Job search & applications
How long should a CV be?
There is no single correct length, but there are sensible rules of thumb. Recruiters often have many applications to read, so a clear, focused CV usually works better than a long one.
General guidelines
- Early career or career changers: one page is usually enough.
- Most professionals: one to two pages.
- Senior roles: two pages is common, with recent roles in more detail.
- Academic, research and medical CVs: can be much longer, because they list publications, grants and training.
Country customs differ, so check what is normal for the market you are applying to.
How to shorten a long CV
- Cut roles older than about ten to fifteen years down to a line each.
- Remove duties that every person in the role does. Keep results and achievements.
- Delete outdated skills and anything unrelated to the job.
- Tailor it. A CV matched to the job ad is naturally shorter and stronger.
Relevance matters more than page count. If every line helps you get this job, the length is probably right.
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