How Long Should a Resume Be in 2025 | Guide for Job Seekers

When tweaking your resume, one question may keep popping up: How long should a resume be?

You may have heard that a resume should be strictly one page for concision many times. However, the length of your resume isn't necessarily to fit it on one page. Depending on your experience, the job, and your industry, a resume can be 1 page, 2 pages, or even 3 pages (rarely).

A too-long resume might bore recruiters, but one that's too short could skip key skills. Struggling with your resume length? This guide helps you, as a job seeker, find the perfect resume length with clear tips, examples, and fresh ideas. You'll learn how many pages your resume needs, how to keep it concise, and how to make it ATS-friendly. Ready to create a resume that grabs attention? Let's jump in!

Key Takeaways

• Stick to one page if you're early-career or the job needs brevity.
• Use two pages for mid-career roles with 10–15 years of experience.
• Save three pages for senior, academic, or federal jobs, but justify every word.
• Write short bullet points (2–3 per job) with action verbs.
• Include only relevant experience to match the job.
• Use ATS-friendly formatting with standard fonts and keywords.
• A CV can be 3 pages or longer and is suitable when applying for a job in academia, research, or for a government role.
• Check your resume with JobHun's AI tool for length and formatting.

Does Resume Length Really Matter?

Your resume's length affects how recruiters see you. A 2024 TopResume survey says 68% of hiring managers want clear, relevant resumes over strict page counts. Here's why how many pages should a resume be matters.

First Impressions Count

Recruiters spend an average of just 7.4 seconds scanning a resume, according to eye-tracking studies. A short, focused, and well-organized resume grabs their attention. If it's too long or messy, they might skip it. Clear formatting and relevant details show you value their time.

ATS Consideration

Most companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes. A 2024 research indicates that 75% of resumes get filtered by ATS first. Overly long resumes might dilute your most important skills, reducing your chances of ranking well. The right length balances both.

Balancing Content and Clarity

A long resume can overwhelm recruiters, but a short one might lack key skills or experience. Use short paragraphs and bullet points to keep it easy to read. Every word should show your value.

Try JobHun's Free AI Resume Builder

Want a resume that's the perfect length and ATS-ready? Use JobHun's free AI resume builder and checker at JobHun.com. It reviews your resume for length, keywords, and formatting, giving you tips to stand out. Upload your resume now and get instant feedback!

How Long Should Your Resume Be? By Experience Level

Wondering how long your resume should be? It depends on where you are in your career. Here's a breakdown:

One Page: Best for Early-Career Job Seekers

If you're a student, recent grad, or have under 10 years of experience, stick to one page. This forces you to focus on key skills, like internships or school projects. For example, a marketing grad might highlight a campaign that boosted engagement by 20% instead of listing old jobs.

One page is also great for jobs that require brevity. If you're applying for an entry-level sales role, focus on your degree and skills like "customer engagement." A 2024 Indeed survey says 60% of recruiters prefer one-page resumes for candidates with less than 10 years of experience.

Two Pages: Great for Mid-Level Professionals

Got 10–15 years of experience or applying for technical roles? Two pages work fine. You can detail projects and skills, like a software engineer listing coding certifications. Many studies have shown that two-page resumes are now common, especially in digital applications.

If you have lots of experience or technical skills, two pages are okay. A mid-career project manager might list leadership roles, like "cut project costs by 15%." Just keep every line relevant to the job.

Three Pages: Rare, but Acceptable in Certain Fields

Three pages are usually too long, except for senior executives, academics, or federal jobs. A professor might list publications, or a federal applicant might detail clearances. Every detail must earn its spot.

Three-page resumes are rare outside these areas. For creative fields like design, consider a one-page resume with a link to an online portfolio instead of a third page.

Unique Tip

Don't obsess over page counts. Focus on a clear story that matches the job, whether it's one page or two.

Making 2- and 3-Page Resumes Work (Without Overdoing It)

Does a resume need to be one page? Is a two-page resume OK? Is three pages too long for a resume? After learning how long a resume should be for different career stages, you should have a clear answer. You can absolutely submit a resume longer than one page if you do it right.

Here's how to make a two- or even three-page resume work without overwhelming the recruiters.

Structuring a Two-Page Resume

Put your best info on page one, since recruiters focus there. Start with a strong summary, then list skills and recent jobs. Use clear headings like "Work Experience" and avoid splitting sections across pages.

Even with two pages, cut fluff. Use 2–3 bullet points per job with action verbs like "led" or "built." For example, say "Led team meetings to boost collaboration" instead of "Was responsible for organizing meetings." Skip old or unrelated jobs.

A two-page resume is like a short story, so put your strongest points first to hook recruiters and trim anything that doesn't add value.

When Three Pages Are Justified

Three pages usually work in academia, medicine, or federal jobs. A doctor might list certifications, or an academic might include publications.

Every section must matter. Highlight results, like "published 10 papers" or "managed $5M budgets." Use standard fonts (Arial, 10–12 pt) and clear formatting. If it's over two pages, ask: Does this help my case? If not, cut it.

How to Keep Your Resume the Right Length

Regardless of the number of pages, a well-structured resume should tell your story clearly enough. Here's how to get it right.

Write Short Bullet Points

Use 2–3 bullet points instead of paragraphs to describe your work experience. Each bullet point should be under two lines.

Focus on Relevant Experience

Include jobs and skills that match the role. For a tech job, skip that old retail gig. If you're early-career, highlight transferable skills, like "improved customer satisfaction by 15%" from a part-time role.

Show Results, Not Just Responsibilities

Listing everything you were "responsible for" won't help. Recruiters already know what a sales manager or marketing assistant does. Instead, highlight results.

For Example

"Exceeded monthly sales targets by 25% for six months straight." ✅ 
That's way more compelling than:
"Responsible for hitting sales targets." ❌

Format for Easy Reading

Use standard fonts (Arial, 10–12 pt), 1-inch margins, and white space. Avoid tables or graphics that ATS can't read.

Trim the Fluff

You don't need separate headers for everything. Your contact info and summary don't need flashy titles.

Skip your high school unless it's highly relevant.

Don't repeat identical bullets for similar roles. If you did the same tasks at multiple jobs, say it once and move on.

Match the Job Description

Use keywords from the job ad, like "data analysis." For example, if the job wants "project management," write "Managed 5 projects on time." This helps ATS and shows you're a fit.

Use an Online Resume Builder

No need to spend hours fiddling with fonts or layout. A free online resume builder (https://jobhun.com/) with optimized templates can save you time and help you fit everything into one or two pages.

Bonus: What About CVs? Are They Longer?

If you've ever been confused between a resume and a CV, you're not alone. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they aren't quite the same.

• A resume is a concise, tailored document that focuses on your most relevant skills and experience—usually 1 to 2 pages long.
• A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a comprehensive record of your entire career history, often used for academic, medical, research, or government positions.

In countries like Australia, the UK, or Europe, CV might refer to what North Americans would call a resume. But in the strictest sense:

• CVs can be 3 pages or longer, especially when listing publications, conferences, research, or extensive teaching experience.
• Resumes aim for brevity and impact, giving hiring managers the highlights they need to assess your fit quickly.

When should you use a CV instead of a resume?

If you're applying for a job in academia, research, or for a government role where the application specifies a CV, go ahead and provide the longer document. Otherwise, stick with a resume that gets to the point fast.

PRO TIP

If you're unsure what the employer wants, check the job ad or reach out to HR. And if you're applying internationally, do a quick search to confirm expectations in that country.

Conclusion

Deciding how long a resume should be doesn't need to stress you out. Early-career job seekers should aim for one page, while mid-career professionals can use two if the content is relevant. Three pages are rarely needed, except in specific fields.

Keep your resume concise with short bullet points, focusing on skills that match the job, and use clean formatting. A great resume tells your story clearly, no matter the length. If you still need help, try JobHun's free AI resume checker to perfect your length and formatting.

FAQs

Q1. Should a resume always be one page?

No, one page is best for early-career job seekers, but can a resume be 2 pages? Yes, for mid-career professionals with relevant experience, two pages are fine if focused.

Q2. Is it bad to have a 2-page resume?

Not at all! A two-page resume is ok for mid-career or technical roles if it's relevant. Make sure the first page grabs attention and skip fluff.

Q3. How many pages does a good resume have?

Most good resumes are 1–2 pages. Early-career job seekers should use one, mid-career can use two, and three is only for senior or specialized roles.

Q4. Can a resume be 2 pages for an entry-level job?

Usually, entry-level resumes should be one page. But if you have relevant internships or projects, a two-page resume can work if it's well-edited.

Q5. Is three pages too long for a resume?

Yes, for most jobs, a 3-page resume is too long. It's okay for senior, academic, or federal roles, but every detail must support your application.

Q6. How long should a CV be compared to a resume?

A CV can be 3+ pages if you're in academia, government, or research. Resumes, on the other hand, should stay focused and brief—typically 1 to 2 pages.