Dispelling the One-Page Resume Myth

There is no “rule” that a resume should be only one page. In fact, there are many cases when a multi-page resume is not only appropriate but also expected.

Even though the length is not the only consideration for a resume’s effectiveness, the one-page resume myth persists. Jobseekers are being misled to think that recruiters, hiring managers, and HR professionals won’t read a resume that is longer than one page. That’s simply not true.

While recent research shows that a resume will be glanced at for only seconds when it is first screened, the first review is only to determine if the person is a match for the position. The resume will be read again if the jobseeker is considered a serious candidate.

Jobseekers who believe an HR professional won’t read a two-page resume should stop and consider the resume screening process. The resume screener’s boss asks him or her to come up with four or five people to bring in for an interview. If a candidate with 5-10 years of experience tries to condense that to fit an artificial one-page limitation, you’re asking that HR person to decide whom to interview based on what amounts to a few paragraphs.

Given a choice between a well-written two-page resume or a cluttered one-page resume that omits notable accomplishments in the interest of saving space, the HR professional is likely to choose the longer resume.

If a candidate submits a two-page resume and the person reading it decides you’re not a match for the job, he or she will stop reading. But if you seem to fit the job requirements, that person will want to know more about you. A well-organized two-page resume can actually make it easier for the screener to do his or her job by allowing him or her to easily determine if you’re a good match for the position.

So why does the one-page myth persist? Some recruiters are vocal about their desire for a one-page resume. However, not all recruiters share this preference. Certain recruiters say they will only read one-page resumes. But remember, recruiters are responsible for placing fewer than 25% of candidates in new jobs, and not all recruiters subscribe to the one-page limit. If a particular recruiter requests a shorter resume, you can always provide a one-page version.

When hiring managers and HR professionals are surveyed about resume length, the majority express a preference for resumes that are one page OR two pages — the consensus is “as long as needed to convey the applicant’s qualifications”.

College professors also share some of the blame for perpetuating the one-page resume myth. Some professors, with no connection to the employment world, believe “their way” is the right way. They provide a template to their students and require advisees to use that format, even if the person is a non-traditional student who has an extensive work history or career path that sets them apart from other job candidates with similar educational backgrounds.

Although it would be unusual for most 21-year-old students to need two pages to describe their education and work history, it’s not unrealistic to expect that an accomplished graduate might have internships, projects, activities, and honors that would make it necessary to exceed one page.

Resumes uploaded to company websites aren’t affected by page limits. Approximately 30 percent of resumes are only stored electronically. They’re never printed out, so the screener never knows it’s more than a one-page document. Some experts say that longer resumes have a greater chance of including more keywords, results, scope, and context. At Life Working®, we generally limit resumes for recent graduates to one page, resumes for professionals to two pages, and resumes for executives to two or three pages.

Here's when length does matter. A resume should tell the reader exactly what he or she needs to know to call you in for an interview.

Here are some guidelines for deciding on resume length:

• If your resume spills over onto a second page for only a few lines, it’s worth editing the text or adjusting the font, margins, and/or line spacing to fit it onto one page.

• Don’t bury key information on the second page. If the first page doesn’t hook the reader, he or she isn’t even going to make it to the second page.

• Don’t be afraid to go beyond two pages if your experience warrants it. Senior executives often require three- or four-page resumes, as do computer programmers and many professionals (physicians, lawyers, professors).

• Traditional college students and those with five years or less of experience should be able to fit their resumes onto one page. Most everyone else, however, can (and should) use one page OR two pages.

• Make sure that everything you include — regardless of length — is relevant to your job target and what the hiring manager will want to know about you.

Landing your dream job can be challenging but writing your resume doesn’t have to be. Let an expert Life Working resume writer relieve your stress and craft your resume. We’ll know how to determine the resume length that’s appropriate for your experience and skill set. Our clients are often contacted for an interview within 24 hours of applying.

“I can't thank you enough for partnering with me on my professional "renovation. I feel so rejuvenated and genuinely excited about what's next. Thank you again for the tremendous support!” –- Suzanne, Life Working® resume services client

For more information, check out our resume writing services and schedule your free consultation.