Your Resume is Probably Too Long

Discussions about resume length often get bogged down in arbitrary guidelines.

You’ll hear that an executive resume should never exceed one page. Others argue that three pages are acceptable. These debates have been going on for years.

In reality, these rules don’t matter as much as people think. What matters is that your resume serves its purpose: convincing the hiring decision-maker that you are the solution to their problems.

At the executive level, resumes are not standalone documents. They are part of a larger conversation. By the time you’re asked for a resume, you should have already spoken with the hiring leader, recruiter, or board. Those discussions give you the insight you need to tailor your resume, and the length is then dictated by how much space is required to articulate your value effectively.

Resumes Aren’t Introductions, They’re Follow-Ups

If you’re still treating your resume as the first step in your job search, you’re doing it wrong.

Your resume should not be your opening act. You should have already had at least one meaningful conversation with the hiring leader. The resume then serves as a supplement — a tailored document that fills in the blanks left after the initial discussions.

This is where most executives go wrong. They approach their resumes as static records of career highlights instead of as dynamic tools for targeted persuasion. A generic resume, no matter how polished, is unlikely to resonate. You are not competing with mediocrity at this level, you are competing with others who, on paper, are just as impressive.

The right length for your resume is dictated by how well it answers one question:

Can this person solve our problems?

If it takes two pages to articulate that, so be it. If you can do it in one, even better. But clarity and relevance should determine the length, not arbitrary word counts or page limits.

Brevity: A Strategic Imperative

Attention spans are short, and hiring leaders don’t have time to wade through irrelevant details. You don't need to include a laundry list of your responsibilities. They already know what your role entails. Focus on impact.

Brevity doesn’t mean your resume must be one page. It means every word on the page should have a purpose. The key to brevity is relevance. Focus on the parts of your career that matter most to the company’s current needs.

For example, if you’re applying for a turnaround role, your resume should showcase your track record in revitalizing underperforming organizations. If you know the company is struggling with declining market share, your resume should emphasize your tack record in driving growth. Your resume should speak directly to their challenges. Cut anything that doesn’t strengthen your case.

Tailoring: The Art of Being Specific

To get the length right, start with the audience. You should already know what the hiring manager or board is grappling with. If you don’t, you’re not ready to submit a resume.

The hiring leader is likely looking for a mix of expertise, leadership acumen and track record. Tailor your resume to emphasize how your unique skills and experiences address those needs directly.

If the company is expanding into new markets, highlight your international experience. Include metrics like revenue growth, market share gains, or successful product launches in those regions. If the company is undergoing a digital transformation, emphasize your expertise in technology implementation or innovation.

One common mistake is overloading the resume with achievements that, while impressive, do not apply to the problem at hand. Hiring leaders don’t care about the totality of your career. They care about how the most relevant parts of your experience translate to their success.

How Long Is Too Long?

Length is a secondary concern. A three-page resume is acceptable if every word earns its place. A one-page resume is fine if it provides enough detail to make your case. The wrong length is any length that includes unnecessary information or omits critical points.

Your job is to trim fat, not muscle. Every sentence should pass the litmus test:

Does this add value to my case for solving their problem?

A common mistake is including too much about early-career roles that are no longer relevant. If it doesn't add value, cut it out and just have an 'early career' list. No one cares what you did twenty years ago.

What to Leave Out

Resumes are as much about what you leave out as what you include. Irrelevant experience, generic statements and outdated information should go. If you managed a team of five engineers 20 years ago, it’s unlikely to matter today unless it ties directly to the role.

Similarly, excessive use of buzzwords like 'visionary' or 'dynamic' or overly verbose sentences add fluff but no weight. Let your achievements speak for themselves.

Including hobbies or personal interests is unnecessary unless they add value to your candidacy. For instance, mentioning your role on a nonprofit board could be relevant if the company values corporate social responsibility. Otherwise, skip it.

The Truth About Fit

Sometimes, the reason your resume feels bloated is that you’re trying to fit a role that isn’t right for you. Stretching your experience to cover gaps is counterproductive. A well-tailored resume signals that you understand the role and are confident in your ability to succeed. A padded resume suggests the opposite.

If you find yourself overexplaining, step back and reassess. The best resumes convey competence and focus. They don’t try to be all things to all people.

The Bottom Line

The ideal executive resume is as short as it can be while still being long enough to demonstrate your value.

It should be a strategic document that builds on your conversations with the hiring leader. Brevity is important, but relevance is paramount. Every word should serve a purpose.

Your resume is not a comprehensive career history. It’s a targeted pitch that shows why you’re the right person for the job. Write it with that goal in mind, and you’ll strike the perfect balance between brevity and substance.