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Typically, your resume should be only one page long.
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Resumes can be up to two pages, however, depending on your career length, job history, whether you’re changing careers or if you’re pursuing a technical role in which you must list many projects.
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What’s most important is that your resume is concise, easy to scan, and includes the skills and qualifications necessary for the role.
With the proliferation of AI, job-hunting advice has evolved, but one principle remains: the standard length of a resume. A resume should generally not exceed one page, with a few key exceptions.
Below, we’ve outlined what you should keep in mind while crafting your resume, including when it can extend to two pages, what you need to include and tips for how to approach your design so it immediately strikes your employers’ attention.
How Long Should a Resume Be?
Conventional wisdom has long ruled that a resume should be one page. Still, some resumes can exceed that length, noted HR leader and USC Bovard College faculty member Jamie Latiano Jacobs — so you shouldn’t panic if you go over a single page.
“The standard has progressed to maybe two pages — a front-and-back version of what used to be a one-page expectation — but it really depends on your stage of career,” said Jacobs, a professor in the online MS in Human Resource Management (MSHRM) program.
Still, even if you have enough experience to justify a double-sided resume, Jacobs advised being selective about which positions you choose to include. If you’re a tenured employee, for example, does a part-time role enhance your professional background? Does it speak to your qualifications for the role?
“It’s about being mindful and intentional with what you include, making sure the content is relevant and actually adds value to your candidacy rather than just filling space,” Jacobs noted.
Is a One-Page Resume Still the Standard?
Although some professionals are opting for longer resumes — and there are valid reasons to do so — a one-page resume remains the standard. A single-page resume is easy for employers to scan, keeps the focus on relevant details and delivers the concise summary recruiters need to move you forward. Additional context can be shared in a cover letter or during the interview.
“Candidates today are navigating applicant tracking systems and AI tools, so they’re trying to include every keyword and relevant experience to ensure they get picked up,” Jacobs explained. “The landscape has changed, and that may influence resume length — but longer isn’t always better.”
When a Two-Page Resume Makes Sense
There are situations where a two-page resume makes sense. The more experience you have, the more likely you’ll need additional space to reflect your roles and the skills you’ve developed.
If you have more than 10 years of experience or have worked across several companies, a longer resume is reasonable. The same applies if you’re making a career change — you may need extra room to show how your past experience translates, along with any relevant coursework or certifications.
Plus, certain roles require more detail. Technical positions, for example, often call for listing key projects, specialized skills or additional training.
Simply put, if your experience clearly supports your fit for the role, a two-page resume can be appropriate.
What to Include — and What to Cut — From Your Resume
Ultimately, your resume should be a concise summary of your professional and academic experience — emphasis on concise. It’s not the place for extensive detail; that’s what the interview is for. Your goal is to make a strong, immediate impression on recruiters. If it’s too dense, the qualifications that make you a strong match can get lost.
This what you should always include in your resume:
- Your contact information
- Your higher education experiences
- Recent roles and measurable achievements (use concrete data where possible)
- Skills and qualifications aligned with the job description
Here is everything you can cut:
- Job experiences or projects that aren’t relevant to the role
- Generic job duties
- Short-term or part-time roles that don’t strengthen your candidacy
- Outdated positions (e.g., more than 10 years old), especially if they’re repetitive or don’t enhance your career story
“I think the key is balance: Include enough detail to demonstrate your experience and impact, but not so much that the reader gets lost. A resume should be clear, focused and tailored. Whether that ends up being one page or two, what really matters is that it communicates your value quickly and effectively to the person reviewing it,” Jacobs advised.
Signs Your Resume Is Too Long
How do you know if your resume is too long? Look for these signs:
- It’s longer than two pages
- You find it difficult to scan
- It doesn’t keep your attention all the way through
- The font is tiny in an attempt to keep it too one page
- You’re repeating the same skills and qualifications
- Your bullet points are paragraphs, not sentences
Signs Your Resume Is Too Short
A resume can be too short, too — leaving employers without a clear picture of what you offer. Watch for these signs:
- It’s under one full page
- Key qualifications from the job posting are missing
- Relevant skills aren’t clearly listed
- Job descriptions are vague and lack measurable achievements
- Important, relevant experience has been left out
The Bottom Line
While it’s not always easy to strike the right balance, a strong resume is typically one to two pages, aligned with the job description and focused on specific achievements. Think of it as a snapshot designed to get you to the interview, where you can make a deeper impression.
As Jacobs noted, a resume can only do so much: “My fundamental belief is that people give people jobs. One of the most effective things candidates can do today is network and actually talk to people. In that sense, your resume becomes a supporting document rather than the defining factor. It still matters, of course, but it’s not the only — or even the most important — piece of the puzzle.”
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