Whether you're only just starting out as a contractor or if you’ve been doing it for a while, you know how important it is to have an effective CV. After all, the goal of a CV is to capture the attention of recruitment agents and get you invited for an interview. But when you start asking the question of “how long should a CV be?”, it can be hard to know what approach to take, especially when there is so much conflicting advice out there.
Is it better to go for a one-page CV and take a concentrated approach at the risk of missing off vital information?
Or should you include more information when there could be at risk of diluting your skills?
At The Academy we’ve seen a range of CVs so we know the answer when our members ask us “how long should a CV be?”. Here, we’ll look at both sides of the argument.
Some argue that good CVs should not necessarily be limited to one page and that when a contractor applies for a role, it is often for a senior position or a complex role requiring specialisms, so multiple pages may be necessary in order to include all of your relevant details without leaving anything out.
Some contractor CVs are still known to reach as many as 12 pages with every detail of a contractor’s work history, but organisations like Contractor UK attempt to offer a solution by saying a good CV of up to 4 pages is optimal.
Because potential hiring managers want assurance that you have sufficient knowledge and experience in the field before committing to hiring you, the approach of multiple pages is often followed by contractors because they believe that you need multiple pages to give recruiters more confidence that you possess all of the requisite qualifications and skills required for successful completion of their project or role.
While the applicant tracking system won’t punish you during the initial CV sift for having a CV that’s multiple pages, that’s not to say a multi-page CV won’t be difficult to read when your CV is read by a human pair of eyes when it lands in the hiring manager’s hands
Preachers of the one-page CV argue that a shorter, more concise document will give hiring managers only the relevant details they need in order to make their decision. Some people believe that providing too much information will distract from what matters most – your skills and experience – and may even lead recruiters to overlook important information if they become overwhelmed by too much text.
On top of this, they argue that shorter CVs are easier to scan through quickly which could help them stand out in comparison to longer documents where key information may be lost among the words.
CVs are one of your key pieces of sales content when looking to acquire clients. Your CV should be tailored to each individual client and situation, never getting stuck in the trap of "one size fits all" solutions. Crafting a CV for that particular audience is integral to having the strongest chance at success.
The goal with your CV should always be to create something equal parts generic – so that it breezes past the ATS – and equal parts a showcase of your unique skillset so that you stand out in a crowded contracting market. So, when it comes to “how long a CV should be?”, it depends on the role you’re applying for, but be purposeful in your approach. This will ensure you can go beyond just creating a "good CV," and produce what the hiring manager would classify as the best CV in the talent pool.
A good CV will only get you so far, but the best CV can give you repeatable success. Learn how to set a new standard for your role applications by joining our free Circle community.
https://www.contractoruk.com/cv/5_biggest_contractor_cv_mistakes_avoid_making_2023.html#:~:text=We+still+regularly+see+contractor,last+five+years+of+experience
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ultimate-guide-writing-ats-compliant-resume-ram-raj
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-fit-resume-on-one-page#:~:text=Keeping+your+resume+to+one+page+gives+them+time+to,It+shows+your+creativity
My passion is to help you make money from the skills you've developed throughout your career!
I've been a contractor for over 25 years and I've helped over 6,000 people get freedom from the 9-5 and take control of their futures.
By using your professional expertise as a contractor, you will provide an amazing life for yourself and your family.
I'd love to share with you every secret I've learned to make all of your dreams possible.