Understanding the Importance of Resume Writing
Does resume length matter? Is there an Ideal resume (or CV) length? The answer to both of these questions is YES.
First, crafting a compelling resume involves more than just listing your experiences and skills; it’s about presenting them in a manner that captivates the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. This means that your resume should be tailored per each specific job opening, and address exactly how you can bring value to the specific role. How to craft the perfect resume in terms of content will be part of a future article (or you can use “Hello I” to do it for you), but here we will focus on it’s length, as it stands out as a critical consideration.
Things to Consider for Your Resume Creation
- Recruiters’ Limited Time: Recruiters and hiring managers are often inundated with numerous applications for a single position. A study conducted by TheLadders found that recruiters spend an average of six seconds reviewing a resume before making an initial decision.
- First Impression: The length of your resume plays a pivotal role in shaping the initial impression you make on recruiters. Too lengthy may appear daunting and may discourage hiring managers from thoroughly reviewing it while a concise and organized document immediately conveys professionalism and consideration for the reader’s time.
- Attention Span and Retention: Studies in cognitive psychology have shown that human attention spans are decreasing, particularly in the context of information overload. By keeping your resume succinct, you increase the likelihood of key information being retained and remembered by the reader.
- Ease of Navigation: A well-structured, concise resume is easier to navigate, allowing recruiters to quickly locate the sections and information they deem most relevant.
- Digital Applications and ATS Compatibility: With the prevalence of online job applications and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), resume length takes on added significance. Many ATS have parsing limitations, meaning they may not effectively process lengthy resumes, leading to important details being overlooked or misinterpreted.
- Professionalism and Branding: A concise resume reflects a candidate’s ability to communicate effectively and prioritize information—a skill highly valued in most professional roles. It also contributes to a strong personal brand, demonstrating that you respect both your own time and that of the recruiter.
39% of hiring managers stated that they prefer resumes to be one page in length, while 48% indicated that two pages are acceptable for experienced candidates. Conversely, an overly verbose resume may convey a lack of self-awareness or an inability to prioritize information, potentially undermining your professional image.
CareerBuilder survey
One-Page Resume Sample
Who Should Use a One-Page Resume?
- Recent Graduates
- Individuals applying to entry-level positions
Pro tip: If you are a fresh graduate, it’s obvious that you can’t tie any professional experience to the job description. However, you can (and should) read the job description carefully and call out any life experiences that could be correlated. For example, if you are applying for an entry level Sales position, mention that you started online reselling to pay your studies and explain your process (try “Hello I” for free to do it for you).
Two-Page Resume Example
Who Should Use a Two-Page Resume?
- Professionals with a few years of experience
Pro tip: Storytelling for experienced professionals is absolutely key. When a recruiter or a hiring manager is evaluating your profile, they are looking for real work examples that you have experienced that could help them figure out that you would be the perfect match for the role. As you will have a lot of experiences, try to keep track of all of them, write them down, or store them or use applications that can help you keep organized so to have them all at your fingertips.
Three Page Resume Examples (or More)
Who Should Use a Two-Page Resume?
- Executive-level Professionals
Pro tip: Even if you are a senior executive, it could be worth it keeping your resume at two pages. This is because executives should be able to summarize extremely complex thoughts in just a couple of sentences. Your resume should never be a summary of your life, it should be a summary of how you can help the company achieving the goals of that specific role based on your background and knowledge. Again, you should be extremely targeted in each aspect of what you include in your resume.
Best Practices for Resume – Format & Tips
Regardless of the number of pages, there are some best practices you should follow for creating an impactful resume:
- Highlight critical information at the beginning – short elevator pitch targeted to the specific job description.
- Focus on achievements, not just job duties – this of vital importance.
- Use bullet points to make it easy to read.
- Refrain from using “fancy” resumes styles – they are hiring you to do the job, not because you are “cool”
- Prioritize experiences and skills relevant to the job you’re applying for.
- Edit ruthlessly to eliminate any fluff or redundant information.
HelloI Can Help with Ideal Resume Lengths
At “HelloI,” we recognize that crafting a tailored resume for each job application can be time-consuming and challenging. That’s why we’ve developed the Digital Vitae—a dynamic version of you that changes automatically based on each job description. With the Digital Vitae, you can stand out from the crowd, pass any ATS system, and provide recruiters with deeper insights into your skills, experience, and potential fit for the role.
No more hustle—let your Digital Vitae do the work for you and increase your chances of being called and hired!
