How Long Should a Resume Be?
The most common résumé question hasn’t changed in decades: Should it be one page or two?
And my answer hasn’t changed either — as short as it can be while still telling the right story.
That usually means one page, sometimes two. Rarely more.
The Principle: Brevity Signals Clarity
I’ve never heard a hiring executive say, “I wish this résumé were longer.”
I have, however, heard plenty say, “If this is how they communicate about themselves, imagine how they’ll communicate with clients.”
The point isn’t the page count — it’s whether you can distill your career into what truly matters. Senior professionals are expected to know what’s relevant, what’s noise, and how to present information for their audience.
The Psychology Behind It
Long résumés usually come from good intentions — candidates trying to show range and depth. But what they often communicate instead is a lack of focus. It’s résumé spaghetti: throw everything at the wall and hope something sticks.
The reality is that most hiring leaders make an initial judgment in under a minute. If your résumé reads like a transcript instead of a highlight reel, you’re making them do the work that you should have already done.
The Practical Approach
If you truly have too much content to fit on two pages, keep the résumé tight and create a separate “Selected Projects” or “Career Highlights” sheet. That way, the main document tells your story clearly, and the addendum provides depth if someone wants to dig in.
For roles in the data center space — where hiring managers are scanning for specific experiences (design-build, commissioning, site leadership, operations), clarity is everything. The faster they can see alignment, the better your odds.
The Takeaway
A strong résumé isn’t about volume — it’s about judgment. Show that you can edit yourself. The ability to distill complexity into clarity is one of the most valued executive skills there is.
Your résumé is your first test. Pass it by saying more with less.
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