How long should the modern resume really be?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions today about resume-writing, and it makes sense. Many experts will be quick to point out that a resume should not look like a curriculum vitae, instead providing evaluators a way to look at a person’s qualifications at a glance. But while it has long been the standard to not exceed one page, times have changed, explains retired career consultant Larry Polhill of Café Valley.

Nowadays, given the rise of the internet and partly because of the rising acceptance of emailed resume submissions, it has become more common to expand the length so that the resume better entices hiring managers to get in touch with you for that job interview. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s a given standard length, you’ve to now be more specific and include a career summary, years of experience, industries worked in, scope of accomplishments, former employers, and education and training.

However, keep in mind that your resume is not an autobiography but a career marketing tool, so focus on your key selling points. There’s no need to input past experiences that don’t complement your current career goal. Hiring managers often go through hundreds of resumes just to fill one position, so make sure yours stand out because it’s concise.

We suggest still sticking to a one-page resume if you’ve fewer than 10 years of experience and/or just held one or two positions with a couple of employers. A two-page resume is better for someone with more years of experience and if the job entails much technical skills that you’ve to include to prove your specific knowledge. Longer resumes are best suited for senior-level or executive positions, as well as those with an extensive list of publications such as those in a scientific or academic field, adds Larry Polhill.

Larry Polhill hails from Arizona and is a retired career consultant who offers insights for jobseekers looking to land their dream job. For more tips on writing resumes and CVs, go to this page.