Should a resume be kept to just one page?

stuman19

Senior member
Jul 13, 2002
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I'm a business major graduating in May. My instructors tell me to keep it to one page and it is at one page, but other people say that it doesn't really matter. It seems like there are varying thoughts on this. What do you think? What is your resume?
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
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For someone fresh out of college, anything more than one page is excessive.

If you have 10+ years of work experience at several employers then more than one page may be necessary.
 

Whisper

Diamond Member
Feb 25, 2000
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From what I've heard, if you can fit it on one page, that's the way to go; if you have enough (good) experience and work history/credentials, bump it up to two max.

But I'm not a business-type person, so anyone else feel free to correct me.
 

stuman19

Senior member
Jul 13, 2002
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I have three internships and two degrees, so there is some content to put in it. I have two versions...a one-page one and a two-page one. Thanks for everyone's thoughts.
 

thirdlegstump

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Feb 12, 2001
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If you are fresh out of college, don't..because you really do not know squat.

However, if you have years of experience where you can outline outstanding projects and experiences that can leverage your position for the job, by all means go for it.
 

m1ldslide1

Platinum Member
Feb 20, 2006
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Agree with others - college grad, one page. Experienced tradesperson - two pages is OK and often necessary. For entry level positions employers are going to be going through a LOT of resumes and probably skimming, so one page servers both yours and their purposes. However for a higher-level job the employer is going to spend more time reading each resume in depth to find the right fit.
 

AtlantaBob

Golden Member
Jun 16, 2004
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By two degrees, do you mean a double major? Or do you mean two degrees, as in a B.S. and an M.S.?
 

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
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For most private work, excluding you have some much exp/revelant jobs, 1 page is key. It is meant to get you into the door, the interview is to get the job.

Now if it is for goverment work it needs to have EVERYTHING you have ever done and spelled out. I don;t care if it takes 10+ pages, do it.
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
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Originally posted by: stuman19
I have three internships and two degrees, so there is some content to put in it. I have two versions...a one-page one and a two-page one. Thanks for everyone's thoughts.
Still only one page worth of material, unless there was something very unusual about the work.
 

stuman19

Senior member
Jul 13, 2002
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Originally posted by: AtlantaBob
By two degrees, do you mean a double major? Or do you mean two degrees, as in a B.S. and an M.S.?

I will have my bachelors in May in Marketing and I have my associates in Computer Networking.
 

stuman19

Senior member
Jul 13, 2002
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Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
Originally posted by: stuman19
I have three internships and two degrees, so there is some content to put in it. I have two versions...a one-page one and a two-page one. Thanks for everyone's thoughts.
Still only one page worth of material, unless there was something very unusual about the work.

Sounds good...I have the one page one loaded.
 

LordNoob

Senior member
Nov 16, 2003
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Yes, one page, though for certain types of jobs to which you may apply, you may need an appendix for various things such as references, etc.
 

Hyperblaze

Lifer
May 31, 2001
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My resume is 3 pages and I have 5+ years of experience.

I only put what is relevant to the job description.

 
Nov 7, 2000
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entry level = 1 page

and even later in the career, limiting the wok experience to the most relevant is AOK with me. why do i need to read a page of stupid unrelated jobs?
 

rgwalt

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Apr 22, 2000
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I was a "fresh" college grad with a PhD (and a BS and an MS). I put a research description as well as an abbreviated list of publications, presentations, honors, awards, and activities. I was able to keep it to two pages (one page front and back), which employers and interviewers tended to like. I received two very good interview opportunities (and subsequent offers) thanks in large part to my resume.

I would only go to 2 pages if one page really short changes you and if you have enough additional material to get most of the 2nd page full. If you have done research, are published, or have had some significant intern/co-op experience, I would consider expounding on it. If you can set yourself apart from your peers with additional, relavent resume material, then go into 2 pages. Otherwise, keep it to a page.

R
 

Hyperblaze

Lifer
May 31, 2001
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Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
entry level = 1 page

and even later in the career, limiting the wok experience to the most relevant is AOK with me. why do i need to read a page of stupid unrelated jobs?

what if they are all relevant related jobs? :D



 

AtlantaBob

Golden Member
Jun 16, 2004
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Originally posted by: rgwalt
I was a "fresh" college grad with a PhD (and a BS and an MS). I put a research description as well as an abbreviated list of publications, presentations, honors, awards, and activities. I was able to keep it to two pages (one page front and back), which employers and interviewers tended to like. I received two very good interview opportunities (and subsequent offers) thanks in large part to my resume.

I would only go to 2 pages if one page really short changes you and if you have enough additional material to get most of the 2nd page full. If you have done research, are published, or have had some significant intern/co-op experience, I would consider expounding on it. If you can set yourself apart from your peers with additional, relavent resume material, then go into 2 pages. Otherwise, keep it to a page.

R

As a soon to be fresh college graduate (PhD, not B.A.) with some fairly decent work experience, I have to say that's right on the money. Still, OP, I'd make sure to list both the AA and the BA/BS degree.
 

dwell

pics?
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: her209
I hear resumes that are more than 1 page get tossed automatically.

It's true. I do it all the time. I hate getting ten-page resumes from people with two-year's experience. I don't have time to sift through the entire thing to find out who you are. Get to the point in one page or your resume gets trashed automatically.

Personally, I've been in the industry for 15 years and my resume is still one page. If they need to know anything else about me they can ask me at the interview.
 

mpitts

Lifer
Jun 9, 2000
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I have a two page resume and have never not been offered a position that I have interviewed for.

A recruiter I worked with told me that in the technical field it is VERY common that you have a two page resume. One page is for education and work expierence and the second page is a structured list of your knowledge / capabilites.
 
Nov 7, 2000
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Originally posted by: Hyperblaze
Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
entry level = 1 page

and even later in the career, limiting the wok experience to the most relevant is AOK with me. why do i need to read a page of stupid unrelated jobs?

what if they are all relevant related jobs? :D
fair enough :) i would say a candidate is qualified if they have 2 or 3 related and relevant jobs, let alone 10 or 12 - either they've done it or they haven't. theres not enough time in an interview to even discuss more than a couple positions anyways.