STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

ILoveChoo · Hermes

resume length

Elle · Hermes

Would you still have trouble fitting it all on one page if you moved your references to a separate page?

Generally, the reason for the 1-page limit is to keep it short, sweet, and relevant. As long as all your experiences are important to include, I think you could make it 2 pages and still be fine.

lsubatgirl · Gucci

I don't believe in that one page rule. It is too hard to highlight all your accomplishments and relevant experience. I wouldn't worry about references at this point so save the room and take them off your resume.

member · Hermes

I think the one page rule is more for when you are first starting out and you're entry-level. I see 2-3 page resumes come through my boss' desk all the time and I think that's pretty normal for someone w/experience. I've never known anyone at my company to be turned off by a resume longer than 1 page.

Elle · Hermes

quote:
Originally posted by: lsubatgirl
"I wouldn't worry about references at this point so save the room and take them off your resume."

I would be wary of this actually - When an employer gets bombarded with resumes, usually the first to go are the ones with spelling errors and the ones that say "References Available Upon Request". Just include them as the last (seperate) page of your resume, so they are in fact there but not taking up precious work-experience space.

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

Instead of listing each job and what you did there, why not list your talents & experiences in categories instead? I know nothing about campaign politics, but you could use categories like campainging skills, computer skills, other attributes, etc. That way you highlight the important stuff, and don't have to compromise precious space with jobs that aren't interesting enough to highlight, and don't have holes in your resume. You can still add after the note the number of years experience...

-gd

ILoveChoo · Hermes

Thanks girls! I was in kind of a time crunch (they only kept the application pool open for 3 days ) so I was stressing out. I went over it last night and it ended up being about a page and a half, but it was very well organized and everything on it was very relevant so I don't think it will be a problem.

Now I just have to wait and see if they call me in for an interview. *crossing fingers*

Luv2Shop · Kate Spade

quote:
Originally posted by: LMonet
"

I would be wary of this actually - When an employer gets bombarded with resumes, usually the first to go are the ones with spelling errors and the ones that say "References Available Upon Request". Just include them as the last (seperate) page of your resume, so they are in fact there but not taking up precious work-experience space."

Why do you say the ones with references av. upon request are the first to go? I have that on mine.
I have references and portfolio av. upon request. (I am a designer) Just wondering why you would say that. I am looking for a new job right now, but I got my first one just fine.

Elle · Hermes

Many employers want all the information at once - in most fields there are more people than jobs available. After I got my current job, I found out that they had received more than 200 resumes for the position! When an employer gets that big of a response, they just don't have enough time to read through and check references for every person who might be right for the job. If your references are already included in your resume, they can check them first to see if they would even want you to come in for an interview instead of having to call and awkwardly ask for your references so they can 'check up on you'. It can make an employer wonder about why you aren't including them as well, like you're hoping they won't ask for them at all.

*Personal Experience, may or may not be relevant due to situational differences*

When I was on unemployment, I contacted a friend that works for the unemployment department for some advice (it's a messy process!). To qualify, I had to send out X-amount of resumes per week and follow up on them if I didn't hear anything or I wouldn't get my money. It was slim pickins around here then, so I had to apply for things I would never in a million years actually take, crossing my fingers that they wouldn't call me for an interview (which I wasn't allowed to decline, also b/c of the unemployment). My friend gave me some tips - when sending your resume in for a job you don't want, make sure there are spelling errors and no references! You significantly up your chances that you won't be called back.

*End Personal Experience*