Deciding On Length
Some regions prefer one page resumes while others prefer two page resumes. Here in Washington, the Greater Seattle area, many employers prefer a one page resume. However, a woman who conducts job search workshops in New York for hundreds of job seekers each week, told me that it is standard that almost everyone there use a two page resume. She said that only the most inexperienced people can get away with a one page resume. So take in your region’s preferences when deciding upon a one page or a two page resume.

As a professional resume writer, I’ve written over 4,000 resumes for job seekers with incomes from $15,000 to $200,000. While the majority of my clients want one page resumes, about 25% of my clients need two page resumes because they have extensive work experience. Also, job seekers with extensive technical skills, education, presentations, publications or association affiliations often need a two page resume. Generally, job seekers in the $24,000 range and below, do well with a one page resume - however - that’s not a hard and fast rule.

The important thing to remember when creating a two page resume is to make sure that your top selling points are highlighted on the first page of your resume. If the front page doesn’t hook employers--they may never turn to the second page of your resume.

If you create a one page resume you need to make sure that you don’t omit important data just because you are trying to squeeze everything onto one page. If you aren’t sure about the correct length, create two versions of your resume - a one page and a two page version. Then graph the image created by each resume (refer to our first workshop which shows you how to graph the image created by your resume - click here for that workshop). Then decide which version presents the strongest image of your skills and is the best match for the job, salary and level of responsibility you are seeking.

If you go onto a second page, put your most important jobs, job titles or skill groups on your first page. Then on the second page list less important information such as education, association membership, computer skills, and a compressed work history.

Then test your resume. If you get a great response, keep it as it is. If you get a poor response go back through all the workshops in this website and revise your resume until you do get the response you want!

$9,000 Salary Increase
The first resume workshop in this site shows how Fran's after resume resulted in a $9,000 salary increase.  Fran wanted a $33,000 Corporate Customer Representative job but her resume created an image of her being at a $20,000 to 24,000 salary level -- that's $9,000 to $13,000 beneath her goal.

What Level Does Your Resume Market You At?
If you are curious to see what level your resume is marketing you at … then be sure to read and use the graphing techniques in my first workshop.  By graphing the job titles used in Fran's resume it's easy to see why her resume failed … and once you understand this … you will understand why the majority of resumes fail.  You'll then understand how to analyze your job titles and see if you are better off using them or replacing them with skill headings that market you more effectively. 

Most People Have Job Titles that Weaken Their Image
I estimate that at least 85% of all job seekers have job titles unrelated to their current career goals … and that they are much better off using skill headings rather than job titles to land higher salaries and double and triple their interview rates.

For example, Fran had been a Directory Operator but in most people's minds that doesn't sound like she's at the level of a Corporate Customer Representative making $33,000 … that's because most people don't view directory operators as providing true customer service.  Most people say that Directory Operator sounds like someone making only $20,000.  However, by using the 12 Questions in my Proven Resumes Series, Fran wrote a new description of her duties as a Directory Operator that described her being selected out of 100 Directory Operators to provide specialized Customer Service to the Governor's Office and Political Dignitaries in the Washington State Capitol … now that information begins to change our image of Fran doesn't it?  That makes her sound much more like someone being able to command $33,000. 

Which sounds like a better match for the $33,000 Corporate Customer Service Representative goal… her old job title of Directory Operator  … or a skill heading like Customer Service Representative to State of Washington Account.  In Fran's actual resume we used the heading of Customer Service Representative but you can see how you can play with skill headings to control and elevate your image … this is one strategy I explain in detail with examples throughout my book, Proven Resumes: Strategies That Have Increased Salaries, and one of the strongest things I can offer you as a resume writer … just in case you don't have the time or patience to write your own.

Going from 0% to 100% Interview Rate
By using skill headings that matched her goal, Fran went from a 0% interview rate to a 100% interview rate -- meaning none of her prior resumes had landed an interview but her new resume landed an interview for each position she applied for.

Click here to learn other ways we improved Fran's resume and landed her a job paying $9,000 more click here to read my first set of resume workshops!  If you've entered my site via this page, be sure to go to my home page for an overview of more than 60 Free Resume & Job Search Workshops that include tons of Resume Tips for 45 Career Fields, Job Search, Electronic Resume, Cover Letter, Interviewing, Networking and Confidence Building strategies. 

The testimonials at the top of this page and throughout my site describe salary increases ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 and more.  Here's one of my most recent ones: