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Quick answer
- Early career (student, first jobs): often one page.
- More experience: up to two pages is common.
- Canada: Job Bank says to limit your resume to two pages.
- UK: the Open University says a CV should ideally be no more than 2 pages (sides of A4) (source).
- Academic or medical CVs can be much longer; see CV vs resume.
There is no single rule every employer follows. A short, relevant resume is easier to skim than a long one.
One page vs two
| One page fits when… | Two pages fit when… |
|---|---|
| You have under a few years of work | You have many relevant roles or projects |
| You are changing field and most past work is less related | The job asks for detail (certifications, licences, tools) |
What to cut first
- Jobs older than about 15 years. Job Bank says to cut or minimize them.
- Bullets that don't relate to this job.
- Duties that are obvious from the job title.
- "References available upon request" (US and Canada; the UK National Careers Service says this line is fine on a UK CV; see references).
- Extra spacing, but keep the font readable; see resume font and size.
Related: Resume format · How to write a resume · ATS-friendly resume. Check your resume with the free ATS resume checker.
Sources
- Job Bank (Government of Canada): How to write a good resume
- National Careers Service (UK): CV sections
Advice differs by employer and country. Follow the job ad when it asks for something specific.
FAQ
Is a one-page resume better?
For students and early-career applicants, often yes. With more relevant experience, two pages is common.
Can a resume be three pages?
For most non-academic jobs, that is long. Academic and medical CVs are the usual exception.
How far back should my resume go?
Focus on recent work. Job Bank suggests cutting or minimizing experience older than 15 years.
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