How Long Should Your Resume Be? The Ideal Length in 2024

Key Takeaways on Resume Length

• Understand the optimal length for your resume based on your background and career stage.
• Discover expert techniques to create a clean, ATS-friendly resume layout, regardless of length.
• Identify common resume length mistakes and learn how to avoid them.

Determining the appropriate length for a resume can feel like navigating an unspoken rule. Is a single page sufficient? Will two pages make you appear unfocused? Is there ever a valid reason to use three pages?

The truth is, the ideal resume length varies depending on your experience, career level, resume format, and the specific role or industry you're targeting. There's no one-size-fits-all answer. While guidelines can be helpful, the most effective resumes are tailored to the desired position and highlight your unique value proposition.

This article will guide you in determining the appropriate length for your resume and introduce tools that can help you create a compelling resume quickly.

Factors Influencing Resume Length

The most effective resumes clearly demonstrate why you are a strong candidate. Whether this requires one, two, or even three pages depends on several factors:

• The relevance of your experience
• Your career stage
• Industry standards
• Your resume's layout

Let's explore each of these in more detail.

Relevant Experience

It can be tempting to include every job, task, and skill you've acquired, but this can distract from the most important aspect: demonstrating why you're the right fit for the specific position.

As one expert notes, your resume should showcase the top 10% of your experience that is directly relevant to the role you're applying for. Think of it as a sales document, not a comprehensive history.

Therefore, focus on the roles and achievements that best align with the job description.

Example:

Miriam, a UX designer, is applying to a marketing startup. Here's what she should include and exclude:

✅ Relevant UX design roles ✅ A marketing internship ❌ A previous investment banking internship

Career Stage

Generally, the more specialized or senior your experience, the more space you might need on your resume. However, regardless of your career stage, your resume should always be tailored to the specific role you're seeking.

Here's how this applies at different career levels:

Early-Career (0–5 years)

If you're a student, recent graduate, or just starting out in your field, your resume should typically be one page. Highlight only the positions, internships, or apprenticeships that are directly relevant to the jobs you're targeting.

Example:

Tom, a recent graduate, is applying for entry-level human resources (HR) roles. His resume includes:

✅ An HR internship where he assisted with resume screening and interview scheduling ✅ A part-time campus orientation leader position where he trained and onboarded new students ❌ A high school babysitting job ❌ A part-time cashier role

Tom should include the first two entries as they relate to HR. The other two are not relevant and should be omitted.

Mid-Career (6–15 years)

One to two pages is usually ideal. The goal is to showcase a clear and relevant progression of your experience.

To achieve this:

• Focus on the last 10 years, unless you have had a long tenure (10+ years) in a specific role.
• Highlight career advancement by mentioning promotions, leadership roles, or transitions between different types of companies (e.g., from a startup to a large corporation).
• Use strong bullet points that begin with action verbs and include specific results, ideally quantified with data such as percentages, time saved, or revenue impact. For example, "Launched a well-being program that improved employee retention by 28% in nine months" is more effective than "Improved retention."
• Include more details for recent, relevant roles and fewer details for older jobs, unless they directly relate to the desired position.

Executives and Specialists

Two or three pages may be appropriate, but one page could suffice.

A single page might be best if you've held only two or three executive positions (e.g., Vice President of Product and Chief Operating Officer) and have achieved significant, strategic accomplishments in each role (e.g., led a successful merger and acquisition).

Two pages are standard for most executives, particularly if you've progressed through various roles or companies.

Three pages may be suitable for executive positions that require specific qualifications or extensive professional experience, such as those in academia, aerospace, or healthcare.

What if I'm switching careers or freelancing?

A one- or two-page resume can still work, but you'll need to structure it strategically.

If your experience is unconventional, consider using a functional resume format (also known as a skills-based resume). This format organizes your background by skills rather than job titles. Ensure that the skills you highlight align with the requirements of the target role(s). For example, if you're transitioning into HR, emphasize skills like training, onboarding, or compliance management, even if you've used them in a different context.

You could also use a combination format if your skills alone don't tell the whole story. Begin with your most relevant skills and then list your work experience. Highlight key projects, outcomes, and certifications that demonstrate transferable skills, and tailor everything to the target role.

A single page is likely sufficient if you're early in your career or making a focused career change. A second page can be helpful for showcasing additional relevant work, but be selective and omit anything that doesn't relate to the position you're applying for.

Industry Norms

Different industries have varying expectations regarding resume length:

Resume Layout

Your resume layout affects its length and readability, which is important for busy hiring teams and applicant tracking systems (ATS) that quickly scan for specific information.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Use line breaks to create space between resume sections (e.g., Professional Summary, Work Experience, Key Skills).
• Keep bullet points concise, ideally no more than two lines each.
• Use easy-to-read fonts (like Calibri, Arial, or Helvetica) in 11–12 point size for the body text.
• Emphasize key information using larger font sizes (e.g., 16 point for section titles) or bolded text (e.g., for key accomplishments).
• Consider a two-column layout to save space. This layout reduces page count while providing ample white space to prevent a cramped appearance.
• Avoid design elements like graphics, images, or embedded icons, which can hinder an ATS's ability to read your resume correctly.

It is a myth that ATS systems cannot read two-column resumes. Modern ATS tools can handle them effectively, so compatibility is not a concern.

Common Resume Length Mistakes

Here's a list of mistakes to avoid when creating your resume:

❌ Including every job you've ever held. Focus on roles relevant to the job you're applying for. ❌ Trying to stretch a short career history into two pages. A focused one-page resume is more impactful than a padded two-page one. ❌ Using large blocks of text. Long paragraphs obscure your key accomplishments and can cause recruiters to lose interest. Limit paragraphs to 3–4 sentences and use bullet points whenever possible. ❌ Forgetting that recruiters scan before reading. A clean layout, clear headings, and bolded keywords will make your resume stand out positively. ❌ Failing to tailor your resume for each job. Update it to reflect the experience, skills, and results that are most relevant to the specific position.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 4-page resume too long?

Yes, a four-page resume is almost always too long. Aim to keep it to 1–2 pages by focusing on relevant roles and trimming older or unrelated experience.

What resume format helps fit more experience into fewer pages?

The reverse-chronological format allows you to showcase the most experience while remaining easy to scan. Combination and functional formats can be useful for career changers or roles that emphasize skills.

Does using a two-column resume layout help reduce resume length?

Yes, a two-column layout can help reduce resume length by using horizontal space more efficiently. For example, you can place skills, contact details, and extra information in a narrower side column.

Can I use a smaller font or tighter spacing to fit my resume on one page?

Using a smaller font or tighter spacing can help you fit your resume on one page, but exercise caution. Fonts smaller than 10 points and spacing less than 1.2x can negatively affect readability.