One Page, Two Page, Concise Resume, Detailed Resume

Single page, double page, job hunt's unique stage,

Quick read, highlights lead, grab that employer gaze.

Skills neatly placed, feats showcased, no need to chase,

One fish, two fish, flaunt your professional grace.

Some might plea, 'More pages, please! Expertise spree!'

Multi-page, depth gauge, every detail set free.

Experience blooms, bold resumes, tales to unfold,

Red fish, blue fish, career stories manifold.

Tailored sections, bright chapters, education in light,

Skills and thrills, accomplishments shining bright.

Red fish, blue fish, pick the length, don't swish,

In the ocean of applicants, ensure your resume's a supreme dish!

The One-Page Resume vs. The Multi-Page Resume:

Weighing the Pros and Cons

One of the ongoing debates in the realm of resume crafting revolves around the choice between a concise one-page document and a more comprehensive multi-page resume. Each approach carries its own set of benefits and disadvantages, and understanding these can help individuals tailor their resumes to effectively showcase their qualifications. One fact that remains common for both one-page and multipage is the resume serves as a critical tool for job seekers to make a lasting impression on potential employers.?

One-Page Resume

Benefits:

• Quick and Easy Read: Perhaps the most significant advantage of a one-page resume is its brevity. Hiring managers often sift through numerous applications, and a succinct, one-page resume can quickly capture their attention.
• Focused Highlights: A single page forces job seekers to distill their experiences, emphasizing only the most relevant skills and achievements. This focused approach ensures that hiring managers can easily identify key qualifications.
• Ideal for Entry-Level Roles: For individuals early in their careers or those transitioning to a new field, a one-page resume can be particularly effective. It provides a snapshot of the candidate's potential without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary details. However, one page resumes are not just for newbies, seasoned professionals, can make good use of the one-page resume format. Additionally, one page resumes are easier to update and tailor to specific roles. The length of your resume is heavily dependent on your target audience.

Disadvantages:

• Inability to Showcase Diverse Experience: If a candidate has a diverse background with relevant experiences spanning various industries or roles, a one-page resume may not do justice to the breadth and depth of their capabilities.
• Limited Detail: The main drawback is the constraint on the level of detail. Senior professionals or those with extensive experience might find it challenging to adequately represent their accomplishments in a confined space. But it can be done by prioritizing only relevant high impact accomplishments.
• Note: One page resumes are not recommended when applying to #govtech roles with the US government. I will go into depth in the next edition of the newsletter.

Multi-Page Resume

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Representation: A multi-page resume allows job seekers to present a detailed account of their professional journey. This format is ideal for seasoned professionals with a wealth of experience, ensuring that all relevant accomplishments are showcased. Particularly, multi-page resume is the norm if you are applying for gov tech roles with the U. S. government.
• Room for Keywords: Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for keywords. A multi-page resume provides more opportunities to incorporate industry-specific terms and phrases, increasing the likelihood of passing through ATS filters.
• Tailored Sections: Different sections for education, work history, skills, and achievements can be meticulously organized in a multi-page format, providing clarity and making it easier for hiring managers to navigate through the document.

Disadvantages:

• Potential for Overwhelm: Hiring managers often have limited time to review each resume. A lengthy document may be overwhelming, leading to important details getting overlooked.?Mitigation: Prioritize your most important content to be placed on the first page.
• Risk of Redundancy: While multi-page resumes allow for detailed information, there is a risk of including redundant or irrelevant details. It requires careful curation to avoid diluting the impact of key accomplishments.

Conclusion

• You must prioritize your audience when crafting your resume. Using a one-size-fits-all resume approach may be insufficient especially in the current job market. It is wise to have multiple resumes that target multiple roles and industries.?
• Ultimately, the choice between a one-page and a multi-page resume depends on individual circumstances. Recent graduates and early-career professionals may find success with a concise one-page document, while seasoned experts might benefit from the comprehensive approach of a multi-page resume. It's crucial for job seekers to consider the specific requirements of the position they are applying for, tailoring the length of their resume to match the expectations of the industry and the level of?expertise demanded. Whichever format is chosen, clarity, relevance, and a compelling narrative are the keys to standing out in the competitive job market.
• Lastly, don’t pull your hair out trying to be all things to all people. Finding the company, job, team, culture, and environment that truly aligns with your values and current needs is difficult in the current market but not impossible. Stay encouraged. When considering your next career move, prioritize the overall leadership and, especially, your immediate supervisor. Supportive, knowledgeable, and ethical leadership fosters a positive and productive work environment, benefiting both individual employees and the organization as a whole. Stay encouraged.

Resume Dos and Don'ts

Dos:

1. Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each job application by highlighting relevant skills and experiences.
2. Use a Clean Format: Choose a simple, professional layout with consistent formatting, clear headings, and bullet points for easy readability.
3. Include Contact Information: Provide updated contact details, including your professional email address and your optimized LinkedIn profile.
4. Start with a Strong Summary: Begin your resume with a concise summary that outlines your key qualifications.
5. Highlight Achievements: Focus on accomplishments and quantifiable results to demonstrate the impact you've had in previous roles.
6. Use Action Verbs: Begin each bullet point with a strong action verb to emphasize your contributions and responsibilities.
7. Quantify Accomplishments: Whenever possible, include specific numbers and metrics to showcase your achievements.
8. List Relevant Skills: Include a section highlighting your key skills, both technical and soft skills relevant to the position.
9. Showcase Education and Certifications: Clearly mention your educational background and any relevant certifications, including graduation dates.
10. Use Keywords: Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description to pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS).
11. Proofread Thoroughly: Eliminate typos, grammatical errors, and formatting issues by proofreading your resume multiple times or asking someone else to review it.
12. Add Your Portfolio: Include your GitHub, blog, portfolio, and or your professional website to support the information provided on your resume.

Don'ts:

1. Use an Unprofessional Email Address: Create a professional email address for job applications, avoiding nicknames or unbusinesslike choices.
2. Include Irrelevant Information: Keep your resume focused on the job at hand; omit unrelated experiences and details.
3. Use an Overly Complicated Design: Stick to a clean and straightforward design; avoid excessive graphics, colors, or fonts that may distract from your content.
4. Exaggerate or Lie: Be truthful about your qualifications and experiences; exaggerations or lies can be detrimental to your credibility.
5. Include Personal Information: Avoid including personal details such as age, marital status, or religious affiliations, unless explicitly required or relevant.
6. Use a 'One-Size-Fits-All' Approach: Tailor your resume for each application rather than using a generic template for all jobs.
7. Write in Paragraphs: Use concise bullet points to present information, making it easier for recruiters to scan your resume quickly.
8. Include References on the Resume: Save space by excluding references; provide them upon request.
9. Use Abbreviations or Jargon Unnecessarily: Ensure that your resume is easily understood by avoiding unnecessary abbreviations or industry-specific jargon.
10. Include High School Information (if you have work experience post-college): Generally, once you have some college or work experience, omit high school details.
11. Neglect Keywords: Pay attention to the language used in the job description and incorporate relevant keywords naturally throughout your resume.
12. Use an Unreadable Font: Choose a standard, easily readable font (e.g., Arial, Calibri) and maintain a consistent readable size throughout your resume.
13. Include Your Graduation Date: No need to risk cancelling yourself out due to ageism.
14. Include A Photo: By omitting a photo from your resume, the focus remains on your qualifications, skills, and professional achievements, promoting a fair and objective evaluation during the first touch point of the hiring process. Indeed, I acknowledge that your photo is situated on your optimized LinkedIn profile, as it should be. A well-detailed LinkedIn profile with recommendations, endorsements, and a professional photo adds credibility to your profile. This can help build trust with potential employers, collaborators, and others who view your profile.

If you made it this far, let me know by dropping an ?? emoji in the comments or comment your go to resume hack/resume tips, tag your friends, and feel free to reshare. Thank you for taking the time to read, and may we all live well in good health and prosperity.??