Resumes: How Long is Too Long?

There is plenty of information out there on how to get hired, with this series of postings we hope to clarify some of the most frequently asked questions and help to dispel some popular job searching myths. Let’s start with one of the most consistently visited and debated topics- your resume.

How long should a resume be?  This is a hotly contested issue in the recruiting/ staffing/ hiring industry. Some folks say that a two page resume does no damage while others insist that this almost automatically drives an applicant to the bottom of the pile. Ultimately what it seems to come down to is the value of the content. If you have five years of employment history and are applying for an entry level position you should be able to summarize your achievements on one page. As employers receive more and more resumes for a single opening they expect candidates to be able to articulate their successes, achievements and contributions succinctly, understandably so—they simply don’t have the time to read lengthy autobiographies. This can be tough if you have 20 years of work history and are applying for an executive level position. Here are some tips from prominent entrepreneur, fortune 500 consultant and hiring manager Charlie Balmer of Golem Technologies:

“To craft a great resume, tailor it to my job posting. If I have a skill set in there like "Windows Administration", make sure you have at least one bullet point talking about success in a project where you used that skill. Make the bullet no longer than three sentences. One is better. I am likely to read one sentence. I might read three. More than that and I won't even know what you wrote there…”

Employers will look at your resume as the first example of your ability to effectively communicate. If you struggle to define your accomplishments, dwell on experiences that aren’t relevant to what you want to do or the position for which you are applying—you can be sure that your resume will take a backseat to someone who can articulately outline the value that they will bring to an organization. Using a resume service will give you unbiased, professional feedback about how to highlight your strengths in the most appealing manner to a potential employer.

To learn more about our resume services click here!

To read Charlie’s full article click here.

To check out Golem Technologies’ blog click here.