Keep it Short and Sweet: 10 Ways to Shorten Your Resume

Your resume is a living document that provides potential employers with a snapshot of what you bring to the table. It needs to be constantly tweaked to reflect your most up-to-date skills and experience, tailored to the job you are applying for, and demonstrate the impact you have made at each organization you have been with. So how long should it be, and how do you choose what stays and what goes? That’s what Hannah from the University of Missouri-St. Louis wants to know from the WorkInSports Podcast:“Hey Brian – I have a 4-page resume. How do I get it down to a more reasonable range?”How Do I Shorten My Resume?While keeping your resume to one page is a good rule of thumb, your resume length can vary depending on your experience and how relevant the information you put in the document is to the job you are applying for. That said, if you are looking to condense your resume, here are 10 things worth dropping entirely for length or other considerations: 1. Objective Statements and Introductions An objective statement is a waste of space. If you are applying for a job, it’s assumed that you want it. Replace this with a summary paragraph that explains the skills and qualities you bring to the table. 2. Older Jobs With no Relevance Employers want to see what you have been doing recently and how that ties into your desired job with them. Therefore, if there is a relevant accomplishment from a long ago position, you may leave it in (or weave it into your summary paragraph). This can also protect you from age bias. 3. Graduation Year This won’t save you a ton of space, but it’s another way to avoid age discrimination if you obtained your degree more than 5-10 years ago. 4. Unprofessional Email Address Again, not a space saver, but a consideration. A provocative or unprofessional email address allows employers to eliminate your resume from the pile quickly. 5. Multiple Phone Numbers This may be less of an issue as personal home landlines are nearly extinct, but if you have multiple phones for whatever reason, pick one number and stick to it so you don’t confuse employers. 6. Irrelevant Personal Information Your resume should only include information that tells employers how to contact you and why you are fit for the job. While volunteer information may have a place in your document, hobbies and personal interests don’t. 7. Headshot Including a headshot within your resume can be hard to read for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and open you up to possible discrimination. Employers will get a look at you if they are interested in interviewing. You don’t