How long should a resume be?

One to two pages suits most people. One page usually works for students, graduates and people with a few years of experience. Two pages is normal for experienced professionals with several relevant roles. Longer documents are common mainly for academic, medical and research CVs.

A practical guide:

• Up to about five years of experience: aim for one page.
• Five to fifteen years: one or two pages, depending on how much is relevant.
• Senior managers and executives: two pages is common.
• Academics, researchers and doctors: as long as needed to list publications, research and clinical work.

The right length is the shortest one that shows your relevant experience clearly. Every line should help the employer see why you fit the job. If a section does not support your application, cut it before adding a page. There is no rule that a resume must be exactly one page.