The General Rule
For most professionals with fewer than 10 years of experience, a one-page resume is ideal. Senior professionals, academics, and those with extensive relevant experience may use two pages. Three-page resumes are reserved for CVs and very senior executives.
When One Page Is Best
- Less than 10 years of experience
- Entry-level or early career positions
- Career changes where older experience is less relevant
- Jobs that value conciseness
When Two Pages Are Acceptable
- 10+ years of highly relevant experience
- Technical roles requiring extensive skill lists
- Senior leadership or executive positions
- Academic or research positions (though CVs may be longer)
If your resume is two pages, make sure every line earns its place. Do not pad with filler content just to fill the second page.