With the new year just around the corner, many people have their eyes set on the future. If you’re looking for a new industrial position, now is the perfect time to polish your resume, giving it a fresh look and ensuring it will entice prospective employers into calling you for an interview.
One of the biggest points job seekers struggle with when it comes to their resume is the length, especially if you’ve been working in the field for some time. Some people are hesitant to cut down the information, fearing they’ll remove a detail that will make the difference between moving forward and having their application discarded.
But, if your industrial resume is too long, it may be a turn off to the hiring manager, especially if they are pressed for time. To help you get your industrial resume into tip-top shape, here are some tips for cutting down to length.
Aim for One-to-Two Pages
While there is no hard-and-fast rule regarding the length of your resume, generally it shouldn’t be more than one-to-two pages, even for jobs that require a substantial amount of experience.
Some research suggests that hiring managers only spend a handful of seconds reviewing your resume, so you want to make sure they see the most important information quickly. And anything beyond the second page is almost certain to be ignored.
In fact, for an entry-level position, even going beyond a one-page resume can hurt your chances, so try to be as concise as possible.
Target Your Content
Often, a resume ends up longer than necessary because it isn’t targeted for the position. If you’re trying to add every detail about your career, you can be sure that at least a portion of that information isn’t actually relevant to the role, or to the hiring manager.
Instead of listing every skill and activity, choose those that best speak to the job posting. You can do this by reviewing the vacancy announcement, identifying the employer’s priorities, and selecting content that discusses those points specifically.
Ultimately, you want to make things simple and concise, so remove any superfluous words and work to get to the point as quickly as possible.
Adjust Your Formatting
Sometimes a resume ends up being more than two pages because of formatting choices. For example, some fonts take up more room than others, even when the same size is used, and wide margins give you less space for content.
Review your document to make sure you are using the ideal format and font. Often, fonts like Calibri and Times New Roman are preferable, and make sure to set whichever you choose to 11 point. Then, check your margins to ensure they are all set to one inch.
If you have extra formatting, such as horizontal lines dividing sections, consider removing it if it isn’t absolutely necessary, as they take up space and can artificially inflate the length of your resume.
By following the tips above, you can get your industrial resume shortened to the right length. If you are looking for a new industrial position, the professionals at The Advance Group can connect you with some of the leading employers in the area. Contact us today to see what job openings may be available to you.
