I’ve often been asked by people: how long should their resumes be? Would employers be impressed if they write a long resume?
Before I answer this answer, I have to say that in the course of my work in JobStreet.com, I have seen resumes that go as long as 19 printed pages as well as resumes that fill up only one A4-size paper.
Which would I want to read? Well, if I have difficulty in going to sleep tonight, the 19-page resume will be my preferred choice of getting into dreamland fast.
But if I have no time — and who has all the time to waste away nowadays — the one- or two-page resume is what I will pick out as my reading material of the moment.
Yes, folks, the open secret is out. Employers no longer have the time to read long-winded resumes. In fact, resumes are read for only 15 to 20 seconds before a decision is taken to shortlist it or put it aside. This is all the time you have to convince the employer whether your resume merits further reading. Therefore , if you can say all you have to say within one or two pages of a resume, this is what they want.
A resume is not the story of your life. It has never been. So don’t go round telling employers what you have been doing since small.
However, a resume is a summary of your life’s achievement in terms of work experience and qualifications. Stick to the facts and list them down in a way that is easily read and understood. Hint: use bullet points.
But I have also been told by jobseekers that most times, a lengthy resume cannot be avoided in an electronic format, such as one that is prepared online.
This is true. However, when you prepare an online resume and you use it to apply to jobs through JobStreet.com for example, the employer will be processing your application online too. The employer will be given an online tool to enable him to sort and select the relevant information that’s required.
That said, it is still important that you keep to the facts in your online resume and make sure that you do not tell a long story.
The important thing you should remember is that you should have an online version of your resume as well as one that’s formatted for print.
Not all job applications can be submitted online; some will require you to write in and attach a text resume. And it is this latter version of your resume which should be short and crisp — within two pages.
About the writer
Quah Seng Sun is Malaysia’s only Certified Professional Resume Writer and a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC) which is based in the United States.
Absolutely correct. No one wants to read a lengthy resume anymore. I’ve been working with clients as a professional networker for a while — helping them to create resumes and find jobs and I have yet to come across an employer who is happy about a resume that is even 2-3 pages long. Again, the writer is correct — this is not a story of your life. You’ve got only a few seconds to grab attention and you best do that with an easy to read format and professional looking document. No graphics — photos — excess personal information — skills listings that are already evident in the work history and even irrelevant work history. Real estate people — think real estate. That valuable white space should be filled with the best organized, well-selected words you can come up with. Instead of offering up what your job descriptions entailed, impart only the most measurable accomplishments or results you managed at these jobs — I’m talking about using figures and facts like how many patient records you managed or the numbers of staff that you trained or the new program you created that saved the company xxx dollars. Employers want to know if you can solve problems, bring money or clients to the table or lead…along with being able to do the job and not being obnoxious or rocking the boat of current staffers. Show all of that in one page and you’ve gotten my attention.
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