Majcher MythBusters: How long should my resume be?
Myth: Your resume should be one page long
You know yourself better than anyone else, right? That includes knowing how to sell yourself on your resume. In order to do that, you first need to understand how long your resume should be. A resume is a self-advertisement that, when done correctly, shows how your skills, experience, and achievements match the requirements of the job you want.
If you are a recent graduate or have under a year of experience, your resume should not have more than one page. If you have more than 2 years of experience, then two pages, and if you have over 10 years of experience going into the third page is completely fine. After 3 pages it does get a little longer to read, and you will lose the Recruiter and Manager’s interest.
Sticking to a one page resume was really common before the digital age because they were easier to print out. In the digital age it can be challenging to include all your experience and accomplishments to one page especially if you have been working for several years, held multiple positions at the same company or certain professions such as academia or research often require longer resumes because of the emphasis on publications.
Quality is more important than quantity. Do not get lost in forcing a resume to be a certain length, just make sure to showcase all your work. A well-written resume is important; most employers/recruiters are looking for certain words/skills to be listed on your resume so it is critical to make sure the content is relevant to the role you are applying for.
Bottom line: There is no magic number when it comes to resume length. Just make sure your resume is long enough to tell your story in a way that’s both informative and engaging, and specific to the role you are going after. So take the time to ensure that each and every item on your resume is worth including.