How Long Should a CV Be: Ideal CV Length in 2025

Many job seekers ask, how long should a CV be when applying for roles across industries. For most non‑academic positions, a focused 1–2 page CV works best; U.S. academic and research roles commonly justify longer, multi‑page CVs to list publications, grants, and research outputs.

Why this matters: in 2025 recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems often only spend seconds reviewing each document, so the right length and structure can directly affect whether your job application gets noticed. Prioritize relevant information, use clear formatting, and place your strongest achievements where they are seen first — these choices make every page count.

That balance — relevance over unnecessary space — increases your chance of standing out to both human recruiters and automated systems. Quick TL;DR: entry‑level = 1 page; mid‑career (10+ years experience) = typically 2 pages when every line adds value; academic/research = multiple pages as needed. What you’ll learn: recommended pages by seniority, ATS best practices, and practical formatting tips. Use the jump links below to go directly to pages, ATS guidance, or tools (pages | ATS | tools). If you’re unsure which option fits the role or employer, tailor the page count to the job and industry — prioritize relevance and clarity over length for the best result.

What a CV?

A CV (curriculum vitae) is a concise, structured document that summarizes your qualifications, education, work history, skills, and notable achievements so an employer or admissions panel can evaluate your fit. Typical CV sections include: Contact Information, Personal Statement/Summary, Education, Work Experience, Skills & Achievements, and (for academic CVs) Publications, Grants, Research, and Presentations.

Quick summary: use a CV when you need a comprehensive record of academic or research outputs; use a resume for a concise, role‑focused application in industry. U.S. academic roles commonly include long lists of publications and grants; for most industry positions, keep the information targeted to the job and restrict the number of pages unless extra detail is essential.

Below is a quick comparison to help you decide whether to use a CV or a resume for a particular case:

Aspect	Resume	CV (Curriculum Vitae)
Purpose	Concise job application for a specific position	Comprehensive record for academic, research, or specialized roles
Audience	Hiring managers and recruiters in industry	Academic committees, research panels, grant reviewers
Length	Typically 1–2 pages, tailored to the role	Often multiple pages for academic CVs; can be longer
Content	Selected achievements and skills relevant to the job	Full list of publications, papers, research, grants
Objective Statements & References	Optional short summary; references provided on request	May include detailed academic objectives and references
Formatting	Streamlined format with emphasis on readability and keywords	Structured sections, sometimes longer lists and publications

Example (illustrative) — academic CV entry: Education — PhD in Molecular Biology, University X (2015–2019); Publications: 8 peer‑reviewed papers; Grants: NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship. When lists grow long, use a “Selected publications” line (for example, “Selected publications: 5 of 30; full list on request”) so reviewers see the most relevant items quickly. Replace exhaustive lists with targeted entries that match the job description to make your information easier to scan and more relevant to the role.

Video overview:

In many regions a CV functions like a resume; in others it remains an exhaustive record for research careers. Pay attention to local expectations and tailor the number of pages and depth of entries to the employer and the role. Quick case examples: a student CV should emphasize projects and coursework with limited work bullets; an academic CV lists research, teaching, and papers in separate sections; an experienced professional leads with the most recent, relevant work and measurable achievements per role.

How Many Pages Should a CV Be?

You want a document that reflects your experience without overwhelming recruiters. Aim to highlight strengths, prioritize relevant information, and keep the overall length manageable so both humans and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) can find the key facts quickly. Quick reference: default = 1–2 pages; senior/manager = 2–3 pages; academic/research = 3+ pages.

Recommended CV lengths:

Pages	Ideal For	Reason
1–2	Majority of applicants (entry to mid‑level)	Streamlined overview of skills and recent achievements; best for those with under ~10 years of experience
2–3	Senior, managerial, or specialist roles	Provides room for leadership, multiple roles, and significant project results (e.g., 10–20 years of experience or several major projects)
3+	Academic, research, or highly technical positions	Needed to list publications, grants, teaching, and extensive research or project portfolios

Practical rules of thumb

• Under ~10 years experience: aim for 1–2 pages and make sure your strongest achievements appear on the first page.
• 10–20 years experience: 2–3 pages can be appropriate when every line adds value.
• PhD/research careers: accept 3+ pages for publications and grants, but keep sections organized and purposeful.

ATS and CV length — key guidance

When deciding pages, remember how ATS and reviewers evaluate documents. Keep these practical points in mind:

1. ATS often scan the entire document, so include relevant keywords throughout headings and bullets.
2. Prioritize role‑aligned information near the top so both ATS and hiring managers see it first.
3. Longer CVs can overwhelm readers — trim older or irrelevant roles to keep focus.
4. Keyword placement is crucial — use job‑title variations and skill keywords naturally in headers and the first bullets of each role.
5. Avoid complex formatting (text boxes, images, unusual fonts); many ATS struggle to parse them reliably.
6. Use clear, standard headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills) so parsers can categorize entries.
7. Be concise but comprehensive — only keep sections that demonstrably support the role you’re applying to.
8. Don’t pad with irrelevant early‑career jobs, lengthy hobbies, or outdated software; they add length without improving fit.

Examples: Product manager case — a product manager with 12 years experience and three major product launches can justify two to three pages if each project bullet shows measurable outcomes; for example: “Led cross‑functional launch that generated $2.1M ARR in year one and reduced churn 8% (Go‑to‑Market, stakeholder management).” Student / early‑career example — a recent graduate or analyst should keep to one page, listing internships and 2–4 strong bullets per role — for example: “Intern, Data Analyst — Acme Corp (Jun–Aug 2022): Built dashboard improving reporting time by 30% (Python, SQL).”

For deeper technical details about how ATS treats file length and formatting, see the “How the ATS Processes CV Length” section below — and use those tips when tailoring your CV for a specific job you’re applying to. If you want to test parsing, make sure to run your file through an ATS preview tool before submitting.

How to Make your CV Stand out?

Your resume is often a recruiter’s first impression of your professional experience. Pair a clean, readable format with a strategic focus on measurable achievements to grab attention. It’s important to consider how long should a cv be, but every line should add value — not length.

Many organizations use Applicant Tracking Systems, so present the right details for both machines and people. Avoid packing your CV with unrelated history that buries your top skills and achievements. Highlight core strengths and tailor information to the role to increase your chance of progressing. Quick “do this now” checklist: 1) Put 2–3 measurable achievements on page one; 2) Keep bullets tight (3–5 per role); 3) Run an ATS preview after edits (see Helpful Tools).

1) ATS Scans Entire Resume

Most ATS parse the full document for keywords, job titles, dates, and skills. Include relevant keywords naturally in headings and bullet points so the job description alignment is clear to both the parser and a human reviewer.

2) Prioritizes Relevant Information

Recruiters and hiring managers focus on recent, role‑aligned accomplishments. Emphasize the achievements that best match the position rather than an exhaustive chronology — make sure the most relevant experience appears near the top.

3) Longer CVs Can Be Overwhelming

Multi‑page documents risk losing a reader’s attention. Keep entries lean: focus on impact, not duties, and remove material that doesn’t support your current career goals or relevant experience.

4) Keyword Placement is Crucial

Position job‑specific language in section headers and the first few bullets of each role. Use natural synonyms and exact phrases from the job description to increase matches without keyword stuffing.

5) ATS Struggles with Complex Formatting

Avoid text embedded in images, text boxes, headers/footers, and unusual fonts: many systems can’t reliably read content in those elements. Use a simple one‑column layout and plain text for core details so parsers capture your information.

6) Clear Structure and Simplicity Matter

Use standard headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills) and consistent date formats so ATS can categorize entries and recruiters can scan quickly. A consistent structure helps both machines and people find your achievements.

7) CVs Should Be Concise but Comprehensive

Include enough detail to prove fit — scope, action, result — but summarize older or less relevant roles. Keep the most relevant work and achievements near the top of the document and favor outcome‑focused bullets.

8) Avoid Unnecessary Information

Don’t pad your CV with unrelated early‑career jobs, lengthy hobby lists, or outdated software names. Those items add length without improving your match and can distract hiring managers from your measurable achievements.

Actionable micro-tips

• Quantify: highlight metrics — e.g., “Increased retention 18% in 12 months” rather than “improved retention.”
• Bullets: use 3–5 tight bullet points per role focused on results and the tools or skills used (e.g., “Python, SQL”).
• Formatting: short sentences, consistent dates, and a single column improve scanability and ATS parsing.
• Test: run your CV through an ATS preview tool after edits (see Helpful Tools) to catch parsing issues and confirm keywords are picked up — try the preview now.

Before / After example bullets:

Before:

• Responsible for customer success and onboarding.

After: Structure: action + metric + timeframe

• Led onboarding program that reduced time‑to‑value by 30% and improved NPS by 12 points over two quarters.

Before:

• Worked on product launch.

After: Include tools/skills to help ATS match

• Coordinated cross‑functional launch of SaaS product that generated $1.2M ARR in year one (Go‑to‑Market, stakeholder management).

Non‑product example — Before: “Handled monthly financial reports.” After: “Streamlined monthly close process, reducing close time from 8 to 4 days and improving forecast accuracy by 15% (Excel, SAP).”

How to Shorten Your CV?

You may wonder how many pages should a resume be when your details start to overflow. Quick cut‑now rule: pick one role and remove or compress one dated item to free up space immediately. Generally, prioritize recent, role‑relevant information — items older than ~10–15 years are often optional unless directly relevant. Focus on big wins with measurable impact and turn routine duties into concise accomplishment‑focused lines so the document highlights value, not filler.

1) Focus on relevance

Study the job description and pull the roles, projects, and achievements that best position you for the role you’re applying to. Remove or compress early‑career and unrelated positions; replace long lists with selected, high‑impact examples. Quick “what to cut”: very old jobs, outdated certifications, long hobby lists, and repetitive duties that don’t show measurable results.

2) Be concise

Use short sentences and targeted bullet points so recruiters can absorb key data fast. Aim for 3–5 bullets per role with result‑first language (metric + action + outcome). Convert duties into outcomes — e.g., “Managed team” → “Managed 6‑person team to deliver X, improving Y by Z%.”

3) Condense your personal summary

Limit your personal statement to 2–4 lines that summarize your top skills and the value you bring. Make sure the first sentence communicates your role and most relevant achievement so a reviewer sees your fit within seconds.

4) Leave details for the cover letter

Use the cover letter for narrative explanations or motivations; keep the CV for crisp, verifiable accomplishments. If something is important but long, mention a short line on the CV and expand in the letter.

5) Adjust font and margins

Use a readable font (10–12 pt body, 14–16 pt headings) and consistent spacing to save space without sacrificing clarity. Keep margins around 0.5–1 inch and avoid excessive line spacing so more content fits while remaining scannable.

6) Prioritize achievements

Lead with measurable outcomes and the highest‑impact accomplishments. Move 2–3 top metrics to the top of page one so hiring managers see your strongest results first — metrics beat duties for showing fit.

7) Remove unnecessary headers

Strip nonessential section headers (long “Interests” or “Hobbies” lists) or combine them under a short “Additional” or “Projects” heading. Fewer headers reduce clutter and help ATS and humans focus on core sections.

8) Exclude outdated experiences

Drop roles, tools, or courses that are no longer relevant to your target job. If an older role is important for context, summarize it in one line under “Early Experience” rather than full bullets.

How to cut one page now — quick checklist

• Remove roles older than ~15 years unless directly relevant.
• Compress early‑career jobs into a single “Early Experience” line.
• Reduce bullets to 3 per role and favor metrics over duties.
• Drop outdated tools/certificates and long hobby lists.

Quick formatting & editing checklist

• Use readable font (10–12 pt body, 14–16 pt headings) and consistent spacing to save space without sacrificing clarity.
• Keep margins 0.5–1 inch and avoid excessive line spacing to fit content cleanly.
• Condense long role descriptions into 3 strong bullets that show scope, action, and measurable result.
• Remove outdated software/tools and replace vague verbs with result‑oriented language.
• Make sure key achievements appear on page one — hiring managers often scan the first page closely.

Include ATS-aware reminders

When shortening your CV, keep these ATS‑focused points visible in your edits (this repeats core guidance so you don’t miss it):

1. ATS often scan the entire document, so include relevant keywords throughout headings and bullets.
2. Prioritize role‑aligned information near the top so both ATS and hiring managers see it first.
3. Longer CVs can be overwhelming — trim older or irrelevant roles to keep focus.
4. Use natural job‑title variations and skill keywords in section headers and the first bullets.
5. Avoid complex formatting (text boxes, images, unusual fonts) which can break parsing.
6. Use standard headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills) so parsers can categorize entries.
7. Keep the CV concise but comprehensive — include only what demonstrates fit.
8. Don’t pad with irrelevant early‑career roles, hobbies, or outdated software.

Before / After example

Note: examples are illustrative.

Before:

• Responsible for marketing campaigns, social media, and events.

After:

• Led integrated marketing campaigns that increased qualified leads 40% year‑over‑year and reduced cost‑per‑lead 22% (Google Ads, HubSpot).

Early‑career example — Before:

• Intern — multiple part‑time roles.

After:

• Intern, Data Analyst — Acme Corp, Jun–Aug 2022: Built dashboard centralizing KPIs, reducing reporting time by 30% (Python, SQL).

Senior example — Before:

• Several managerial roles over 15 years.

After:

• Senior Product Manager — Company Y, 2016–2023: Led cross‑functional team of 12 to launch three products, driving $5M incremental ARR (OKRs, Agile, stakeholder management).

Final step: after you shorten and reformat, run an ATS preview to check parsing and confirm your keywords are detected (see Helpful Tools).

How to Navigate Gaps in a CV？

One‑line template (copy/paste): 2019–2020 — Career break for family care; completed UX certification and freelanced on two product redesign projects.

Short breaks for travel, parental leave, health reasons, or upskilling are common — you don’t need to hide them. Briefly note the reason for the gap in one line and highlight how you used the time to build relevant skills or gain practical experience. Include concise evidence such as online courses, volunteering, freelance work, or project outcomes to show transferable abilities (project management, research, communication). Recruiters prefer concise, honest explanations that show reflection and growth.

How to present gaps (succinct): use a one‑line date range + brief reason, then 1–2 bullets of related activity or results placed in the appropriate section. For example: “2019–2020 — Career break to care for family; completed online UX course and freelanced on two product redesign projects.” Put short courses under Education/Certifications, freelance projects under Work Experience or Projects, and volunteering under Skills/Interests — this turns a pause into demonstrable, job‑relevant gains.

Sample gap templates (single‑line, copy/paste):

• Entry — 2022: Study break; completed capstone project in data analysis — built dashboard used in class research.
• Mid — 2019–2020: Family leave; completed 6‑month UX certification and freelanced on two product redesigns (UX research, Figma).
• Senior — 2017–2018: Sabbatical for professional development; led independent research project and presented findings at a regional conference.
• Health‑related gap — 2021: Medical leave; completed remote project management course and volunteered as logistics coordinator for a local NGO.

Placement & formatting tips: list date ranges consistently (YYYY or Month YYYY–Month YYYY), keep gap explanations to one line, and use bullets to show concrete outputs (courses completed, freelance projects, volunteer roles). Tailor the activities to the job you’re applying for so transferable skills are clear, and be ready to expand in your cover letter or interview if asked. Briefly prepare a neutral verbal explanation for interviews (e.g., “I took time to care for family and completed X, Y, Z to stay current”) and note that legal protections and acceptable phrasing vary by country — avoid oversharing sensitive health details when possible.

What to Include in a CV？

Your CV should open with concise contact details so recruiters or hiring teams can reach you quickly. Every section should serve a clear purpose: demonstrate your qualifications, surface the most relevant experience, and make it easy for an employer to see your fit for the position. Students and experienced professionals differ: students emphasize Education & Projects; experienced hires lead with the most relevant Work Experience and a short Professional Summary.

Start with: name, professional email, phone number, and (optional) LinkedIn URL or portfolio. In some countries a photo is common; in the United States it’s usually omitted to avoid bias. Below are compact, copy/paste‑ready templates and one‑line examples for each core section (replace items in [brackets] with your details).

1. Contact Information 

• Template (one line): Name • Email • Phone • City, State • LinkedIn/Portfolio (optional). Avoid personal data like birthdate or marital status for U.S./EU applications.

2. Personal Statement / Summary

• Template (2–4 lines): Senior product manager with 8+ years experience in B2B SaaS; led cross‑functional teams to deliver three product launches generating [X ARR]. (State role, top skills, one key achievement.)

3. Education

• Template (one line per entry): Degree, Major — Institution, City — [Month Year]–[Month Year]. Include honors, thesis (if relevant), and key courses for students.

4. Work Experience

• Template (job block): Job Title — Employer, Location — [Month Year]–[Month Year]; 3 bullets focused on achievements (scope, action, measurable outcome). Example: Senior Product Manager — Acme Corp, 2018–2023; • Led 12‑person team to launch X, driving 25% retention increase (OKR, Agile); • Managed roadmap and stakeholder alignment, delivering $3M ARR.

5. Skills and Achievements

• List 6–10 core technical and soft skills (e.g., Python, stakeholder management), certifications, and select achievements. Prioritize skills named in the job description so ATS and hiring managers spot matches — tie each skill to a short proof point where possible.

6. Projects (optional)

• Include 1–3 concise project entries that show measurable outcomes: Project — Role; one line summary + one bullet with metric (e.g., “Redesigned ETL pipeline — reduced latency 65% (Python, Airflow)”).

7. Interests (optional)

• Include only interests that demonstrate transferable skills or cultural fit (e.g., “organizer of local UX meetups,” “volunteer data projects”). Avoid unrelated hobbies.

8. References

• Simple note: “References available on request.” For academic CVs, include full references if requested by the committee.

Academic CV add‑ons (especially for U.S. academic/research applications): add clearly labeled sections for Grants, Awards, Publications, Presentations, Professional Memberships, Research Experience, and Teaching. When listing papers or publications, use a consistent citation format and consider “Selected publications” with “full list on request” for long lists.

Quick placement & formatting tips:

• Students and recent graduates: lead with Education and Projects; keep Work Experience concise and list internships with 2–4 strong bullets.
• Experienced professionals: prioritize the most relevant Experience and Achievements near the top; use a short Professional Summary and a tailored skills list.
• Make sure each Work entry highlights measurable outcomes and lists employer and tools/skills used (this helps ATS keyword matching).
• Recommended section order: Contact, Summary, Education, Work Experience, Skills & Achievements, Projects, Interests, References — unless the job or region requires a different order.

Copy/paste 1‑line summary (example): Product Manager with 8+ years experience in SaaS; led teams to launch 3 products and increase retention 25% (OKR, Agile).

Example internship entry (copy/paste): Intern — Data Analyst, Acme Corp, City, Jun 2022–Aug 2022; • Built dashboard to centralize KPIs, reducing reporting time by 30% (Python, SQL); • Supported weekly data cleanups improving accuracy by 12%.

What Not to Include in a CV？

Staying professional helps you stand out. Omit details that invite bias, distract the reader, or weaken your case — focus instead on concise evidence that proves your fit for the role.

• Unrelated hobbies or old achievements — These take up valuable space and rarely help ATS or recruiters judge fit. Instead: list activities that show transferable skills (example: “Organizer, local coding meetups — coordinated monthly events and grew attendance 40%”).
• Personal beliefs or relationship details — Typically irrelevant to the employer and can invite bias. Instead: include professional memberships or community work that demonstrate values in action (example: “Volunteer project manager — local food bank”).
• Salary history — Often unnecessary and can complicate later negotiations. Instead: remove salary lines or write “Salary available on request” and discuss compensation during interview or offer stages.
• Negative comments about past roles or employers — These read unprofessionally and raise red flags. Instead: reframe departures positively (example: “Left to pursue new challenges and professional growth”).
• Exaggerated or unverified skills — Claims you can’t substantiate hurt credibility. Instead: list validated skills with proof points (certifications, courses, measurable results), e.g., “AWS Certified Solutions Architect; reduced infra costs 20%.”
• Excessive early‑career details (many years old) — These add unnecessary pages. Instead: summarize early roles in one line or remove items older than ~10–15 years unless directly relevant.

Cut now checklist — quick edits to free up useful space:

• Remove very old part‑time jobs and irrelevant internships.
• Delete long hobby lists and non‑transferable activities.
• Strip outdated technical tools or certificates you no longer use.

Keep the CV focused on recent, measurable achievements and relevant qualifications. Remove the extra stuff that doesn’t prove you can do the job, and use the saved room to highlight one or two high‑impact examples that show the person you are professionally. Quick tip: run a red‑flag search for phrases like “left due to” or “fired” and reword them to a neutral, forward‑looking line before you submit.

How the ATS Processes CV Length？

The way an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) parses your CV can determine whether you move to the next stage. These systems commonly scan your document for keywords, dates, job titles, and structure; irrelevant text or complex formatting can hide critical information. When you’re asking how long your CV or resume should be, balance completeness with clarity so both the ATS and a human reviewer can find the most relevant information quickly.

1) ATS often scan the entire resume

Many ATS attempt to parse the whole file, so include important keywords across sections (headline, summary, skills, and bullets). Note: some systems may truncate very large files or stop parsing after platform‑specific size limits — keep files reasonably sized and avoid unnecessary attachments.

2) Prioritizes relevant information

ATS and recruiters favor relevance. Make sure the most role‑aligned experience and keywords appear near the top of the CV so they’re picked up early by parsers and noticed quickly by reviewers.

3) Longer CVs can be overwhelming

Extra pages aren’t automatically penalized, but excess length can obscure key achievements for humans and lead to partial parsing on some systems. More pages are acceptable only when every section adds demonstrable value.

4) Keyword placement is crucial

Place job‑specific terms naturally in headings, the professional summary, skills list, and the first bullets under each role. Use common synonyms and exact phrases from the job description to increase match rates without keyword‑stuffing.

5) ATS struggle with complex formatting

Avoid text inside images, graphics, tables, headers/footers, and unusual fonts: many ATS cannot reliably read text embedded in images or non‑standard layouts. Stick to plain, accessible formatting so parsers capture your content reliably. Quick fix: replace visual skill charts with a simple “Skills” list so keywords parse correctly.

6) Clear structure and simplicity matter

Use standard section headers (Work Experience, Education, Skills, Publications) so the system can categorize information. Consistent date formats and chronological ordering help both parsing accuracy and human scanning.

7) Concise but comprehensive

Include relevant achievements but summarize older or less relevant roles. For example, list early‑career roles with a single line rather than full bullet sets if they don’t support the job you’re applying for.

8) Avoid unnecessary information

Remove extraneous details (long hobby lists, personal data, images). These add length without improving parse rates and can distract hiring managers. Keep the CV focused on verifiable achievements and skills tied to the position.

Factor	Impact on ATS
Format	Plain, consistent formatting improves parsing and prevents lost information
CV length	Length is fine when filled with relevant information; overly long files risk truncation or missed details
Sections	Standard headers (Work Experience, Education, Skills) boost detection and keyword mapping
Clarity	Simple language and consistent dates help systems and humans categorize your background

Practical do/don’ts: do use an explicit job title in your header, list core skills in a dedicated section and echo them in bullets; don’t rely on images, unusual fonts, or multi‑column layouts. Quick ATS checklist: simple header with job title, plain fonts, one‑column layout, dedicated skills list, and consistent dates. File type note: PDF often preserves layout, but some ATS parse DOCX more reliably — make sure to check the employer’s instructions and test both formats in an ATS preview tool. Before applying, test your CV through an ATS preview or checker (see Helpful Tools) to confirm that the key information and keywords are detected where they matter.

Helpful Tools for CV Writing

Creating a strong CV is easier with the right tools. Online builders and templates help you control format and font, adjust page length, and focus on the content that matters — so you spend less time on layout and more on what to say.

These platforms let you adapt sections for different job targets and produce ATS‑friendly files. Many include guidance on CV vs resume choices, automatic formatting, and suggestions to improve clarity for recruiters and automated scanners.AI writing tools can speed up polishing. Use them to refine grammar, tighten sentence structure, and reframe bullets to be more achievement‑focused and ATS‑friendly — but always verify facts and metrics after edits. If you use an AI assistant, review the tool’s privacy and data‑handling terms before uploading sensitive documents.Quick tool notes — best for:

• LinkedIn Resume Builder — Best for LinkedIn users; easy profile export.
• Resume.io — Best for fast, guided templates and simple customization.
• Zety — Best for design variety and content suggestions (some export options require subscription).
• AI polishers (general) — Best for tightening bullets quickly; always review outputs for accuracy.

Recommended quick workflow: draft in a simple editor, use Oreate AI for a fast polish + humanizer edit, then run an ATS preview to confirm parsing. Export both PDF and DOCX if the employer doesn’t specify a preference, and double‑check key information after AI edits.

Post‑AI checklist: verify metrics and dates, confirm employer and project names, read rewritten bullets for accuracy, and run an ATS preview to check parsing. Need quick advice or extra tips? Start by running one role‑tailored CV through Oreate AI and an ATS preview — that two‑step check often yields high‑impact edits in minimal time.

Further reading: How to Write a Thank You Email After an Interview

Conclusion

You want your future employer to see the value you bring. When deciding how many pages should a resume be, prioritize relevance: lead with the achievements and skills that match the job description and remove extras that dilute your message. A concise, impact‑focused CV increases your chance of getting noticed by both recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems.

There’s no universal rule on exact page count — default to 1–2 pages for most roles, 2–3 for senior or managerial positions, and 3+ only for detailed academic or research CVs. Tailor your approach to each opportunity, align your examples with the role, and use clear formatting so reviewers find the most important information quickly. Make sure the final length matches the job and the employer you’re targeting.

Key Focus	Benefit
Relevance	Shows your core strengths
Simplicity	Keeps recruiters engaged
Authenticity	Builds trust through honesty

Quick scorecard — answer yes/no and action if “no”:

• Highlights 2–3 measurable achievements on page one? (yes/no) — If no: move strongest metrics to the top of page one now.
• Shows the most relevant experience for the role near the top? (yes/no) — If no: reorder entries so role‑aligned experience appears first.
• Uses a clear, single‑column format and readable font? (yes/no) — If no: switch to one‑column layout and a standard font (10–12 pt body).
• Has been run through an ATS preview and reviewed after AI polish for accuracy? (yes/no) — If no: run an ATS check and verify all dates/metrics.

Next steps checklist:

• Review the job description and highlight required skills and relevant experience.
• Tailor your CV so those qualifications appear near the top (summary or top experience entries).
• Run an ATS preview and optionally use an AI tool to polish bullets and grammar — then verify all facts and metrics.
• Final check: ensure font, spacing, and layout make the document easy to scan and that page length matches the role you’re applying for.

Final one‑line action: open your CV now and move two measurable metrics to page one. Apply these CV tips to create a concise, impactful document and use tools to improve efficiency — refine, test, and update each application to increase your chances of success. For a final reminder: when you’re deciding how long your CV should be, prioritize relevance over filler and tailor every page to the role and employer.

FAQs

Where can I get help with my CV?

Run an AI polish for grammar and bullets, test parsing with an ATS preview, and get human feedback from a career center or mentor. Verify privacy terms before uploading documents to third‑party tools.

How long should a CV be for a graduate?

One page is usually best: highlight coursework, internships, and 3–5 concise achievement bullets. Use a cover letter for longer explanations.

What is the ideal length for a CV in 2025?

Most applicants: 1–2 pages; senior roles: 2–3 pages; academic/research: 3+ pages. Tailor to the job and region and prioritize relevance.

How do Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) impact CV length?

ATS prioritize keywords and clear headings over sheer length. Keep formatting simple and test parsing with an ATS preview to ensure key information is detected.

What should I avoid including in my CV?

Avoid unrelated hobbies, personal details, salary history, negative remarks, and unverified skills. Focus on recent, measurable achievements and validated qualifications.