How do I shorten my work experience on CV?

[Latenightthinking22]

So I have managed to keep my current CV to exactly 2 pages. But my problem is, what happens the next time I want to apply for a new position? I'll have to add my current role to the top of the list, and this will obviously then push me over to a third page

What am I meant to do, leave off the oldest job (but then this would look like I didn't start working life until e.g. 20, instead of 15)? Or do I leave off the most irrelevant job (but that would look like I have a gap then)?

I already don't have any bullet points to go along with the oldest / least relevant roles, as I simply cannot fit it in.

I always wonder what other people do about this?

I put lastbten years andbthen s line that says ‘further employment details available on request’ I do the same with references ‘available on request’. For school grades I write ‘5 higher grade passes at level c and above’ ‘ 8 standard grades at level 3 and above’

If it’s that close to 2 pages, could you just play around with the format? Reduce line space, space between bullets, paragraphs etc. Or drop the font size by 0.5.

And, yes, the 2-page rule does depend on what you are applying for. I’ve just looked, mine is currently 9 pages, but for my profession and level of seniority that is totally expected.

I have a summary paragraph of years, implant and positions for my older stuff to keep it to two pages.

My CV is currently 2.5 pages for a senior role, but the last half page is a glossary of acronyms which are rife in my area of work. That allows me to keep the body of my CV more compact and easy to read.

Quality over quantity every time! Try to include key words in any descriptions of past roles that relate directly to the new employers' 'must-have' criteria.

Too many CVs become akin to a To-do' list - recruiters don't want a massive laundry list of duties, only broad statements that denote what your value-add has been, how you made a difference, how you added value. Eg : project manager - I delivered 3 projects to time, cost and quality, and saving the company £x due to process improvements and efficiencies. Key skills: stakeholder management, documentation reviews, staff management, communications.

On that basis you could summarise 10 roles on one side of A4!

I only include jobs from graduation onwards, so no pie factory or safeway summer jobs etc.

Then I've currently got 2 columns for work experience - pre recent training scheme and breakdown of jobs in training scheme. Now I'm out of that training phase though, it will condense into one short para for next time, so fitting current roles in a bit more detail.

Thank you all for your replies!! It is really helpful hearing everyone's opinions!

Bit more info is that I am late 20's. I am applying for roles in my career field. But I haven't worked in the field for over a year, so I'm trying to get back in to it. I have been working full time (no gaps), just not in my career field.

I think I might do what a previous poster has suggested, and write a sentence along the lines of 20xx-20xx , various part time jobs to fit around studies. I think this will really clear up my CV. It won't look as cramped and keeps the focus on the relevant jobs, while also showing that I have been working for several years before getting my degrees.

Thank you all for your opinions, I really appreciate it!!