How Long Should a Resume Be? The Complete Guide to Resume Length in 2025

Ever stare at your resume wondering if it's too long or too short? You're not alone.

Thousands of job seekers struggle with this exact question, trying to figure out if they should cut that internship from five years ago or keep that volunteer experience that might just catch a recruiter's eye.

Resume length isn't about picking a random number of pages. It's about showing your experience in a way that makes recruiters want to learn more about you.

And yes, there's actually some solid data behind what works and what doesn't.

How many pages should a resume be?

Your resume is like a movie trailer. It needs to be long enough to tell your professional story but short enough to keep someone's attention. Getting this balance right can mean the difference between landing in the "maybe" pile or the "must interview" stack.

The ideal resume length depends on your career stage and the job you're applying for. A one-page resume often works best for those early in their careers, while more seasoned professionals may need two pages to effectively showcase their experience and accomplishments.

For most candidates, a one-page resume is enough to highlight the most relevant skills, experience, and accomplishments—especially if you're early in your career or making a career change. Keeping it concise helps ensure your qualifications stand out quickly to recruiters and hiring managers.

A two-page resume can be appropriate if you have a more extensive work history, specialized skills, or significant achievements to showcase. The key is to focus on clarity and relevance—every section should support your candidacy for the role you’re targeting.

For specific guidelines based on your experience level, see the breakdown below.

Resumes for new grads:

If you're just starting your career or have less than 5 years of experience, one page is probably your sweet spot. It's like a highlight reel of your best professional moments – short, impactful, and to the point. Fresh graduates, we’re looking at you. Your internships, relevant coursework, and those leadership positions in student organizations can all fit nicely on one page. And that's exactly what recruiters expect to see from early-career candidates.

Resumes for more experienced folks:

But what if you're a mid-career professional? This is where two-page resumes often make more sense. You've got multiple roles to showcase, significant achievements under your belt, or maybe even some industry recognition. Just make sure every section adds value and speaks directly to the role you're targeting—avoiding unnecessary details or outdated experience.

Here's a quick way to think about it:

• One-page resumes: Early career (0-5 years), career changers, or when specifically requested
• Two-page resumes: Mid-career (5-15 years), technical roles, management positions
• Three+ page resumes: Executive roles, academic CVs, federal positions

And federal resumes? They're a different animal entirely. For government positions, you might even need 4-5 pages to include all the required information. Academic CVs can run even longer, sometimes reaching 15-20 pages for senior professors.

Use an online resume builder like Resumatic to find resume templates for your industry. 

The ideal resume length

Applicant tracking systems…don't care about page length. They care about relevant keywords and experience.

Recruiters spend seconds on their first scan of your resume. That's not just a random guess – it's based on eye-tracking studies conducted by Ladders, Inc. Pretty cool, right?

Many recruiters are still skimming resumes for just 7.4 seconds.

That same research shows that two-page resumes don't actually hurt your chances, contrary to the old "one-page-only" rule. In fact, for experienced professionals, a two-page resume might even give you an edge.

The numbers also tell an interesting story. According to a 2023 survey, recruiters are 2.3 times more likely to prefer two-page resumes for experienced candidates. They found that these longer resumes provided a more complete picture of the candidate's capabilities.

ATS (applicant tracking systems) have changed the game too. These systems don't care about page length – they care about relevant keywords and experience.

So while human readers need a clean, scannable format, you also need to ensure your resume has enough substance for the bots to work with.

Does this mean you should always go for two pages? Not necessarily. Your resume's ideal length depends on a few factors we'll dive into next.

It’s a lot like a tailored suit: The right fit depends on your measurements, not someone else's.

Next up, let's break down some standard guidelines that apply to most job seekers.

Use an all-in-one resume builder and ATS scanner like Resumatic to ensure your resume is ATS-friendly. 

Key insights on how long a resume should be

The length of your resume should be determined by your story, not arbitrary rules

Consider these factors when deciding length:

• Your experience level
• Industry standards
• Career level
• Value proposition

And then that: 

• Quality matters more than quantity - make every word count
• Test your resume by reviewing it from a recruiter's perspective (30-second review)
• Keep updating your resume as job market trends change
• Trust your judgment while following industry guidelines
• Remember: Your resume is a living document that evolves with your career

Factors that influence resume length

The length of your resume should adapt based on several key factors that many job seekers overlook:

Industry

• Tech companies: Prefer shorter, skills-focused resumes
• Banking and finance: Expect detailed achievement records
• Government Roles: Often require comprehensive resumes
• Academic Positions: Typically demand publications, research, and teaching experience

Geography

• European CVs: Generally longer, include personal details
• American resumes: Typically shorter, more focused

Company size

• Startups: Might prefer shorter resumes due to limited HR resources
• Large corporations: May use ATS, which can handle longer resumes but still prioritize concise, keyword-rich content

Application method

• ATS applications: Include more details and keywords
• Direct applications/networking: Keep it concise and punchy

How to optimize your resume length

A resume is like prime real estate. Every word needs to earn its place, just like every square foot of a luxury apartment needs to serve a purpose. You'd be amazed at how much space you can save with some smart formatting choices. A few quick examples.

Margins

Let's start with margins. Sure, you could squeeze them down to 0.3 inches to fit more content – but should you? Probably not. Stick to 0.5-1 inch margins for readability.

If your resume is hard to read, it doesn't matter how much information you've crammed in there. 

Remember, ATS systems may not read past a certain margin, so maintaining standard margins helps ensure all your content is properly scanned.

Font

Font choice matters too. Each font takes a different amount of page space.

For example, Times New Roman takes up more space than Garamond (even at the same size).

This is a great example of how the same font can take up different space (even while at the same size).

Bullet points 

Long bullet points that could be combined is one of the biggest space wasters we see. Instead of three bullets describing similar tasks, merge them into one powerful statement.

Active, concise language

Using active, concise language ensures that every word on your resume counts. Opt for strong, direct verbs that clearly convey your role and achievements. This approach not only condenses your text but also enhances your message's clarity and strength. 

Avoid filler words, passive phrasing, and vague descriptors. Instead of saying “was responsible for managing a team,” say “led a team of five.” This not only shortens your sentence but adds energy and ownership to your accomplishments. The more direct and results-oriented your language, the more compelling your resume becomes.

Relevant experience

When it comes to listing your experience, focus on what matters most. Typically, you should only cover the last 10-15 years of your career. This timeframe highlights your most impactful achievements and skills. 

Leave out outdated roles or unrelated experience that doesn’t support your current career goals. Instead, invest space in highlighting recent wins, quantifiable results, and responsibilities that show you’re a strong fit for the role. If older experience is still relevant, summarize it briefly in an "Earlier Experience" section to keep the resume tight but comprehensive.

By concentrating on roles and accomplishments that align with the job you're targeting, your resume remains focused and effective.

Here's a quick, space-saving resume checklist that won't sacrifice readability:

• Play around with fonts, font sizes, and margins.
• Use bullet points instead of dense paragraphs for job descriptions
  
  • Use no more than 8 bullet points for recent AND relevant roles, and 2-5 for older, less relevant roles.
  • Don’t be afraid to remove old jobs at the back of the list that don’t contribute anything.
• Remove redundant words like "responsible for" or "duties included"
• Delete the "References available upon request" line–it's assumed!

Try an AI-powered resume builder like Resumatic to simplify and speed up your resume building.

Common resume length mistakes to avoid

The biggest mistake people make is sticking to a certain length just because someone told you to. There are qualified candidates who squeeze 10 years of experience onto one page just because someone on LinkedIn told them so.

Another mistake is lovingly referred to as "kitchen sink syndrome." That's when you include every single thing you've ever done, hoping something will stick. Your summer job from high school probably isn't relevant to that senior management position you're applying for.

White space is your friend, not your enemy. Some people try to shrink their margins down to microscopic levels or use 8-point fonts. Please don't. If a recruiter needs a magnifying glass to read your resume, they’re likely to move on to the next one.

Here's a weird one: inconsistent spacing between sections. Having three lines of space after one job and one line after another makes your resume look sloppy, no matter how long or short it is. 

How to trim your resume length

If your resume's running a little long – don't panic. Let's walk through some practical ways to trim it down without losing the good stuff.

• First step? Do a relevancy audit. Look at every single bullet point and ask yourself: "Does this help me get the job I want right now?" If the answer isn't a clear "yes," it's time to let it go.
• Numbers are your best friends when it comes to trimming. Instead of writing "Responsible for managing a large team and significantly increasing sales," try "Led 12-person team to 43% sales increase in 6 months." See how much space we just saved?
• Third, combine related achievements. Instead of listing three separate projects with similar outcomes, write one strong bullet point like "Led 5 product launches, each exceeding revenue targets by 25-40%."
• Those long, flowery phrases? They've got to go. "Leveraged extensive experience in facilitating cross-functional team collaboration" can become "Led cross-functional teams." Same meaning, half the words.
• Try running your resume through an online resume builder. A good tool can pinpoint where you can cut down without losing impact, helping you create a cleaner, more concise document.
• Keep your resume summary short. A brief, impactful summary that captures your top skills and career goals can make a strong impression without taking up too much space.

And please, take a hard look at those dated technical skills. If you're in tech, do you really need to list that you know Windows XP? Focus on current, relevant skills that match the job description.

Special situations for different resume lengths

There are some special situations that might affect your resume length. Because sometimes, the standard rules don’t apply.

For example, if you’re applying internationally? You’ll need to rethink your approach. European CVs often include personal details and can run longer than U.S. resumes. Japanese resumes (履歴書, rirekisho) follow a strict one-page format with specific formatting rules.

Got a killer LinkedIn profile? Your resume might not need to tell your whole story. Think of your resume as the trailer and your LinkedIn profile as the full movie. Just make sure to add your custom LinkedIn URL to your resume's header.

What about that side hustle or passion project? If it's relevant to your target job, absolutely include it. A software developer's personal coding projects or a marketer's successful blog can deserve space on your resume.

Digital portfolios are important too. Designers, writers, and developers can keep their resumes shorter by linking to online work samples.

Bonus: Expert tips from recruiters to make your resume stand out

Here are some insider secrets from hiring managers and recruiters listed below. Their perspective might surprise you – and it could give you the edge you need.

This is from a tech recruiter:

"I don't care if it's one page or two. I care if I can find the information I need in 30 seconds or less."

That's the key: making your resume scannable matters more than its length.

A banking HR manager shared another tidbit:

“Candidates often underestimate the power of white space. A dense resume is exhausting to read, no matter how qualified the person is.”

They’re right–your resume needs to breathe.

Want to know what senior managers look for? According to one Fortune 500 executive, it's all about impact.

“Show me what changed because of your work. I'll read three pages if every bullet point tells me about real results.”

The most surprising advice came from a startup founder.

“If you can tell me your story in half a page and make me want to know more, you're already ahead of 90% of applicants.”

Sometimes less really is more.

Craft the perfect resume with an AI-powered resume builder

Creating a resume that catches attention is both an art and a science. It involves balancing the details of your career journey with the expectations of your industry and potential employers. A well-crafted resume isn't just a document—it's your personal marketing tool that can open doors to new opportunities and help you achieve your career aspirations.

Keep in mind that your resume should evolve alongside your career. As you gain new experience, learn new skills, or shift your focus, make it a habit to regularly update your resume to reflect your most relevant qualifications. This proactive approach ensures you're always ready for the next big opportunity—whether it comes through a job posting, a networking event, or an unexpected referral.

Ready to take your resume to the next level? Why not create a free resume with Resumatic’s state-of-the-art resume and cover letter builder? The platform guides you through each step, ensuring your resume not only looks professional but also meets the latest industry standards. Whether you're just starting or looking to advance your career, our resources are designed to help you succeed.

Start crafting your perfect resume today and open up new opportunities in your professional future.

FAQs on resume length

Is a 2-page resume okay?

Absolutely, a two-page resume can be just right. If you've got more than five years of experience or are in a technical or management position, two pages give you the space to cover your skills and achievements fully. Just make sure every word counts.

Think of it as giving your experience room to breathe—but be sure to prioritize quality over quantity. Recruiters will appreciate the structure if the content is relevant and easy to scan.

Is a 3-page resume too long?

Generally speaking, yes, three pages can be a bit much. But for senior roles, executive positions, or academic CVs, three pages might be necessary to cover all the bases. Just remember, relevance and clarity are key.

If you do go to three pages, use clear headings, remove redundancy, and focus on measurable accomplishments. It's about depth, not filler.

What is the 30-second rule for resumes?

The 30-second rule is all about first impressions. Recruiters typically spend half a minute on an initial scan, so your resume needs to be crisp and informative. Make sure your top skills and experiences jump off the page quickly.

Lead with your strengths, use bullet points, and avoid dense blocks of text. The goal is to make your value obvious at a glance.

Can my resume be 1.5 pages?

The short answer is no. If you're going over one page, you need to be able to fill the second page. A half-empty second page looks like you don't know how to format properly. 

Aim for a clean, intentional, two-page design that’s complete and polished. Otherwise, trim it back to one full page.

Should I use a different resume length for online applications versus in-person networking?

For online applications, you might want to include more keywords for ATS systems. For networking events, a one-page "highlight reel" version often works better.

Tailor the format to the setting—online submissions favor completeness, while in-person exchanges benefit from brevity and impact. It's all about context.

What about my extensive project list?

Try this: create a separate project portfolio document. Your resume can include your most impressive 3-4 projects, with a note that more examples are available upon request.

This keeps your resume focused while still showing depth. It also gives you a professional-looking add-on for interviews or follow-ups.

When should I switch from a resume to a CV?

Easy rule of thumb: Use a CV for academic positions, research roles, or when specifically requested. For most other jobs, stick with a resume.

CVs are typically longer and more detailed, while resumes are concise and targeted. Choose based on industry expectations and application instructions.

Example Resumes

If you’re ever stuck on your resume, check out the sample library at Resumatic.