How Long Should a Resume Be? [Length + Formatting Tips]
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When applying for a new job, one of the first questions you may have is “how long should my resume be?” While it might seem like a simple question, the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. The ideal length for your resume depends on your years of experience, the industry you’re targeting, and the specific requirements of the job you’re applying for.
Many job seekers make the mistake of cramming every detail of their career into a single page, creating a resume that’s hard to read. Others go too far in the opposite direction, including irrelevant information and overextending their document.
To help you avoid these common issues, we’ll break down how to determine the perfect resume length for your situation and offer tips to make every word count.
How Many Pages Should a Resume Be?
When an employer asks you to submit a resume, they’re expecting a summary of your professional qualifications and experience, and they want to analyze it quickly.
That’s why if you want to make a recruiter’s job easier (and make a great first impression), a one-page resume is your best bet. However, that doesn’t mean that the one-page resume is always the right choice for every job seeker.
Can a resume be 2 pages?
A resume can be two pages long if you have a lot of relevant experience. As a general rule, you can add one page to your resume for every 10 years of experience. In other words, if you have 15+ years of experience, you can easily create a well-formatted two-page resume.
However, to hold the recruiter’s attention, make your resume as concise as possible by highlighting only your most relevant qualifications. As long as every bit of information you’re including tells recruiters “I am the best candidate for the job,” your resume can be two pages long—maybe even three if you’re aiming for an executive role.
How to determine your ideal resume length
If you’re unsure whether you should write a one-page or two-page resume, these two main factors can help you make a confident decision.
PRO TIP:
If you’re applying to STEM jobs, roles in academia, or creative work, double-check the job application instructions, because you might benefit from submitting a curriculum vitae (CV) instead of a resume.
How Far Back Should a Resume Go?
Determining how far back a resume should go involves taking stock of your work experience and assessing its relevance to the new role. Because you should always tailor your resume to a specific job, you must only highlight the roles that best showcase the skills for the job you want.
Many job seekers, whether with careers spanning over 10 years, just starting out in the workforce, or changing careers, may struggle with writing a work history section that’s neither too long nor too short. Let’s find the sweet spot for your experience so that your resume makes the best case for why you’re the ideal candidate for the job.
How many years should a resume go back?
To determine how many years of experience should be on a resume, consider your career stage.
Need help fine-tuning your work experience section and ensuring your resume looks professional? Our Resume Builder simplifies the resume-writing process—simply choose a template, enter your desired job title, and watch how the builder generates personalized content for all your sections. You’ll get a custom resume in minutes!
Resume Examples by Experience Level
Use these resume samples to customize your resume for your experience level and ideal resume length.
How to Keep Your Resume the Ideal Length
Tailor your resume for the job.
Update your resume for each job application, focusing on the most relevant experiences and resume skills that align with the position. Customizing it for the role will help you keep it concise by allowing you to edit out unnecessary information.
Use bullet points to break up text.
Keep your sentences straight to the point when listing work experience, using bullet points instead of longer paragraphs.
Customize spacing, fonts, and margins.
Choose an easy-to-read font in 11-12 points. Adjust margins to 1 inch and line spacing up to 1.15 to fit more content on a page while ensuring readability.
List only relevant and recent information.
Don’t list your high school education if you possess one or more higher education degrees. The same goes for any high school or early college part-time jobs unrelated to your career. Including these types of roles takes up valuable space you can use for other qualifications.
Take advantage of the builder.
A Resume Builder automatically applies seamless formatting that helps you use your resume space strategically.
Difference Between Resume and CV Length
The key differences between a resume and a CV are their length and level of detail.
A resume is a concise document that highlights only your most relevant experience, skills, and accomplishments—typically one to two pages.
A CV (curriculum vitae), on the other hand, is more comprehensive, providing a full overview of your academic and professional journey. CVs can range from two to eight pages, depending on your career stage, publications, research, or other accomplishments.
Use a resume for most corporate, nonprofit, or industry positions where brevity is valued. Write a CV when applying for academic, scientific, research, or international roles that require a complete record of your education, projects, and publications.
Key Takeaways
Now that you’ve got all the information to determine how long your resume should be, here are some points to remember.
- Resume length depends on experience and industry: Most resumes should be one to two pages. The right length for you balances showcasing relevant qualifications while keeping the document concise and recruiter-friendly.
- Early-career professionals should keep it short: Focus on the last one to two years of experience and highlight internships, volunteer work, or projects.
- Mid-career and senior-level professionals should prioritize relevance: Mid-career applicants can include five to eight years of experience, while senior professionals typically focus on the last 15 years. Highlight accomplishments and measurable results that align with the job, omitting less relevant early roles.
- Career changers should emphasize transferable skills: Rather than listing every past job, focus on achievements and skills that apply to the new role. A combination resume format allows you to spotlight relevant qualifications first, then outline supporting experience.
- Tailor the formatting and content for clarity: Use bullet points, clear headings, and readable fonts to make your resume easy to skim. Remove outdated or irrelevant information, and customize each resume to the specific job to maximize impact.
- Know the difference between a resume and a CV: A resume is concise and job-focused, while a CV is longer and includes full academic or professional histories. Use a CV for academic, scientific, or international positions, and follow application guidelines carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a CV be?
A CV (curriculum vitae) is typically longer than a resume and includes a comprehensive overview of your academic and professional history. It can range from two to eight pages, depending on your career stage and accomplishments. CVs are common for academic, research, or international job applications.
How long should a resume summary be?
A resume summary should be two to five concise sentences. It should highlight your key skills, achievements, and career focus, giving recruiters a quick snapshot of why you’re a strong candidate. Keep it tailored to the specific role.
How long should a resume be for 20 years of experience?
For professionals with around 20 years of experience, a two-page resume is usually ideal. Focus on the most relevant and impactful roles from the last 10–15 years, highlighting accomplishments, leadership, and measurable results. Avoid listing every early-career position to keep the resume concise and readable.
Is it ever acceptable for a resume to exceed two pages?
Rarely. Only consider three pages if you have an extensive career with highly relevant accomplishments, like executive leadership roles or academic publications. Even then, prioritize the most impactful experiences to maintain clarity and focus.
Should I use a CV instead of a resume?
Write a CV if you are applying for academic, scientific, research, or international positions, or if the employer specifically requests it. Resumes are more concise and tailored to a specific role, whereas CVs provide a full professional history.
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