Is it OK to have a 4 page resume?

Question

I'm applying as an administrative assistant; have plenty of experience and relevant matters to share on my resume. I'm only 20 and a college student.

Answer 1

It's best to keep your resume on one page. A prospective employer does not want to read that much. If your employment history is long, cut it down to the most recent 2 or 3 jobs. If your skills are lengthy, cut it down to the most impressive. Put your references on a separate page and only present it upon request. When you interview for a job, be ready to share the rest of your history and skills that you had to cut out. Good Luck!

Answer 2

Employers will pick and choose what to read if your resume is 4 pages long, and they may not choose the few things that make you a perfect fit for that job. In fact, if it's that long, they may not bother looking at it at all. Keep in mind any company that is actively seeking employment is probably inundated with resumes and has little time to sift through them. These people are looking for someone who is dependable, trustworthy, and has enough experience or "gusto" to pick up (insert job here) quickly.

A few tips: make sure you have a cover page, and keep the resume short (1-2 pages + resume). Keep the content relevant to the job you are applying for, but keeping it short is more important than you'd think.
Sure you may have gotten that award for "best work ethic" in high school, but do you think that employer cares? Probably not. And that 2 years you served at Carrabba's? Also not thrilling. Just try your best to "trim the fat? so to speak.
Keep the most impressive jobs, longest employment, best references, etc, etc.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Cut it down to 1 page - 2 page resumes are for those with a number of years experience with increasing responsibility.

Answer 4

I'd certainly say no. If you were an employer having to wade through a stack of 50+ resumes, would you read past the 2nd page? No... you'd likely toss the resume in frustration versus pouring over it with great interest.

If I was that employer and saw a 4-page resume, it would simply tell me that you don't know how to get to the point.... and that's not someone I want working in my business.

Answer 5

Your resume needs to be short and succinct; brief and too the point. Highlight your career and abilities in a detailed summation. One page is best. Two pages, you might be able to get away with, but the longer the resume gets, the more you are likely to lose the initial person who sees your resume and then it will go no further. You want to have a one page that gets their attention and makes them want to bring you in to interview to find out more. Save the multiple page work history for when you have to fill out the job application, and background check.

Answer 6

No. Keep it short. It's great that you are proud of your experience and accomplishments but employers want brevity on a resume; you can expand upon it when you get an interview.

One page is preferred; two pages is "acceptable".
More than two will fail to impress.

It's not about listing all relevant details, it's about choosing the best of your details to present you in the best light.

Good luck.

Answer 7

Not for that kind of job. If you were a scientist or an executive, a resume that is 2-3 pages is still pushing it. I hire people, and when I get a long resume like that, I immediately feel like the person is being pretentious.

Answer 8

No, not really. You don't need a lot of description on your resume for each of your job items... save that for the interview if you get them. Don't turn-in more than 2 pages.

Answer 9

Try to keep your Resume as short as possible. Summarise them under category:-
Administrative:
Co-ordinate meetings, travel, Visa application, etc..
HR (if applicable)
Screen Resumes, shotlist candidates, etc..

This way your Resume won't look too long. General rule is potential employer has no time to run through a 'book'.

Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 10

No. Employers do not want to waste their time ready wordy resumes. Keep it simple and relevant. If they ask for criteria - then address it. 1-2 pages are acceptable.