What is the Right Length for Your Resume?

If you ask 10 professional resume writers you will likely get 10 different answers on how to determine the right length for your resume. So, what this really means is there is no absolute answer for every person.

No matter what, the length of the resume is correct if it tells the potential employer everything they need to know about the applicant that is also relevant to the open position. I recently reviewed a potential client’s 4-page resume (using 9 pt. type) that was just filled with everything the person had done in the last 13 years. Don’t use your resume to tell it all. Your goal for your resume is to get called in for an interview, so just give a taste of what you can accomplish, and leave the employer wanting to know more.

Here are some general guidelines you can follow to estimate the length of your resume:

Recent college graduate — 1 page

Most recent grads should be able to fit their resume on a single page because they don’t have a lot of real-world experience. However, I have written a 2-page resume for a recent grad because that person had several internships as well as significant volunteer experience that was very relevant to her target position.

Early career, 1-4 years experience — 1 page

Professionals in the early stages of their career have likely only had 1 or 2 positions, and this can fit nicely on a single page. The main difference between an early career resume and that of a recent grad is the education section should now be on the bottom.

Mid-career to Director-level — 2 pages

A person who has been employed 7+ years and possibly posses a post-graduate degree would have a hard time cramming in all their accomplishments on a single page. Be sure to highlight significant experience on the first page and keep the content compelling so the reader wants to go on to the second page.

Executive to C-suite — 2 pages, sometimes 3

The majority of executives can keep their resume to 2 pages even though they have a significant amount of experience. The trick is remembering to only keep relevant content in the document. Sometimes, an executive resume may go to 3 pages where the first page serves as a more general overview, and can even stand on its own if needed.

Always remember, your resume is not as much about your past as it is about your future. You only want to include experiences that demonstrate your abilities for your next position. If you need more space to do it, then go for it.

How many pages is your resume and why? Please let me know in the comments.