Should your resume be longer than one page or should you try to condense it to keep it on a page? There isn't a yes or no answer, the length of your resume depends on the type of candidate you are and your level of experience.
According to a Saddleback College Resume Survey most employers want a one page resume unless the position requires experience. In fact, the percentage of employers looking for one page resumes increased to 48% last year, up from 35% in 2010.
Here are the details on what companies prefer:
- One Page Resume - 47.7%
- Two Page Resume - 11.4%
- Depends on the level of the position - 34.1%
- No preference - 6.8%
Even if you do have experience, it's important to streamline your resume and to focus it on the most relevant experience and education you have as related to the jobs for which you are applying. If you are an experienced candidate, you don't need to include more than 10 - 15 years of experience on your resume.
You also don't need to include high school education or continuing education classes unless they enhance your candidacy.
It's not necessary to say "references available upon request" on your resume. It's understood that you will provide references, if required, as part of the job application process.
The other thing you can do is tighten up your position descriptions. Use a bulleted list and keep your job descriptions concise. Focus on your accomplishments, not your daily responsibilities.
Here's how to write a resume that will be a good fit for what employers are seeking. Also, review these resume tips to make sure your resume helps you secure an interview.
Read More: Resume Writing Tips | Cover Letter Tips | How to Write a Cover Letter | Resume Examples | Resume Length
Image Copyright Heidi Kristensen
Of course employers want shorter resumes; it makes their job easier. My philosophy, however, is do what it takes to make yourself a viable candidate. White space – appealing margins – larger fonts – all lead to eye appeal and may put you on a second page. Eliminate the nonsense, but don’t agonize over one page or two. I’ve heard this arguement for over 30 years.
I went from a two page resume to a one page resume. It was very difficult and I had to take out MUCH information and I did not see a difference in employers’ responses at all. So, I would say to try if YOU CAN to create a one page as long as you do not remove what is required for a employer to “know of you”. Personally, I am going back to a two page resume!
One page, two pages – who cares! Here is the deal – If you want your resume to lead to calls, that lead to interviews, that lead to job offers, edit your resume for each job that you apply to. Make sure that you include the same key words that the employer uses in the job description, and most importantly, the job requirements. As a recruiter who gets hundreds of resumes for posted jobs, I cannot possibly read all of the resumes. I start with a broad key word search based on the job description and requirements, and narrow it down from there until I have the top candidates with matching skills. Those are the candidates that I call first.