What is the Ideal Resume Length in 2024? One Page vs. Two

The Great Resume Debate: One Page vs. Two Pages

The question of the ideal resume length has been a topic of debate among career experts for years. The traditional advice was to always stick to one page, no matter what. While that advice is still valid for a large portion of the workforce, the rules have evolved. The modern answer is more nuanced and depends entirely on one factor: your years of relevant experience.

Think of your resume as prime real estate. You want to use the space effectively to market yourself, but you don't want to build a sprawling mansion when a well-appointed apartment will do. A resume that is too long risks boring the recruiter; a resume that is too short risks selling yourself short.

For Students, Recent Graduates, and Early-Career Professionals (0-8 Years of Experience)

The Verdict: Strictly one page.

At this stage in your career, you should be able to condense your most relevant experiences, skills, projects, and education onto a single, impactful page. Recruiters for entry-level and junior roles spend only a few seconds scanning each resume. A concise document that is easy to skim is far more effective. A one-page limit forces you to be ruthless in your editing, ensuring that only the most important and relevant information makes the cut. If you're struggling to fill one page, consider adding sections for relevant projects, volunteer work, or certifications.

For Mid-Career and Experienced Professionals (8-15+ Years of Experience)

The Verdict: One or two pages are acceptable, but two pages are increasingly common.

Once you have a decade or more of relevant, career-progressing experience, trying to cram it all onto one page can be counterproductive. You may be forced to cut out valuable accomplishments or use a tiny font that makes the document unreadable. In this case, expanding to a two-page resume is perfectly acceptable and often preferred.

Rules for a Two-Page Resume:

1. The 'Front Page' is Most Important: Your most critical information—your professional summary, your most recent and relevant roles, and your key skills—must still be on the first page.

2. The Second Page Must Not Be Empty: A second page should only be used if you have enough relevant content to fill at least half of it. A second page with only one or two old jobs on it looks weak.

3. It Must Be Relevant Experience: Don't use a second page to list irrelevant part-time jobs from college. Every role on a two-page resume should contribute to the narrative of your professional journey.

For Senior-Level Executives, Academics, and Scientists (15++ Years of Experience)

The Verdict: A two-page or even three-page resume (or a longer CV) is standard.

For C-level executives, senior managers, or those in academic, medical, or scientific fields with extensive publications, speaking engagements, and projects, a longer document is expected. The focus is on providing a comprehensive overview of a long and impactful career. In academia, this document is a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and can be many pages long.

The Golden Rule for Resume Length:

Your resume should be as long as it needs to be to tell your professional story effectively, but not a single word longer.

Don't add fluff to reach two pages, and don't cut out major achievements to stick to one page if your experience warrants more space. Let your level of experience be your guide.