This is a question we are asked frequently. Very frequently!
It seems that there are various opinions about regarding length, so let’s cut-too-the-chase with our expert opinion.
Firstly, your CV is the document you use to convince a prospective employer that they should meet with you. To achieve this your CV needs to reflect ‘relevance’. For a moment, put yourself into the employer’s shoes and consider the following:
- Is this a CV you would you expect to see in relation to the vacancy?
- Does the information presented give you comfort?
- Is it enough to convince you that the person is suitable for the position?
Sadly, for some reason, too many people believe that a one page CV is enough. Now, if you are a Graduate or have no work experience, this is probably true… BUT if you have several or many years work experience you will be selling yourself short with a one page CV.
Bronwyn Stephens, a senior recruiter who heads up Frog’s CareerAgent Team had this to say on the topic; “We recommend a CV should be 3 – 5 pages in length, maximum. As recruiters, when we read a CV we are looking for several things and need to be able to locate them quickly.”
Bronwyn makes the following points:
- 3 – 5 pages are ample. Eliminate waffle. A long CV can turn people off and may show that you have difficulty getting to the point.
- Don’t overcomplicate it. It’s about making it flow and easy to understand and read.
- Focus on the last 10 years and make sure the achievements are clearly noted
- Don’t forget your personal contact details (surprisingly, many people do!)
Justine Corbett, a recruiter of some 9+ years and who drives the Contractor Recruitment team at Frog had this to add: “A CV is your professional life story. It needs dates and it should use current terminology. It doesn’t need a cover page.”
When Bronwyn, Justine and the team are reading CV’s [which can arrive en mass via the internet] they look for the following:
1) Achievements, dates and reasons for leaving
2) Note your personal interests last
3) A career summary can be very helpful. And from here comes bullet points on your areas of expertise.
4) Make sure the information is relevant to the job
5) Use system names that makes sense to the reader ( e.g. use ‘CRM System’ as opposed to an unfamiliar system name)
And finally a hint from Bronwyn and Justin who recommend that when you have written your CV give it to a friend to read and say; “Read this CV once and tell me if you can understand what I have been doing for the last years and how well I did.”
