Resume Length - How Long is Long Enough?

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Free Resume Articles : Resume Length - How Long is Long Enough? by Mike Woods

A common belief among first time resume writers is that they have to try and cram their professional experiences in a single page. They go by the assumption that employers are too busy to have time to read resumes more than a page long. They go to great lengths summarizing everything, making fonts smaller, sentences shorter to achieve a one-page resume. But how long should your resume be? Is a one-page resume good enough?

The truth of the matter is, a resume must be well worded but concise to effectively sell yourself to an employer. Oftentimes, it is very difficult to do it in one page especially if you have an extensive professional background. A good rule of thumb in resume length is to keep it at two pages the most. However, you can exceed your resume to beyond two pages provided it is well warranted for. A good example would be if you are at a managerial or executive level and you have plenty of professional experience to speak of.

So how do you keep your resume at an appropriate length?

1. Keep sentences short and straight to the point. Highlight your key skills and competencies but avoid too much fluff that not only makes your resume longer but does nothing to increase your chances of being hired.

2. Stick to relevant details. Only put in information in your resume that are relevant to the role you are seeking. A good guide will be one that supports your resume objective.

3. Avoid listing more than five previous roles you have undertaken. Employers generally put more importance on recent experiences and accomplishments. While you want to show in your resume that you have varied experiences, focus on the ones that are aligned with the role being sought after.

4. Format your resume properly. Use appropriate margins, text size and fonts to control the resume length. Ensure that your resume is pleasing to the eyes, easy to read, uncluttered and looks professional.

5. If you do need to write a resume that is more than two pages long, make sure that it is justified. As mentioned earlier, this will hold true for professionals in managerial and executive levels who generally have years of experience. However, do list the most important details in the first page of your resume.

About the Author
Fact: Most resumes end up in the trash before spending any useful time in the employer's hand. Don't let yours end up with the same fate. Learn how to write a resume that works and other great resume writing tips especially if you are a first timer.

Source: GoArticles.com