How many pages should a CV be?
Discussion
Get some feedback please, my current CV is 2 pages, for some roles I've just lised the job title and the time I spent there and not gone in details. Is it worth expanding it to 3 pages and include full details about these role's aswell? I have been told it's good to have a CV down to 2 pages, however being a contractor the roles do slowly build up on what I've done hence the length of my CV can increase.
I'm applying for project based roles in the IT field,while current background consists of Incident/Problem Management + Service Desk, the roles that I don't have listed are Service Desk but do include me working on transitions.
Tips please?
I'm applying for project based roles in the IT field,while current background consists of Incident/Problem Management + Service Desk, the roles that I don't have listed are Service Desk but do include me working on transitions.
Tips please?
My CV is, rather frustratingly, over 2 pages. I tried, and tried to make it only 2, but I couldn't cover the content I needed. I've done a lot of roles in a short space of time, and like you, mine are around IT Service Management, so I wanted to say things like 'I've negotiated and written SLA's (Service Level Agreements)' and 'Acted as Major Incident Manager' because people are going to keyword search on those terms, or want to know about them when they sift your CV.
It's a really challenging balancing act, so prioritise your CV so less important things go on page 3 (I have my 'about me' section and 'other useful information' like the fact I have a full clean uk driving licence on that page). That way if it isn't read, it isn't a problem.
It's a really challenging balancing act, so prioritise your CV so less important things go on page 3 (I have my 'about me' section and 'other useful information' like the fact I have a full clean uk driving licence on that page). That way if it isn't read, it isn't a problem.
I always say to people, a recruiter/employer will intially take a 10/15 second scanned look at your CV to gauge interest or not, hence why I have prefered to use 2 pages as it doesn't seem to taskful for them either.
I've actually had to take bits out of my CV to fit it onto 2 page and also using custom margins so it's still neat and tidy looking, and maximising the area avaliable.
On a side note, for key words that I haven't been able to add within a sentence, I've used white words were possible so they appear in any searches recruiters do
I've actually had to take bits out of my CV to fit it onto 2 page and also using custom margins so it's still neat and tidy looking, and maximising the area avaliable.
On a side note, for key words that I haven't been able to add within a sentence, I've used white words were possible so they appear in any searches recruiters do
0a said:
2, any more and the CV gets a skim read before heading for the bin.
So everyone says - but is it the reality? Do some managers only read 2 pages just because they think that is what everyone else does?Dont get me wrong. a CV should be concise but I imagine many people will quite happily read a third if the person can demonstrate they have much needed knowledge/skills - I know I would.
Then again we are not being inundated with thousands of CVs so I spose it depends on scenario.
Mine is 5 pages long and grows with every client I work for. I have also recruited a lot in my career and have never stopped reading after 2 pages because someone on the internet told me I should.
If page 1 is good, I'll read page 2. Then 3 and 4 etc etc. If page 1 doesn't do it for me and I have a stack of CVs to read I won't read page 2 regardless of how long the cv is.
If page 1 is good, I'll read page 2. Then 3 and 4 etc etc. If page 1 doesn't do it for me and I have a stack of CVs to read I won't read page 2 regardless of how long the cv is.
1st page has a few sentences of my key skills followed by current role, then role prior to this etc. After my roles are done I have my professional qualfications listed and my educational background.
I'm going to build a 3 page CV and see how it fits, do not want aby blank spaces but a 3 pae CV also helps me increase descriptions on roles that are currently on there since I did remove some points to make sure it all fitted on
I'm going to build a 3 page CV and see how it fits, do not want aby blank spaces but a 3 pae CV also helps me increase descriptions on roles that are currently on there since I did remove some points to make sure it all fitted on
Mojooo said:
So everyone says - but is it the reality? Do some managers only read 2 pages just because they think that is what everyone else does?
Dont get me wrong. a CV should be concise but I imagine many people will quite happily read a third if the person can demonstrate they have much needed knowledge/skills - I know I would.
Then again we are not being inundated with thousands of CVs so I spose it depends on scenario.
I had 100 CVs with cover letters for the last role I interviewed for. The candidate should be able to sum up their employment history and skills in two pages, if need be remove less useful stuff. A 3 page CV is not the end of the world, but it's a disadvantage in my opinion - at best each page gets 2/3rds the reading time of a 2 page CV, at worst it goes in the bin. Dont get me wrong. a CV should be concise but I imagine many people will quite happily read a third if the person can demonstrate they have much needed knowledge/skills - I know I would.
Then again we are not being inundated with thousands of CVs so I spose it depends on scenario.
As the responses above reflect, there are no hard and fast rules. The aim however is to reduce as many risks as possible during this phase of the process in order to get you to interview. My experience as both a recruiter and a hirer (and as a prospective hire too) is that 2 pages works best for this.
It shows effort has been taken to keep the CV current and shows skills in writing concisely. It makes a CV easier to handle if it only has two pages and saves on ink and paper for both applicant and prospective employer, particularly when printed back-to-back and thus sits on a single, easy to handle piece of paper without having to staple a third to it. Plus, experiences and skills in the dark and distant past are not so relevant to the current application, so no need to go too far back. There is a lot more that could be written about this, but I hope you get the gist from my perspective. Good luck!
It shows effort has been taken to keep the CV current and shows skills in writing concisely. It makes a CV easier to handle if it only has two pages and saves on ink and paper for both applicant and prospective employer, particularly when printed back-to-back and thus sits on a single, easy to handle piece of paper without having to staple a third to it. Plus, experiences and skills in the dark and distant past are not so relevant to the current application, so no need to go too far back. There is a lot more that could be written about this, but I hope you get the gist from my perspective. Good luck!
Just to add to my earlier comments, a longer CV is not necessarily longer to read, it depends how it's laid out. Mine is bulleted points and it quite easy to read quickly.
My other advice, especially for roles you are going for, it to try to include not just what you know/can do, but what effect you've had in previous roles. It's not enough to say you've worked on a helpdesk and can resolve windows issues, I would want to see how you have improved things for the client/company/users with those skills (eg rewriting client training to reduce incoming tickets). Initiative and aptitude are almost as important as the actual skills to me.
My other advice, especially for roles you are going for, it to try to include not just what you know/can do, but what effect you've had in previous roles. It's not enough to say you've worked on a helpdesk and can resolve windows issues, I would want to see how you have improved things for the client/company/users with those skills (eg rewriting client training to reduce incoming tickets). Initiative and aptitude are almost as important as the actual skills to me.
Echoing the above, don't get too hung up on the number of pages per se. I've worked in companies hiring and for recruiters. The most important things are that the CV is easy to read and easy to get the important information out from it from a quick flick and scan through. That means bullet points rather than lengthy paragraphs and a good simple layout. Don't waste effort by putting in pointless information like addresses of companies, 'CV' in a huge font at the top of the page etc.
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