How Long Should a Resume Be in 2026?

The Nuanced Answer: It Depends

The "one page or two?" debate isn't black-and-white. New 2024 research challenges the old one-page rule.Here's what the data actually says:

2.9x

Higher preference for 2-page resumes

Managerial positions (Zety, 2024)

More interviews at 475-600 words

Optimal length (Wobo, 2026)

Recruiters spend 7.4 seconds scanning a resume on average (TheLadders eye-tracking study)
For managerial positions, employers are 2.9x more likely to choose candidates with two-page resumes (Zety.com, 2024)
Even for entry-level positions, two-page resumes get 1.4x higher preference (Zety.com, 2024)
Recruiters were 2.5x more likely to call candidates who listed all relevant skills and projects on two pages vs. basic info on one page (Career Development International, 2024)
Optimal length: 475-600 words gets 2x more interviews compared to shorter resumes (Wobo, 2026)

🎯 The Takeaway

Quality over quantity. Don't artificially limit yourself to one page if you have relevant experience to share. But don't pad to two pages with fluff either.

The Real Rule: Match Content to Experience

One Page If:

• 0-5 years of experience: You likely don't have enough relevant content to fill two pages without padding
• College students/recent grads: Education, internships, and 1-2 jobs fit comfortably on one page
• Career changers with limited relevant experience: Focus on transferable skills, not every job you've had
• Applying to roles with very specific requirements: Sometimes less is more—highlight what matters

Two Pages If:

• 5-10 years of experience: You have multiple relevant roles, projects, and achievements worth detailing
• 10+ years of experience: Two pages is expected and preferred (11.2% callback rate vs. 8.6% for one page, ResumeGo)
• Managerial or senior roles: 2.9x more likely to be chosen with a two-page resume (Zety.com)
• Technical roles: Extensive project portfolios, tools, certifications warrant two pages
• Academic or research positions: Publications, grants, and research require space (though CVs can be longer)
• Federal government resumes: Different format requirements, often 3-5 pages

Never More Than Two Pages (With Exceptions)

Three+ page resumes are rarely appropriate unless:

• Academic CVs: For faculty or research positions, CVs can be 5-10+ pages (publications, grants, teaching, etc.)
• Federal/government applications: USAJOBS resumes can be 3-5 pages to meet specific requirements
• International applications: Some countries (e.g., parts of Europe, Asia) expect comprehensive CVs with detailed history

⚠️ Warning

For standard corporate jobs in the U.S., stick to 1-2 pages. Three pages signals you can't prioritize or edit.

The Word Count Sweet Spot

475-600

optimal word count

Gets 2x more interviews (Wobo, 2026)

This typically translates to:

One page: ~400-500 words (tight but doable)
Two pages: ~600-800 words (comfortable, detailed)

💡 Pro Tip

Don't count words manually—focus on content quality. If you're naturally hitting 550-650 words with relevant achievements, you're in the sweet spot.

Common Mistakes

❌ Don't Do This

• Padding with "References available"
• Using 8pt font to cram content
• Listing every job from 20 years ago
• Writing duties instead of achievements
• Creating 3+ pages for corporate roles

✅ Do This Instead

• Let white space exist naturally
• Use 10-12pt readable fonts
• Focus on last 10-15 years
• Lead with quantified results
• Edit ruthlessly to 2 pages max

Example: Duties vs. Achievements

✗

Bad (Duty)

"Managed team of 5 salespeople"

✓

Good (Achievement)

"Led team of 5 to 40% revenue increase, exceeding quota 3 quarters in a row"

"Length is fine if every word earns its place. The second example is longer but better — it proves value with metrics."— Resume Best Practice

How to Decide: One Page or Two?

Ask yourself these questions:

Do I have 5+ years of relevant experience?

If yes, lean toward two pages.

Can I fill two pages with achievements, not duties?

If yes, use two pages. If not, stick to one.

Am I applying for a managerial or senior role?

If yes, two pages is expected (2.9x preference, per Zety).

Does the job emphasize specific skills/projects/certifications?

If yes, use space to detail them—two pages if needed.

Am I early-career ( <5 years)?

If yes, one page is safer unless you have extensive projects/internships.

How to Cut Your Resume Down (If You Must)

If you're over two pages or struggling to fit on one, here's how to trim without losing impact:

What to Cut	Why	Savings
Older/irrelevant jobs	15+ years ago, not relevant	~1/4 page
Duties (keep achievements)	No impact, just filler	~1/3 page
Objective statements	Generic, outdated	2-3 lines
Excessive bullet points	Trim to 3-5 per job	~1/4 page
High school (if you have degree)	Not needed with college	1-2 lines
30+ skills listed	Pick 8-12 most relevant	3-4 lines

How to Expand to Two Pages (If You Should)

If you have the experience to justify two pages but artificially crammed everything onto one, here's how to expand:

✅ Ways to Add Value (Not Fluff)

• Expand achievements with context: "Increased sales 30%" → "Increased sales 30% ($500K to $650K) over 12 months by launching targeted email campaigns"
• Add project highlights: 1-2 standout projects per role showing impact
• Include certifications: Dedicated section for relevant credentials
• Detail technical skills: Show proficiency levels and context
• Add volunteer/side projects: If relevant to target role

Industry-Specific Guidelines

Industry	Recommended Length	What to Include
Tech/Engineering	2 pages (5+ yrs)	Skills, projects, GitHub link
Creative Fields	1 page + portfolio	Work speaks louder than resume
Finance/Consulting	2 pages (mid-level+)	ROI, certifications, deals
Sales	1-2 pages	Quota %, revenue, close rates
Healthcare	2 pages	Licenses, outcomes, skills

The Bottom Line

🎯 Stop Obsessing Over "One vs. Two"

• Two-page resumes are preferred for experienced candidates (2.9x for managers, 1.4x for entry-level)

• Quality matters more than length—475-600 words is the sweet spot

• One page is fine if you have <5 years experience or limited relevant content

• Three+ pages is too long (unless federal/academic CV)

"Include everything relevant and cut everything that isn't. If that's one page, great. If it's two, that's fine too. Just make every word count."— The Real Rule

Pro Tip

Test both. If you're on the fence, create a one-page and a two-page version. Apply to 10 jobs with each and track which gets more responses. Let the data decide for your specific situation.