Should my resume be one page long?

Question

Some research says yes, some says no. What's the best advice on how long my resume should be?

Answer 1

One of the services I offer is helping people create a convincing resume that perfectly reflects their strengths, writing an attention-grabbing cover letter that uses the key words from the job description, and guiding them through the entire application process including interview training. Hence, I have seen and improved many resumes and cover letters over time, and my experience is that the one vs. two page resume question mainly depends on how much work experience you have and how extensive your academic background is. A young recent graduate from college with summer jobs and internships only should certainly stick to one page, whereas a seasoned expert in their 40s or 50s with several positions held over their career, extensive studies, and plenty of job-relevant certificates, conferences, or publications should definitely aim for two pages. If you are in doubt, feel free to contact me for a free 30-minute consultation.

Answer 2

Probably yes and no. If you exceed one page, make sure what you have included stands out and really adds value to your resume.

Answer 3

This is a very common question from job applicants and like many things in life, there is no one correct answer. A good way to answer this question is to place yourself in the shoes of HR. Some organizations may review dozens if not hundreds of resumes for one job vacancy. If you were tasked with reading (and in many cases, just glancing briefly) resume after resume, what would you prefer?

Ultimately, the answer to this question really depends on the nature of the job. If you are applying for an entry level position or a position that is one of many within the organization, it may be more beneficial to keep your resume to a clean and concise one page. If you are applying for a prestigious teaching position with a university, there may be an expectation that you include pages of your writing sources and publications.

Ultimately, resume preferences come in many flavors. However, a standard that should absolutely be met remains the need for you to tailor each resume to the position/vacancy you are interested in and to make sure your grammar and spelling is PERFECT!

Resume Writing Tips:

https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/3-must-see-resume-writing-tips-for-anyone-who-actually-wants-a-job