by How long is too long for a resume? It's a question that often plagues job seekers, especially in an era where brevity is valued, but so is showcasing experience and accomplishments.
The size of your document can significantly impact how employers perceive your qualifications, so getting it right is key. Too short, and you risk leaving out essential information; too long, and you may overwhelm recruiters who only spend a few seconds scanning each paper.
In this article, we’ll explore the ideal resume length, discuss when to choose a one or two-page format, and provide tips on how to ensure your application is both concise and compelling.
How long should a resume be?
What size should a resume be varies based on your career stage and the specific job you're pursuing.
For most professionals with fewer than 10 years of experience, keeping your text to a single page is recommended.
This ensures you highlight only the most important and relevant qualifications without overwhelming the reader. A concise, one-page resume allows hiring managers to quickly assess your skills, education, and background, making it easier to make decisions in a short time frame.
On the other hand, for individuals with more extensive proficiency, particularly those in mid-career or senior roles, a two-page resume is often acceptable. In these cases, a longer format provides the space needed to detail a broader range of accomplishments.
How many pages should a resume be: Summary table
| Level | Length of Resume | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0–2 years) | 1 page | Focus on academics, internships, skills, and any projects. |
| Junior (3–5 years) | 1 page | Outline achievements, abilities, certifications, and exposure. |
| Mid-Career (6–10 years) | 1-2 pages | One page for brief expertise or two if multiple occupations are incorporated. |
| Senior (10+ years) | 2 pages | Detail leadership, high-level effect, and specialized mastery. |
| Executive | 2 pages | Emphasize industry influence and organizational contributions. |
The key is to be strategic with the content. A resume should be tailored to the job you’re applying for, ensuring that every section serves a clear purpose and supports your candidacy. Length isn’t the only factor—clarity, relevance, and impact are equally important in creating a compelling form.
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When long resume is not appropriate?
A document is considered too long when it surpasses the ideal length for your experience level, includes unnecessary details, or becomes filled with information that isn’t directly suited to the position.
Here are a few signs:
More Than Two Pages
For most individuals, especially those with less than 10 years of work, exceeding two pages is unnecessary unless you have substantial accomplishments or high-level leadership roles.
Irrelevant Expertise
Including jobs or skills that don’t relate can make the application unnecessarily long.
Early Occupations
For those further along in their careers, listing older posts that do not have valuable insights can unnecessarily lengthen your paper.
Excessive Personal Information
Writing data such as hobbies, unrelated certifications, or high school achievements when they don’t support the CV can make your resume feel cluttered.
Over-Explained Entries
Providing too much detail on every responsibility instead of emphasizing outcomes can lead to an overly long document.
Example of a long resume:
Yvette Zang
San Diego, CA 92111 | yvette.zang@gmail.com | (555) 555-5555Objective
To secure a challenging position at a dynamic organization where I can utilize my broad expertise in project management, marketing, and leadership to drive growth and success.
Professional Experience
Senior Project Manager
Google | Mountain View, CA
March 2018 – Present
- Lead teams in the successful execution of high-impact projects in cloud computing, AI, and mobile solutions, contributing to significant revenue increases.
- Oversee the end-to-end project management process, from planning and budgeting to execution and delivery, ensuring completion on time and within budget.
- Develop and implement strategies that led to a 15% increase in the company’s market share in emerging tech markets.
- Create innovative marketing strategies across multiple channels, including digital campaigns, partnerships, and social media outreach, boosting user acquisition by 25%.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment, providing training and mentorship to junior project managers and marketing professionals.
Marketing Manager
Apple | Cupertino, CA
January 2014 – February 2018
- Directed the marketing strategies for new product launches, contributing to record-breaking sales for the iPhone X and Apple Watch.
- Led a team of 12 in executing successful global marketing campaigns, from digital advertising to in-store promotions.
- Analyzed customer data to develop targeted campaigns, improving engagement and retention by 30%.
- Oversaw digital marketing initiatives, including SEO, PPC, email campaigns, and social media management, achieving a 20% increase in website traffic.
- Collaborated with product development teams to ensure alignment between features and market demand, driving a 15% growth in sales.
Assistant Marketing Coordinator
Facebook | Menlo Park, CA
May 2010 – December 2013
- Assisted in the management of large-scale advertising campaigns for Facebook Ads, increasing ad revenue by 18% during my tenure.
- Coordinated social media strategy, resulting in a 10% growth in followers across Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
- Developed content for ad copy, newsletters, and blog posts to engage users and promote new features.
- Tracked performance metrics and presented monthly reports to senior management on the effectiveness of marketing strategies.
- Worked with the design team to create visually appealing marketing materials for online and offline promotions.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
University of California, Berkeley | 2015
Bachelor of Arts in Marketing
University of California, San Diego | 2010
Certifications
- HubSpot Content Marketing Certification | 2018
- Google Ads Certification | 2017
- Project Management Professional (PMP) | 2016
Skills
- Project Management Tools: Asana, Jira, Microsoft
- Marketing Automation: HubSpot, Marketo, Salesforce
- Social Media Management: Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout
- Data Analysis & Reporting: Google Analytics, Tableau
- Content Creation & Design: Adobe Creative Suite, Canva
- Leadership & Team Development
- Budgeting & Resource Management
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- Cross-functional Collaboration
Volunteer Experience
Event Coordinator
San Diego Community Events
June 2013 – Present
- Coordinate large community fundraising events that raised over $50,000 annually for local non-profits.
- Manage a team of volunteers to execute event logistics, vendor coordination, and community outreach.
Mentor
Young Professionals Network | San Diego, CA
July 2015 – Present
- Provide career advice and coaching to young professionals in the marketing and project management sectors.
- Conduct workshops on resume building, interview techniques, and personal branding.
Languages
- English: Native proficiency
- Spanish: Intermediate proficiency
Publications & Articles
- "The Future of Marketing: Trends to Watch in 2023" | Marketing Weekly | 2022
- "Effective Project Management Strategies for Remote Teams" | Project Management Insights | 2021
Awards
- Employee of the Year | Google | 2019
- Recognized as one of San Diego's Top 40 Under 40 in Marketing | Business Journal | 2017
- Marketing Excellence Award | Apple | 2016
Interests
- Travel: Visited 20+ countries, passionate about learning new cultures
- Photography: Focus on portrait and landscape
- Volunteering: Actively involved in organizing charity events and fundraisers for local causes
What to do if resume is too long?
- Concentrate on your most recent and pertinent roles and experiences. Remove older ones.
- Use brief, impactful bullet points and action verbs. Avoid long-winded descriptions.
- Check for repetitive phrases or duties across different jobs. Combine similar points.
- Highlight your successes and contributions instead of listing all responsibilities.
- Leave out personal details like high school education if you’ve advanced in your career.
- Adjust formatting such as font size and margins while keeping the draft clean and easy to scan.
Examples of how long a resume should be
Ideal resume length template for entry-level
Sample of resume length for mid-career
Rhonda Richardson
Rochelle Park, NJ 07662 | rhonda.richardson@gmail.com | (555) 555-5555Professional Summary
Creative and detail-oriented content writer with experience crafting compelling digital and print content. Adept at SEO-driven writing, brand storytelling, and content strategy, with published work in The New York Times, HubSpot, and Forbes. Proven ability to increase engagement, traffic, and conversion rates through high-quality, audience-focused content.
Experience
Senior Content Writer
HubSpot | Cambridge, MA | March 2020 – Present
- Develop and optimize long-form blog content, increasing organic traffic by 40 percent over two years
- Lead the content strategy for product launches, collaborating with marketing and UX teams
- Manage editorial calendars and content workflows, ensuring timely publication of articles, case studies, and whitepapers
- Conduct keyword research and implement SEO best practices, leading to a 25 percent improvement in search rankings
- Mentor junior writers, improving team efficiency and content quality
Content Marketing Specialist
Forbes | Jersey City, NJ | June 2017 – February 2020
- Wrote high-performing thought leadership articles, increasing reader engagement by 30 percent
- Created social media content that boosted Forbes' Twitter engagement by 20 percent
- Researched and produced data-driven reports on industry trends, resulting in multiple viral articles
- Collaborated with editors and designers to develop multimedia content strategies
Copywriter & Blogger
The New York Times (Freelance) | New York, NY | 2015 – 2017
- Wrote engaging lifestyle and business articles, several of which were featured on the homepage
- Conducted interviews with industry experts, turning insights into compelling human-interest stories
- Worked closely with editors to refine content for print and digital audiences
Education
Bachelor of Arts in English & Journalism
Rutgers University | New Brunswick, NJ | 2014
Skills
- SEO content writing (Ahrefs, SEMrush, Google Analytics)
- Blog and article writing
- Copywriting and editing
- Content strategy and editorial planning
- Brand storytelling and thought leadership
- Social media content creation
- WordPress and CMS platforms
- AP and Chicago style proficiency
Certifications
- HubSpot Content Marketing Certification (2021)
- Google Analytics Certification (2020)
- SEO Fundamentals by SEMrush (2019)
Publications
- "The Future of Digital Marketing" – HubSpot Blog (2023)
- "How AI is Changing Journalism" – Forbes (2022)
- "The Rise of Remote Work Culture" – The New York Times (2021)
Good resume sample for senior
Example of what size should a resume be for executive
Carmen Beardsley
Milwaukee, WI 53218 | carmen.beardsley@gmail.com | (555) 555-5555Professional Summary
Strategic and results-driven finance executive with experience in corporate finance, investment management, and risk assessment. Proven track record of driving revenue growth, optimizing financial operations, and leading large-scale financial transformations.
Experience
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Northwestern Mutual | Milwaukee, WI | January 2018 – Present
- Spearhead financial strategy, managing over $400 billion in assets and optimizing investment portfolios for long-term growth
- Lead a financial transformation initiative that increased operational efficiency by 30 percent, reducing overhead costs by $50 million annually
- Manage corporate finance functions, including capital structure, treasury, and risk management, ensuring financial stability and compliance
- Advise the CEO and board on key financial decisions, driving business expansion and market share growth
Senior Vice President, Corporate Finance
Baird | Milwaukee, WI | July 2012 – December 2017
- Developed forecasting models that improved investment decision-making, resulting in a 15 percent increase in client portfolio returns
- Managed cross-functional teams, aligning finance, risk, and compliance departments to strengthen operational effectiveness
- Enhanced regulatory compliance frameworks, ensuring adherence to SEC and FINRA guidelines
Vice President, Investment Strategy
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Chicago, IL | May 2007 – June 2012
- Led investment portfolio analysis, optimizing asset allocation and risk exposure for high-net-worth and institutional clients
- Conducted economic research and market analysis to guide executive decision-making and risk assessment
- Advised institutional clients on mergers, acquisitions, and capital structuring, contributing to $5 billion in successful transactions
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) – Finance & Strategy
University of Chicago Booth School of Business | 2007
Bachelor of Science in Economics
University of Wisconsin-Madison | 2003
Certifications
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) | CFA Institute | 2009
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | Wisconsin Board of Accountancy | 2005
Skills
- Financial Strategy & Leadership
- Investment Management & Capital Markets
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
- Risk Management & Regulatory Compliance
- Corporate Finance & Treasury Operations
- Budgeting, Forecasting & Cost Reduction
- Economic & Market Analysis
- Board & C-Suite Advisory
Contributions & Publications
- "The Future of Financial Strategy in a Digital Economy" – Harvard Business Review (2023)
- Keynote Speaker, Global Finance Summit (2022)
- "Navigating Market Volatility: A CFO's Perspective" – Forbes (2021)
How long is too long for a resume - Conclusion
Ultimately, determining the appropriate resume length depends on career level, industry norms, and job requirements. The focus should be on clarity, relevance, and impact, ensuring that every section contributes meaningful information.
If a resume feels excessive, streamline details, eliminate outdated roles, and highlight essential accomplishments—because a well-organized, compelling document will always leave a stronger impression than an overly detailed one.
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