CV guide · Updated 15 October 2026
How long should a CV be?
Most UK CVs should be two A4 pages. That's long enough to show relevant experience and short enough to read quickly. The right length depends mainly on your career stage and the job.
Length by career stage
| Situation | Usual length |
|---|---|
| School leaver or first job | 1 page |
| Graduate or early career | 1–2 pages |
| Experienced professional | 2 pages |
| Senior or technical roles with many projects | 2 pages, occasionally 3 |
| Academic or medical CV | Longer — publications, grants and clinical experience are listed in full |
Other countries differ: US résumés are often one page early in a career, while Australian CVs commonly run two to three pages. See the country guides.
How to cut a CV that's too long
- Keep detailed bullet points for the last 10–15 years. Summarise older roles in one line each.
- Remove duties everyone in the job would do. Keep what shows how well you did it.
- Cut your profile to four lines.
- Drop hobbies unless they're relevant or genuinely distinctive.
- Remove your full address and the 'References available on request' line ('Referees available on request' in Ireland). Employers assume you can provide them.
- Tighten layout: consistent margins, no large header images, no skills graphics.
Is one page ever better?
Yes, when you have little experience, or when the employer asks for it. Don't squeeze text to fit — readability matters more than page count. The free CV checker flags CVs that run long for your country.
FAQs
Is a three-page CV too long?
For most UK jobs, yes. Senior, technical or academic roles can justify more, but every line should still be relevant.
Does a cover letter count towards CV length?
No. The cover letter is a separate document, ideally no more than one page.
Sources
Links checked 15 October 2026.