Job Discussion Forums

tweaka · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 32

Hi all,

I posted a while ago but it didn't go through. I was wondering how long most people's resume was. I was under the impression that businesses only wanted a one page resume. I had one professionally done but I now think that it's leaving too much of my experience not mentioned or perhaps not clear.

Are two page resumes common?

Thanks

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

One page is for businesses. For education, you should be a CV which covers your education experience as refers to the job your applying for. (ie, if you are applying to teach K-12, you can shorten any adult ed or language school experience... if you are applying for university level, emphasize academic English teaching)

I kept mine to 2 pages plus cover letter. But, I have seen 10 page CVs... although who knows if anyone actually read them.

VS

johnslat · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 5:25 pm Post subject:

Mine's a three pager (with references - some/many just put "References provided upon request") - and I've been around for a while.

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 5:45 pm Post subject:

I once went to a great deal of trouble to downsize my CV into one page because I was told that more than one page was "not professional". I had a lot of trouble finding work that season. Finally, I was offered an excellent position, but with the proviso that I rewrite my CV and make it into three pages "like the others". Apparently, CVs in TEFL and education tend to be much longer than the normal one page in business.

mishmumkin · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 929

Business resumes in the US do tend to be one-pagers, but I had a two page resume plus cover letter plus references. It landed me 5 jobs offers in the Gulf this year, so I don't think the length put anyone off. I think it has more to do w/ how concise and relevant your experience is.

tweaka · Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 32

WOWZERS.. you guys are awesome! I am soooo glad that I asked this question. I couldn't understand how with all my years of experience I couldn't get a good job offer. NOW I KNOW!!!

T

adorabilly · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 430 Location: Ras Al Khaimah

Tweaka.

You want to make sure you have seperate distinct categories on the CV.

So not just experience, and education, but also leadership sections, publication sections, research, professional development, panel discussions and any relevant groups and associations.

I have seen some of my professors CV's that run about 15 to 20 pages (with all the different panel's, roundtables, publications, etc...)

johnslat · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:40 am Post subject:

Will everyone who has ever read through a 15 to 20 page CV (with all the padding) please hold up his/her hand?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I'm with John... I can hear the crickets chirping.

I suspect that most of the people here, two or three pages would cover it all - with plenty of white space. Cool

We are mainly just lowly teachers. I had an education section and an experience section. In the Middle East, you tend to send your recommendation/experience letters at the same time as the CV, so I just put "references on request" if they wanted more. No one ever did.

VS