Is two pages really the gold standard?
You’ve probably heard the advice that a CV should be two pages long, but is that always the case? Can a CV be more than two pages? Or less? Our team of professional CV writers generally aims for a two-page CV wherever possible, but rules are meant to be broken! In this article, we’re investigating the benefits and drawbacks of a two-page CV and finding out when to throw the rulebook out the window.
Benefits of a 2-page CV
We know that two pages is the length that most job applicants aspire to, and that most hiring managers prefer to read, but why?
Two pages is the standard length
Imagine you're an HR manager and you've just received a 37-page CV. How on earth would you tackle that? Hard to process, right? Believe it or not, many recruiters have encountered similar situations.
While this example is a record-breaking one-off, it teaches us a valuable lesson: employers aren't looking to read your autobiography ‒ they want to quickly understand why you're the right fit. In fact, a survey on CV length revealed that 91% of recruiters prefer two-page CVs, making it clear that brevity and relevance are key.
Recruiters and hiring managers are time-poor
Now imagine you're an HR manager who's received 20 CVs, each five pages long, but you only have 30 minutes to review them. That's a tall order and, believe it or not, it's not uncommon.
The latest eye-tracking study found that recruiters spend just 7.4 seconds reviewing an application – giving you only moments to create a strong impression and move your candidacy forward.
The easiest way to achieve this? Reduce your CV to the standard length of two pages. The study also showed that engaged recruiters spend as much time on the second page as the first, but only if the first page is compelling. Beyond that, attention tends to drop, regardless of initial interest.
Details over 10 years old are unnecessary
A common change that professional CV writers make to CVs is shortening or deleting employment history that's over a decade old. That's because employers only want to see your recently developed hard and soft skills. Today is most likely the peak of your career, so why would you draw attention to lower-level skills from way back when?
If you're still wary, let this tidbit reassure you: your CV doesn't need to cover your entire career history. Employers, HR managers, and recruiters know this. If jobs from over 10 years ago don't appear on your CV, they won't assume you were unemployed.
If you’re asking “can a CV be over two pages?” you may find that it really doesn’t need to be if you implement this rule.
It focuses attention on your best bits
The chances are that if your CV is over two pages long, irrelevant waffle is clouding the gems in your work history. It’s time to extract the most pertinent points that are relevant to your target role.
You’ll find that what's left on your two-page CV is a strong career narrative, your best skills, and proof of your qualifications.
Drawbacks of a 2-page CV
The main disadvantage of a two-page CV lies in the writing. It can be hard to condense your entire life story onto just two sides of A4! That said, it’s usually worth the extra effort as a concise, best-practice CV is likely to win out over a long, rambling document.
Understand how to write CV work experience, make every word count, and keep details relevant to the role – you’ll see it’s perfectly possible. If that sounds like too much hard work, you can always call in a professional CV writer to help!
When a longer or shorter CV might be acceptable
On average, two pages is the perfect CV length. It's true that one size doesn't fit all, as best practice varies based on the level of your experience.
When can a CV be longer than two pages? Can it ever be shorter? While two pages is a length that suits most professionals, you may not find it appropriate if you are:
A student or recent graduate: With minimal professional experience, you may be able to fit your career onto just one page – and that’s absolutely fine!
A senior executive: With an extensive and progressive career behind you, two pages may sell you short. If there’s any way you can write a strong CV in two pages, then do – but there’s no harm going to three pages as long as you keep it relevant and concise.
A contractor or freelancer: If you’ve worked on numerous short-term contracts, two pages is likely unfeasible. No problem. Roles where the remit and responsibilities were similar can be grouped together. You can make your cut-off point five to eight years, rather than 10. And if you’re still struggling – three pages is absolutely fine.
2-page CV example
Can a CV be two pages long and still pack a punch? If you’re not convinced that a strong two-page CV is feasible, check out this example:
Turn the next page in your career
So can a CV be more than two pages? The answer is to do what’s right for you and your career. Equipped with an understanding of the rules and when to break them, you’re ready to edit your CV to the perfect length for you personally.
If updating your CV feels overwhelming, a professional CV writer can prune it into a focused and high-impact document. Contact TopCV to get started!
This article was originally written by Laura Slingo and has been updated by Jen David.
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Jen David is the Director of CV Shed. She has been writing CVs since 2010 and is a certified CV Writer. She has worked with clients in numerous industries and at all stages of their careers, from students through to senior executives of global businesses. She loves producing polished, focused CVs, enabling her clients to take the next step in their careers. Jen has written numerous articles for publication on industry-leading job boards.
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