Resume Page Length

Resume page length is easily, one of the most frequently asked questions..

So…how many pages should your resume be?

Answer: It depends!

Think about your job search like a traditional advertising and marketing campaign. You are the item for sale, in a marketplace where employers are shopping for talented individuals.

Consider McDonald’s advertising strategies. McDonald’s applies a variety of tools and creativity to effectively market their products to different audiences. Happy meals are available for children, value-menu options for cost-cutters, and deluxe burgers for those looking to indulge. What’s the moral of the story? One generalization or strategy does not guide their overall marketing approach, and effective messaging comes in all shapes and sizes.

The reality is that all job applicants ARE NOT created equal. When we’re all “supposed” to adhere to a one page rule, it places Entry Level job seekers without any professional experience, in the very same boat as Managers and Executives with 10, 15 or 20+ years of experience.  The one-page rule serves as a broad sweeping generalization, without taking into account individual differences such as years of work experience and depth of education, training and certifications.