Controversial recruitment topic incoming… should a CV be no more than two pages!?

Arguably the first and most important point in starting your job search and a question that I get asked on a daily basis. Although there is no right or wrong, as someone who lives and breathes recruitment, I am always happy to offer some advice. Having seen over 18,000 CVs in my recruitment career (15 years x 240 working days x 5 CVs a day, that must be wrong, feels like a lot more), there are a few things that I have picked up.

So if you are sitting down over the weekend with a cup of tea ready to write your CV, here are a few tips that will help you on your way.

Firstly, the biggest question in recruitment… should your CV be only two pages!? A topic that has divided and caused rifts in many recruitment teams since the dawn of recruitment time. So what’s the answer? Well, if it goes over two pages on to a third, even a fourth, it really is completely fine. As long as the content adds value and you aren’t writing paragraph after paragraph for the sake of it, if it ties back to your profession, then keep it in. Just make sure any blocks of text are concise and to the point.

With that in mind, ensure you go into the most detail about your current role and what is important in that position or the vacancy you are applying for now. Although you may have some good customer service experience from working on the ticket office at Charlton FC (Nathan Warwick), you don’t need a paragraph on it. Include the dates and job title as it shows good tenure in the position, but instead go into detail about your current or previous role. That’s going to be the most useful and spoken about at interview.

Specifically for Ecology, but of course applicable to all sectors, if you haven’t got tons of direct experience or are new to the industry, as many entry-level ecologists are, then think about any volunteering, qualifications, ecology licences or environmental university modules that are connected and make them stand out. This will be of interest and good conversation starters for any interviews. Also, if you are working towards or have sent an application, include it in your CV. The headline is, if it adds weight and stays on topic and you’re not waffling then stick it in. The CV is to get you that interview, so make sure you shout about your environmental successes and make them stand out!

So, that’s all sorted then. Should a CV be only two pages? Well, yes and no, it doesn’t really matter. Just make sure it’s useful, factual, and engaging for the sector you work in. Simples!

Sam Thorne

Co-Founder and Director