How Long Should A CV Be? | .uk

by Michael Cheary

Does size matter? For your CV, the answer is yes…

When it comes to how many pages a CV should be, getting it right is crucial. After all, recruiters might have hundreds of applications to sift through for just one role, meaning they often scan for the most important information first. If your CV is too long, they might miss the most important details. 

To help you perfect your application, we’re here to answer the big question: ‘how long should my CV be?’ Here’s what recruiters actually want, and how to manage your CV length:

“Your CV should be long enough to show your strengths, but short enough to hold attention. Two pages is the sweet spot for most, but the real rule is this: include what’s relevant and leave out what’s not.”

Simon Millar, Business Manager | Reed

What’s the ideal CV length?

So, how many pages should your CV be? For most professionals, two pages is the sweet spot.

In a survey we conducted, a massive 91% of recruiters said two pages is the ideal CV length. This gives you enough space to showcase your skills and experience without overwhelming the reader.

Of course, this can vary. If you’re a recent graduate, a one-page CV is perfectly fine, as you likely won’t have decades of experience to list. Conversely, for some senior academic or medical roles that require extensive lists of publications, a CV might stretch beyond two pages.

The main rule is relevance. If you can fit all your key selling points on one page, great. If you need two, that’s also fine.

Free CV template

How many words should a CV be?

Most two-page CVs land somewhere between 700 and 1,000 words, but recruiters aren’t counting.

What really matters is that every word earns its place. Cut the waffle, focus on achievements, and make sure your CV answers the all-important question: ‘Why should they hire you?’ 

Too long? You risk losing their attention. Too short? And you might be selling yourself short… 

How to write a CV

How long should a personal statement be on a CV?

So, you know how long your CV should be overall, but how much space should the personal statement take up? 

For this section, aim for around 100–150 words. That’s about four or five sentences, and just enough space to show off your personality, highlight your biggest achievements, and give recruiters a quick snapshot of why you’re a great fit. Think of it as your elevator pitch (except nobody’s trapped in a lift, and you won’t need to make awkward small talk about the weather).

The goal? Be concise, be relevant, and above all, be memorable (in a good way).

How to reduce your CV length

Struggling to get your CV down to the right size? Here are five simple tips to help you cut it down:

1. Only include what’s relevant

You don’t need to include everything you’ve ever done. You’re advertising yourself for a specific role, not writing your life story.

Take your employment history – the paper round you had when you were 14 might have built character, but unless you’re applying for ‘Senior Paper Delivery Person’, your future employer probably doesn’t need to know about it. A good rule of thumb is to stick to the last 5-10 years of relevant experience, tailoring your CV to the job you’re applying for.

The same applies to your interests. We all enjoy ‘socialising with friends’, but these clichés won’t help you stand out. Only include hobbies if they’re genuinely relevant to the job. For example, if you’re applying for a writer role, mentioning your blog showcases your passion and skills.

Which parts of my education should I include on my CV?

What to do when you have a long career history

2. Don’t repeat yourself

When writing a CV, it’s easy to fall into the trap of making the same point multiple times, just worded differently.

For example, if you’ve stated that versatility is a key attribute in your personal statement, you don’t need to repeat that you’re ‘flexible’ and ‘adapt well to new situations’ in your skills section. 

One clear statement is more powerful than three vague ones. Trust your achievements to speak for themselves.

Top CV mistakes to avoid (and what to do instead)

What words should I use on my CV?

3. Embrace white space

Recruiters spend just a few seconds scanning each CV, so it’s crucial to avoid cramming too much information onto the page.

Your CV’s presentation is just as important as its content. Good use of white space makes the document easier to read and helps draw attention to key information. Don’t be afraid of the gaps. Be bold. Use bullet points

And whilst you may think that moving the margins and changing the typeface is a clever way around this, it’ll only make your CV stand out for the wrong reasons. 

CV layout: dos and don’ts

CV layout examples

4. Let your cover letter do some talking

A well-written cover letter is your opportunity to expand on your key achievements and explain why you’re the perfect candidate.

But don’t just repeat what’s in your CV. Use your cover letter to tell a story, highlight specific projects, or explain any gaps in your employment history. 

By moving some detail to your cover letter, you can keep your CV focused and concise.

Free cover letter template

Cover letter help

5. Be direct and use active language

You can often shorten your CV by using more direct and active language. For instance, write in the first person but remove personal pronouns like ‘I’ from your bullet points.

Instead of writing ‘I was responsible for managing a team of five people’, write ‘Managed a team of five people’. This simple change saves space and makes your accomplishments sound more impactful. 

It also helps manage the overall word count – and although there’s no magic number for how many words a CV should be – clarity is more important than length.

Does your CV pass the seven second test?

Final thoughts

When it comes to your CV, less is definitely more.

A recruiter doesn’t have time to sift through pages of information. Save them time and get straight to the point. Focus on what’s relevant to the job you’re applying for, and leave out the rest.

If you’re confident in your skills and experience, there’s no need to pad out your CV with fluff. Be clear, be concise, and let your achievements do the talking.

Six ways to make your CV stand out from the crowd

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