How Long Should a CV Be? | Talent Guardian Career Advice

One page? Two pages? Three?
Candidates ask us this all the time.
The answer is simple: your CV should be long enough to demonstrate your experience - and short enough that somebody actually wants to read it.
For most experienced candidates, around two to three pages works perfectly well.
Don't sacrifice substance for a rule
There's no point squeezing 15 years of relevant experience onto one page because somebody once told you a CV “must” be two pages. Likewise, six pages isn't automatically impressive. Ask yourself whether every section earns its space.
Give recent experience more attention
Your current and most recent roles are generally the most relevant. Give those more detail. A job you held 15 years ago probably doesn't require eight bullet points unless it's particularly relevant to the role you're targeting.
Senior candidates
If you're an established Director or C-suite candidate, your career naturally requires more explanation. But even then, focus on impact.
Business transformation, P&L responsibility, growth, team leadership, acquisitions, restructuring or major strategic achievements tell us far more than a long list of daily responsibilities.
Early-career candidates
If you've only had one or two jobs, don't add unnecessary content just to reach two pages. Include education, relevant work experience, achievements and transferable skills. Quality beats quantity.
The test
Give your CV to someone for 30 seconds. Then take it away.
Can they tell you what you do, what level you're at, which industries you've worked in, what you've achieved and what you're looking for?
If they can, your CV is probably doing its job.

Clear beats clever every time.

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