How Long Should a Resume Be? A Guide for Virtual Assistants
Athika Rahma
SEO Specialist Virtual Assistant at SGBVA
As a virtual assistant, you might be wondering how long should a resume be when applying for new roles. One of the biggest challenges when creating your resume is finding the right balance between providing enough information to impress potential employers while keeping things concise enough to hold their attention.
The answer this question, it really depends on factors like your experience, the type of clients you’re working with, and the roles you’re targeting. Let’s dive into what determines the perfect resume length and what you should keep in mind!
In this article...
General Guidelines
When it comes to how long should a resume be as a virtual assistant, the length typically depends on your experience level. Let’s break it down:
One-Page Resume: Perfect for Beginners
If you’re just starting out as a virtual assistant or have less than 10 years of experience, you might be wondering, how long should a resume be for freshers? A one-page resume is usually your best bet.
This format allows you to showcase the most important and relevant skills you’ve gained without overwhelming the reader. Remember, recruiters spend only a few seconds scanning each resume, so getting straight to the point is key.
A one-page resume works especially well in industries that value clarity and brevity, such as technology, customer service, and creative fields where being concise and visually appealing is essential. These industries appreciate candidates who can quickly highlight their skills without unnecessary fluff.
Two-Page Resume: For Mid-Career Virtual Assistants
Once you’ve accumulated more experience as a virtual assistant (say 10+ years), the question of how long should a resume be for 10 years experience changes. At this point, a two-page resume is often the best option.
With more experience comes the need for a bit more space to showcase your skills, achievements, and career progression. This is especially true for virtual assistants who’ve worked with various clients across different industries and have a solid track record of accomplishments.
For example, if you’ve handled complex tasks like project management, social media campaigns, or worked with high-profile clients, a two-page resume allows you to expand on these experiences without cutting out important details.
Also read: Are Remote Workers Working All Day? Here’s The Truth
Three Pages or More: For Experienced Virtual Assistants
In rare cases, some virtual assistants with 20+ years of experience might ask, how long should a resume be for 20 years experience? For those with extensive careers, a three-page resume might be necessary to showcase the depth of your work.
If you’ve been in the industry for decades, you might have an impressive portfolio of skills, a wide range of clients, and extensive expertise in a variety of virtual assistant roles. In this case, a longer resume allows you to capture all of your career highlights in detail.
Keep in mind, though, that this length is only appropriate in certain circumstances. For example, senior executive roles or specialized virtual assistant positions that require detailed experience may justify a resume that’s longer than two pages.
Key Factors to Consider When Deciding How Long Should a Resume Be
So, how long should your resume be as a virtual assistant? Here are the key factors that can influence your decision:
Experience Level
If you’re new to being a virtual assistant or have fewer than 10 years of experience, a one-page resume is typically ideal. But as you gain more experience and take on more complex tasks, your resume may naturally expand to two pages. So, ask yourself, how long should a resume be for 13 years experience? In this case, two pages would be appropriate.
Industry Expectations
Different industries may have varying expectations when it comes to resume length. Virtual assistants in creative fields may prefer shorter resumes, while those in tech or management may be expected to provide more detailed accounts of their skills and accomplishments.
Content Quality Over Length
Remember, how long should a resume be isn’t as important as the content within it. Whether your resume is one page or two, the quality of your content matters more. A resume packed with irrelevant details can turn off potential employers. Instead, focus on what’s most important—tailor your resume to highlight the skills and experiences that are directly relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Also read: How to Negotiate Salary Offer for Virtual Assistant: The 11 Strategies
Best Practices to Create a Perfect Virtual Assistant Resume
Now that you know the general guidelines for how long should a resume be, here are some best practices for creating a virtual assistant resume that stands out:
Stay Concise and Clear
In answering how long should a resume be, avoid overloading the reader with too much information. Use bullet points and action verbs to make your achievements and experience easy to scan. Short, concise statements make a bigger impact than long paragraphs.
Tailor Your Resume to the Job
Every time you apply for a virtual assistant job, ask yourself, how long should a resume be for this specific position? Tailor your resume by emphasizing skills and experiences that match the job description. This helps keep your resume focused and relevant while avoiding unnecessary information.
Be Flexible with Formatting
If you find that your content is getting squeezed onto one page, it’s okay to stretch it to two pages. Just make sure that how long should a resume be still maintains clarity and readability. Adjust margins, use proper spacing, and keep the layout professional and clean.
Also read: Bookkeeping Salary: How Much Does A Bookkeeper Make Globally?
Finding the Right Resume Length for Your VA Career
Ultimately, when you ask yourself how long should a resume be, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your resume length will depend on your experience, the role you’re targeting, and the expectations of the industry. However, the general rule of thumb is to keep it concise and focused on the quality of content.
If you’d like to learn how to craft the perfect resume to attract potential clients, join the SGB VA free webinar. There, you’ll meet Tania Gromenko, an SGB VA mentor, who will guide you in becoming a prepared virtual assistant ready to land clients in just 25 days!
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