How long should your resume be and what should you include?
We get asked a lot about what constitutes a resume, its necessary components, and its ideal length. We aim to provide clarity not just based on our opinions but by presenting insights from credible sources such as Harvard, USNews, Crimson Education, and LinkedIn.
Let's begin by addressing the difference between resumes and CVs. Generally, both terms are used interchangeably to refer to the same document. For applications to colleges, scholarships, and jobs, a resume is used. CVs are predominantly used in academic circles (e.g., by professors) or by individuals with extensive work experience of 20+ years. For college applications, adhere to the resume guidelines.
Now, let's explore what experts state about resumes:
According to the Princeton Review, a leading test prep company, in their article "Write a High School Student Resume for College Applications": “The standard rule of thumb is to stick to one or two pages.” https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/high-school-resume#:~:text=The%20standard%20rule%20of%20thumb,to%20one%20or%20two%20pages.
US News, known for ranking colleges in the US, offers guidelines in their article “How to Write a Resume for College.” They suggest, “For high school and college resumes alike, students should follow many of the same rules.” “Experts also encourage students to keep it simple and straightforward, avoiding flashy text or graphics. Generally, they suggest a one-page resume as the standard.” https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-to-write-a-resume-for-college-admissions-scholarships-internships
The guidelines for student resumes for college applications mirror those for college students applying for jobs. Here's what LinkedIn and Harvard state:
LinkedIn, the largest professional networking site, suggests, “For the most part, one page should be plenty if you're early in your career or lack extensive experience to showcase.” They emphasize adhering to industry standards, especially for job applications after college. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-long-should-your-resume-bernie-fussenegger?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&utm_campaign=share_via
Harvard's guidelines for its students state, “Typically, the resume will be either one or two pages; it is important to adhere to this page limit.” https://uraf.harvard.edu/apply-opportunities/app-components/resumes#:~:text=Typically%2C%20the%20resume%20will%20be,to%20the%20opportunity%20at%20hand.
One question we get from students is: Do you need to put pictures of certificates and awards? You don’t. This applies to college students applying for jobs and high school students applying for colleges. Colleges will read it assuming what you have presented is truthful. Everything that you write is considered truthful, and must be so. Just like you don’t need certificates and references for your college essays, you don’t need to provide “evidence” in your resumes.
For comprehensive information on resume content, refer to Crimson Education, the world’s largest college admissions counseling company that has assisted 711 students in Ivy League admissions and 4,500+ students in top 50 US college admissions. There is no mention of requiring photographic evidence in resumes. https://www.crimsoneducation.org/mm-en/blog/how-to-build-your-resume-for-college/
Resumes that exceed the standard length or deviate from the accepted format may signal to colleges that the student lacks understanding of resume conventions. Information regarding resume length is readily available online, supported by universities and counseling companies, so it’s important to adhere to these guidelines. Otherwise students risk appearing like they didn’t do research or are unprofessional.
If you want to do a proper resume, please contact Success Admissions, and we are here to help you out! Reach out to us on FB or IG or fill the free consultation form on our website at www.succeedwithsuccess.com/contact-us
