An age-old job search debate rages on
➔ There has long been a great debate within job seeking circles about the age old resume. Many experts steadfastly adhere to the theory that it should never exceed one page. “No one ever reads beyond the first page,” the argument goes.
Then there are the experts who extol the benefits of filling up as much space as needed in order to “sell yourself.” We’ve seen academics whose curriculum vitaes (CVs) run 10-12 pages where they list every study, every article that they’ve ever been associated with.
Which one is right?
Naturally, both sides swear that their way is the absolute, one-true way. Or, maybe they’re both right. Can that be possible? Of course.
No doubt you’ve heard about companies that keep two sets of books. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t keep two sets of resumes.
On the one hand, the one-pagers are (partially) right. When you first submit an application, or you first contact a prospective employer or recruiter, they probably won’t read past the first page. So, give them what they want. Prepare a one-page resume that tells your story simply and succinctly.
Give that hiring manager, or recruiter, just enough to present yourself in as favorable light as possible. A one-page resume will demonstrate that you fit the job; that you’ve got relevant experience and/or a background suitable for the position in question.
That’s not to say that you can’t, or shouldn’t, have a two, or three-page version that is laden with all your accomplishments. This is where you can lay it on thick. All your experience, all your expertise, all your accomplishments – there for the reader to absorb.
It’s a good idea to take your three-page version with you to an interview where the interviewer already has seen your one-page version. You can introduce the longer version with something like, “I know you have my one-page resume, but I also have a version that goes into much more detail about my accomplishments.”
What’s the worst that can happen? The hiring manager either will say, “No, this is fine.” Or, “Yes, I would definitely like to see that.”
Either way, you’re covered.
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