Job Discussion Forums

[Kurochan]

I've decided to apply for some jobs back in the US, and I'm trying to write up a good resume. The problem is, no matter what I do, my resume lops over onto a second page. What to do? Should I just keep screwing with my format until I get it on one page? If I can let it lop over onto another page, what if there's not a lot there? I'm supposed to send a list of recommenders, with addresses, so should I include it on the second page of the resume?

I know my questions sound idiotic, but I am a very nervous job-applier, and from what I've been seeing on the Internet, ideas about length of resumes, etc. have been changing lately, so I'm more confused than ever.

[johnslat]

Dear Kurochan,
Two pages - no problem. More than two, however, would be pushing the envelope (so to speak). And yes - I'd say include the list of recommenders and addresses (including, if you have them, e-mail addresses) on that second page.
Regards,
John

[Atlas]

Kurochan,

I don't know how old you are or the number of jobs you've had,
but when that number starts adding up, it's ok to only use the
job experiences that fit the position you are seeking. There comes
a time when you stop listing everything and start to pick and choose,
or slant the resume towards the new job. Also, you could cut down on the personal interests section. Don't clutter up the page with dense paragraphs, make it as concise and clear as possible! They are not looking for a detailed history lesson, they are looking for competence and relevant experience, and a range of skill.

Hope it helps! Good luck!

(BTW if it helps, MS Word has a resume format feature that can show you various examples).

[Gordon]

Two pages is fine. Anyone with even a little bit of experience can't be expected to keep a good detailed resume under 2 pages.

[James_T_Kirk]

I just found a really good article regarding resume length on monster.com...click this link to check it out. I hope you find it useful.

Cheers,
Kirk

[Cleopatra]

Thanks for that link, James - very helpful.

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but is a 'resume' the same as a 'CV'?

[johnslat]

Dear Cleopatra,
Well, there are some differences:

Differences between a CV and a resume

Length

While a CV may be a few pages in length, a resume should be one page or two pages - three only if you have extensive experience.

Emphasis

Rather than focusing on your coursework and research, resumes highlight practicalities such as work experience and skills.

Format

Resumes are typically structured under specific headings such as Education, Experience, and Skills.


What to include

Work Experience-- Even if you think they are insignificant or unrelated, employers like to see that a candidate has held jobs.

Activities--Activities (such as teaching, heading a literary magazine, etc.) that you complete during your academic career can be transformed into experience on a resume.

Skills-- Think about what skills you have gained that are transferrable to the workplace, such as written and verbal communication, research, language, computer and managerial skills.

What not to include

References--References can be listed separately to be available when requested.

Publications--These can also be listed on a separate page, or pick a few related ones and title the section "selected publications."

Extensive Coursework--Only include the classes that have been most important in your education and most relevant to the type of job you are seeking.

Transforming Your CV to a Resume in a Few Simple Steps


Identify a resume format by looking at samples or through resume books in the Career Resource Center.

Decide which fields and industries you will target.
Organize your information in an order which markets your most related experience first.
Decide on headings and create a first draft.
Meet with a counselor to receive feedback and suggestions for revisions.
Revise your rough draft and print the final copy on good quality resume paper.


Regards,
John

[Cleopatra]

Thanks for your help, John.

Appreciated as always.

[Kurochan]

Thanks for the help, everybody! I'm sending my first resume off tomorrow!

[Stephen Jones]

Resume is American.
CV is British.
The one page CV is a shibboleth. It is normally achieved by making the print unreadably small, and as it may never be printed out is an artificial limitation anyway.
A lot depends on the job you are applying for. For teaching you will be expected to give a full reverse-chronological list of employment for all teaching experience, and a reasonable explanation of any gaps since graduation.
Send a separate cover letter (the body of the email) but tailor it to each individual job application. We do have chop suey and chow mein on the menu at the works canteen here in Jubail, but anybody coming here with the intention of "learnng more about Chinese culture" as one candidate put it, is likely to be disappointed.
And one minor point - check out that it looks OK in both letter and A4 sizes, and print it out on the wrong paper for the setting and make sure it looks OK even then.

And a final digression. Having read through over three thousand resumes in the last three and a half years, it seems a trend that the lenght of the resume is in inverse proportion to the amount of experience of the candidate. Few candidates straight out of college ever send less than three or four pages of resume, including three paragraph descriptions of their summer job at the local Kinkos, and a bulleted list of all the skills they put into play there. On the other hand candidates with thirty years experience normally send resumes that fall short of a page, at a rate of a couple of words a year; no doubt they are so exhausted by a long and varied life that they just can't physically hit the keyboard for longer.