How long should a CV be?

[SleepDreamThinkHuge]

I am someone with five years work experience. Mostly in the public sector and some private sector (12 months experience) working in a bank.

Some people have told me that most CV's should be one page as two pages can be boring for recruiters who look through so many CV's. However, what I find is that it is not possible me to put it on one page. On my CV, I have my University, and two workplaces I worked at. So my university education and two workplaces cover from 2014 to 2022. And other information like profile summary, languages, other skills etc and the whole CV is about just under 2 pages. To think this is fine? My aim is to try and progress in a finance related career (due to pay and finding it more interesting than my job at the Civil Service)

Thank you.

As someone who has to read them 2 pages is fine, 3 acceptable at a pinch, any more than that I'd mark down. Once had one that was 10 pages, not sure how that got through the HR screening but I only read one page before putting it on the No pile.

2 pages is ideal. No apostrophes in plurals either! (CVs not CV's)

Recruiter here. Two pages is great, three at a push.

@TheDogsMother can you advise me please. I am late 50's and am applying for new roles as my current job is making me very miserable. How do I condense to two pages when I have such a long work history. Do I just ignore the early years? It proves my age too which I am not sure is a good thing. Any advice greatly appreciated as I am finding it impossible to speak to a human using online recruitment agencies. Thank you in advance for any pointers.

@Cantstandsmugness If I can work out how to PM you I will drop you a mail about this on Monday

@TheDogsMother thank you so much, I really appreciate you help.

Two pages once you have work experience - clearly set out with headings and not crowded.

One side for school leavers.

@Cantstandsmugness I did PM you yesterday and was trying to find a way how to attach an example CV. Did you get my message ?

2 pages- clear format with headings etc. be aware of ATS checking so tailor it to the role & key words.

Also remember that a human, at first glance, may spend 15-20 seconds looking at it so make the first page good.

Focus on the last 2/3 roles you had, rest can be summarised. Think of it as an advert for your skills rather than a documentary.

@TheDogsMother thank you, I have just replied to your pm.

2 pages - being concise is considered an important skill for us, 3 pages wouldn’t make the cut.

I employ people and have 25 years in my industry. My CV (freelance, moving every 6-9 months) is 2 pages.

If I'm interviewing you, I'm your senior and your CV should not be longer than mine.

I personally dislike the personal profile - it’s hard to write a good one and so often they sound like utter bullshit, I tend not to read them, because they put me off candidates - if you are sending a covering letter (and you always should if it’s possible), there’s no need anyway - humanise your application there - mention your ambitions, briefly outline how you got to thinking about a change of career - hopefully you’ll have done some reading books, follow a blog, a newspaper columnist , a course etc that you can talk about.