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Writing a resume is hard work. It seems so simple, you just make a list of the things you’ve done in the past. But there is so much information today about what you should and should not include that it can become quite confusing to figure out what should be on your resume. One of the biggest challenges for job seekers is resume length; essentially how to keep a resume concise and focused. Some people say a resume should be one page only while others say it’s OK to have multiple pages. Trust us when we say it is possible to have a resume that is simply too long, and too long won’t get read at all. So here’s how to tell if your resume length is appropriate.

The Quality of Content

The length of your resume won’t mean much if the content isn’t sending the right message. Keep your descriptions short and informative. You don’t need to include every job you’ve ever had, just the ones that are most relevant. And be sure you’re telling the reader why your experience matters.

Length for Length’s Sake

Experts seem to agree that anything more than two pages is simply too long for a resume. Ultimately, your resume should be as long as it needs to be to convey the right information to the reader. But don’t just make it longer because you think it needs to be.

The Ease of Formatting

Your resume format will also affect the length of the resume itself. Bullet points are the most common way to communicate information. There are also options between a chronological resume, listing your employment from most recent back, and a functional resume that showcases your accomplishments. Use whatever tells your story best.

Know Your Audience

When you create a resume, you have some assumptions of who will read it. Will be it the hiring manager? Will it be a recruiter? Overall, it may be multiple people. There is no right or wrong way to create a resume, but different people have different preferences, and those may be strongly held beliefs. Since you can’t anticipate every possible viewpoint, your best bet is to keep it short and easy to read.

Keep It Simple

Of course, your resume should also be simple. Even if you work in a very specific industry, don’t load it up with technical jargon. There may be a variety of people who view your resume, not just other experts in your field. You should be able to edit it to make it easy for everyone to read quickly.

Do you want to know more ways to improve your resume length and land your next job? Contact the recruiters at Harvard Resource Solutions, now hiring for jobs in Troy MI.