CV length

[Untouchable1]

Hi All,

Ive been a consultant / contractor for 8 years now and my project have typically been 9 months long.

I'm finding it increasingly difficult to keep my cv to 2 pages.

How long is yours?

[Bee]

3 pages.

[missinggreenfields]

If you're struggling, why not go to one of these online seminars about CV writing that pop up every so often.

I did one a while back and it was an eye-opener about what they recommended, and does make a difference.

[northernladuk]

3 pages isn't a killer as long as you are 100% certain every line is relevant to the gig you are going for. If not it goes. I'd expect to be seeing no more than a line or two for gig's up to 8 years ago as well.

What Missing said as well.

[Bee]

3 pages isn't a killer as long as you are 100% certain every line is relevant to the gig you are going for. If not it goes. I'd expect to be seeing no more than a line or two for gig's up to 8 years ago as well.

What Missing said as well.

I agree, but more than 3 pages I think it's a pain to read. If you have many years of experience, it's better to emphasize the recent years.

[northernladuk]

Yeah more than three is a definite no no I'd say. You are selling what you can do for a client, not you are an asset to a company as an employee so history, pariculalry with technology changing so much, isn't as useful to us.

[ctdctd]

Agents only ever skim read the first page - or use keyword recognition software.
Clients may read the 2nd page but usually forget it 10 seconds later.
3rd page onwards is contractor vanity IMO

[FrontEnder]

Agents only ever skim read the first page - or use keyword recognition software.
Clients may read the 2nd page but usually forget it 10 seconds later.
3rd page onwards is contractor vanity IMO

I don't think this is the case, I often get asked about my last permanent gig which is well down page 2, just under 2 years ago.

Mine is bordering on 4 pages as I've just added on each new gig since I started. It's served me well until now, but probably time for a major re-write next time I'm looking properly.

[ctdctd]

I don't think this is the case, I often get asked about my last permanent gig which is well down page 2, just under 2 years ago.

Mine is bordering on 4 pages as I've just added on each new gig since I started. It's served me well until now, but probably time for a major re-write next time I'm looking properly.

My two pages cover 8+ years of contracting, 20+ years of permiedom and education.
First page includes personal details, statement, skill set, and last two gigs.
Any gig over a few years old is down to one line as are the three permie jobs and my education.

Works for me!

[VillageContractor]

2-3 for me.

I've had CVs with 14 pages sent to me. Not great if you're applying for a BA role