Resume Length: Ideal Page Count for Your Resume

If you’re in the job market searching for a new position, you're likely working to ensure your resume is current and updated. Or, maybe you’re one of those smart individuals who like to periodically update your resume so it’s ready for that next opportunity when it rolls around. Either way, a big question for most is, “How many pages should a resume be?” Such a question commonly prompts individuals to turn to the Internet for research.

Since you’re here reading this post, it’s safe to say you’re in that online research stage. As such, you’ve likely realized that there’s conflicting information online about how many pages your resume should be. Some say it should be no longer than one page. Others indicate that it should be two pages. A few even indicate it’s okay for your resume to be longer than two pages. Hence, any confusion you might have regarding this topic is understandable.

In this post, we help to set the record straight. Read on for answers to the following questions:

How many pages should a resume be?
When should a resume be one page?
When should a resume be two pages?
Is it ever okay for a resume to be longer than two pages?
How can someone shorten their resume when needed?

How many pages should a resume be?

The length of your resume will depend on various factors, including:

Your industry or profession
The amount of relevant experience you have
What the employer requests

Generally, a resume should be one to two pages long, with rare exceptions, which are discussed in more detail later. The old school of thought was that a resume should only be one page, but that’s no longer true. In fact, many recruiters and hiring managers prefer – and expect to see -- a two-page resume, as it allows them to get a better idea or fuller picture of who the candidate is.

First and foremost, however, the most crucial aspect of your resume is the content you include. In other words, the content included - which should always be succinct, relevant to the job, and add value to your resume - is more important than the final page length. Therefore, you don’t want to make a resume longer for the sake of making it longer if the content included is irrelevant, filler content, or doesn’t add value.

Now, let’s dive into whether your resume should be one or two pages based on your unique circumstances.

How many pages should a resume be: when to use a one-page resume

In the past, a one-page resume was recommended for students and entry-level candidates because of the notion they’d have little relevant information to share that warranted more than a single page. However, that’s no longer the case, since there are ample opportunities for college students to gain valuable experience throughout their college years.

Landing internships, graduate assistantships, work-study, and co-ops are all options for a college grad or entry-level candidate to include on their resume in today’s world. Even securing part-time work and involvement in extracurricular activities, especially if it’s holding a leadership role or an officer position, can add value to an entry-level resume.

However, there are still instances where a one-page resume is warranted. A one-page resume is a good option for the following:

High school and college students with little relevant work experience or extracurricular activities to incorporate, like the ones mentioned above
Entry-level candidates with a brief work history and few extracurricular activities or interests to highlight
Career changers who lack relevant experience and, as such, need to tailor their resume to focus on transferable skills relevant to the new career path or industry

Additionally, if the employer you’re applying to requests a one-page resume, it’s best to abide by this request. Not following the application instructions is often a surefire way not to land an interview.

How many pages should a resume be: when to use a two-page resume

Again, it's expected that many job candidates will submit a two-page resume in today’s world. This is especially true for:

You’re a consultant, freelancer, or contractor with several types of projects, clients, or jobs to include and explain
You’re looking for a job with the US Federal government, and the application requires you to include a lot of specific and detailed information
You’re applying for a job in academia or the sciences, which requires a longer resume
You’re seeking a high-level job within an organization and have extensive leadership and relevant experience to emphasize
You’re a professional with an extensive list of relevant awards or publications to include
You’re an experienced professional with several technical skills and abilities that are valuable to highlight

Also, there is nothing that says you must have a two-page resume. If you’re an experienced professional and feel that your one-page resume provides a solid snapshot of who you are as a professional related to the job, then use it! And to reiterate, though a two-page resume is common today, only use a two-page resume if the information included is succinct, relevant, and valuable to the position you’re applying to.

How many pages should a resume be: when to use a three-page (or more) resume

As you’ve done your online search based on the keywords “how long should a resume be,” you’ve likely read that a resume should not ever be more than two pages unless you fall into some very specific categories. This is true and generally agreed upon in the world of recruiting and hiring.

Here are some scenarios where your resume might be three pages or longer:

You’re a consultant, freelancer, or contractor with several types of projects, clients, or jobs to include and explain
You’re looking for a job with the US Federal government, and the application requires you to include a lot of specific and detailed information
You’re applying for a job in academia or the sciences, which requires a longer resume
You’re seeking a high-level job within an organization and have extensive leadership and relevant experience to emphasize
You’re a professional with an extensive list of relevant awards or publications to include
You’re an experienced professional with several technical skills and abilities that are valuable to highlight

If the position you’re applying to falls outside of the US Federal government, academia, or the sciences, use caution when submitting a resume that’s longer than two pages - ensure all that’s included is highly relevant and valuable information.

How do I shorten my resume to one or two pages?

So, what if your resume should be one page or two pages, and it’s spilling over onto two or three pages, respectively? We’ve got you covered! Below are some tips to help you shorten your resume to the page length desired, depending on your unique circumstances.

Combine similar experience

Suppose you have several positions that include very similar experience. In that case, you have the option of combining that experience under a single heading or position. For example, if you were a server at three different restaurants, you could combine that experience under the position title “server” and include the name of the restaurants on a single line, followed by the bullet points of accomplishments. Use only three to five bullet points for each position

Keep your accomplishments for each position limited to three to five bullet points. Only include your most relevant and notable achievements.

Keep each bullet to two lines maximum

For each bullet point you include for each position, limit its length to two lines, max. You can shorten bullet points by using active language vs. passive language, which is more concise and brief. Also, avoid using complete sentences and leave out filler words, like “the,” “an,” and “that.”

Focus on achievements rather than duties

Only include accomplishments that highlight the results you achieved. Leave off mere duties and responsibilities, which rarely add much value.

Incorporate relevant experience only

If you have short-term positions, experience that goes back more than 15 years, or positions irrelevant to the job you’re applying to, leave them off. If you feel including them somewhere within your resume would add value, you can always add an Additional Experience section and list the title and name of the company you worked for, minus any bullet points or explanation.

Play with the margins

If your margins are currently one inch, consider going lower. You can go as low as 0.5 inches for margins on your resume, which will help to shorten the overall length.

Change the font

There are several acceptable resume fonts to choose from, and some are smaller than others. Play around with the font type until you find one that works well and helps to shorten your resume. In terms of font size, you can keep lowering it to get to the page length you desire, as long as you don’t go below 10. Anything smaller than a 10-point font is difficult to read.

How many pages should a resume be: one to two pages max!

In most instances, your resume should be one to two pages max, and only in very rare instances should it go longer than two pages. Choosing a one-page or a two-page resume depends on factors like your relevant experience, occupation, and personal preference based on your unique circumstances. Good luck!

Still wondering how many pages your resume should be? Why not submit for a free resume review with our team of expert resume writers