How long should a resume be? (The honest answer)
One page or two? Here's the rule based on years of experience — plus when to break it.
The 'always one page' rule is outdated. Here's what actually works in 2025.
The rule
- 0–8 years of experience → one page.
- 8–20 years → two pages.
- 20+ years or heavy academic → two to three pages.
- Federal (US government) → three to five pages, expected.
- Academic CV → as many as your publications need.
How to shrink to one page
Cut jobs older than 10 years, drop the 'References available on request' line, shrink margins to 0.5", use a tighter font like Inter 10pt, and consolidate bullets — three sharp ones beat six vague ones.
When to accept a second page
Never squeeze so tight it becomes unreadable. If your one-page version has 8pt text and no white space, use two pages. Recruiters would rather scroll than squint.
FAQ
Should a two-page resume have the header repeated on page 2?
Yes — put your name, page number, and one contact detail at the top of page 2. It matters when pages get separated.
Put this into practice.
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