How Long Should Your Resume Be? The Modern Answer
The one-page rule is dead. Here's what actually works in today's job market.
Let's be real: if you've ever applied for a job, you've probably agonized over the length of your resume. For decades, the gospel was simple and unforgiving: one page, no exceptions. But in today's world of digital applications and dynamic careers, does that ancient rule still hold up?
The short answer? Not really.
The modern take on resume length is less of a strict rule and more of a philosophy: your resume should be as long as necessary to tell your story, but as short as possible to keep it impactful. It's a balancing act. The goal isn't to hit an arbitrary page count but to create a compelling marketing document that makes a recruiter say, "I need to talk to this person."
So, what's the right length for you? It all comes down to where you are in your career.
The Entry-Level Pro (0-8 Years of Experience): One Page is Still King
If you're a student, a recent grad, or in the first several years of your career, the one-page resume is still your best friend. Why?
It proves you can prioritize. Fitting your education, internships, and early achievements onto a single page shows recruiters you know how to be concise and focus on what's important—a skill every employer values.
It's designed for a quick scan. Recruiters for entry-level roles are often sifting through hundreds of applications. A clean, one-page document makes it easy for them to spot your potential in seconds.
Trying to stretch your experience to two pages at this stage often leads to adding "fluff," which dilutes the impact of your actual accomplishments. Stick to one page and make every word count.
The Mid-Career Professional (8-15 Years): Welcome to the Two-Page Zone
This is where things get interesting. Once you hit around a decade of experience, the one-page rule starts to work against you. Trying to cram 10+ years of promotions, projects, and quantifiable achievements onto a single page can result in a cluttered, unreadable mess.
For mid-career folks, a two-page resume is not only acceptable but often preferred. It gives you the space to:
- Detail your career progression and leadership roles.
- Showcase a variety of significant projects and skills.
- Tell a richer, more compelling story without sacrificing precious white space.
Recruiters are actually 2.9 times more likely to prefer a two-page resume for managerial roles, so don't be afraid to take the space you need. The key is to make sure that the second page is just as valuable as the first.
The Senior Leader & Executive (15+ Years): Two Pages is the Standard
For seasoned professionals, VPs, and C-suite executives, a two-page resume is the expected standard. At this level, a one-page resume can be a red flag, suggesting a lack of significant accomplishments or an inability to articulate a high-level strategic narrative.
In some exceptional cases, like for executives with decades of experience, extensive publications, or global achievements, a three-page resume can be appropriate. But for most, two pages is the sweet spot. The focus should be on the last 10-15 years of your career, as that's what's most relevant to your next big move.
But What About the Robots? (ATS vs. Human Readers)
A huge source of anxiety is the Applicant Tracking System (ATS)—the software that scans your resume before a human ever sees it. Many people believe you need a super-short resume to please the "bots."
This is a myth.
Applicant Tracking Systems don't penalize you for length. In fact, a well-crafted two-page resume can be an advantage, giving you more room to include the relevant keywords the ATS is searching for.
The real enemy of the ATS is bad formatting. The software gets confused by columns, tables, graphics, and fancy fonts. A clean, single-column format is your safest bet, whether it's one page or two.
For the human reader, readability is everything. A cramped, tiny-font, one-page resume is far more likely to get tossed than a well-organized two-page document that's easy on the eyes.
Practical Tips: Making Your Resume Fit
Whether you're trying to trim down or fill out, here are a few tricks of the trade.
To Shrink Your Resume:
• Adjust Your Margins and Font. You can shrink margins to as little as 0.5 inches and use a professional 10-point font like Helvetica or Times New Roman.
• Cut the Filler. Be ruthless. Remove filler words like "a," "the," and "successfully". Every bullet point should start with a strong action verb ("Managed," "Created," "Increased").
• Focus on the Last 10-15 Years. Experience older than that can be heavily summarized or removed entirely.
• Ditch Obsolete Sections. No one needs "References available upon request" anymore. And unless your hobbies are directly relevant to the job, leave them out.
To Expand to a Second Page:
• Add a "Projects" or "Certifications" Section. Use the extra space to provide more detail on technical skills, key projects, or professional development.
• Don't Split a Job Entry. The page break should never happen in the middle of describing a role.
• Add a Simple Header. On the second page, just include your name and "Page 2." No need to repeat all your contact info.
The Final Verdict
So, how long should your resume be? The answer isn't a number—it's a strategy. Ditch the outdated one-page rule and instead focus on creating a clear, compelling, and readable document that does justice to your experience. Whether that's one page or two, the right length is the one that gets you the interview.
