When it comes to job hunting, your CV is your golden ticket to landing an interview. But how long should it be? The answer is clear: two pages.

This is enough to showcase your skills effectively and is what is expected by recruiters and hiring managers.
Grabbing Attention in Seconds
Recruiters spend an average of 6-10 seconds scanning a CV, I know it doesn’t seem a lot, but a recruiter can (and has to) look at hundreds of CV’s every day. If they are looking for ‘Project Manager’ and your last job title was ‘Admin Assistant’, they can close your document down and move onto the next.
A concise, well-structured two-page CV ensures they quickly spot your most relevant qualifications and experience. A longer CV risks burying key information under unnecessary details. By keeping it short and focused, you make it easier for recruiters to see why you're the perfect fit for the role.
Optimising for ATS: The Hidden Gatekeeper
Before your CV even reaches human eyes, it often passes through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). These systems scan CVs for specific words and phrases to try and make it easier for the human - reducing 1000’s of CV’s to a couple of hundred. Here’s how a two-page CV can help:
Strategic Keyword Placement: With limited space, you have to focus on including relevant keywords that match the job description. For example, if a role requires "project management" and "data analysis" ensure these terms appear in your skills, experience, or achievements sections.
Avoid Overloading: ATS systems may struggle with overly long or unstructured CVs. Keeping your CV concise makes it more likely to be read and understood by both the ATS and the hiring manager.
Pro Tip:
Always review the job description and try to get the key terms organically into your CV. This increases the likelihood of your application making it past the ATS stage.
Tailoring Your CV for Maximum Impact
Gone are the days of sending the same CV to every job. A tailored CV is far more likely to resonate with recruiters. Customising your CV for each role helps you:
Highlight Relevant Experience: Use your space wisely to emphasise skills and achievements that match with the job requirements.
Speak the Employer’s Language: Tailoring lets you echo the tone and priorities of the job description, showing that you’ve taken the time to understand the company’s needs.
By sending the same old CV, ATS’ would have to make assumptions - which they are not designed to do, without the right key words and phrases it would be a ‘Computer Says No’ situation.
Maintaining a Professional Look
A clean, uncluttered two-page CV is easier to read and visually appealing. Use bullet points, clear headings, and white space strategically. This not only enhances readability but also conveys professionalism and attention to detail—qualities every employer values. Pull up and out those margins to use the valuable space well.
Prioritising Quality Over Quantity
A shorter CV forces you to focus on your strongest achievements and most relevant experiences. Employers aren’t interested in a comprehensive life history—they want to know what you can bring to their organisation. Use action-oriented language and quantifiable results to make your points stand out.
For instance:
Instead of: “Managed a team in retail.”
Write: “Led a team of 10 sales associates to exceed monthly revenue targets by 20%.”
Addressing Common Concerns About Length
“But I have so much experience!”: Even seasoned professionals can create a focused CV by highlighting recent and relevant roles while summarising earlier experience in a brief “Additional Experience” section.
“What if I’m just starting out?”: For graduates or early-career professionals, two pages allow you to expand on internships, volunteer work, or university projects without padding the document unnecessarily.
The Bottom Line
A two-page CV is more than a space-saving measure—it’s a strategic approach to presenting yourself as a top candidate. By tailoring your CV, including relevant keywords, and focusing on your most compelling achievements, you’ll improve your chances of passing both ATS filters and catching the recruiter’s eye.
Remember, your CV is a marketing tool, not an autobiography. Make every word count.
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