How Long Should a Military-to-GovCon Resume Be?

Two pages for most transitioning service members. Clearance and summary first, then only experience that maps to the target role.

Reviewed by the Good to Go team · Last updated 2026-10-21 · Sources: GSA CALC+, O*NET

The short answer

Two pages. One page is fine under about eight years of experience. Three pages only for senior program or technical leaders with a long cleared history.

What to keep

Clearance line at the top
A 3-line professional summary
Last 10 to 15 years of relevant experience
Certifications such as Security+, CISSP, PMP

What to cut

Every duty statement without a number
Awards lists and every training course
Roles older than 15 years
Unit mottos and duty-position boilerplate

Before and after

Before: military language

4-page resume copied from an evaluation history

After: contractor-ready

2 pages: clearance, summary, 3 translated roles, certifications

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Resume Builder

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Readiness Score

A contractor resume is 1 to 2 pages and built for a recruiter's 30-second scan. A USAJOBS federal resume runs 4 to 6 pages and is built to prove every qualification. Switching means cutting, reordering, and quantifying.

Guide: How to List Your Security Clearance on a Resume (TS/SCI, Secret, Active vs Inactive)

Put your clearance directly under your name. Include level, active or inactive status, polygraph type if applicable, and investigation or continuous vetting info.

Guide: What GovCon Recruiters Look for in Transitioning Service Members

Recruiters check clearance, then labor category fit, then countable scope, then consistency across resume and LinkedIn.

All guides

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