Question for the resource managing types -

[lourens]

Time for change.
I have cut, edited, updated & cut it again:

Is a 4 page CV to long?

Comments

[tails_redux]

In many cases 4 pages is too long.

The way I try to keep things compact is at the start of my CV after the contact details block ... putting a profile about myself, then having core skills and abilities (which in my case is broken down into interpersonal, office/admin and specialist).

This frees up space as you don't have to put as much detail in with the descriptions of each job.

Irrespective the majority of key information should be on the first page.

[miss_soap]

Yes.

[lourens]

tips?

[miss_soap]

Personal Details [don't bother writing Curriculum Vitae at the top; they know what it is]
Technical profile/summary, encompassing all relevant details on what you're proficient in, how many years, etc.

Professional experience with most recent first. Include only job title and maybe 3 bullet points of achievements.

Education.

Any Other Relevant Information.

And that's it. Verbiage can be kept for your cover letter.

[coldsleep]

I don't know how things are done over there, but my preference is to stick to 2 pages or less. I had to review a bunch for contractors that we were looking at, and although I didn't actually throw away longer ones, it usually felt to me like the longer ones were trying to look more important by being long rather than actually including useful information.

Hopefully that made sense.

My own just edged onto 3 pages, I could probably get it back down to 2 by cutting a sentence, but with luck, I just got a job, so I don't need to worry about that just yet.

[lourens]

fair enough, but I kept the latest and more important ones 'more detailed' and lets say oldest 5 down to one liners. all my contracts was kinda unique, so im not really repeating myself - i just feel I should note it if Ive done a certain 'dicipline'. i got it down to 3 pages in teh end

how'r you anyway, dude?

[coldsleep]

Doing good. Trying to post more now that we're all settled in from our move. The girl and I were thinking about you the other day, and she said that she hopes everything is going well for you. :)

3 pages is good. I'm sure with contract work, that'll add a lot. I had (until recently) just worked at 1 employer (including time as a contractor).

[lourens]

:)
Do send my regards, wont you?

[ex_cooljohn507]

I interview a fair bit and have input on pretty much everyone we hire, I normally read the first page and if it catches my interest I carry on to page two.

If I wasnt interested by the end of page two, I dont want any more pages.

If I am interested at the end of page two and there is no page three, they come in for an interview so I can find out all the other interesting shit they have done.

Dont give your life away in a CV, that is where you carry on impressing people with your 'extra' experience that was to you so insignificant you didn't even bother to put it down.

My 2c.

[lourens]

that sounds good, I lsted my 2 most important roles (my last two - and in this particular case - the skills they are looking for) on teh first page and teh top of teh second. the rest i sjust a employemnt record of one liners to highlight what ive done. it doe'snt give a lot away - it for example that i have worked on bridges and tunnel design.. they'll have to interview me to see what how when where how amny etc.

It came to 3 pages at teh end

[ex_cooljohn507]

Kewl, three is good, not too much information overload and the layout sounds right, so most importantly now then - good luck with the application dude!