Five Important Things Your One-Page Resume Tells Employers

Five Important Things Your One-Page Resume Tells Employers

Whether you’re just starting out in the mail room or you are nestled in your corner office, you must have a resume. The ongoing debate, however, is whether the length should be the same for both professionals. The ideal length has fluctuated over the years among resume writers, and the question still floats around: Should you have a one-page resume or a lengthy 2- or 3-page document?

In this unpredictable and competitive job market, the answer has seemed to appear like a lifting fog: You need both.

For professionals with several years of experience, extensive skills sets, or lengthy job descriptions, a longer resume is in order for targeted jobs about which you are seriously considering. However, a “foot in the door” resume is a great item to have when you’re networking or looking to make a connection for the future.

Here are five simple messages about you that a one-page “pocket” resume conveys to employers:

1. You value the reader’s time. By delivering a concise one-pager, you are telling the reader you are aware they’re busy and you just want to take a few moments to “pitch” yourself on paper. Feel free to insert on the last line, “Comprehensive Professional Resume Available,” so they are aware you have more to share.

2. You are up on the newest career trends. Only since the recession started did the power of the one-page resume begin to spread again. Since the job market became flooded in 2008, employers have become accustomed to reading a resume in just seconds, and on-trend professionals began to condense their resumes to get noticed quicker. Employers also recognize when a candidate has caught on to this trend.

3. You know how to sell. By fitting all (or most) of your best qualities onto one page and maximizing the space with focus, accomplishments, and great power words, employers see that you can execute quickly and effectively. Even if you are not going for a sales position, they will recognize the confident and succinct message that a sharp, one-page resume sends.

4. You are resource-conscious and efficient. While less than in previous years, resumes are still printed out for review – stacks and stacks of them. By sending a condensed, one-page resume, you are both saving resources and time (to print and read). Employers can appreciate a conscious professional who cares about their time, their paper – and of course, the Earth!

5. You are creative. Hey, it’s not easy to fit 20 or 30 years of experience onto one page. Even if you don’t include every detail – you likely won’t unless you use 4-point font – utilizing the real estate on a single page to summarize and market your skills and experience speaks to your creativity and resourcefulness. Stretch your mind and you can create a great document in the limited space!

By creating a second resume, condensing it to one page, and ensuring your best qualities appear on that page, you are telling employers a lot more about you than what is actually written on the page. Whether networking at a career event or making connections through friends or colleagues, a one-page resume is a smart tool to make them interested in learning more about you!