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The length of your resume is less important
than its substance. If your resume is properly worded, you can inject it
with your accomplishments, expertise, skills and talents without having to
wear out the reader with an abundance of unnecessary words.
What you write on your resume is more
important than how long it is. Write what matters. Hit the employer between
the eyes with your effective use of language. Convey your qualifications in
vibrant prose so the reader cannot help but want to read more.
How long should your resume be? The length
of your resume should be in direct proportion to your success in reaching
your career goals and in pursuing related educational objectives. What does
that mean?
Well, it means:
- Show your
accomplishments
- Target your resume to
the job and the company
- Don't pad your resume
- Be honest
- Use action keywords
- Only list what applies
to the position you are seeking
- Never use two words
when one will do
- Add enough white space
to allow natural breaks in reading
- Do not list references
Most experts suggest you keep your resume
to two pages. If you can fit your skills and accomplishments on one page,
that is even better. If you are a professional or executive, three pages may
be required to tell the whole story, but be sure you are using only what
best supports your career goals.
Write your resume in such a way that the
reader knows exactly what you want and your credentials support that goal.
Anything more becomes tedious and takes away from the impact of your true
purpose. Anything less and your goal become unsubstantiated by your past
experience and education.
The goal of the resume is to get the
interest of the prospective employer to the extent that you are sought out
for an interview. Whatever the length of your resume is, make sure that you
are including the information that the employer needs in order to make an
informed decision about whether or not to bring you in for an interview.
Remember that an employer doesn't have a
great deal of time to devote to reading resumes, so make it easy and include
what matters most in your resume. This is a time to show off, ok?
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