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Keep It Short: Resumé Length Guidelines
One of the first questions asked by older workers preparing a resumé, especially if they've had a long and complex job history, is: "Do I have to get everything on one page?" The most common misconception of resume writing is that your entire professional history has to fit within one 8 1/2 x11" page of white paper.
As is the case in so much of life, the truth is more complicated. Your resumé should be well written and concise, and should promote your qualifications for the job your are applying for in the best possible light. This is sometimes impossible to do in a single page. Thus, it is permissible a resumé to extend to multiple pages, with some consideration depending on your career level.
Here are the critical things to consider
Be concise. Do not use lengthy sentences and paragraph forms to describe your experience and your education in detail. Employers want straightforward statements highlighting your qualifications. A resumé is not a place to show your creative writing skills.
Perfect your resume. You may have only seconds to catch your potential employerÃs attention. Make sure that your resumé is properly formatted with adequate white space to prevent the impression of an impenetrable wall of text. Create appropriate sections for your resumé which create the impression of you as a competent professional. Your potential employer is more concerned with the look and content of your resumé than with its length.
Longer is not better when you don't have the experience to meet your career objective. If you are new to the job market, are changing careers, or you've only had one job, keep your resumé down to one page. You don't want to look like you're padding it out to look more impressive than it really is.
Unless you are applying for an executive-level job, or are composing curriculum vitae, your resumé should not exceed two pages. The purpose of a well-written resumé is to sell you as the best candidate for the job with a confident and a straight-forward approach. Keep it focused on that task and don't try to oversell yourself. The most relevant information must be on the first page. The second page should be numbered, with your contact information included as well (just in case the pages are separated when printed -- you don't want your potential employer to discard the second page because they don't realize it belongs with the first page). If you find yourself going over two pages, review it to see what can be cut to sharpen its focus.
Make sure that your professional history warrants a resumé that is three pages or longer. If you have a longer resumé, you need to make sure every statement on the resume is applicable to your career goals. If you have had decades of leadership experience for example, demonstrate that using the reverse chronological resume style and only list those jobs that best qualify you for the position you are seeking. If you need to include an extensive list of publications or certifications, your resumé can take up more than three pages. Make sure that the important information is still listed on the first page. This includes your career objective and professional profile, and your current or most recent professional experience. All subsequent pages should supplement and support the information on the first.
Although the one-page resumé is still a standard, it is no longer an iron-clad rule. If there is a good reason to go beyond that first page, it will not break your chances as a job candidate. Just make sure that it is really, truly essential to do it.
