I get the same question often: Shouldn’t I have a one page resume?” or “My Dad told me I’ve got to boil this down to one page”. Or my retired HR Aunt Linda says “never” to two or three pages.
Bottom Line:
On resume length, one size doesn’t fit all. In most instances, go for TWO pages (or more: most Federal resumes and CVs benefit from 2+ pages of detail.)
Why two pages?
Twenty-five years ago, tired HR staff gave a resume a quick 20-60 second scan to sort it into “read more carefully” or “reject” piles. They wanted it short. Wouldn’t you? Then they scanned for where you worked, your titles, job continuity, your field and degrees. The “read more carefully” pile then got a longer look, along with a cover letter.
Times have changed.
Now, job boards, LinkedIn, and easy electronic application processes result in hundreds of applications for most jobs. Along the way, HR adapted.
The solution? Key-word scanning. In most large and medium-size organizations, HR no longer eyeballs all applications. Instead, resumes are scanned first for skill sets, experience, knowledge areas, education, continuity, etc. Only then does a human look at the best. It may take several rounds of key word additions to get the eyeball number down to 10 or 20. Not 200.
There are exceptions: Smaller businesses. Old-fashioned HR holdouts who prefer the 20 to 60 second eyeball. Most not-for-profits.
What does this mean for you?
- Write a two page resume that’s relevant to the job you are applying for. Study the skills and knowledge mentioned in the job ad. Don’t just read the job ad casually. Pay attention to sentences like “create and implement marketing plans”. That’s three items: “create”, “implement”, and “marketing plans”. Include examples of when you’ve done each of these things — even if not all at the same time. The scanner will pick them up, and you’ll likely get some credit for each. You’ll probably get more points if you’ve created and implemented marketing plans, but creating something or implementing something should get you some. With enough points, an HR person will actually look at your resume.
Note the logic: Two pages gives you more opportunity for points. If you fail to state your experience with relevant tasks or knowledge, you risk being screened out before a human even looks at your carefully boiled- down resume. - Consider using JobScan to see how close your resume is to the job ad. A 25% score probably won’t cut it.
- Be sure to write a summary. It’s a chance to use keywords. And — more important — if and when the HR person or hiring manager actually looks at your resume, the summary will make it easy to pick out and understand your best qualifications.
- Tweak your Summary and Employment History sections for every job application. It can take up to several hours to do this well. Be sure to keep track of which resume you used for which job. And of course, try to find someone to recommend you.
Exceptions:
- If you are young and/or don’t have much experience, stick to one page.
- If one page is the norm in your field, use a one-pager. Ask around–but only ask people who are up-to-date. Maybe not Aunt Linda.
- If you are writing a federal resume, or CV, go long.
In short:
Adapt to current technology. Shut out outdated advice. Usually this means a 2-page resume will serve you best.