Comments on: How Many Pages Should My CV Be?

By: 17rk

17rk — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:52:10 +0000

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By: computer running slow

computer running slow — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:11:42 +0000

Fab article, this is one of my favourite subjects and very close to my heart. LOL. I love keeping up to date on everything new so i’ll definitely be bookmarking this page. Keep up the great work!

By: RowenaSimpson

RowenaSimpson — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:02:30 +0000

Thanks John,

It’s good to get feedback from a manager who has been in the position of reading CVs from job seekers. I think your comment highlights the need to stress that hiring managers have a limited time to read multiple CVs, and that it’s so important to make sure that your CV is concise and that every word counts.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Rowena

By: John

John — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:49:29 +0000

As a middle/upper manager who has recruited 100’s of staff over the years on a very limited amount of available time, I would look for a 2 page CV, 3 pages maximum, and 4 pages plus would go in the bin!!

By: RowenaSimpson

RowenaSimpson — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:13:05 +0000

Ralph,

Thanks for your feedback, there’s no guarantees that you won’t be read by someone who is an exception to the sample that I polled. However 3 pages will allow you to sell yourself. Read more about how to write a winning CV on this blog, where I continue to try and impart the knowledge I have gained. Always remember that your CV is the one and only chance of getting to interview stage, so it’s crucial you get the CV / resume right at this stage.
Rowena

By: ralph t. sekulski

ralph t. sekulski — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 04:02:36 +0000

you just “wowed” me with your research. I have always taught that a CV/resume must be preferably 1 page if anything no longer than 2 pages. I’ve considered one page but now think of expanding to at least 3 pages and let my experience and education stand out.

thanks for you thought.

By: RowenaSimpson

RowenaSimpson — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:35:35 +0000

Clare,
Thanks for taking the time to contribute. That’s a good point about using a third party quote extolling your virtues on your CV, and one I hadn’t really considered. It may also work on the level that according to psychological studies people will make choices according to what others before them have chosen. Perhaps this could apply to job candidates as well as breakfast cereals! I’d just add that if applicants decide to use this technique, remember to either keep the author of the quote anonymous, or make sure you have asked their permission to use their quote on your CV.

Your blog looks interesting and may well be of interest to readers of this blog.
Rowena

By: Clare

Clare — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:19:21 +0000

I agree that a personal profile filled with meaningless cliche and overblown hype is not going to endear a hiring manager to you. But include relevant facts about your expertise, special skills, or a couple of key professional achievements, and you’ve got a succint summary of why you’re a good candidate. The key is to avoid vague statements, and to give concrete proof of your abilities. You could even call your professional profile your Career Summary, to focus more on what you’ve actually achieved, rather than on how you view yourself.

You can also add a third-party testimonial underneath your summary (one sentence quote from boss, client etc) in quotation marks to give your summary extra credibility. There’s no reason why you have to leave your references for the interview – choose select quotes and put them in your CV.

By: RowenaSimpson

RowenaSimpson — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:57:26 +0000

Hi James,

Thanks for your comment. I agree, a personal profile on a CV which contains generalised statements, does little to persuade a hiring manager or recruiter that this person is right for the role. I also agree that having specific skills and facts on work experience closely related to the job description is the key to getting to short list stage. When in competition with a large number of applications, CVs which don’t immediately jump out as being close to the job description are in danger of being passed over.

Thanks for your perspective on this.
Rowena

By: James Hull

James Hull — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:50:32 +0000

Hi Rowena

What’s your view on the “Personal Profile”? As a hiring manager I find these irrelevant and indeed irritating as they are uniformly waffling with vague sentiments (“a team player used to working on own initiative” etc).

I’m interested in the facts about a person not their subjective view of themselves. A profile penned by a colleague like the recommendations in LinkedIn would be more useful as there’s a third party perspective.

And yes, 2-3 page CVs are the right length; poor spelling and grammar means you get binned.

Thanks
James