CV getting too long

[RoastedSlopes]

This debate goes on all the time and so many people miss the point as to be untrue. More than one person whose job it is, is to review job applications has told me its a fallacy about reducing the length of your cv unless there's a lot of irrelevant info in there.

Its not the length(!) of your cv that matters, its the ability of the first page to grab the reader's attention and make then look at the rest of it.

If they dont like what they see in the first few seconds (as much as between 6 to 10 seconds), your cv will be in the bin irrespective of whether its 2, 3 or 10 pages.

Page 1 is your selling point. Subsequent pages are the more informed detail.

Anyone saying a 2 page cv is too long is just talking bollocks.

I agree.

The first page is what sells you, the remaining pages are for info, whether 2 pages or more.

[northernladuk]

Your selling point also includes relevant information including experience, not huffing on about stuff the client can't quantify.. And if popular thinking and most advice based on research into people's behaviors says 2 is enough why would you present yourself to a potential risk by ignoring conventional wisdom?

Remembering also your audience is the most important thing here. You are creating a CV for them, not really for you. You might want to fly in the face of conventional wisdom but you are not then key audience.

[SueEllen]

Your selling point also includes relevant information including experience, not huffing on about stuff the client can't quantify.. And if popular thinking and most advice based on research into people's behaviors says 2 is enough why would you present yourself to a potential risk by ignoring conventional wisdom?

Remembering also your audience is the most important thing here. You are creating a CV for them, not really for you. You might want to fly in the face of conventional wisdom but you are not then key audience.

If he has no problem getting roles with a longer CV then he doesn't need to change it.

Some of the people who have longer CVs actually have stuff like their one claim to fame, qualifications, open source projects and published papers on the last page(s). Remember not everyone does the same type of work here.

[northernladuk]

I thought someone would say that and fair enough. Just making the point. Not sure why improving it to remove the element that might be a problem at sometime isn't a good idea. You can see how opinions are divided on here so you can be absolutely sure that opinion extends to the clients. Am sure well written it will be even better at two pages.

Fair point about the different types of work on here though but we've seen enough discussions on this topic to know this isn't common and there are more like the OP then the people you mention.

[RoastedSlopes]

If he has no problem getting roles with a longer CV then he doesn't need to change it.

Some of the people who have longer CVs actually have stuff like their one claim to fame, qualifications, open source projects and published papers on the last page(s). Remember not everyone does the same type of work here.

Absolutely . most of my IB roles are on the later pages.

I could reduce the roles down to date and role only to get these on 2 pages but it looks SH***

5 pages is my optimum

[PerfectStorm]

Depends if those roles are a consistent £100 a day or something...

[Andy Hallett]

2 pages is about right. I'd have likely made my mind up half way through the first.

[RoastedSlopes]

2 pages is about right. I'd have likely made my mind up half way through the first.

Exactly, when I have recruited for roles, I don't care how long the CV is, I usually only look at the first page.

When coming along to interview, I like to have more info and will review the CV.

2 pages or 5 its the first page which gets the attention

[ceebeepps]

I've certainly seen major improvements in contacts since sorting out my first page!

[Tasslehoff]

My CV is 5 Pages

1st page is a summary of my skills and expertise and current gig, then detail of previous gigs.

Had 2 months down time in 16 years contracting.

2 months ?

YANCOTBAC