“How long should a resume be?” If you’re wondering the same thing, then you’re not alone. Many job seekers ask themselves that same question, and are in need of an answer at the start of their job search. Resume length advice hasn’t changed much over the past 60 years. A September issue of Kiplinger’s Changing Times advised job seekers to:
“Keep it short. One page is best. Two are okay; anything longer is likely too much for a prospective employer to plow through. But get everything important in. A skimpy outline that gives little information about you is worse than none at all. Let your first draft run as many pages as you need to get all the facts down. Then rewrite– and cut ruthlessly.“
This advice is still the standard today.
How long should a resume be in 2024?
In 2024, having the right resume length is key. You must detail your skills and experience. But, keep it concise and readable. It should not overwhelm the reader with too much info.
“I’ll tell you what doesn’t make a resume stand out: adding too much of everything,” says Jazlyn Unbedacht, a resume and cover letter writer with over ten years’ experience. “Stay away from multiple graphics, more than 5 bullet points per work experience, and an overly long professional summary.”
A typical resume should be one or two pages long. Below are good rules to follow when you need to know how long a resume should be.
- One page resumes are ideal for recent grads, entry-level resumes, or in-person networking.
- Two page resumes are great for most job seekers, particularly those with five-plus years experience in their current field.
- Three-page resumes might help senior-level workers or tech pros with vast work histories. For senior or technical roles, a resume over two pages is fine if it is relevant and well-organized.
How long should your resume be?
One of the many frustrations for job seekers is the lack of rules on resume page count. There are some strong opinions on this. But, the common advice is: your resume should be as long as it needs to be and no longer. It should also be as brief as possible without underselling yourself.
This advice is squishy, subjective, and open for interpretation. Most job seekers use one- to three-page resumes. Some two-page resumes would be better as one-page ones, and vice versa.
But where exactly should you draw the line?
Writing the perfect resume can be tricky. If you can’t decide on your resume’s length, focus on your best traits. Present them in a clear format, regardless of the number of pages. If you’re frustrated trying to smoosh all your experience into a single page, try a two-page resume.
Using a resume scanner is the quickest and most helpful way to immediately identify if your resume is formatted the way it should.
4 rules for the right resume length
To determine the right length for your resume, follow these guidelines:
1. Limiting your job descriptions to make sure you have the correct resume length. Here are a few ways you can do that:
- Describe each role with 3-7 bullet points.
- Use specific, quantified achievements to demonstrate impact.
- Avoid listing every job duty; focus on the most relevant tasks.
2. Highlighting any of your targeted achievements is very important, and here are a few tips to make sure you do that the right way:
- Focus on achievements relevant to the job.
- Customize bullet points for each job application.
- Include numbers to quantify accomplishments where possible.
3. Keeping bullet points concise is another great way to limit the space used on a resume, especially by following these pointers:
- Limit bullet points to two lines each.
- Use action verbs to start each bullet point.
- Be specific and to the point.
4. Listing job experience up to 15 years can either limit the amount of content you include or force you to add more. This is a flexible rule, but it’s generally true, and here are a few things to remember when doing it:
- Include relevant experience within the last 15 years.
- Summarize older roles if they are relevant.
- Focus on recent accomplishments and skills.
What influences your resume length?
There aren’t many hard and fast answers when it comes to how long a resume should be. It’s dependent on the specifics of your personal experiences.
- Resume format and style
- How long you’ve been working
- How long you’ve been working in your target field
- How much you’ve moved up within your field
- How many times you’ve changed jobs
- Whether or not you’ve completed higher education
- Whether your higher education aligns with your target field
- The depth of your skill set relevant to the job
- Whether your field is highly technical and/or project-based
How to shorten your resume
“Cut ruthlessly” isn’t one-time advice. Your resume should be tailored to each new job for which you apply. That means what you’re cutting should be different every time. Here are a few tips to make sure that your resume is how long it should be.
Maintain a master resume
A master resume lists all duties, responsibilities, skills, and results from your work history. It includes hard skills and soft skills. This document should be regularly updated with new achievements and experiences. It is a complete source for creating tailored resumes for job applications. It ensures all relevant information is available.
Tailor your resume for specific job applications
When tailoring your resume for a job, highlight your most relevant experiences. Customize each section to match the job description. Remove any information that is not directly pertinent to the position to keep the resume focused and concise.
Focus on relevant experience and skills
Highlight your most relevant skills and experiences. Focus on duties and achievements that match the job requirements. Use the job description’s language to show your qualifications. This will help your resume connect with the hiring manager.
Be concise
Avoid jargon and filler. Be direct in your language. This approach makes your resume clear, relevant, and easy to read for potential employers.
When are longer resumes acceptable?
There are exceptions to the typical resume length rules. For example, if you are looking for a job in academia or the sciences, your academic CV or resume could be more than two pages long and up to 15 pages. In these fields, you must detail your research, publications, and academic achievements.
Also, technical pros with extensive project experience may need extra space to cover their work. Always justify any added length by the content’s relevance to the job.
Create your ATS-friendly resume with the Jobscan resume builder tool. Import your LinkedIn profile, upload your existing resume, or start from scratch. In minutes, you’ll have a base resume to use as a starting point when tailoring your resume to the job description.
Answer the question of the job description
Your resume is more than proof that you’ve been collecting a paycheck for however many years. An effective resume highlights exactly how you’ve been working toward the job for which you’re applying. See the difference?
Study the job description and identify the most important qualifications and resume keywords. Review each line of your resume and think, “Does this help prove that I’m a great fit for this job?” If not, it’s extraneous at best or distracting at worse. Cut it.
Jobscan helps you hone in on what’s important to the employer by instantly scanning and analyzing your resume against their job description.
“How long should a resume be” FAQ section
A CV can be longer than a resume, often ranging from 2 to 15 pages, depending on the level of detail required, especially in academic or research roles.
A one-page resume is concise. It forces you to prioritize the most relevant information. This makes it easier for recruiters to assess your qualifications quickly.
A 3-page resume is typically considered long for most industries. It may be appropriate for senior-level professionals or technical experts with extensive experience and accomplishments.
The 30-second rule suggests that hiring managers spend about 30 seconds reviewing a resume to determine if a candidate is a fit. Your resume should highlight your key qualifications clearly and concisely within this timeframe.
A two-page resume is suitable for professionals with extensive experience, allowing them to include more detailed information about their skills, achievements, and work history without overcrowding the document.
No, the one-page resume is not dead. It remains effective, particularly for recent graduates and entry-level professionals. The focus should be on relevance and clarity rather than strict page limits.
Resume experts agree that the content and clarity of a resume are more important than its length. It’s vital to tailor the resume to the job. Include relevant keywords and achievements. This makes a strong impression.