Nearly half of U.S. job seekers now use resumes longer than one page, marking a shift away from traditional resume norms as concerns about automated screening systems reach record levels.
According to Monster’s 2026 State of Resumes Report, 49 per cent of job seekers use resumes longer than one page, including 30 per cent whose resumes span two pages or more. The survey of 1,000 job seekers found that 77 per cent express concern their resume will be filtered out by applicant tracking systems before reaching a human reviewer.
The findings reveal growing confusion about resume standards as hiring becomes increasingly automated. While resume length is expanding, confidence in human review remains low. Forty-three per cent of respondents believe hiring managers only skim resumes, and just six per cent believe resumes are read thoroughly.
Outdated practices persist
Despite changing norms, many job seekers continue to include outdated resume elements. Fifty-seven per cent still list a full street address, while 49 per cent include “References available upon request.” Only 18 per cent include a LinkedIn URL on their resume.
Adoption of newer resume features remains limited. Just 12 per cent include a portfolio link, and 10 per cent include pronouns.
Customization remains superficial
While most job seekers tailor their resumes for individual applications, the process is often brief. Sixty-eight per cent spend less than 30 minutes customizing a resume for each application, according to the survey.
“Resumes are no longer static documents; they’re evolving alongside how hiring actually works,” said Vicki Salemi, career expert at Monster. “Job seekers know the rules are changing, but many are still unsure how to respond. The data shows people trying to balance speed, customization, and credibility in an increasingly automated process.”
Free resume builder launched
Monster launched a free resume builder platform in response to the survey findings. The tool includes more than 50 resume templates and 1,200 designs, unlimited edits and downloads, and keyword-optimized content examples by industry.
The survey was conducted Dec. 16, 2025, using Pollfish. Respondents included 31 per cent Baby Boomers, 28 per cent Gen X, 25 per cent Millennials, and 17 per cent Gen Z. Fifty per cent identified as male, 49 per cent as female, and one per cent as non-binary.
