How Long Should My Résumé Be?

It's an age-old question: how long should my résumé be? Many people abide by the one page rule but it's not necessarily a sin to have a two-page résumé. The correct answer is that your résumé should be as long as you need it to be. But no longer!

If your résumé is two pages long then it must be compelling to read. You must remember that the purpose of your résumé is to land the interview, not tell your life story. It is acceptable for people who have been in an industry for over ten years or have highly technical careers to utilize two pages worth of space. Other than that, stick to a single page!

A one-page résumé will help you target your skills and objective without adding fluff. It will look lean and clean to an employer and allow them to quickly scan it without spending time flipping through pages. If you think it's impossible to get your résumé down to a page, here are a few suggestions:

• Reduce the size of your headings
• Change your 12 point font to size 11
• Decrease your margins
• Change the font type/size for your name and address at the top of your résumé

Recent graduates or people who have less experience in an industry should definitely stick to one page. Remember that it is ultimately your decision how long your résumé is and how much information will really reflect your abilities the best.