Resumes in the public sector

Submitted by Dave Fleet
in
Hi folks, A quick question about resume length (yes, another one!) - this time in the public sector. I recently listened to the MT resume podcast (and the interview/accomplishments ones too), and promptly spent most of the next weekend cutting my resume down to one page. The next day at work I put some feelers out to hiring managers about resume length (I've worked hard to build a network of people in my organization that I feel comfortable asking this kind of question to). Their responses were, without exception: "That's fine in the private sector, but use two pages for government" or, "Either way works" I work in communications, and I came to the conclusion that in my position it would be a plus to demonstrate you can get your message across quickly and effectively. I'm leaving my resume on one page - the Manager Tools way. Still, I wonder -- has anyone else had a similar experience in the public sector? What has worked better for you? Thanks in advance for sharing. Dave
Submitted by Julia Havener on Sunday April 8th, 2007 12:29 pm

My dad is a city manager with a 26-year military career in his background. He is 63. His resume is one page and he has gotten each of the public-sector jobs he has wanted with it.

Submitted by ITIL Imp on Sunday April 8th, 2007 1:38 pm

I recently asked this question of my new manager (I work in public sector IT) and he said that he absolutely prefers a 1 page resume but would rather have a 2 pager if the 1 page compromised some valuable information that may lead to the candidate getting the position.