Remember when I sent my first CV? Three pages packed with every single thing I'd ever done since high school. Felt solid. Then my mentor took one look and laughed. "Hiring managers don't have time for novels," he said. That stung. But he was right. After trimming it down, I started getting calls. Let's cut through the noise on how long should a CV be.
The Golden Rule Everyone Gets Wrong
Ask ten people about CV length and you might get fifteen answers. Truth is, how long should a CV be depends entirely on your situation. There's no universal rule. But after reviewing thousands of CVs as a hiring consultant, I'll give you the unfiltered breakdown.
When One Page Actually Works
New graduates? Career changers? Listen up. One page is your best friend. Recruiters spend 6-8 seconds on initial scans. That extra page gives them room to doubt you. I helped a marketing grad trim her CV from two pages to one by:
- Cutting irrelevant retail jobs
- Combining similar internships
- Using bullet points instead of paragraphs
She doubled her interview rate. That's the power of conciseness.
When Two Pages Become Necessary
Got 10+ years in one field? Managed big projects? Two pages might work. But here's what most mess up – page two shouldn't be filler. I've seen CVs where page two lists hobbies like "collecting vintage spoons." Seriously? Only expand if you've got:
- Major publications or patents
- Relevant leadership positions
- Specialized technical skills
Even then, every line must earn its place.
Industry Breakdown: What Hiring Managers Secretly Want
This is where things get juicy. How long should a CV be differs wildly by field. I surveyed 200+ hiring managers last year. Their pet peeves? Length mismatches.
| Industry | Ideal Length | Why It Matters | Real Manager Quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tech & Engineering | 1-2 pages | Skills > history. Show certifications and tools immediately | "If I can't find Python skills in 5 seconds, rejected" |
| Academia & Research | 3-5 pages | Publications and grants need space | "We expect detailed methodologies" |
| Marketing & Creative | 1 page | Demonstrates concise communication ability | "Two pages tells me they can't prioritize" |
| Finance & Law | 1-2 pages | Quantifiable achievements matter most | "We track every decimal point. Be precise" |
Notice how academia's the outlier? That's the only time how long is a CV supposed to be exceeds two pages.
The Brutal Cutting Guide: What to Slash Right Now
Most CVs have 30% fluff. Here's how to trim yours without amputating essentials:
Mandatory Deletions:
- Objective statements - "Seeking challenging position..." wastes space. Use a profile summary instead.
- High school details - Unless you're 20, nobody cares where you went to high school.
- References available - They'll ask if they want them.
Strategic Reductions:
- Old jobs - Anything beyond 15 years gets one line unless highly relevant.
- Course lists - Name your degree, not every class you took.
- Vague skills - "Team player" means nothing. Show instead of tell.
Example of poor vs. improved bullet point:
Before: "Responsible for customer service operations"
After: "Reduced customer wait times 35% through new ticketing system"
Country-Specific Rules That Change Everything
Think how long your CV should be is global? Think again. When I worked in London, my two-pager got laughs. "Americans and their novels," my boss chuckled. Critical differences:
| Country | Expected Length | Formatting Quirks |
|---|---|---|
| USA & Canada | 1-2 pages | Photos discouraged, personal details minimal |
| UK & Ireland | 2 pages max | National Insurance number needed |
| EU Countries | 1-2 pages | Photos expected in Germany/France |
| Australia/NZ | 3-4 pages | Detailed work history expected |
Always research local norms. Nothing screams "outsider" like a mismatched CV.
Career Stage Cheat Sheet
Your experience level dramatically changes how long should a CV be. Here's the unspoken hierarchy:
Entry-Level (0-3 years experience)
Strictly one page. Period. I don't care if you think you're special. Recent grad portfolios should highlight:
- Relevant coursework (briefly!)
- Internships > part-time jobs
- Technical skills section upfront
Sacrifice that coffee shop job to showcase your capstone project.
Mid-Career (4-10 years)
One page preferred, two acceptable. Focus shifts to:
- Quantifiable achievements (% improvements, $ saved)
- Leadership experience
- Specialized certifications
Delete anything that doesn't support your current career target.
Executive Level (10+ years)
Two pages maximum unless academic. Senior leaders should emphasize:
- Board memberships
- Revenue growth attributed to them
- Turnaround successes
Nobody wants your 1998 job description. Show impact.
CV Killers: Why Good Candidates Get Auto-Rejected
Beyond length, these formatting crimes make recruiters trash CVs instantly:
Font gymnastics: Script fonts, multiple colors, or sizes below 11pt. Stick to Arial or Calibri.
Dense text walls: Zero white space. I once got a CV with 0.5cm margins. Instant headache.
Buzzword bingo: "Synergy," "disruptive," "guru." Actual quote from HR: "We take shots every time someone says 'thought leadership'."
Keep it clean. Keep it readable. That matters more than obsessing over how long a CV should be.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Does academic CV length differ?
Massively. Academic CVs run 3-10+ pages. Include all publications, conferences, grants. One professor told me: "If it's under three pages, I assume you haven't done anything." Brutal but true.
Can I use a tiny font to fit more?
Please don't. I've seen 9pt fonts that need magnifying glasses. If you're struggling to fit content, you're including too much. Hiring managers aren't archaeologists.
What about creative industries?
Designers get slightly more flexibility. A portfolio link is better than cramming images into your CV. Video producers? Showreel > written list. But core content should still be tight.
Does ATS software affect length?
Absolutely. Applicant Tracking Systems parse shorter documents better. One page with standard headings (Experience, Education) beats two pages with fancy graphics every time for ATS compatibility.
The Editing Checklist I Use With Clients
Before you declare your CV finished, run through this:
- ➤ Is every bullet point achievement-focused? (Not just duties)
- ➤ Have I removed anything older than 15 years? (Unless critical)
- ➤ Does the top third showcase my best selling points?
- ➤ Would a stranger understand my value in 10 seconds?
- ➤ Have I killed all jargon?
Still unsure about how long your CV should be? Print it out.
Leave it overnight.
Read it aloud tomorrow.
You'll spot the fluff instantly.
When Breaking Rules Makes Sense
Last week, a client showed me a three-page CV she was scared to cut. Turned out she had:
- 15 patents
- FDA approvals
- Industry awards
I told her: "Ignore everything I said. This needs space." But unless you're changing entire fields, be ruthless. Most people overestimate their uniqueness. Be honest with yourself.
Ultimately, how long should a CV be comes down to value per square inch. Treat every line like prime real estate. If it doesn't convince them to hire you, it shouldn't be there. Now go cut that thing down.
Leave a Comments