Many job seekers send out resumes that are three or more pages long while applying for job openings. However, hiring managers have limited time to spend on each resume they receive. You’re likely to make a positive impression if you shorten your resume to focus on the key skills and experience related to the job you’re applying for. Throughout this guide, we’ll provide insights to trim down your document effectively while preserving the most compelling aspects of your professional experience.
How Long Is Too Long?
The length of the resume is a common question for applicants during the job search process. The standard rule is that a resume should always be at most two pages, regardless of the years of experience. Although there are some exceptions, it is best to follow this rule in most cases. The hiring manager has limited time to spend on each resume they receive, and a four- or five-page document might be a turn-off. Instead, give a concise yet impactful document that captures your most substantial career achievements and skill sets.
How To Shorten Your Resume
Shortening your resume requires prioritizing content based on impact and relevance to the position you’re applying for. If an achievement doesn’t match the job description, ask yourself two things. Does this accomplishment demonstrate other qualities the company seeks, such as people management or leadership skills? Is the achievement objectively impressive? If the answer is no, remove it. Assess the overall impact of each bullet point and whether it genuinely captures the hiring manager’s eye.
1. Remove outdated content
Hiring managers often decide on candidates based on the experience featured on the resume’s first page, so focus on enhancing the quality of your most recent positions. If you held a position 20 years ago in a different space, you can either remove the job or list it without bullet points on the resume. Depending on the situation, preserving your professional timeline may be worthwhile, as this will provide prospective employers with a complete overview of your career. Consider creating an Additional Work Experience section on your document if you plan to include jobs without bullet points. This strategy will help you save space while maintaining your professional timeline.
2. Change your template and font size
Using an efficient template that wastes page space is often the cause of an overly long resume. In many cases, transferring your content to a new template that uses a more traditional top-down design can significantly shorten the length of your document. For instance, if you’re using a template that incorporates unnecessary graphics and large borders, this may be the reason your resume exceeds the recommended two-page length. The resume showcases your achievements and professional experience, so using a more straightforward template is okay if it helps you preserve more of your content.
3. Avoid paragraphs and long-winded bullet points
You’ll need to aggressively edit your resume to ensure your document meets the acceptable length requirements. If your document contains lengthy paragraphs, consider cutting them down and reorienting the content into concise bullet points. As a rule, a bullet point should never exceed three lines; keep them to two or less whenever possible. Less is more on the resume, and you’ll improve your chances of landing the interview if your content is straightforward and to the point.
4. Limit your associations and volunteerism
While associations and volunteer work can be helpful to add to your document, never prioritize them over relevant achievements from your professional experience. Unless the association is significant within your industry, consolidate and remove this information from your resume to create more space for your work history. One thing to consider is that you can include this information on LinkedIn instead, as most hiring managers review candidate profiles before requesting an interview.
5. Avoid repetitive bullet points
As you build your resume content, analyze your bullet points carefully to eliminate redundancies. There may be some cases where you want to reinforce a particular skill set across multiple positions. Create as many unique bullet points as possible to showcase different aspects of your professional experience for the hiring manager. If two bullet points provide similar details, consider combining them or omitting one from your document to create space for other content.
6. Hire a resume writer
Using the services of a professional resume writer can help identify the ideal content to include on your document. Job seekers often need to be closer to their resumes, limiting their ability to evaluate the content objectively. Seeking help from a professional editor specializing in career consulting can be extremely useful in creating a concise yet compelling resume for the job hunt. For more information on editing services, see our list of the top resume-writing companies throughout the U.S.
Build an Accomplishment-Driven Resume
Crafting a resume focusing on your professional achievements rather than your job responsibilities is the key to generating traction during the job search. Limiting your content to accomplishments and omitting mundane job duties allows you to create a much tighter document that guides the reader’s eye toward your most impressive qualifications. You have a limited window of opportunity to grab the hiring manager’s attention. Your chances of making a positive impression are much greater if your document is clear with the necessary information.
Here are two examples of professional experience sections in accomplishment-driven resumes:
Example 1
Professional Experience
Senior SEO Specialist, PNC Bank, Philadelphia, PA
August 2016 – Present
- Developed and executed SEO strategy for the website of a leading national bank, redesigned sitemaps, integrated backlinks, and enhanced keyword optimization to improve unique, organic traffic by 140% YOY across product pages for banking services
- Managed a team of 15+ digital marketing professionals to conduct in-depth research on industry keywords, perform SEO audits, and refine sitemaps
- Reduced bounce rates from 45% to 34% by optimizing content relevance for audiences and identifying opportunities to improve page load times
Analysis
For marketing professionals who work in SEO, metrics are essential for generating traction during the job hunt. You’ll see in these bullet points that the candidate has taken the time to break down complex industry metrics while providing enough context for the reader to understand how they got from point A to point B. One of the most important aspects of crafting bullets on the resume is providing enough detail and metrics while ensuring that your content is accessible to a wide variety of audiences.
Example 2
Professional Experience
Business Intelligence Analyst, Manhattan Finance Firm, New York, NY
June 2018 – Present
- Managed data analytics initiatives valued at up to $1.5M, served as the business intelligence SME, transformed KPIs into business insights, and identified data trends to inform business decision-making for the organization
- Improved data visualization for senior leadership and finance teams, which included developing a new dashboard to provide key insights on financial performance
- Identified opportunities to automate manual data entry processes for business results, resulting in a reduction of over 400+ work hours per year
Analysis
When applying for an analyst position, you need to ensure that your data is precise and clear to the hiring manager. This type of role involves deep and complex analysis of data sets, and the job seeker is highly effective in showcasing how they translated these findings into reports for management using data visualization techniques. While the numbers in this example are substantial, they wouldn’t have the same impact if the job seeker didn’t provide details on how they executed these initiatives and why they were important for the company on an operational level.
One-Page Resume Examples
Allison Rosenberg
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Seattle, WA 12345
Profile
A CDA with three years of experience specializing in intra-oral techniques, patient care, dentistry, and communication. Adept at delivering medical support to dentists and keeping patients calm during oral surgeries and procedures.
Key Skills
- Oral care
- Patient education
- X-ray exams
- Surgical support
- Intra-oral techniques
Professional Experience
Dental Assistant, Rockstar Smiles, Seattle, WA
October 2021 – present
- Conduct panoramic dental X-rays to diagnose cavities, impacted wisdom teeth, and other dental conditions and provide education to patients on findings
- Provide support to dentists during root canals, extractions, and other dental procedures, including sterilizing instruments to prevent infection
- Create dental impressions, mix compounds in the laboratory, assist with denture fittings, and maintain inventory levels for dental equipment and supplies
Dental Assistant, Smile Better Dentistry, Seattle, WA
June 2020 – October 2021
- Delivered support to dental teams for a variety of oral procedures, including wisdom teeth extractions, fillings, and root canals
- Educated patients on proper dental hygiene, brushing, and flossing techniques to prevent cavities and gum disease
Certifications
- Certified Dental Assistant, DANB, State of Washington, 2020
Education
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Dental Assisting
Seattle Central College, Seattle, WA September 2018 – June 2020
Mike Williams
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 First Lane, Baltimore, MD 12345
Profile
A dynamic Account Manager with eight years of experience developing new business for premiere technology startups. A proven track record of defining overarching sales strategy to grow customer accounts and build long-term relationships. Adept at leading teams of sales representatives and identifying opportunities to enhance performance and improve close rates.
Professional Experience
Customer Account Manager, Jericho Finance Solutions Inc., Washington D.C.
March 2015-Present
- Manage 40+ major accounts generating $5M in annual revenue, serve as the point of contact for clients, identify solutions to complex issues, and achieve a 97% customer satisfaction rating
- Generate and track sales reports, evaluate contract terms, analyze sales metrics, and conduct forecasting to define overarching sales strategies based on market indicators
- Develop long-term client relationships, build rapport with customer stakeholders, ensure product alignment with business needs, and identify opportunities to drive customer success
Account Manager, , Alexandria, VA
July 2010-March 2015
- Delivered education to customers on product offerings and services, served as the point of contact throughout the sales cycle, and coordinate cross-functionally with customer success teams
- Analyzed market studies and focus groups to develop new sales strategies and identify opportunities to upsell products, contributing to a 10% increase in annual sales
- Provided training to five customer support representatives on client relations, consultative selling, upselling, and customer service standards
Education
Bachelor of Business Management, DevryUniversity, Downers Grove, IL, 3.86 GPA
August 2006-June 2010
Key Skills
- Business Development
- Sales Strategy
- Client Relations
- Salesforce CRM
- Account Management
Ben Bergsen
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, New York, NY 12345
Profile
An Operations Director with 10+ years of experience within the healthcare industry, specializing in operations management, executive leadership, and program management. A proven track record of defining enterprise goals and clinical workflows to ensure operational excellence. Adept at partnering with diverse teams and C-level executives to lead change management initiatives.
Professional Experience
Director of Operations, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
July 2016 – Present
- Oversee all aspects of operations and department functions for a leading hospital with 450 beds, conduct financial planning, manage a $15M operating budget, and identify strategic direction for the organization
- Liaise with the Vice President, CEO, and the C-suite executives to identify strategic direction for the organization and assess hospital policies and procedures to enhance quality
- Lead matrixed teams in a dynamic clinical environment with a high-patient volume and drive quality improvements to ensure the delivery of patient-centered care
Operations Director, New York Medical Center, New York, NY
June 2011 – July 2016
- Managed operations for all clinical programs for a 300-bed hospital, analyzed P&L, and oversaw an operating budget valued at $8M
- Collaborated with five department heads to identify staffing needs, determine resource allocation, and refine hospital procedures to improve clinical outcomes
- Developed a collaborative and inclusive work culture centered on empowering employees to have a voice in the decision-making process for operational changes
Education
Master of Science (M.S.) Healthcare Administration
Columbia University, New York, NY September 2009 – May 2011
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Healthcare Administration
Columbia University, New York, NY September 2007 – May 2009
Key Skills
- Operations Management
- Hospital Administration
- Program Management
- Strategic Planning
- P&L Management
- Cross-functional Leadership
Certifications
- Six Sigma Greenbelt, 2015
Maria Dillon
(918) 123-4567
[email protected]
4056 Tulane Way, Tulsa, OK 74114
Profile
An innovative Interior Designer with seven years of professional experience delivering transformative designs and concepts for residential and commercial spaces. A proven track record of managing high-value projects and delivering balanced interior designs.
Professional Experience
Interior Designer, Tulsa Interiors, Tulsa, OK
December 2016 – Present
- Conceptualize, visualize, and realize design ideas and objectives for high-end commercial and residential clients, manage projects valued at up to $300K, and ensured compliance with budget restraints and timelines
- Create client pitch presentations, including detailed working drawings, designs, plans, models, and schemes using AutoCAD and Photoshop
- Coordinate with clients to achieve unified and balanced designs, conduct space planning, and increase usable space by up to 20% for residential homes and offices
Interior Designer, Dewbury Architecture & Design, Tulsa, OK
July 2012 – November 2016
- Coordinated with clients and contractors to execute interior design projects valued at $200K-$400K, visited project sites to establish scope of work, and provided elegant, modern interior designs in alignment with business requirements
- Created sketches, drawings, and designs and delivered presentations to clients
- Negotiated pricing with vendors for furniture, materials, and equipment
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design
University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK, September 2008 – May 2012
Key Skills
- Interior Design
- Project Management
- AutoCAD
- REVIT
- Client Relations
Certifications
- Registered Interior Designer – Oklahoma Board of Architects
- Current NCIDQ certification
Frequently Asked Questions About Resume Length
Is it bad if my resume is too long?-
If your resume is too lengthy, it may prevent hiring managers from quickly scanning your resume for the key skills that relate to a position. While in some industries, a longer resume is acceptable, they should typically be at most two pages. Condensing your resume to fit within two pages will highlight your most relevant experience and skills.
How do you condense resume bullet points?-
Keep resume bullet points brief by sticking to the primary facts, with each bullet point one or two lines. Longer bullet points stretch out the overall length of a resume. Shorten each bullet point so it focuses on one important fact and states it as simply as possible.
How far back should a resume go?-
In general, a resume should go back at most 10 to 15 years. However, you can include older jobs if you feel those have relevant work experience. If your resume is going onto a third page, it is best to eliminate some of your older work experience. You can also include any work experience you cut from your resume on your LinkedIn profile. Many hiring managers also look at applicant's LinkedIn profiles during the hiring process.
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