The resume question: One page or two?

by Sam Collins

January 30, 2001 —

Your resume is effective only if it leads to interviews. You have approximately 15 seconds to engage a prospective employer and convince him that your background warrants attention. Your document must speak loudly and clearly of your potential value and compel the employer to call.

Comprehension greatly improves if you provide only the necessary information on one sheet of paper. Given that resumes are reviewed for such a short time, the well-constructed one-page document will serve you best.

Time equals money

Most hiring managers are short-staffed and busy. Many say a one-page resume is likely to get their attention. Some won’t even look at the second page, unless the first page has caught their interest.

Resumes were never intended to include everything candidates accomplished in their careers. Few employers -- at least at the resume stage -- are concerned with what you did in your early professional life. The second page of a resume typically involves first jobs, educational credentials, personal data and military service. Much of this information is ancient history or shouldn’t be included.

A well-written resume should summarize the qualifications and experiences most likely to interest a prospective employer. With creativity and a sharp pencil, the average two-page resume can be condensed into a targeted, tight knit one-page sales document.

In some circumstances, a longer resume is appropriate. Candidates in fields such as academia and medicine may require up to six pages or more. Similarly, a chief executive officer with an extensive background may fare better with a two- or three-page document. Each situation requires a different strategy. Consider your background and situation when writing yours.

But any resume can be a dismal failure if you neglect several important concepts. These include:

Market appeal. Most resumes suffer from a "sameness" factor that causes them to be overlooked. An effective resume is visually unique and conveys the impression of success. It differentiates you from your competition.
Strength of presentation. Most managers and executives read the first five or six lines of a resume (excluding the heading) then make a decision. A strong presentation attracts interest and makes the reader keep going.
Action orientation.A resume quickly must convey what you can do for an employer. It should communicate the transferability of your experience and the "value-added benefits’’ you bring to the organization.
Targeting. Every accomplishment and personal trait the resume mentioned must support your job objective. A failure to target your resume properly can lead to a long and frustrating job search.
Format. Both chronological and functional formats, or styles, offer advantages depending on your circumstances. Select the proper format for your needs. Either can be completed in one or two pages.

Don’t assume there’s only one way to describe your experience. Before choosing the length of your document, analyze your background and situation. Have a reason for including or excluding information, then determine the best format and make other decisions regarding your document.

CareerJournal.com