The Economics of Resume Writing: Diminishing Returns

When we hear the term “Law of Diminishing Returns,” most of us think of economics, a concept many first encountered in college. It’s often illustrated with a farming example: adding fertilizer initially boosts crop growth, but beyond a certain point, the benefits start to decline and may even harm the soil.

Surprisingly, this principle applies to areas beyond economics, even in something as personal as your resume.

What Does “Diminishing Returns” Mean?

Simply put, it means that if you keep adding more of something while other factors remain constant, the benefit from each additional unit decreases. In other words, more is not always better.

The “More Is Better” Trap in Resumes

It’s easy to assume that a longer resume gives a clearer picture of your skills and experience. At first, adding details helps in highlighting key skills, accomplishments, and relevant experience, strengthens your profile.

Beyond a certain point, however:

• Bullet points start to repeat themselves.

• Minor tasks like “answered emails” or “attended meetings” add little value.

• Lengthy job descriptions can bury your most impressive achievements.

Too much information can reduce the overall impact of your resume. A three-page document might seem thorough, but it could cause a recruiter to skim or overlook key points.

A Simple Example

Consider two resumes:

• Resume A lists three major achievements: “Increased sales by 40%,” “Led a team of 10,” and “Implemented a new HR system that streamlined the HR tasks turnaround time.” These are clear, strong, and memorable.

• Resume B includes the same achievements but adds 15 minor tasks such as “organized a farewell party”, “Uploaded data in the HR system”, and “updated spreadsheets.” The major accomplishments get lost in the clutter.

Resume A stays focused, while Resume B loses impact.

From the Recruiter’s Perspective

Think of your resume as a movie trailer a preview that helps the recruiter decide whether they want to see the full story. Recruiters often review dozens or hundreds of resumes a day, and they rarely read the entire document. Most of the time, they quickly scan for key highlights, spending only six to eight seconds on the initial glance.

In that brief window, clarity is far more important than quantity. A resume that looks long or densely packed signals extra time and effort to review, which may lead the recruiter to skip it. A concise, well-organized resume, ideally no longer than two pages, makes it easy for your most important achievements to stand out. Just like in economics, there comes a point where adding more information does not help and can even reduce your chances.

Final Thoughts

The principle of diminishing returns reminds us that balance is key. A concise resume filled with meaningful achievements often makes a stronger impression than a longer document loaded with every detail.

Your resume does not need to tell your entire story. It just needs to spark interest and open the door for a conversation. Think of it as a small suitcase: every item counts, and you should pack only what’s truly essential. Prioritize the information that creates impact, highlights your strengths, and gives recruiters a reason to keep reading.

Sharp, clear, and focused, your next opportunity starts here.