How Long Should a Resume Be? The Definitive Guide

Recruiters spend an average of 6-7 seconds on the first pass of a resume. Length matters, but relevance matters more.

The general rule: 0-5 years of experience = 1 page. 5-10 years = 1-2 pages. 10+ years = up to 2 pages, focused on the most recent and relevant 10-15 years.

ATS systems do not reject resumes for being one or two pages. They parse the full document. However, some older ATS truncate content beyond two pages.

Entry-level candidates: Keep it to one page. You likely don't have enough relevant experience to justify two pages, and adding fluff hurts you.

Mid-career candidates: One strong page or two focused pages both work. The deciding factor is whether every bullet adds value. If the second page is 60% full of relevant content, use it.

Senior and executive candidates: Two pages is standard. Some executives use a third page for board positions, publications, and speaking engagements — but only if genuinely relevant.

What NOT to do: Don't shrink fonts below 10pt or margins below 0.5 inches to force one page. Don't add filler to reach a second page. Quality and relevance always beat page count.

The best test: Print your resume. If everything looks comfortable to read and every line earns its place, the length is right.