What's the ideal length for a resume? (Plus a template for creating your own)
Malaysian Industrial Development Finance (MIDF) Research expects the job market in Malaysia to strengthen further in 2024, with an average of 100,000 to 120,000 vacancies available each month due to robust domestic demand and external trade recovery.
With more job opportunities in the country, how do you increase your chances of landing the job you want?
The answer is through your resume.
A good resume can help you stand out during a job search. It presents your skills, qualifications, and experience in an organised manner. It's also concise, making it easy to go through.
This is important because hiring managers often receive numerous applications for each job opening. With their limited time, they need to scan resumes to determine which individuals to invite for an interview.
Read on to discover how to write an effective resume. Here's what we'll cover:
- How long should a resume be?
- What's the difference between a resume and a CV?
- 10 ways to keep your resume concise
- Conclusion: free template to create an effective resume
- FAQs
How long should a resume be?
Job seekers need to know how many pages a resume should be if they want to make a good impression on prospective employers.
The ideal resume length is one or two pages. But this isn't a hard and fast rule. If you need a three-page resume highlighting your relevant experience, go for it. What's important is that you keep it concise.
Here are some factors that affect resume length:
Professional experience
A two-page resume may be appropriate for individuals with extensive work experience. If you've been working in your field for over a decade, it may be difficult to condense your qualifications and relevant experience into a single page.
But if you're an entry-level job seeker, such as a recent graduate, a one-page resume may be enough to showcase your qualifications.
Industry norms
Some industries in Malaysia, such as academia or research, may expect longer resumes. Jobs in these fields require specialised knowledge and experience, so a more detailed resume may be necessary.
An example is if you're applying for a research position or a spot in a graduate programme. You may need to include your work experience plus details about your research, published work, and grants you received.
In tech and creative fields, one-page resumes often work best. With a creative role, such as a graphic designer, a resume that's concise and visually engaging can capture the attention of hiring managers.
It lets them see your design skills while highlighting your relevant work experience.
Relevance to the position
Tailor resume length based on the relevance of your experience to the job. Prioritise impactful information demonstrating your fit for the role you're applying for. Avoid details that don't relate to the position.
For example, if you're applying for a programmer role, there's no need to include your volunteer work at PAWS Malaysia, especially if this might push your resume past one or two pages.
Formatting and readability
Proper formatting helps make your resume concise. Ensure your resume is visually appealing and easy to read by focusing on clarity rather than design. Use formatting techniques to maximise space and keep the document short.
This includes minimising white space, using a font size between 10 and 12 points, and refraining from adding graphics.
Applicant tracking systems
Nowadays, many employers use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to find the most suitable job seeker for their job listings. This is especially used by huge multinational companies like Celcom, Maybank and Shell. This system may favour resumes that are between one and two pages. This is because shorter resumes make it easy to identify key qualifications quickly.
When creating your resume, incorporate keywords from the job description that the company posted. The ATS is likely to scan for these in resumes, and job seekers with more keywords in their resumes may have a higher chance of securing an interview.
What's the difference between a resume and a CV?
Many Malaysians use the terms resume and CV interchangeably. While both documents present your qualifications, they differ in several ways. You usually submit a CV for a job application in academia or research.
It may also be a requirement when applying for a scholarship, fellowship, or grant. For instance, if you’re applying for the Yayasan Khazanah Scholarships, you would use a CV.
In contrast, a resume is well-suited for positions in the corporate world and other nonacademic environments. Here's a quick comparison between a resume and CV:
Length
Although there's not one concrete answer to the ideal resume length, a resume is usually one or two pages long. A CV, however, can be longer. It may reach 10 pages if you have much experience or accomplishments.
Content
A resume contains information relevant to the job you're applying for. It focuses on the qualifications you have that make you a good fit. A CV also includes the details you add to your resume.
The difference is that a CV is more comprehensive. It provides a detailed account of your educational and professional background.
Focus
A resume focuses on your competencies. These are the skills and knowledge you have that make you suitable for a job. The focus of a CV is on your academic credentials. It gives a full history of your educational achievements.
This includes your degrees, certifications, research projects, publications, academic honours, and other accomplishments.
Sections
The basic sections of a resume are your contact information, resume summary, experience, education, and skills.
A CV has these and additional sections. CVs often include publications, presentations, honours, awards, and professional affiliations or memberships.
10 ways to keep your resume concise
Employers want to see resumes that are clear, concise, and relevant. Here are 10 tips for keeping your resume concise:
1. Keep the description of each role to 3–7 bullet points
Condense your job responsibilities to the most critical tasks that demonstrate your competencies. Prioritise those that are most relevant to your target job.
A good strategy is to review the job description and identify the most important duties and responsibilities. This helps you determine which experiences and skills to highlight on your resume.
2. Include your most impressive, measurable achievements
Showcase quantifiable accomplishments to demonstrate your impact on previous employers or projects. For example, include revenue growth percentages instead of saying you increased sales. You could also add completion times to your list of project deliverables.
By highlighting these achievements, you should provide concrete evidence of your abilities and contributions. These show the hiring manager what you could do for their organisation.
3. Limit each bullet point to two lines
You may wonder, “How long should each bullet point be on a resume?” In general, make your points no longer than two lines. Craft concise, impactful statements that efficiently convey information.
Writing complete sentences is unnecessary, especially in the experience section. You can start each previous job responsibility bullet point with an action verb. Using active language makes your resume more dynamic and engaging. Examples of action verbs are "collaborated," "implemented," "developed," and "organised."
4. Don't include irrelevant hobbies
Hobbies that don't contribute to your professional image take up valuable space on your resume. Instead, make space for career-relevant information, such as your education, skills, and work experience.
If you feel that your activities outside of work would help you get the job, consider mentioning them in your cover letter.
5. Condense contact information
Keep the contact information section of your resume brief to maintain the ideal resume length. Only include essential details, such as your name, address, phone number, and professional email address.
Make sure the information you provide is accurate and up to date. The hiring manager may use this to schedule an interview or follow up with you.
Hiring managers sometimes check your online activities, so including social media links in your resume might be useful. But remember to only include links that talk about your professional background.
But if you have a professional page or a website, you could include a link to it if you think it would help you get the job. For example, you could add a link to your portfolio if you're applying as a graphic designer.
6. Choose a clean and readable format
Use a clean, professional resume format that makes clever use of space. This means avoiding busy fonts, too many colours, and graphics. These may be eye-catching, but it could be distracting.
Use legible fonts and maintain consistent formatting throughout the document. According to Adobe, popular fonts for resumes include Arial, Times New Roman, Garamond, and Cambria. These are easy to read and look professional, whether online or in print.
7. Limit education details
Include only essential education details in your resume. Focus on the highest degree you earned, especially if it's relevant to the job. You don't need to include your secondary school education information if you have a bachelor's, diploma or work experience.
You could omit graduation dates for older degrees to keep the document within the recommended resume length.
8. Optimise white space
White space or negative space refers to the empty areas between text, images, and other elements on a document. You should create a clean, organised appearance by incorporating ample white space in your resume.
This makes it easier for hiring managers to read and navigate your resume. It also highlights critical information and sections to help you stand out from other job seekers.
White space also adds a sense of balance to your document. This is especially important when you're following a minimalist style. It allows you to break up the text for improved readability.
9. Consider including hyperlinks
Use hyperlinks for your online professional portfolio or SEEK profile. This allows you to provide additional information without taking up space and reviewing the recommended resume length. Before submitting your resume, double-check that the hyperlinks are live and not broken.
10. Seek feedback from others
It's important to review your resume before sending it to a hiring manager. Check for spelling and grammar errors, and make sure it looks professional.
It's also a good idea to have others review your resume. They provide valuable insights and suggest areas where you could make your document more concise. This ensures that every piece of information in your resume serves a purpose and contributes to your overall narrative.
Conclusion: free template to create an effective resume
Applying for a new job is an exciting yet daunting experience. You're taking the next step in your career and putting yourself out there in the competitive job market.
Your resume boosts you by highlighting the skills and experience that make you the best person for the job. To help you begin, here's a simple one-page resume template for Malaysians to use:
[Full name]
[Address]
[Email address]
[Phone number]
[Summary: 3–5 sentences that highlight your most relevant skills and experience]
Experience
[Position title]
[Company/Organisation name], [Employment dates]
- [Relevant duty]
- [Relevant duty]
- [Relevant duty]
[Position title]
[Company/Organisation name], [Employment dates]
- [Relevant duty]
- [Relevant duty]
- [Relevant duty]
Education
[Degree title and field of study]
[Name of educational institution], [Town/City, State]
Graduation date: [Month and year]
[Degree title and field of study]
[Name of educational institution], [Town/City, State]
[Name of certification]
[Name of organisation]
[Date obtained]
Skills
- [Hard or soft skill]
- [Hard or soft skill]
- [Hard or soft skill]
- [Hard or soft skill]
- [Hard or soft skill]
FAQs
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about resumes:
- What is the recommended length for a resume?
The ideal length for a resume is one or two pages. - How does professional experience impact resume length?
The more experience you have, the longer your professional summary will likely be. While resume length is essential, remember that content is your top priority when creating one.
If you have multiple pages of experience relevant to the job you're applying for, don't be afraid to include them. Just ensure that you've made the document as concise as possible.
To do this, choose a minimalist resume layout that accommodates more information than other formats. Cut out filler words and unnecessary details. Write in a straightforward manner that uses short but impactful statements. - Are there industry-specific guidelines for resume length?
While the standard length for a resume is one or two pages, there are industries in Malaysia where a longer resume is appropriate. If you're applying for a job in a highly technical field, academia, or research, it's common to have a resume over two pages.
These industries often require you to provide detailed information about education, past work, and technical skills.
There are also industries where a short resume is more effective. In highly competitive marketing or creative industries, keeping your resume to only one page is impactful because it encourages you to prioritise the most relevant information and present it visually appealingly.
Short resumes are easier to skim and digest, which is advantageous in fast-paced industries where recruiters have limited time to review applications.
Regardless of these guidelines, remember that the quality of your resume should always take precedence. It's essential to adhere to the recommended resume length. But it's even more critical to ensure that your resume showcases the relevant skills and experience that make you suitable for the job. - How should I tailor my resume length based on the job I'm applying for?
Consider the specific requirements and expectations of the role. If you're applying for a position that requires a high level of technical expertise or extensive experience, it may be appropriate to provide more detailed information and expand your resume to two or more pages.
On the other hand, if you're applying for a job in a fast-paced industry or a company that values concise and impactful communication, stick to a one-page or two-page resume. - Is there an ideal resume length for applicant tracking systems (ATS)?
There's no single ATS that Malaysian companies use to filter resumes. This means there's no specific resume length you should follow to guarantee that your resume would get past the system.
However, the consensus is to keep your resume to two pages or less. This encourages you to include only the most relevant details in your document. - What are the formatting considerations for maximising resume space?
Choose a minimalist layout that includes more information in less space. Use clean and easy-to-read fonts, and stick to 10-, 11-, and 12-point font sizes. Set the margins to half an inch on all sides.
Make sure to separate the sections of your resume with clear headings. Use bullet points to list your duties and accomplishments in each position. Write short statements to make your document easier to read. - How can recent graduates optimise their resume length?
If you're a recent graduate about to enter the Malaysian workforce, you may increase your resume length by highlighting your academic accomplishments and relevant coursework in the education section.
If you don't have work experience, you could still add this section and list your internship and volunteer work. You may also include extracurricular activities to fill the extra space and make your one-page resume more appealing to employers.
Learning how to write a resume with no work experience will help you find your next role. - When should you use a CV instead of a resume?
You may need to submit a CV instead of a resume if you're applying for work in academic and research fields where extensive documentation of qualifications is necessary.
Before you create a CV or resume for a specific position, check the job posting. The employer may have specified which document they prefer. - Can a resume be longer than two pages?
Yes, a resume can be longer than two pages, depending on the circumstances. If you have an extensive work history or multiple certifications, you can exceed the recommended resume length. But remember only to do this if you can't fit your competencies into a two-page resume. - What are the key differences between a resume and a CV?
A resume focuses on your skills, education, and experience that make you a good fit for a specific job. It's shorter than a CV, with a typical length of one or two pages. In contrast, a CV can be three to 10 pages long.
A CV is more comprehensive than a resume. Most of the information in it focuses on your educational background. This is because a CV is often a requirement when applying for a research or academic position, a scholarship, or a grant.
