you are and how to reach you.
INTRODUCTION
Your resume introduction is a quick three-to-four sentence summarization to the hiring manager that details your experience, relevant skills, and other key qualifications. You can best think of your resume introduction as an elevator pitch. It’s the first resume section the hiring manager will see and should grab their attention immediately.
EXPERIENCE
Work experience is one of the most essential parts of a resume, and for most candidates will make up the bulk of their resume’s content.
SKILLS
The skills section of your resume sums up your expertise and skillsets to the hiring manager in a short, easy-to-read list. Regardless of how much experience you have, you should always include a skills section on your resume. To write a strong skills section, list your most marketable abilities and include a mix of both hard skills and soft skills to show employers that you’re a dynamic, well-rounded candidate. Hard skills will typically only include technical skills that you acquired through training, education, or otherwise hands-on experience. Meanwhile, soft skills most often consist of personality traits and people skills.
EDUCATION
The level of detail you add to your resume education section can vary based on how much work experience you have and the number of degrees you’ve achieved. For example, if you’ve just graduated from college, the education part of your resume should be highly detailed and include any information that’s relevant to the job you want.
The No. 1 rule of writing a resume is to keep it short and to the point. The general rule is no more than one page unless you have a very good reason for it to be longer, like an extensive career or a lot of highly applicable work experience. An easy way to keep your resume concise is to include only recent, relevant experience. While that yearlong first job might have taught you a lot about the field, it’s not always necessary to include every detail from your entire career history. Most experts recommend including jobs from the previous 10 or 15 years only, although this time frame may be shorter if you are new to the workforce. Including too many unrelated work experiences can make your resume appear too busy and draw attention away from your relevant qualifications. Your resume should be focused, clear and concise.
Hope this was helpful Sam
Thank You Brianna. Every person can make a difference, and every person should.
Doc Frick
María José Rojas
Sr Talent Acquisition Specialist
2
Answers
San José, Costa Rica
Updated
María José’s Answer
Hi Sam, to build an extraordinary resume these are my suggestions:
- Choose simple words, comprehensible, concrete, precise, known and significant.
- Avoid grammar and spelling mistakes.
- Avoid the use of acronyms and ambiguous words.
3 C’s in your resume:
- Concise: should not be too long
- Clear: should include relevant information for the position, with a clear division of each section and easy to read
- Credible: should include honest information that can be verified
When writing your resume consider these tips:
- Easy to read and organized: 1 or 2 pages
- Same letter font in each part of the resume
- Show previous accomplishments
Sections in your resume:
- Personal information: name, address, phone number, email, LinkedIn profile
- Professional profile: a brief summary that includes education, experience and professional interest for position applying to. Example: Recent Software Engineering graduate with fundamental knowledge of software design, development, and testing. Seeking to utilize my educational background with excellent analytical, technical, and programming skills to thrive as an entry-level software engineer.
- Work experience or internship: most relevant information organized from the most recent to the oldest, in chronological inverse order. Use STAR approach S: Situation, where and when / T: Tasks, what was done / A: Action or actions done to complete the task / R: Results what did you accomplish.
- Educational background: title, educational institute and graduation year
- Languages: English, Spanish, etc.
- Skills: Related to the job position you are applying to
- Certifications and recognitions: related to the job position
I hope this can help you!
- Choose simple words, comprehensible, concrete, precise, known and significant.
- Avoid grammar and spelling mistakes.
- Avoid the use of acronyms and ambiguous words.
3 C’s in your resume:
- Concise: should not be too long
- Clear: should include relevant information for the position, with a clear division of each section and easy to read
- Credible: should include honest information that can be verified
When writing your resume consider these tips:
- Easy to read and organized: 1 or 2 pages
- Same letter font in each part of the resume
- Show previous accomplishments
Sections in your resume:
- Personal information: name, address, phone number, email, LinkedIn profile
- Professional profile: a brief summary that includes education, experience and professional interest for position applying to. Example: Recent Software Engineering graduate with fundamental knowledge of software design, development, and testing. Seeking to utilize my educational background with excellent analytical, technical, and programming skills to thrive as an entry-level software engineer.
- Work experience or internship: most relevant information organized from the most recent to the oldest, in chronological inverse order. Use STAR approach S: Situation, where and when / T: Tasks, what was done / A: Action or actions done to complete the task / R: Results what did you accomplish.
- Educational background: title, educational institute and graduation year
- Languages: English, Spanish, etc.
- Skills: Related to the job position you are applying to
- Certifications and recognitions: related to the job position
I hope this can help you!
Sony Korlipara
Quality Assurance
10
Answers
Fremont, California
Updated
Sony’s Answer
Sam, Resume should not be more than 1- or 2-pages length. This will ensure to keep the focus & attention of the hirin
Your Resume starts with your name, contact info and email.
Next section you can add brief objective statement to talk about your career goals or a short statement about what made you apply for this job
Next comes professional experience section. this is where you tend to bloat your sentences by adding more details of each project. list down the projects/internships/extra-curricular activities/volunteer activities. Instead of focusing on the duties you did, highlight your achievements, learnings, growth opportunities etc .
Next you can add your education qualifications, Technical and Interpersonal skills.
Few more tips:-
- Read the Job posting carefully and think about the experience you had that is mostly relevant to the position and add them to resume as needed to tailor it to the Job posting. Your Resume should stand out to skim readers.
- Proof read your resume in order to correct any spelling mistakes, formatting ..etc
- You can either use word document (or) PowerPoint to prepare your resume
All the best!
Your Resume starts with your name, contact info and email.
Next section you can add brief objective statement to talk about your career goals or a short statement about what made you apply for this job
Next comes professional experience section. this is where you tend to bloat your sentences by adding more details of each project. list down the projects/internships/extra-curricular activities/volunteer activities. Instead of focusing on the duties you did, highlight your achievements, learnings, growth opportunities etc .
Next you can add your education qualifications, Technical and Interpersonal skills.
Few more tips:-
- Read the Job posting carefully and think about the experience you had that is mostly relevant to the position and add them to resume as needed to tailor it to the Job posting. Your Resume should stand out to skim readers.
- Proof read your resume in order to correct any spelling mistakes, formatting ..etc
- You can either use word document (or) PowerPoint to prepare your resume
All the best!
Nitin G
Engineering
2
Answers
Pleasanton, California
Updated
Nitin’s Answer
Hello Sam,
The perfect length for a resume can fluctuate depending on your years of experience and the specific job you're applying for. However, I strongly believe that a one-page resume, packed with precise information, can be incredibly beneficial. Recruiters and hiring managers generally appreciate a resume that is succinct and to the point.
When I mention 'precise', here are some critical aspects that you should include in your resume:
- Prioritize your recent experiences. Highlight your latest roles and experiences as they are most likely to be pertinent to potential employers. If you're just starting your career, make sure to emphasize any side projects you've been involved in.
- If you're targeting tech jobs, ensure your personal GitHub link is prominently displayed on your resume.
- Include accurate contact and education information.
- Personalize your resume to match the job requirements and include all relevant information.
- Don't forget to list any pertinent certifications or courses you've completed that align with the job you're applying for.
I hope this advice proves useful to you. Best of luck on your job search!
The perfect length for a resume can fluctuate depending on your years of experience and the specific job you're applying for. However, I strongly believe that a one-page resume, packed with precise information, can be incredibly beneficial. Recruiters and hiring managers generally appreciate a resume that is succinct and to the point.
When I mention 'precise', here are some critical aspects that you should include in your resume:
- Prioritize your recent experiences. Highlight your latest roles and experiences as they are most likely to be pertinent to potential employers. If you're just starting your career, make sure to emphasize any side projects you've been involved in.
- If you're targeting tech jobs, ensure your personal GitHub link is prominently displayed on your resume.
- Include accurate contact and education information.
- Personalize your resume to match the job requirements and include all relevant information.
- Don't forget to list any pertinent certifications or courses you've completed that align with the job you're applying for.
I hope this advice proves useful to you. Best of luck on your job search!
Enise Agel
144
Answers
Updated
Enise’s Answer
Dear Sam,
Your resume should be 1 page, (maximum 2 pages) for your resume; the reason is that most companies and charity have already been reading over 100 resumes across the country. Therefore, you should prepare for your resume.
You should create a structure for your resume. On the top left, you should write your full name, phone number, email address, and your home address. On top of that, the best Resume structure would be Introduction (introduce yourself with your career: education background or your current job role) Your Career (a list of your work experience(s)).
You can inform a company who wants to match with role requirements, have a think about your talent and passion. You should have the similar role you have experienced. If you do not have not experienced yet, you can be a volunteer, or an intern for a company, so that you can add to your resume.
I hope this helps.
Your resume should be 1 page, (maximum 2 pages) for your resume; the reason is that most companies and charity have already been reading over 100 resumes across the country. Therefore, you should prepare for your resume.
You should create a structure for your resume. On the top left, you should write your full name, phone number, email address, and your home address. On top of that, the best Resume structure would be Introduction (introduce yourself with your career: education background or your current job role) Your Career (a list of your work experience(s)).
You can inform a company who wants to match with role requirements, have a think about your talent and passion. You should have the similar role you have experienced. If you do not have not experienced yet, you can be a volunteer, or an intern for a company, so that you can add to your resume.
I hope this helps.
Enise recommends the following next steps:
Nada L
IT Software
100
Answers
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Updated
Nada’s Answer
Hi Sam, you've asked an excellent question! Regardless of whether you're a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience or a fresh graduate, having a clear, succinct, and impactful CV is crucial. Given that you've recently left school, a one-page CV would be ideal, but remember, it needs to be distinctive!
In the current job market, there are numerous valuable educational resources and templates that you can utilize. For instance, I discovered an outstanding CV template on Etsy, which I bought and simply filled in the gaps. Typically, the first page serves as an introduction or cover letter, presenting who you are and why you believe you're the perfect fit for the role. The second page is your actual CV, highlighting your relevant experience and skills for the position. Bear in mind, skills are transferable! For instance, check out your dream job on LinkedIn, identify the necessary skills, and then consider how you can acquire these skills through a more accessible role, such as Customer Service, which can be gained through working at a fast-food restaurant or supermarket. You can also tailor your CV to emphasize Transferable Skills over specific job titles, making you a more attractive candidate for a wider range of roles, rather than being restricted to jobs based on your previous titles.
I hope this advice is beneficial. And remember, your career is a journey, not a destination. You may start in one area and end up in another. That's completely fine. Embrace the journey!
In the current job market, there are numerous valuable educational resources and templates that you can utilize. For instance, I discovered an outstanding CV template on Etsy, which I bought and simply filled in the gaps. Typically, the first page serves as an introduction or cover letter, presenting who you are and why you believe you're the perfect fit for the role. The second page is your actual CV, highlighting your relevant experience and skills for the position. Bear in mind, skills are transferable! For instance, check out your dream job on LinkedIn, identify the necessary skills, and then consider how you can acquire these skills through a more accessible role, such as Customer Service, which can be gained through working at a fast-food restaurant or supermarket. You can also tailor your CV to emphasize Transferable Skills over specific job titles, making you a more attractive candidate for a wider range of roles, rather than being restricted to jobs based on your previous titles.
I hope this advice is beneficial. And remember, your career is a journey, not a destination. You may start in one area and end up in another. That's completely fine. Embrace the journey!
Chris Brady
Director Talent Acquisition
3
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Chris’s Answer
Make your resume one page. Being concise and to the point is what good employers are targeting. I’ve had several hiring managers tell me that they won’t interview a candidate that submits a resume with more than two pages. Even if you have 10 years of experience, make your resume list your accomplishments and impact your’ve made. You don’t need to list everything you’ve done. What separates you from others and how did you improve things and make things better?
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
Hello Sam,
When it comes to the length of a resume, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The ideal length of a resume can vary depending on factors such as work experience, industry standards, and the specific requirements of the job you are applying for. However, there are some general guidelines that can help you determine the appropriate length for your resume.
One Page vs. Two Pages
Traditionally, it has been recommended that a resume should not exceed one page in length, especially for entry-level candidates or those with limited work experience. This guideline is based on the idea that hiring managers may only spend a few seconds reviewing each resume, so a concise one-page document can quickly convey the most important information.
On the other hand, more experienced professionals or those with extensive work history may find it challenging to fit all relevant information onto a single page. In such cases, a two-page resume may be acceptable, as long as the additional page is used to provide valuable details about skills, accomplishments, and work experience.
What Information to Include
Regardless of the length of your resume, certain key sections and details should be included:
Contact Information: Your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable).
Summary or Objective Statement: A brief overview of your career goals and qualifications.
Work Experience: List your previous jobs in reverse chronological order, including job titles, company names, dates of employment, and key responsibilities or achievements.
Education: Include your degrees, certifications, and relevant academic achievements.
Skills: Highlight your technical skills, soft skills, and any other abilities that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
Additional Sections: Depending on your background, you may also include sections such as volunteer work, professional affiliations, publications, or language proficiency.
Tailoring Your Resume
It’s important to tailor your resume to each job application by emphasizing the most relevant qualifications and experiences. This may involve adjusting the content and length of your resume to align with the specific requirements of the position.
In summary, while there is no strict rule about the length of a resume, it’s essential to prioritize quality over quantity. A well-organized and targeted resume that effectively showcases your skills and experiences is more impactful than simply adhering to a specific page count.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
The Balance Careers: This source provides comprehensive guidance on resume writing and offers insights into industry standards for resume length and content.
Harvard Law School Office of Career Services: The Harvard Law School’s career services office offers valuable advice on crafting effective resumes tailored to different career stages.
Indeed Career Guide: Indeed’s career guide offers practical tips on creating resumes that stand out to employers while addressing common questions about resume length and content.
These sources were selected for their expertise in career development and their reputation as trusted authorities in providing guidance on resume writing best practices.
GOD BLESS!
James.
When it comes to the length of a resume, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The ideal length of a resume can vary depending on factors such as work experience, industry standards, and the specific requirements of the job you are applying for. However, there are some general guidelines that can help you determine the appropriate length for your resume.
One Page vs. Two Pages
Traditionally, it has been recommended that a resume should not exceed one page in length, especially for entry-level candidates or those with limited work experience. This guideline is based on the idea that hiring managers may only spend a few seconds reviewing each resume, so a concise one-page document can quickly convey the most important information.
On the other hand, more experienced professionals or those with extensive work history may find it challenging to fit all relevant information onto a single page. In such cases, a two-page resume may be acceptable, as long as the additional page is used to provide valuable details about skills, accomplishments, and work experience.
What Information to Include
Regardless of the length of your resume, certain key sections and details should be included:
Contact Information: Your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if applicable).
Summary or Objective Statement: A brief overview of your career goals and qualifications.
Work Experience: List your previous jobs in reverse chronological order, including job titles, company names, dates of employment, and key responsibilities or achievements.
Education: Include your degrees, certifications, and relevant academic achievements.
Skills: Highlight your technical skills, soft skills, and any other abilities that are relevant to the job you are applying for.
Additional Sections: Depending on your background, you may also include sections such as volunteer work, professional affiliations, publications, or language proficiency.
Tailoring Your Resume
It’s important to tailor your resume to each job application by emphasizing the most relevant qualifications and experiences. This may involve adjusting the content and length of your resume to align with the specific requirements of the position.
In summary, while there is no strict rule about the length of a resume, it’s essential to prioritize quality over quantity. A well-organized and targeted resume that effectively showcases your skills and experiences is more impactful than simply adhering to a specific page count.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
The Balance Careers: This source provides comprehensive guidance on resume writing and offers insights into industry standards for resume length and content.
Harvard Law School Office of Career Services: The Harvard Law School’s career services office offers valuable advice on crafting effective resumes tailored to different career stages.
Indeed Career Guide: Indeed’s career guide offers practical tips on creating resumes that stand out to employers while addressing common questions about resume length and content.
These sources were selected for their expertise in career development and their reputation as trusted authorities in providing guidance on resume writing best practices.
GOD BLESS!
James.
Ray Colby
Corporate Recruiter
6
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Ray’s Answer
Hello Sam.
I am a Lead Experienced Recruiter with Deloitte and have 25 yrs in the Recruiting space. The best advice is to try to keep your resume to 2 pages. Make sure you use action verbs to showcase your work experience: Lead, Serve, Manage, Create etc... Also make sure you emphasize your technical skills because recruiters will be looking for those skills in their searches. The resume should be chronological meaning past to present work experience.
I hope that helps.
Good Luck.
I am a Lead Experienced Recruiter with Deloitte and have 25 yrs in the Recruiting space. The best advice is to try to keep your resume to 2 pages. Make sure you use action verbs to showcase your work experience: Lead, Serve, Manage, Create etc... Also make sure you emphasize your technical skills because recruiters will be looking for those skills in their searches. The resume should be chronological meaning past to present work experience.
I hope that helps.
Good Luck.