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RESUME GUIDE 2026

How Long Should a Resume Be?

The definitive answer to resume length in 2026: Learn exactly how many pages your resume should be based on your experience level, industry, and career goals. Backed by what recruiters actually prefer.

1-2 Ideal Pages
7.4s Recruiter Review
77% Prefer 1 Page
Build Your Perfect Resume
Quick Answer: For most job seekers, one page is ideal. A one-page resume works best for entry-level to mid-career professionals with up to 10 years of experience. Two pages are acceptable for senior professionals with 10+ years of relevant experience, executives, or those in technical fields with extensive projects. Never exceed two pages unless you’re writing an academic CV or federal resume.
THE ANSWER

Resume Length: The Simple Rules

Recruiters spend an average of 7.4 seconds reviewing a resume. Here’s what length works best.

1

One Page

Standard for most candidates with 0-10 years of experience. Keeps your resume focused and easy to scan quickly.

Recommended
2

Two Pages

Acceptable for 10+ years of experience, executives, or technical roles with extensive relevant projects.

Senior Level
3+

Three+ Pages

Only for academic CVs, federal resumes, or medical/scientific positions requiring detailed credentials.

Special Cases
BY EXPERIENCE

Ideal Resume Length by Experience Level

Your years of experience determine the optimal length for your resume.

Experience Level Ideal Length Reasoning
Student / Entry-Level 1 Page Limited experience; focus on education, skills, internships, and projects
1-5 Years Experience 1 Page Enough to show progression; keep it focused on most relevant achievements
5-10 Years Experience 1-2 Pages One page preferred; two only if content is highly relevant
10-15 Years Experience 2 Pages Two pages justified; be selective about what to include
Senior Executive / C-Suite 2 Pages Board roles, P&L responsibility, and strategic leadership warrant detail
Academic / Research 3+ Pages (CV) CV format includes publications, grants, research, presentations

Why One Page Usually Works Best

Research and recruiter preferences support the one-page standard for most job seekers.

7.4s

Recruiters Skim Quickly

Studies show recruiters spend just 7.4 seconds on initial resume review. One page ensures they see your best content.

77%

Recruiter Preference

77% of recruiters prefer one-page resumes for candidates with less than 10 years of experience.

ATS

ATS-Friendly

One-page resumes are easier for Applicant Tracking Systems to parse and less likely to have formatting issues.

Focus

Forces Prioritization

Page limits make you highlight only your most impactful achievements, removing filler content.

BY INDUSTRY

Resume Length by Industry

Different industries have different expectations for resume length.

💼 Business & Finance

One page is standard. Focus on quantifiable achievements and business impact.

1 Page Results-Focused
💻 Tech & Software

One page for most. Two pages acceptable for senior engineers with extensive project portfolios.

1-2 Pages Skills-Heavy
📢 Marketing & Sales

One page strongly preferred. Your resume itself should demonstrate communication skills.

1 Page Metrics-Driven
🏥 Healthcare & Medical

Two pages often needed for certifications, licenses, and clinical experience details.

2 Pages Credentials-Heavy
🎓 Academia & Research

Academic CVs have no page limit. Include all publications, grants, presentations, and teaching.

3+ Pages CV Format
🏛️ Federal Government

Federal resumes follow specific formats. USAJOBS limits resumes to 2 pages under new requirements.

2 Pages Max Detailed Format
TIPS

How to Fit Your Resume on One Page

Strategic formatting and editing techniques to keep your resume concise.

1

Adjust Margins

Use 0.5″ to 0.75″ margins. Don’t go smaller than 0.5″ or the resume looks cramped.

2

Optimize Font Size

Use 10-11pt for body text. Never go below 10pt or above 12pt for main content.

3

Cut Old Positions

Remove jobs from 10+ years ago unless highly relevant. Focus on recent 10-15 years.

4

Limit Bullet Points

Use 3-5 bullets per job. Keep only the most impactful, quantifiable achievements.

5

Remove Filler

Cut “References available upon request,” objective statements, and obvious skills.

6

Condense Contact Info

Use one line: Name | Email | Phone | City | LinkedIn. No full address needed.

TWO PAGES

When a Two-Page Resume is Appropriate

TWO PAGES: YES
  • 10+ years of directly relevant experience
  • Senior executive or C-suite positions
  • Technical roles with extensive certifications
  • Every single line adds value to your candidacy
  • Job posting requests detailed experience
  • Career changers with transferable skills to highlight
TWO PAGES: NO
  • Page two is mostly white space
  • You have less than 10 years experience
  • Including irrelevant or outdated jobs
  • Padding content to look more experienced
  • Using large fonts and excessive spacing
  • You could cut content without losing value
Two-Page Rule: If you go to two pages, the second page should be at least half full with valuable content. Never submit a resume with page two containing only 2-3 lines. Either fill it or cut back to one page.
AVOID

Resume Length Mistakes to Avoid

1

Padding for Length

Adding irrelevant jobs, duties, or skills to fill pages. Quality beats quantity every time.

2

Tiny Font Sizes

Using 8-9pt font to squeeze everything in. If you can’t read it easily, neither can recruiters.

3

Eliminating White Space

Cramming content with no margins or spacing. Readability suffers, making your resume look desperate.

4

Including Everything

Listing every job since high school. Focus on the past 10-15 years of relevant experience.

5

Orphan Pages

Having only 2-3 lines spill onto page two. Either fill it properly or cut back to one page.

6

Same Resume for All Jobs

Not tailoring content to each position. Each application deserves a customized resume.

Optimal Resume Format Settings

These formatting guidelines help you maximize space while maintaining readability:

Element Recommended Minimum Maximum
Margins 0.75 inches 0.5 inches 1 inch
Body Font Size 10.5-11pt 10pt 12pt
Name/Header 14-16pt 12pt 18pt
Section Headers 11-12pt bold 10pt 14pt
Line Spacing 1.0-1.15 1.0 1.5
Bullets Per Job 3-5 2 7
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 3-page resume ever acceptable?
For standard job applications, no. Three or more pages are only appropriate for academic CVs, federal government resumes, medical professionals listing publications and grants, or when specifically requested by the employer. For private sector jobs, stick to 1-2 pages maximum.
Should a new graduate have a one-page resume?
Yes, absolutely. New graduates and entry-level candidates should always use a one-page resume. Focus on education, relevant coursework, internships, projects, skills, and extracurricular activities. You don’t have enough professional experience to justify two pages.
Does resume length affect ATS scanning?
Resume length doesn’t directly affect ATS (Applicant Tracking System) scanning, but shorter resumes tend to have better formatting consistency. Multi-page resumes can have parsing issues with headers and footers. Focus on including relevant keywords rather than adding length.
How many bullet points should I use per job?
Use 3-5 bullet points per job for recent positions. For older positions, 2-3 bullets are sufficient. Each bullet should highlight a quantifiable achievement, not just list responsibilities. More bullets for your current/recent role, fewer for older positions.
Can I use a two-column resume to save space?
Two-column layouts can help fit more content, but be cautious with ATS compatibility. Many ATS systems struggle to parse multi-column formats correctly. If you use columns, keep important content in a single-column main section and use the sidebar for skills or contact info only.
Should I include all my work experience?
No. Include only the past 10-15 years of relevant experience. Earlier positions can be summarized in one line or omitted entirely. Focus on roles that demonstrate skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. Quality and relevance matter more than completeness.
What’s the difference between a resume and CV length?
A resume is 1-2 pages and tailored to specific jobs. A CV (curriculum vitae) has no page limit and comprehensively documents your entire academic and professional history. In the US, use a resume for most jobs; use a CV only for academic, research, or scientific positions.
How long should a federal resume be?
As of 2024, USAJOBS limits federal resumes to 2 pages under the Merit Hiring Plan. Previously, federal resumes could be 4-5 pages. Include detailed descriptions of your experience, as federal hiring requires specific documentation of qualifications.
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Key Takeaways: Resume Length in 2026

Remember: One page works best for most job seekers. Keep your resume focused, relevant, and easy to scan. Recruiters spend only 7.4 seconds on initial review, so make every word count. Two pages are only justified with 10+ years of directly relevant experience.
  • One page is ideal for candidates with 0-10 years of experience
  • Two pages are acceptable for senior professionals with 10+ years
  • Three+ pages are only for academic CVs or federal resumes
  • Quality over quantity – every line should add value
  • Tailor for each job – remove irrelevant experience
  • Focus on achievements – not just responsibilities

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