Back in the day, one-page resumes represented a practical necessity.
In those dark, olden times, back when phones had cords and TV episodes aired one at a time, resumes were actually printed and mailed. Long documents created logistical problems.
Now that everything takes place in a digital realm, these concerns have dissipated. Still, attention spans and busy schedules continue to argue for a shorter document. Concise, concentrated resumes have a definite benefit.
But you can get value from including additional information that wouldn’t otherwise fit on a single page.
How do you decide which way to go? Here’s a guide to the pros and cons to letting your resume expand to two pages:
Pro: More Info
One-page resumes can be restricting. Once you get through the basic info (name, phone number, address, etc.) and list your most recent job titles, you don’t really have much room left.
Spreading out to an additional page can let you highlight your nuanced career and expound on your individual achievements.
Con: Redundant and Boring
On the other hand, one person’s nuance can be another person’s padding. It’s easy to trigger a TL;DR response, especially given the volume of applications most hiring processes involve.
Only go to a second page if you really have skills that warrant additional coverage.
Pro: You Can Go Back Further in Time
Short resumes force you to constrict your timeline. You can only fit your most recent work experiences, even if these don’t reflect your best achievements.
A one-pager works great for people just out of school or returning to the job market after an absence. But if you have a long work history, restricting yourself to a single page might leave a lot of interesting info undisclosed.
Con: Diminishing Returns
How well do you remember 2011? We thought so. Stretching back in time might give heft to your resume by adding sheer volume, but you have to make sure it adds value as well.
You won’t do yourself any favors by listing qualifications that seem dated or skills that aren’t even skills anymore, now that technology has moved on. Don’t reach into your deep past if doing so just reiterates abilities you’ve demonstrated in more recent experiences or includes positions that are irrelevant to the position at hand.
Pro: You Never Know What Will Click
Think about the difference between a play and a movie. A theater actor can react to the crowd and modulate a performance to a particular audience. In a film, that’s not possible. What’s there is there.
Resumes resemble the film performance. You send it out, but you can’t predict exactly what an HR executive will respond to. You never know what particular combination of skills and experience will move you to the top of the list.
A longer resume gives you a better chance to make a connection. The more info you list, the more likely it will be that you tap into the precise alchemy a specific company is looking for.
Con: You Dilute Your Main Selling Points
Your friend starts telling a story. And keeps telling it. And keeps telling it. Ten minutes into the recitation, you’ve lost all hope of getting to the end.
A long resume can spark a similar situation. True, listing lots of qualifications makes it more likely you’ll include something a company likes. However, you don’t do yourself any good if that litany of information obscures your best points.
Preparing a compelling resume can present nuanced problems. Getting professional help allows you to maximize your presentation. Working with a strong staffing partner, like PrideStaff, grants you access to expert advice and unparalleled professional guidance.
Contact our PrideStaff Bend recruiters today to find out more.
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