The never-ending saga of resume length—it’s still going strong.
Last week, a new study found its way into my inbox, and naturally, I had to dive in. Because who doesn’t love a good resume debate, right?
🎥 *Prefer to watch? I recorded a video version of this newsletter—hit play below.*
Why Resume Length Still Confuses So Many Job Seekers
A quick Google search will show you just how many people are still confused about the whole thing. Spoiler alert: it’s a lot.
But before I hit you with some stats, let me share this gem with you. The longest resume I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading?
A whopping 25 pages.
No joke.
It was like reading a Jane Austen novel… minus the plot, characters, and intrigue.
I mean, do we really need to know where you went to kindergarten and your teacher’s name? Because, yes, it was that detailed.
Anyway, back to the point.
What the Research Actually Says
In January, ResumeGo did a decent-sized study.
They sent over 7,000 resumes to 482 recruiters, hiring managers, HR folks—the usual suspects. The result?
If you’ve got some solid work experience under your belt, squeezing your resume into one page might not do you any favours
So, How Long Should a Resume Be?
Two pages. That’s the sweet spot.
Of course, this assumes you’ve got enough experience to fill two pages—most mid-career pros do.
But let’s be real, I’ve seen way too many 6, 7, even 8-page resumes from mid-career professionals, which is… ambitious, to say the least.
So, this study pretty much backs up what I’ve been saying for a while: the era of bloated resumes is over.
Want help trimming the fat from yours? Grab my free resume template—no fluff, just what hiring managers actually want to see.
Short, sharp, and to the point is where it’s at.
And just out of curiosity—can anyone top the 25-pager I mentioned?
If you’ve stumbled across something even more epic, drop me an email. I’ve got popcorn ready.
~Lisa
Stuck between too short and way too long? Inside the membership, I walk you through exactly how to tailor your resume so it says just enough to get interviews.