A person seeking to find a job is usually faced with the need to provide a resume. The question arises: is it possible to limit ourselves to creating text occupying one page, or is it better to write about yourself in more detail? No one will give a definite answer. In some cases, the best solution would be to compress the text to one page. There are situations when you should list all your achievements in a multi-page resume.
How to write a one-page resume
When creating a short resume, you should focus on the results and skills that are useful in performing the job in the position that the applicant intends to receive.
To simplify the search for candidates for vacant positions, employers usually use the capabilities of ATS (jobseeker tracking system). This software allows you to sort the materials provided by applicants for a free workplace. You can turn this circumstance to your advantage by using keywords from this application in the text of the resume.
How Long Employers Want Resume to Be
Statistics show that for most employers, a shortened version of the resume is still a priority. Studying a compact text will not take them much time. A few-page resume is preferred by a small percentage of hired managers surveyed.
The results of the study showed that about 48% of the surveyed recruitment specialists are inclined to the volume of a resume equal to one page. 11% of managers are sure that a two-page text will better tell about the merits of applicants. Another 34% insist that the choice between a one-page and a multi-page resume depends on the level of experience of the candidate and the type of activity that he plans to engage in. Finally, 7% of the respondents said that they do not attach much importance to how many pages the resume occupies.
Benefits of a One Page Resume
Reading a resume in both printed and electronic versions is faster and easier if its size does not exceed one page. People interested in getting a job should be aware that in large organizations it is not one person who decides to hire new employees, but the admin team. If the text occupies the entire page, none of the hiring managers will set it aside due to lack of time.
When to use a multi-page resume
If the employer declares his desire to hire a person with a solid store of knowledge and skills, it is better not to limit yourself to one page when describing your professional experience.
There are areas of activity where it is impossible to keep within one page without infringing on one’s interests. For example, specialists such as visual artists, a graphic designer will benefit if they accompany the text with illustrations. And it is not at all profitable for people who have devoted their lives to science to compress their work experience to generally accepted standards.
How to cut and trim a resume
There are ways to remove details from a resume without losing important points. Here are some tips for optimizing your text:
- Tell us about your professional experience in detail, and then edit the draft version, removing details of secondary importance. The presentation of facts should be extremely accurate and concise.
- Speaking about education, refrain from information about school years. It is not necessary to list all the professional courses that you attended at one time. Only those that increase your competence in the designated area are important.
- When listing your interests and accomplishments, use bulleted lists.
- Analyze a period that does not exceed 10 – 15 years, even if your career has a lot more years.
- Remove the link summary from the text.
Weigh every written word, avoid unjustified repetitions. Busy people prefer to deal with those who value their time.
Provide more Additional information online
If you want to get a job, do not underestimate the importance of additional information. We must be able to emphasize our advantages and not draw attention to the shortcomings. Sometimes the reason for the refusal of employment is information about the reason for dismissal from the previous place of work or the unhealthy addictions of the candidate. It is not recommended to describe hobbies that are of little significance for a future position. You should also correctly formulate wishes regarding the level of wages.
