How long should a resume be? One page or two
By Justin KullaLast updated
A simple rule
- Under about five years of experience: one page.
- About five to ten years: one page if it fits cleanly, two if it does not.
- Ten or more years, or senior and executive roles: two pages.
- Academic CVs, scientific roles and federal applications: longer is normal. See the federal résumé guide.
What to cut
- Jobs older than 10 to 15 years, or reduce them to a single line with title, employer and years.
- Duties that every person in the job does. Keep results.
- An objective, “references available on request” and a full street address.
- Skills and tools that are out of date or beneath your level.
Do not shrink to fit
Dropping the type below 10 points or cutting margins to nothing makes the page harder to read. Cut content before you shrink the layout. If a page 2 has only a few lines, cut back to one page or add real material.
Put the best first
Many readers look only at the top third of page one. Open with a summary and your most relevant, most recent results, and keep older or lesser material toward the end.
Frequently asked questions
Is a two-page resume okay?
Yes, for professionals with about ten or more years of experience, or when the material is relevant. Fill most of page one and do not leave page two almost empty.
How many pages should an executive resume be?
Usually two. Some senior roles with long track records go to three, but two pages with strong results beat three with detail.
How far back should a resume go?
Generally ten to fifteen years. Older roles can be a single line, or left off if they do not help.
Does recruiter reading time affect length?
Yes. Readers skim, so the first page needs your best results. Length does not matter if the top is strong.
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