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How Long Should a Resume Be? 13 Practical Tips

 

 

How Long Should a Resume Be for a Job Application?

A resume should typically be a couple of pages or less because hiring managers and recruiters often have a limited amount of time to review each application they receive. They may have to review dozens or even hundreds of resumes for a single position, so it’s important to make your resume concise and easy to read.

If your resume is too long, it may be difficult for the hiring manager to quickly identify your qualifications and accomplishments. Additionally, a long resume may suggest that you have difficulty prioritising information or summarising your experience, which may not be a desirable trait for many employers.

By keeping your resume to a couple of pages, you can ensure that it includes only the most relevant and important information. This may include your most recent and relevant work experience, your education and training, your key skills and accomplishments, and any relevant professional affiliations or certifications.

Download our free “Art Of Resume Writing” guide here to learn more in how to structure your resume.

Overall, a concise and well-organised resume can help you stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of being selected for an interview.

Keep reading to find out how you can shorten or lengthen your resume accordingly.

“There’s a great power in words, if you don’t hitch too many of them together.” —Josh Billings.

6 Resume Writing Tips to Shorten Your Resume

  1. Use bullet points: Bullet points are a great way to break up long paragraphs of text and they make your resume is more readable. Use them to highlight your key skills, accomplishments, and responsibilities.
  2. Focus on the most relevant experience: Tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for by focusing on the most relevant experience. This may mean leaving out some older or less relevant jobs or reducing the amount of detail you include for those not so relevant roles.
  3. Remove irrelevant information: Take a critical look at your resume and remove any information that is not directly relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a marketing role, you may not need to include your part-time job as a restaurant server.
  4. Use a summary or profile section: Instead of including a long objective statement or summary of your entire career, use a brief summary or profile section at the top of your resume to highlight your key skills and qualifications.
  5. Keep formatting simple: While it may be tempting to use fancy fonts, colours, or graphics, it’s best to keep your resume formatting simple and easy to read. Stick to a clear, professional font and use bold or italicised text sparingly to highlight important information.
  6. Edit and proofread carefully: Finally, be sure to edit and proofread your resume carefully to eliminate any unnecessary words or phrases and ensure that everything is accurate and well-written. A well-edited and error-free resume will be more effective than a longer, more cluttered one.

7 Tips for a Resume With No Work Experience

  1. Add more detail: Instead of just listing your job titles and responsibilities, provide more detail about your accomplishments and achievements in each role. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and the impact you had on the organisation.
  2. Include relevant coursework or projects: If you’re a recent graduate or have limited work experience, you can add more detail to your resume by including relevant coursework or projects you completed in school.
  3. List relevant volunteer or extracurricular activities: If you’ve volunteered or participated in extracurricular activities that are relevant to the job you’re applying for, include them on your resume to showcase your skills and interests.
  4. Include additional skills and certifications: If you have additional skills or certifications that are relevant to the job you’re applying for, be sure to include them on your resume. This can help demonstrate your expertise and qualifications.
  5. Add a personal statement or objective: If you haven’t already included a personal statement or objective on your resume, consider adding one to provide additional context about your career goals and interests.
  6. Customise your resume for each job: Instead of using the same generic resume for every job application, customise your resume for each job by highlighting the skills and experiences that are most relevant to that particular position.
  7. Use a larger font or add more white space: While it’s important to keep your resume concise and easy to read, you can also make it appear longer by using a slightly larger font or adding more white space between sections. Just be sure to maintain a professional appearance and avoid going overboard with these formatting techniques.

If you feel you need assistance in writing your resume then please reach out to My Career Angels for a free 30 minute call to see how we can create a stand out resume and coach you on how you too can write one with ease. Learn more about our services for resume writing here.

 

 

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How long should a resume be?

For most job applications, one to two pages is a good starting point. But there’s no set rule. It really depends on how much experience you have, the job you’re applying for and what’s worth including.

Is a two-page resume acceptable?

Yes, absolutely. Two pages usually gives you enough room to cover your relevant experience, skills and achievements. Just make sure everything you include is useful to the employer and easy to read.

Can a resume be longer than two pages?

Yes, especially if you’ve been working for a while or have a lot of relevant experience. There’s nothing wrong with going over two pages if you need the space. Just make sure you’re including information that matters for the job, rather than adding details that aren’t necessary.

How can I shorten my resume without removing important information?

Start by looking at what matters most for the job you’re applying for. You can cut back on long descriptions, remove anything you’ve repeated and use bullet points to keep things clear. The goal isn’t just to make your resume shorter. It’s to make it easier for employers to see what you can offer.

How long should a resume be if I have no work experience?

If you’re just starting out, one page is usually enough. You don’t need years of work experience to put together a good resume. Include your education, volunteer work, projects, relevant skills or any training you’ve completed that relates to the job.

Should I include every job I have had on my resume?

No, you don’t need to list every job you’ve ever had. Focus on the roles that are most relevant to the position you’re applying for. If you’ve worked in several different jobs, you can keep older or less relevant roles brief so there’s more room for the experience that matters.

Does resume formatting affect how many pages I need?

Yes, it can. Things like font size, spacing and margins all affect how much you can fit on a page. But don’t make your text tiny just to squeeze everything in. Keep your resume neat, consistent and easy to read. It’s better to use an extra page than make it difficult for someone to read.

“Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.”

—Vince Lombardi

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