Direct hiring is the top recruiting practice for over 68% of businesses. Around 42% of them are also investing in automated tools to speed up the hiring process. So how do you get that valuable interview?
This starts and ends with the humble resume, though confusion exists as to what should be on it and how much should be included. Read on as we answer the question, “How long should a resume be?”
How Long Should a Resume Be?
This answer all depends on the profession and the job that you are applying for. Unless you have a lot of experience, you won’t need to push it past one page. Even then, you should only include the most recent and relevant experience.
- Contact information
- Around three previous work experience entries
- One or two education entries
- Additional skills
When you turn this into a resume, it gets very hard to go past one page. It works better if you edit it to fit a single side.
When Should You Have A Two-Page Resume?
Resumes can stretch to two or more pages if you have added experience and it is relevant to the position. Entry-level candidates would not tend to need a two-page resume. It also helps if you are uploading a resume online or sending one to a hiring manager.
Resume Writing Tips
Several tips can help you write the perfect resume. We have included the essential ones below.
Use a Professional Resume Builder
Numerous templates and builders are online for you to use. These help you layout your resume in an easy-to-read, accessible format. You can use a free resume generator by Adobe at this link.
Focus On Recent Experience
Skills you used a long time ago are probably not fresh in your mind, and an employer will know this. Therefore, it is much better to put recent experience on your resume. Any jobs from over 15 years ago should not be included.
Your only exception to this should be your education. Degrees and qualifications should be included no matter how long ago you did them.
Pick and Choose for Relevancy
You don’t have to include everything on your resume. If you have held short-term positions or moved around a lot, then it may be better to omit them. Curate only the relevant ones and include them.
Don’t Add References
Many applicants choose to include a references section on their professional resumes. An employer won’t need this until they have interviewed you and are considering you as a serious contender. Putting this section on the resume at this stage is simply taking up space that can be used for other sections, such as skills and qualifications.
Writing Your Resume
Now you can answer the question, “How long should a resume be?” you can start the process. Find a solid template relevant to your industry. Curate your experience and qualifications to fit on one or two pages.
This article is one of many to help you find employment. From education to the workplace, we can help you land your dream position in the coming years.