The Short Answer: It Depends on Your Experience

There is no universal rule that applies to everyone. The optimal CV length varies based on how much relevant experience you have:

• 0-5 years of experience: One page is ideal
• 5-10 years of experience: One to two pages
• 10+ years of experience: Two pages (occasionally three for academic or technical roles)

The key word is relevant experience. A decade of unrelated jobs does not automatically justify a two-page CV. Quality trumps quantity every time.

Why One Page Works for Most People

Recruiters spend an average of 7.4 seconds on an initial CV scan. A concise, well-organized one-page CV ensures they see your most impressive qualifications immediately without needing to flip pages or scroll.

One-page CVs force you to eliminate fluff and focus on achievements that matter. They work exceptionally well for:

• Recent graduates and entry-level candidates
• Career changers highlighting transferable skills
• Professionals with focused, linear career paths
• Industries that value conciseness (tech startups, consulting, marketing)

When a Two-Page CV Makes Sense

Extending to two pages is appropriate when you have substantial relevant experience that genuinely adds value. Two pages work well for:

Senior professionals with 10+ years of experience: Multiple leadership roles, significant projects, and diverse skill sets require more space to demonstrate impact.

Technical roles with extensive skills: Software engineers, data scientists, and IT professionals often need additional space to list certifications, technical competencies, and major projects.

Academic and research positions: Publications, conferences, grants, and teaching experience demand comprehensive documentation.

Industries with detailed requirements: Healthcare, engineering, and scientific fields may expect thorough documentation of credentials, licenses, and specialized training.

Common Mistakes That Make CVs Too Long

Many candidates create unnecessarily long CVs by including content that does not strengthen their application:

Listing every job you have ever had: Focus on the last 10-15 years. Older experience can be summarized briefly or omitted unless directly relevant.

Including irrelevant roles: That retail job from ten years ago does not belong on your senior management CV unless it demonstrates a specific transferable skill.

Over-explaining duties: Employers know what a "Marketing Manager" does generally. Focus on your specific achievements and quantifiable results instead.

Adding unnecessary sections: "References available upon request" is outdated. Hobbies rarely add value unless directly relevant to the role.

Using large fonts and excessive spacing: Artificially stretching one page of content across two looks unprofessional and wastes recruiters' time.

How to Fit More Content Without Adding Pages

If you are struggling to condense your experience into the appropriate length, try these strategies:

Prioritize recent and relevant experience: Your most recent roles deserve the most detail. Progressively reduce detail for older positions.

Use bullet points effectively: Each bullet should start with a strong action verb and include a quantifiable achievement where possible. Aim for 3-5 bullets per role.

Eliminate redundancy: If multiple roles involved similar responsibilities, avoid repeating the same descriptions. Focus on progression and increased responsibility.

Tighten your language: Remove filler words and use concise phrasing. "Managed a team of 12 people" becomes "Managed 12-person team."

Adjust formatting strategically: Reasonable margins (0.5-1 inch) and professional fonts at 10-11pt size can accommodate more content without appearing cramped.

Industry-Specific CV Length Guidelines

Different industries have different expectations for CV length:

Tech and Startups: Strongly favor one page. These industries value efficiency and getting to the point quickly.

Finance and Consulting: One page for early career, two pages accepted for senior roles. Precision and impact matter more than length.

Academia and Research: Two to three pages standard. CVs (or CVs that are actually curriculum vitae) can be longer, especially when including publications and grants.

Healthcare: One to two pages depending on experience. Certifications and licenses require additional space.

Creative Fields: One page preferred, but portfolios do the heavy lifting. Let your work samples speak rather than extensive descriptions.

What Recruiters Actually Want to See

According to hiring managers, the ideal CV prioritizes clarity over comprehensiveness. They want to see:

• Relevant experience presented clearly and concisely
• Quantifiable achievements that demonstrate impact
• Skills that directly match the job requirements
• Clean formatting that is easy to scan quickly
• No padding or filler content

A recruiter would rather read one exceptional page than two mediocre pages filled with generic descriptions.

How CV On The Go Helps You Find the Right Length

Determining the right CV length and fitting your content appropriately is challenging. CV On The Go simplifies this process:

Smart templates optimized for length: Our templates are designed to fit appropriate amounts of content clearly on one or two pages depending on your experience level.

AI-powered content suggestions: The app helps you write concise, impactful bullet points that communicate more with fewer words.

Instant preview: See exactly how your CV looks as you build it, making it easy to adjust content before it becomes too long.

Export options: Download as PDF instantly, ensuring your formatting stays clean and professional regardless of length.

Build and edit on your phone: Make quick adjustments anytime you realize a section could be tighter or more impactful.