[Anonymous]

Just wondering how long should the resume be for entry level positions (staff accountant) in accounting firms?

Some people say two pages and some say one page.

[oilgaslb]

1 full page, no more, no less.

[taxgeek83]

That's actually a really good question. I've been out of the job search game for years now and am not sure I've ever had a proper resume – does anyone have a good source on what is acceptable as far as length, content, etc.? I too have had a plethora of advice, but everyone's opinion seems to be different.

[Anonymous]

One page

[Anonymous]

What font would be ideal (10, 11) and also font style? If I have a lot to write yet I have to be concise, what would be considered important?

[Anonymous]

1 page, not even up for debate…unless you have a time machine to the past.

Use normal font size (I use 12). You're not fooling anyone with a smaller font. If you can't be concise to sell yourself on paper, you're not going to concisely sell yourself in the interview. Think elevator pitch with bigger concepts, less details. The idea is that you tell them enough to get an interview, then save some things you didn't mention in your back pocket. Then you wow them with new info during the interview instead of boring them with the bullet points they already read.

[foreverstudying]

One page max. Size 10,11, or 12 font is best & your name should be larger (I use size 18 for my name and size 10 for everything else). Stick to Arial or Times New Roman — nothing fancy or difficult to read & margins should be .5 – 1 inch all around (I was running onto a second page so mine is .5 on the top and bottom and .9 on the sides).

As far as importance goes, I agree with Dave. Of course highlight things related to accounting and leadership, but don't give away everything on paper. Aside from that, I wouldn't list anything you can't discuss or highlight as a learning experience (i.e. being on a club's email list doesn't qualify as an extra-curricular activity). Remember everything is fair game for questions, even that random volunteer thing at the very bottom of your resume that you've done for one weekend every winter since high school & didn't think anyone would notice (yes, that happened to me). Luckily I had no problem explaining what it was, but I think importance really comes down to how well you can use the experience to your advantage in an interview. As you build your resume & go through a couple of interviews you'll be able to figure it out.

FAR - 70, 83
REG - 82
BEC - 78
AUD - 76

[Author]

Replies