How Long Should Resumes Be?

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How long should your resume be? There’s a lot of debate on how long your resume should actually be. As recruiters, it’s easy to say that one page is more than enough since hiring managers tend to be very busy and take on average 6 seconds to skim one resume.

However, looking on the other side of the coin, if your resume is too short or vague, recruiters may think that you don’t have the necessary credentials. Basically, here is how to determine how many pages you should you use:

Resume Length #1: Using 1-Page Resumes

Use a one page resume if:

  • You are starting your career and searching for entry-level positions
  • You have less than 10 years of experience
  • You are making a career change with limited relevant experience

Using relevant content is crucial to a resume. You shouldn’t be extending the length of your resume because you have other experience that is irrelevant to the job you are applying to. The hiring manager will toss out your resume. Stick to what’s relevant and you can easily determine length of your resume from that.

Resume Length #2: Using 2-Page Resumes

Try a 2-page resume if:

  • You have more than 10 years of experience in the related field
  • You need an extra page to avoid cramming relevant information on one-page

When using a two-page resume, take into account the readability and overall presentation. It’s better to read a well-organized, easy-to-skim two-pager than a jammed up one-page resume.

Regardless, it’s crucial to remember that because recruiters have a certain amount of time to review your resume, they won’t pay much attention to the second page as they will the first. It’s best to make sure you’re using the right resume format to promote the best of you first and foremost.

Using 3 or More Pages for Resumes

In a reasonable world, people can get a way by using two pages if it makes logical sense. However, there are very unique cases where you can use more than 2 pages for your resume. When working in government and federally-owned entities, it’s actually standard to have a resume this long because you need to go into greater detail on what you accomplished in each of your roles.

Other cases include senior-level managers with a long list of relevant accomplishments or if you are creating an academic CV for a research or scientific role and have an extensive list of publications, licenses, etc.

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