The Resume: Can it be longer than a page? Should I include a summary at the top? Am I positioning myself strongly enough for the role I’m applying to?
These are some of the resume related questions we regularly receive from candidates whether it’s someone with five years of experience or 20. They are good questions, because your resume is the first piece of information representing you when applying for a position where you have no contacts and no other way to stand out from other applicants.
Keep in mind, a hiring manager or recruiter only spends a few seconds on a resume due to the hundreds they may be sifting through so to make your resume strong, it should be clear, concise, and strategically highlight your skills, experience, and achievements. If a summary section on a resume is brief with bullet points incorporating key words that are relevant to the open position, it makes sense to include it. However, a lengthy paragraph often won’t be read and takes up valuable space on your resume where you could add more detailed bullets of your accomplishments.
One of the most common questions candidates ask, regardless of tenure, is how long should a resume be. While a one-page resume is ideal for those with less than 8-10 years of experience, professionals with more extensive backgrounds can, and often should, extend to two pages to effectively showcase their expertise. Don’t be afraid of a two page resume when it is warranted.
Formatting matters, and chronological order is generally the best approach. Listing your experience from most recent to oldest allows those reviewing it to quickly assess your current skill set and career progression without having to look for key information. We’ve reviewed thousands of resumes over the years, and when we see those that are formatted a bit more uniquely for marketing, communications, and PR roles, they are usually less effective at doing what’s needed for the quick overview. That’s not to say that you can’t jazz it up a bit, but be mindful that important dates and information is easily seen.
Ultimately, a resume should position you strongly by emphasizing achievements rather than only responsibilities. Quantifiable results, action-oriented language, and a clean, professional format make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly see your impact.
- Resume Length: One page is ideal for under 8-10 years of experience; two pages are often necessary for more extensive backgrounds.
- Formatting Matters: Straightforward is best. Use a chronological order (most recent experience first) for clarity and quick assessment.
- Summary Section: A brief, keyword-rich summary with bullet points can be helpful, but avoid long paragraphs.
- Highlight Achievements: Focus on quantifiable results and impactful contributions rather than just listing responsibilities.
- Use Strong Action Verbs: Go beyond “led” and “managed” by incorporating words like created, spearheaded, designed, and crafted.
- Tailor to the Job: Align your language with the job description to ensure relevance and increase visibility to recruiters.
- No photos! Photos are great on LinkedIn, not on resumes. They often get caught in Applicant Tracking Systems and are wholly unnecessary on a resume.
Keeping these principles in mind will help ensure your resume stands out and effectively markets your skills and experience within a sea of candidates.
Singh Hecht Executive Search is a national boutique search firm specializing in the areas of marketing, public relations, and communications.