Poll: Keeping Your Resume to One Page

Weigh in on how you format your resume when applying for a job

By U.S. News Staff

March 8, 2011 RSS Feed Print

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A one-page resume has long been the golden rule. But some experts say this age-old rule-of-thumb has fallen out of favor. Want to learn more? See our story on the death of the one-page resume.

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I think technology is different.
I works as a technology consultant and I try to focus the beginning of my resume on my skills. It starts with a brief 'elevator pitch' that describes me, then has a section on my primary programming skills; I exclude all the things I have worked with that are not top-notch or marketable. I finish with a section on the business domains I have worked in. That itself is 3/4 of a page, and the other 2.25 pages are details on my assignments, which number 11 in 10+ years.
My focus is keeping in down to 3 pages, although my full unfiltered resume, my master version, is over 4 pages.

James Igoe of NY 8:41AM April 22, 2011

When I was hiring I published a list of what I needed from a candiate. First page should contain what you can do for me. Second page should have a 5 to 10 year substantiation, or proof, of how you can help me achieve a goal. Do not waste my time. I definitely will not waste your time. What you got to sell?

xjayhawk of FL 8:56PM March 30, 2011

I have worked a number of contract positions, in a variety of professional settings. It is very difficult to summarize those positions in a way that results in a one-page resume... unless I want to be very superficial, cutting out accomplishments and skills in the process.
It will take plenty of time to shave my resume to highlight the accomplishments, yet still convey the message that I am not a job-hopper - and will still probably exceed one page! How does one manage to do that, when one's work history consists primarily of contracted assignments?

Flint-Area Unemployed Professional of MI 9:59AM March 17, 2011