How long should a resume be?
Some experts say 1 page, while some say 2 or 3 or more. Some say "it depends."
Why the confusion?
Things are changing. In the past, we used fax machines and paper. Like socks in a dryer, second pages could go missing.
These days, we use email. Also, Applicant Tracking Systems make it easier to submit a two page resume, or longer.
But that still doesn't mean we're in the wild, wild West, where resume length is up for grabs.
You still need to impress the hiring manager fast. Plus, show enough achievements to prove your muscle. That's why resume length is such a struggle.
This guide gives the answers to:
Here's a sample resume made using our resume builder.
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Example of a One Page Resume—See more resume templates here.
Got more questions about how long your resume should be? We'll cover how long a resume can be, how long a resume should be, college resume length, and more.
A good resume should be one to two pages long, depending on your level of experience.
For more details, refer to the table below.
It won't tell you exactly how long every resume should be. That said, a quick read-through should tell you how long to make your resume.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How long should a resume be? | 1 page for most applicants |
| How many pages should a resume be? | 1–2+ pages (based on experience) |
| Why resume length matters | Conveys level of experience |
| Should resumes be one page? | For <7 yrs experience, yes |
| How long can a resume be? | 10 pages in extreme cases |
| How far back should a resume go? | Slightly further than job offer says |
| How long should a CV be? | No more than 2 pages of A4 (for most candidates) |
1
The best answer for how long can a resume be in modern hiring is:
It should be as short as possible and still convey your worth.
For most job seekers, that means one page. That's true for anyone with less than 7–10 years of relevant experience.
A resume should be 1 page for most, 2 for some, and more for a few. It depends who you're up against.
If someone else can prove their skills fit the job in one page, use one. Need more to show your impressive achievements? Use 2+.
Here's why resume length matters. Let's say you're a sales manager. You've worked two jobs, and achieved 7 really impressive things. (Like: Doubled revenue in 5 years.) You should be able to say all that in a single page. More "wow," less words.
Resumes don't have to be one page. What if you've got hundreds of accomplishments that can't be boiled down? For example, you're a project manager. You've done 35 unique projects, each with its own standout achievements. Nobody will fault you for a 3-page resume.
A resume can be one page or two pages. But is a 3-page resume too long? What about a 4-page resume?
Got enough unique, related achievements to fill four pages without repeating? (And is each one impressive?) Write a longer resume.
Confused about resume length? Good. Here’s the bottom line. Forget the idea of resume length.
Focus on customizing your resume to the job offer and prove you fit the job by showing related accomplishments. If you can do that in one page, definitely do. If a single page makes you look too light for this particular career, add more achievements.
A resume should go back longer for jobs that need heaps of experience. If the job description says "3–5 years of experience required," don't list 20. Some studies suggest that overqualified candidates might have a harder time getting hired. Either way, list only relevant experience.
How long should a resume be for a college student? If you solved Fermat's last theorem, created fusion in a lunchbox, and logicked the wings off a dragonfly, you'll need a 2 page resume or longer. The rest of us can use a single-page resume template.
Pro Tip: What length of cover letter do you need? In most cases 2/3 of a page is perfect, though there are some pretty big exceptions. See our guide on cover letter length right here.
Need a one-page resume? Write a short resume fast that's tailored to the job and gets more interviews. Learn all the crucial resume rules fast. See our guide: Should a Resume Be One Page? How to Make It a Single Page [+Tips]
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
2
How can you make your resume the right length?
If you follow the resume length rules below, it won't matter whether you've got a 1-page resume, a 2-page resume, or longer. Why?
Because your resume length will self-regulate like it's got a job-search thermostat.
To paraphrase JFK: ask not, "How long should a resume be?" but "How can you keep it interesting?" Don't get bogged down with long descriptions of responsibilities. Our HR statistics report shows managers skim resumes, often in less than 7 seconds. Be brief, and stick to achievements.
Have I said this before? It must be true. Don't put anything in your resume that doesn't make this hiring manager say, "Wow."
Build your resume with achievements that prove you've basically already nailed the job. Doing that will keep your resume short and engaging.
Don't repeat the same achievement over and over. Rather than saying you trained five employees in Lean Principles, two in Agile, and 15 in Six Sigma, say you trained 20+ employees in techniques like Lean, Agile, and Six Sigma. That uses up one bullet point.
Yes, you can make resume fonts smaller, fiddle with line spacing and margins. But don't torture your resume layout so much it looks like a black sheet of paper. Some extra resume length is okay vs threatening the hiring manager with a wall of words.
Here's a good resume trick: Avoid listing all the many things you were responsible for. Not only will that make your resume too long, it's boring.
"Cut inventory costs by 35%" beats "In charge of inventory management" any day. So, read the job description carefully, then list accomplishments that match.
List 3–5 bullet points per job in your resume work experience section. Make them 1–2 lines each. Do you really have enough impressive achievements to fill up 30 lines per job? If so, you need a 2-page resume. Make sure to keep them relevant to this particular offer.
Pro Tip: Are you a project manager, an engineer, or upper management? For any job where long experience makes you a better match, longer resumes work best. Just make sure to keep it relevant, and base it on achievements.
End up with a two-page resume? Worried? Here’s everything you need to know: 2 Page Resume: Will It Crush Your Chances? (Format & Expert Advice)
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Asking "How many pages should a resume be" turns up a lot of answers. Remember these key tips:
Want to know more about how long a resume can be? Maybe you've got some great ideas for how far back a resume should go? Give us a shout in the comments! Let's start the conversation!
A cover letter (covering letter) is a document attached to your job application that introduces you in a more personal way and compliments the info on your resume or CV, expanding on the skills and achievements, and highlighting a selection of your greatest career successes.
A complete guide to writing a resume for an entry-level job. 20+ examples and tips from our experts. Use our entry-level resume sample.
Even though writing a resume with no experience seems like mission impossible, there is a certain way of making your document look awesome. And you’re about to see how.
