Resume writing
How Long Should a Resume Be?
Updated · 4 min read · By the CareerDesks team
Recruiters skim. Length matters less than relevance, but there are clear norms you should follow.
Length by career stage
- Students and up to about 5 years of experience: one page.
- 5 to 15 years: one to two pages.
- Senior leaders and specialists: two pages, occasionally three for highly technical or regulated fields.
- Academic CVs: as long as the record requires.
How to cut a resume down
- Keep detailed bullets for the last 10 to 15 years; summarise older roles in one line each.
- Remove responsibilities that every person in the role would have.
- Merge similar bullets and keep the one with the strongest result.
- Cut the objective statement, the references line, and hobbies that do not support the role.
- Tighten margins and spacing slightly, but never below a readable font size.
When two pages is right
If every line on page two helps the reader decide to interview you, two pages is fine. Put your most important information on page one and make sure page two is at least half full.
Frequently asked questions
Is a two-page resume bad?
No. Two pages is normal for experienced professionals, as long as every line is relevant.
Can a resume be three pages?
Rarely. It is acceptable for some senior, technical, or academic roles. For most jobs, aim for two pages or fewer.
Related guides
- CV vs Resume: What Is the Difference?CV or resume? Learn what each document means in the US, UK, Europe, India, Australia, and the Middle East, and which one to send for jobs and academic roles.
- 15 Common Resume Mistakes and How to Fix ThemThe resume mistakes recruiters notice most, from typos and vague bullets to bad file names, and the quick fix for each one.
- Resume Formats Explained: Chronological, Functional, and HybridCompare the three main resume formats, see who each one suits, and learn the layout rules that keep your resume readable by people and by applicant tracking systems.