Two-page resume...

[farmerjerome]

I just started looking for a new job, and when I peaked at my updated resume it was two pages. This includes awards.

If you answered nay, what essentials are you looking for on a resume?

 

[Some Guy]

Omit your award for second-place in the county fair belching contest, and I think you'll see it will all fit on one page.

 

[Jeremy Goodwin]

"yay" but I only have references on it. I have my education, work experience, skills and awards on the first page, and references on the second. I forget who I heard it from / where I saw it, but I've always heard to stick it to one page, unless you want to do references on a second page.

 

[cougargirl]

One page. Don't make your prospective employer have to work too hard. Chances are that if it's a two-pager, the first glance it will get is from the trash can.

Also, at the end of a resume there should be one statement - "References available upon request."

 

[In Cold Blood]

I'll echo Jeremy.
Stick to one page if at all possible. Maybe look at how you've organized the bullets/sections etc. to save some space.
I do have a separate reference sheet, and much like Cougargirl said, I note that it's available upon request.

 

[wickedwritah]

Normally I agree, Cougs, but in my case, I break out references onto a second page, so either they can take it or leave it.

The resume itself is one page, and if they wanna keep looking and look past the references, and go straight toward the clips, go for it.

 

[farmerjerome]

Thanks for the advice so far. I'll have to cut some stuff.

Omit your award for second-place in the county fair belching contest, and I think you'll see it will all fit on one page.

Excuse me, it was first place and it wasn't even close.

 

[imjustagirl2]

Omit your award for second-place in the county fair belching contest, and I think you'll see it will all fit on one page.

Excuse me, it was first place and it wasn't even close.

This is why I heart farmerj.

 

[farmerjerome]

Omit your award for second-place in the county fair belching contest, and I think you'll see it will all fit on one page.

Excuse me, it was first place and it wasn't even close.

This is why I heart farmerj.

That and Nipplegate.

BTW, should that be on my resume under skills?

 

[TyWebb]

One page. Don't make your prospective employer have to work too hard. Chances are that if it's a two-pager, the first glance it will get is from the trash can.

Also, at the end of a resume there should be one statement - "References available upon request."

Don't the first and last statements here contradict each other? If you don't want him to work that hard, shouldn't you make it so he doesn't have to request references?

I understand the general sentiment here, but unless a candidate is padding and stretching his resume, how much extra work is it to just flip a damn page. I have the same set up as Jeremy, references on the second page.

 

[wickedwritah]

That and Nipplegate.

BTW, should that be on my resume under skills?

"Can lick 20 nipples per minute."

 

[imjustagirl2]

I did NOT participate in Nipplegate. I just recorded it for posterity.

That being said, ****, I wish my resume took up a full page. Even with four references, it doesn't barely fill a page. I suck.

 

[wickedwritah]

I did NOT participate in Nipplegate. I just recorded it for posterity.

That being said, ****, I wish my resume took up a full page. Even with four references, it doesn't barely fill a page. I suck.

No, means you've stayed in jobs longer than a milisecond, unlike me and some others on here (don't know about farmerj, but having careers in two separate fields can lengthen it).

 

[awriter]

One page. Don't make your prospective employer have to work too hard. Chances are that if it's a two-pager, the first glance it will get is from the trash can.

Also, at the end of a resume there should be one statement - "References available upon request."

Don't the first and last statements here contradict each other? If you don't want him to work that hard, shouldn't you make it so he doesn't have to request references?

I was just about to ask the same thing. That said, you won't **** off any editors by keeping your resume to one page that includes your references. You may, however, **** off a few by putting them on the second page or not listing them at all.

 

[Stone Cane]

early on, i sent out resumes on 8 1/2 x 14 paper

get more stuff on it, still one page

and it worked

 

[Paper Champion]

To an employer, a two-page resume could indicate you don’t write concise or choose words wisely. Even if that’s not the case, sports editors are looking for a reason to throw you back in the pile.

 

[Flying Headbutt]

Doesn't there ever come a point in time where two pages is ok? I mean eventually you'll have had to have accomplished enough things. Especially as news becomes more multi-media driven and you have to tout various different skills. Starting out, yes, one page. But eventually isn't two pages even expected? Of course I say this knowing the look (design) of my resume sucks, even if the words that are on it don't.

 

[imjustagirl2]

This thread makes me feel worthless.

 

[pallister]

I can understand the idea that a resume that's too long will turn off prospective employers, but Jesus Christ, is it that hard to go through two pages of typed copy? I don't want to read every meaningless detail of someone's career, but if I'm hiring, I also expect a little more than the "convenient" reader's digest version of a resume.

 

[buckweaver]

I think so, too, pall.

I don't like the idea of "you have to keep your resume to one page; don't make hiring managers work too hard" because the purpose of a friggin' resume is to highlight your experience and expertise.

I think there's a fine line you have to walk, because if you can't concisely summarize what you've done and what you're good at, you're hurting yourself by having a second page.

But god damn, if you've done something worth putting on a resume, then put it on your resume, even if it means a second page. You're the only one who can sell yourself -- ain't nobody else gonna do it for you.