You might have heard that the longer a resume the better it is.

However, what if you have limited experience or you are a beginner who is just starting out?

Not to forget, the rising popularity that a one-page resume is gaining in the West, is this what UAE individuals should aim for as well?

And with this question comes the dilemma; How long should a resume be? Is it necessary for you to constrict yourself to make your resume longer than it has to be?

If you were to Google search for the answer, you’ll find conflicting opinions on the matter. Some career experts say that a resume should be long and some say it is best to have a one-page resume. However, a lot of them suggest that neither is mandatory and the length of your resume depends on your experience.

So, which one is it?

Luckily, we’re here to help set the record straight.

A one-size-fits-all rule does not apply when it comes to a resume and the length of your resume totally depends on your experience and several other factors.

Mind the Length of your Resume

Although the length of your resume depends upon your experience, the standard length is 1 to 2 pages but if you are a senior-level individual with decades of experience then your resume can extend to 3 pages. The best way to ensure your resume has a good length is to keep all the information in it precise and concise. Do not include any unnecessary details in your resume such as personal information, reasons behind career gaps, or badmouthing your previous employer. Another thing you can do to make sure your resume contains only the relevant information, that will actually help the recruiter in some way see you are a good match, is to omit jobs that are not relevant to your current targeted position or are older than 10 years ago from your resume.

Making the Resume Too Long

The point of a resume is to summarize all your professional experiences and skills as concisely as possible so that the recruiter does not have to waste too much time on it. Keep all the information in your resume precise and to the point and avoid using long sentences that add too many details. A resume does not need to be a one-pager however, this does not mean you don’t include all the necessary information that is relevant to your target position and will prove to the recruiter that you have all the required experience and skills.

Resume Length for Students and Beginners

If you are a fresh graduate or a beginner or just an individual with 2 to 3 years of experience then a one-page resume is enough. If your resume is unnecessarily long even though you do not have years of experience on the deck, the recruiter might dispose of it without even giving it a read. An unnecessarily long resume with too much detail may also showcase you are insecure about yourself or trying to over-compensate for your lack of experience. Instead, it is best to include all the experiences and skills you have in a manner that make you look like the perfect fit for the target job. So, make sure your resume is clear and concise to make it readable and easier for the recruiter to go through.

Resume Length for Mid-Level Professionals

It is easier for fresh graduates to have one-page resumes because they do not have enough material. However, if you have 5 to 6 years of experience with a lot of key achievements or special projects, you might be wondering how you can fit all of that into a single page. Well, if you are a senior-level professional or a mid-level professional who has managed to achieve a lot and has numerous projects under your belt, then your resume can be longer than one page. Remember, having a one-page resume is not a rule and your resume can be as long as it needs to be unless you are stretching out all the information.

Extending a Resume more than 3 Pages

Are you still thinking, “I don’t think my information will fit in 2 pages”?

Well, you can go beyond 2 pages if you are

A senior executive with a remarkably long record.

Applying for a federal or a medical job that specifically requests more information than a regular civilian application.

Have lots of case studies, projects, or certifications.

What To Include in Your Resume and How to Format it Properly

Now that we have covered how long your resume needs to depending upon all possible situations, it is time to discuss what your resume needs to have. According to all the professional resume writing services in UAE or Dubai, the visuals of a resume matter a lot. This includes all the sections that your resume must have as well as your resume having proper formatting.

Your resume must have the following sections:

• Full Name
• Contact Information
• Skills
• Work Experience
• Education

Proper Formatting will give your resume the finishing it needs and this is why it is important that your resume should follow all the design principles to look visually appealing and readable. Here are some formatting tips that will ensure your resume is formatted correctly:

• Font Style and Size

Use professional fonts such as Garamond and avoid using bubbly fonts to make sure your resume looks more corporate. You can make all your key accomplishments and achievements bold to draw attention to them. The font size of your full name in the header should also be a little bigger than the rest of the text just like the size of the headings (14 is preferred) and keep the overall font of the text in a resume at least 11 so that it is not too small to read after it is printed.

• Spacing:

Your resume should not look empty with a lot of negative spacing and it should also not look congested with too much information crammed on one page. The saving in your resume needs to be balanced so that it is easy on the eyes. Spacing can also help you make room for more information if you reduce the header margins by customizing them to 0.5” instead of the general 2.5”.

• Transitions:

If your resume is longer than one page, then ensure that the transition of your text from one page to the next one is smooth and tidy. This means that a single bullet point or a sentence must not be divided between the two pages. Finish a bullet or a sentence on one page and start the next bullet from the second page. This will instantly make your resume look more put-together and visually clear.

A properly formatted resume can impress the recruiter and attract them to read it. Try implementing these tips in your resume to make it look more professional. You can also use ready-made templates, or order a professional resume from any of the top resume writing services in UAE. Make sure your experience justifies the length of your resume and you get to include all the important and relevant information in it.