Resume length is an important consideration for all job seekers. Deciding whether the document should span one page or two can be tricky as it involves balancing a thorough presentation of qualifications with the reality of having mere seconds to attract notice from a prospective employer.
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“When it comes to resume length, shorter is always better. But it also depends on your level of seniority, the breadth of your experience, and the range and variety of organizations you have worked for,” says career coach Roy Cohen, author of The Wall Street Professional’s Survival Guide.
HR professional and resume writer Tiffani Murray of Personality on a Page adds “While it is true resumes do not have to be confined to only a page in length, one thing to keep in mind is that the volume of resumes the average recruiter, hiring manager, or headhunter receives is high and their attention spans, due to the nature of their work, are short. If you are going over a page, it should be to include information that is extremely important to pass along to the person sourcing the role.”
Without a universal solution to the one- vs. two-page debate, candidates need to evaluate their specific circumstances and arrive at a resume they feel comfortable presenting. Consider these factors to help determine whether your resume should dip onto that second page.
Work Experience
Industry Expectations
Key Information
Resume Presentation
- Play with font type and size (but stay within the 10-12 point range for text)
- See if headings can be reduced
- Slightly reduce margins
- Change bold words to italics when appropriate to take up less room
- Test out a resume template that allows more space in the section needed