Resume Question

[UTmtnbiker]

Topic summary says it all. I've always been told that resumes should never be more than 1 page long. I've been working now for about 10 years though and finishing up a graduate degree. I foresee with 2 professional jobs, 2 degrees, skills/qualifications that my resume could exceed 1 page.

Is this still the rule of thumb or not so much any more?

 

[LuckyTaxi]

ONLY if you have limited experience. obviously you cant fit 4 jobs onto one page.

 

[Queasy]

I've been doing two page resumes since my job search during my second job. Once you get a certain amount of experience, it is virtually impossible to fit it all on one page. I would not go anymore than two though. Just cut out the stuff that is not relevant to your current job.

 

[conjur]

Mine's 3 pages. One page with that executive summary table of keywords of skills and personal attributes and some summary paragraphs.

Then a page of work experience and a page for education/references/certifications/etc.

 

[Jzero]

I don't see a problem with it (in fact my resume was 2 pages graduating from college due to my 3 internships + 2 student jobs that were all relevant to my career.

My only caveat is this - draw up your resume under the assumption that many recruiters may never bother to read the second page; many won't. Put the least important stuff on the second page.

 

[MisterMe]

Seems to me the one page theory may have been of larger importance back when resumes were actually hard copies. Imagine what a stack of 1500 resumes must look like sitting on the desk of the HR person. Now that resumes are typically submitted as edocs, I wouldn't think it's such a requirement.

 

[Doggiedog]

IMO yes.

I tend to see a lot of resumes and the ones that are too long, I toss aside.

I'd rather have the resume down to the core competencies and experience. No need to really elaborate on stuff that might not matter. I'd much rather have a resume targeted at me than one that looks generic with too many facts. If I want the facts, I'll ask during the interview.

 

[TheAudit]

I always try to have a one page resume.
If more detailed information is required I have a longer version as well.

 

[Ilmater]

Originally posted by: conjur
Mine's 3 pages. One page with that executive summary table of keywords of skills and personal attributes and some summary paragraphs.

Then a page of work experience and a page for education/references/certifications/etc.

I mean no offense, but this is a terrible resume. I do some recruitment for my company (a large company with over 50k employees), and I can tell you that NONE of us read past the first page.

DO NOT have a resume with over 1 page. You shouldn't have THAT much that you need to put on there. Just don't go into detail about your jobs past your last two or three. You can have a 2-page version ready if they ask for more detail, but you should only be going into detail about your job experience when it specifically relates to this current job.

 

[Drakkon]

If its for a company thats going to be having a TON of resumes I'd say DEFINATELY keep it to one page.

If its for a comapany that requires a bit of experience and knowledge mgiht be worth putting it to two

OVerall though, as a recruiter for my company as well, anything over 1 page is prettymuch annoying. I'd rather see everything relevent up front, not have to search even a second page to get all the info. If you can't FILL a second page don't use one.

Also just as a side note DO NOT make your cover letter longer than 1 page....i just had a guy submit a 3 page cover letter+5page resume, i didn't want to read a book so i threw it in the trash

 

[AtlantaBob]

I could see if you had a lot of publications that it might be a two-pager, but I'd have to agree with the others, and suggest that you drop less important things and keep it to one page rather than including everything and going to two.

 

[ggnl]

Most articles I've read on the subject say you should limit it to one page unless you're applying for a fairly important job that will have few applicants. Since the typical resume is 50% fluff, I tend to agree with them.

 

[spidey07]

The general "rule" is entry level or no experience is one page.

With some experience two pages is just fine (an really HAS to be two pages) - if you can fit 10 years of experience on one page...

well then you really didn't do anything for 10 years.

 

[KEV1N]

1 page per 10 years of experience

 

[MySoS]

I was told 1 page only and if you simply can't fit it all on one wage write it as if they won't look at the second page.

 

[Ranger X]

I've worked with the human resources department before and they would like everything on one page, if possible. Only put down relevant work experience (i.e. working at McDonalds shouldn't be on there) and if that doesn't fit and you absolutely need 2 pages, then I think 2 pages is acceptable. I wouldn't go over 2 pages though.

 

[RichPLS]

one line:
Will work for broadband!

 

[FoBoT]

one page if you can, but if you are older/have had many jobs , then i think 2 is ok

try to stick to one