How Long Should a CV Be? A Guide to CV Length and Word Count
Your CV exists to give recruiters a quick, clear picture of your career history. Hiring managers are busy, and a concise CV lets them see at a glance who you are, what you can do, and whether your experience fits the role. But how long should it be?
Recruiters need to quickly decide who is the best candidate for the job. That’s why your CV length matters. You need to keep things short, sweet, and to the point to increase your chances of landing an interview.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How long a CV should be, and why it matters
- Which sections you need to include on your next CV
- Tips to shorten your CV if it's too long
- How CV length varies by country
How long should a CV be?
First up, let’s deal with the main question. According to industry standards, the recommended length for a CV is two A4 pages. The average job attracts hundreds of applications, so most recruiters and employers scan CVs for the essentials, rather than read them.
Long CVs with blocks of text are likely to turn recruiters off. You’re forcing them to wade through loads of text to figure out whether you’re a good candidate. On the other hand, if your CV is too short, there won’t be enough space to show off your full potential.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach. The perfect length for your CV depends on key factors:
- Work experience: The work experience you have usually dictates how long your CV is. For example, a one-page CV is usually sufficient for recent graduates.
- Industry: Some industries demand longer CVs than others. For instance, unlike other CVs, an academic CV is not usually restricted to two pages.
- Format: Choosing a certain CV format, such as a skill-based or hybrid structure, can also impact how long your CV is.
Perfecting your CV length doesn’t have to be hard. A professionally designed CV template helps you ensure a polished presentation for your application. Jobseeker's CV maker allows you to quickly add and rearrange sections for the best possible fit.
Next up, let’s take a look at when you should choose to create a CV of one, two, or more pages.
When to choose a one-page CV
If you’re new to the workforce, a one-page CV may be all you need. This length is ideal for students, graduates, and entry-level workers. If you have little or no work experience, the traditional reverse-chronological format will highlight that. A smarter choice may be to use a skills-based or functional CV format instead.
Since you haven’t held many positions, you can fit everything about your professional history onto a single page. Let the relevant experience you have guide the length.
Pros of a one-page CV
- Easy for recruiters to scan quickly
- Works well for newbie candidates
- Avoids padding CV with ‘fluff’
Cons of a one-page CV
- Not the hiring norm in the UK
- Leaves little room for detail
- Some industries expect longer CVs
When to choose a two-page CV
Most British candidates should choose a two-page CV. This gives you enough space to share your previous work experience, education, and the skills that make you the perfect match. However, if you have a lot to shout about, opting for a two-pager is the way to go.
Pros of a two-page CV
- Gives you the space to go into more detail
- Suits candidates who have held multiple roles
- Allows you to add extra sections like certifications
Cons of a two-page CV
- Can be too much if not scannable
- May tempt you to include irrelevant roles
- Keeping the format the same is harder
When to choose a CV with more than two pages?
There are rare cases when including a longer CV is appropriate. If you’re going for a job in academia, for example, the industry expectations are different. Academic CVs can be between three and five pages long. They typically include an exhaustive list of your qualifications, work experience, teaching experience, publications, research, awards and fellowships, professional memberships, and conference presentations.
If you’re high up in your career (like in the C-suite), you might find that you need more pages to share your expertise. However, avoid writing an overly long CV for the sake of it.
Pros of longer CVs
- Industry-standard in academia, medicine, and research
- Useful when applying for some senior or executive roles
- Plenty of space for publications and references
Cons of longer CVs
- Not suitable for most ‘general’ candidates
- Must be highly organised and formatted
- Older roles are likely no longer relevant
6 tips to shorten your CV
Now that you understand how long your CV should be, let’s get down to business. If your existing CV is too long, what can you do to make it shorter? Here are some tips to help you out.
Tip 1: Prioritise only relevant information
Your aim is to sell yourself for a particular role, not to describe in detail your entire career history. Work experience from more than 15 years ago can be omitted or bundled under one heading. It’s unlikely this information will still be as relevant as your more recent experience.
Tip 2: Get to the point and avoid repetition
Avoid including unnecessary information such as: your childcare arrangements, your salary expectations, your commuting arrangements or anything else that adds no value to your CV.
If you mention something in your skills section that you’ve already covered in your work experience, you’re wasting valuable space in your CV. Use your single best example in the appropriate section to showcase each essential skill, achievement or experience.
Data Insight
According to our survey, 31.1% of recruiters say they prefer a single page, and 82.1% of recruiters say they prefer between one and two pages. Ultimately, the right CV length comes down to your experience and the type of role you're applying to.
Tip 3: Leave out anything negative
Does the role require a driving licence, but you don’t have one? Perhaps you don’t have a particular skill that the employer is looking for. Leave this information out and focus on the positive. You can explain your lack of any requirement in an interview or a cover letter.
Expert Tip
You can finish your application in minutes with our simple cover letter generator. We have plenty of cover letter templates to help you out.
Tip 4: Use bullet points
CVs should be scannable. Write in the first person, but feel free to leave out the ‘I’ pronoun when listing points. The same goes for articles such as ‘a’, ‘an’, ‘the’ etc. Also, use bullet points rather than short sentences to avoid long blocks of text.
Tip 5: Use clear formatting
Rearrange the information and improve the layout of your CV. Here are some ideas:
- Use one line, not three. Add your contact details on a single line rather than using a separate line for each element.
- Reduce the white space. You could also reduce the white space between the different sections by adding one blank line instead of two.
- Shorten the line breaks. Add a space of 6 or 12 points before or after each paragraph, rather than pressing enter to leave a full line between them.
- Play around with the margins. Consider decreasing margins to 0.75 inches.
Take a look at our CV examples to see how to bets format your application. We have a wide range of samples you can use for creative inspiration.
Tip 6: Use a smaller font
Use a smaller font to save space, but be sure not to overdo it. Fonts such as Arial, Verdana or Calibri are easiest to read at 10 to 12 points. Avoid using font sizes smaller than 10 points, as this can reduce the readability and accessibility of your CV.
One-page CV templates
If you're looking for a great one-page template, check out some of our expertly designed options below. Make sure to choose a style that aligns with your industry and job title. You can find even more templates to choose from inside of the CV builder from Jobseeker.
Modern Professional CV Template
With a beautiful, two-column design and plenty of white space, this modern professional CV template hits the mark. It's perfect for candidates with a couple of years of experience.
Creative Designer CV Template
Featuring light design elements and a bold use of colour, this designer CV template is eye-catching. The one-pager would work alongside a creative portfolio.
Recent Graduate CV Template
Including a brief profile and employment history, this recent graduate CV template is ideal for early-career professionals. It uses two columns to save space.
How many pages should a CV be by country?
So far, we've focused on the norms for UK CVs, but what if you're looking for work abroad? Every country has its own best practices when it comes to job applications, so make sure to research examples or ask a native speaker to help.
Country | Best CV Page Length |
Australia 🇦🇺 | Two to four pages |
Canada 🇨🇦 | One to two pages |
China 🇨🇳 | One to two pages |
Denmark 🇩🇰 | One to two pages |
France 🇫🇷 | One page |
Germany 🇩🇪 | Two to three pages |
Japan 🇯🇵 | One to two pages |
Spain 🇪🇸 | One to two pages |
Sweden 🇸🇪 | One to two pages |
United Kingdom 🇬🇧 | Two pages |
One page |
You can also check out our articles on writing a CV for Qatar, a CV for Dubai or an Italian CV.
Key takeaways for CV length
Your career stage and your industry matter the most when it comes to choosing the right CV length for your next application. Two pages tends to be the sweet spot for most mid-to-senior candidates. However, you need to make sure that every line earns its place on your CV. Avoid padding out your application to make it look longer – a shorter CV with strong, relevant material beats a longer one with irrelevant details. Industry norms vary significantly, so familiarise yourself with what the standard is in your field.
Creating a CV that will win over recruiters doesn’t have to be hard. Jobseeker’s CV creation tool makes the whole thing a breeze. You can find even more tips and expert advice on our resources page.
Frequently asked questions about CV length
Longer or shorter: What's worse for a CV if I'm unsure?
If you’re unsure how long your CV should be, let your work experience guide you. Candidates with little or no work experience should go for one page. Those with more experience should opt for two pages.
Is 3 pages for a CV too long?
Yes, for most candidates, three pages is too long. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if you’re going for an academic role, there’s no official limit on how long your CV should be. Consider whether your field demands longer CVs first.
How many words should a CV be?
There’s no official word count for your CV. However, you should make sure that this document is scannable. Blocks of text are likely to turn off recruiters, which is the last thing you want.
How does a career change impact my CV length?
When writing a career change CV, the general rules still apply. However, the way you position your content may change. Focus on transferable skills and overlapping experience, where possible. You may also want to note your professional pivot in your personal statement.
Can my cover letter help manage my CV's length?
Yes. If you find that you’re over-explaining yourself in your CV, cut back and leave only the essential information there. You can elaborate on any key points or feats in your cover letter. When you've completed your CV, don't forget your cover letter. Take a look at our tailored cover letter examples to help you get started.
How far back should a CV go?
Most CVs only need to go back between 10 and 15 years. Anything older than that is likely not relevant to your application.
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