As the new year gets closer, it’s common to consider your plans for the future. For many people, this includes the goal of finding a new job, making now a perfect time to get your resume in order. Resume trends can change from year to year, so taking the time to ensure yours meets today’s standards is a smart move. And one of the areas that should be a point of focus is the length.

Many job seekers struggle when it comes to figuring out how long their resume should be, especially if you have a substantial amount of experience in your field. The idea of cutting it down can be worrisome, especially if you’re concerned you’ll leave out something critical.

But a resume that’s too long can be cumbersome to hiring managers and may lead them to send your application straight into the discard pile. To help you revamp your resume the right way, here are some tips for managing its length.

Stick to One or Two Pages

In most cases, your resume shouldn’t be any longer than two pages, even if the job is an upper-level position. Some research indicates hiring managers spend just a few seconds scanning your resume, so you want to make sure the most crucial information is front and center. Anything that doesn’t fit on the first two pages is likely to be ignored, especially if the first two pages aren’t well designed or enticing. And, for resumes for entry-level jobs, it may even be wise to stick with one page, especially if the requirements list is concise.

Target Your Resume

One reason a resume ends up longer than two pages is because the content isn’t targeted to the position. While including every detail about your experience may be tempting, hiring managers are focused on assessing whether you are right for the role, so your resume should be constructed accordingly.

Instead of listing every skill you possess, focus on those that speak directly to what is contained in the vacancy announcement. Begin by reviewing the job posting so you can discover the company’s priorities. Then, include relevant details about your background that apply specifically to those.

The goal is to make your resume clean and concise, so make sure each line of text provides value to the hiring manager and remove any extra words that aren’t necessary to the point.

Update the Formatting

Sometimes a resume appears to be long simply due to certain formatting choices. For example, different fonts use varying amounts of space, even when the same size is chosen, so selecting a slimmer font allows you to fit more onto the page. Additionally, wide margins give you less room for content, artificially making your resume seem longer.

To fix these issues, choose an easy to read font like Calibri, which actually takes up less room than favorites like Arial, and set the size to 11 point. Then, make sure your margins are all set to one inch.

You can also remove extra formatting details like horizontal lines between the sections, as they aren’t necessary and take up space, making your resume appear longer.

By following the above tips, you can get revamp your resume, ensuring it is the proper length for the role. If you are looking for a new position, the recruiters at TempStaff can connect you with top companies throughout the area. Contact us today to learn more about our job openings and how our services can work for you.