How Long Should a Resume Be? A 2026 Guide for Job Seekers

One page or two? It is the most common resume question, and the answer has changed.

A ResumeGo study found that recruiters are 2.3 times more likely to prefer a two-page resume over a one-page version, regardless of the candidate's career level. At the same time, 17% of hiring managers still consider anything longer than one page a deal-breaker. So the "right" length depends on what you bring to the table and who is reading it.

This guide breaks down exactly when one page works, when two pages makes sense, and the word count range that gets the most interviews. No guessing, just data.

Quick Answer: Resume Length by Experience

If you want a fast answer, here it is:

Experience Level	Recommended Length	Notes
0-5 years	1 page	Focus on education, internships, and early wins
5-10 years	1-2 pages	One page if focused, two if you have strong metrics
10-15 years	2 pages	Enough history to justify the space
15+ years	2-3 pages	Use an "Early Career" section for older roles

A ResumeGo study of 7,712 resumes confirmed this pattern: two-page resumes received 2.3x more callbacks than one-page versions for candidates with 10+ years of experience. For candidates with less than 10 years, the difference was smaller but still favored two pages.

For industry-specific page counts (tech, healthcare, federal, creative), see our resume length by industry guide. For advice on how many years of work history to include, see our how far back should a resume go guide.

The 475-600 Word Rule

Page count is one way to measure resume length. Word count is a better one.

TalentWorks analyzed over 6,000 real job applications and found a clear sweet spot: resumes with 475 to 600 words had an 8.2% interview rate. That is nearly double the rate of resumes outside this range.

The data gets more specific:

• Resumes over 600 words saw a 43% drop in interview callbacks

• Only 23% of resumes fell within the 475-600 word sweet spot

• The ideal one-page resume averages about 287 words, while a strong two-page resume averages 506 words

This does not mean you should count every word obsessively. But if your resume is pushing 800 or 900 words, you are likely including content that is hurting your chances rather than helping them. Cut the filler. Keep the metrics and achievements.

One Page vs Two Pages: What the Data Says

The one-page versus two-page debate is not really a debate anymore. The data is clear, and it favors two pages for most experienced professionals.

Key findings from recent studies:

• Recruiters spend 2 minutes 24 seconds reviewing a one-page resume, but 4 minutes 5 seconds on a two-page resume (Ladders eye-tracking study)

• 70% of hiring managers prefer two-page resumes for candidates with significant experience (Monster, 2026)

• However, 17% of hiring managers view anything beyond one page as a negative signal

• 35% of job seekers still submit one-page resumes, even when two pages would serve them better (Enhancv)

The takeaway: if you have the experience to fill two pages with relevant, achievement-driven content, do it. If you are stretching to fill a second page with padding, stay at one.

When One Page Is Better

A one-page resume is not outdated. For certain situations, it is still the strongest choice.

You have less than 5 years of experience. Entry-level candidates, recent graduates, and early-career professionals rarely have enough material for two pages. Stretching thin content across two pages makes it look like you are padding.

You are making a career change. When switching industries, a focused one-page resume that highlights transferable skills is more effective than a two-page document full of irrelevant experience from your previous field.

The job posting specifically requests one page. Some companies, particularly in consulting and finance, still enforce one-page limits. Follow the instruction.

You are applying to a highly targeted role. If you are tailoring your resume to a single specific position and can make your case in one page, brevity works in your favor. A tight, focused resume shows that you know what matters.

When Two Pages Make Sense

Two pages is not "too long." For most professionals with a decade or more of experience, it is the right length.

You have 10+ years of relevant experience. Ten years of career progression, promotions, and quantified achievements will not fit cleanly on one page. Trying to compress it leads to tiny fonts, razor-thin margins, and a document that is hard to read.

You work in a technical field. Software engineers, data scientists, and IT professionals need space for certifications, project details, and technical skills. A one-page resume for a senior developer with 12 years of experience signals that you left out important information.

You are applying for management or executive roles. Leadership positions require you to show strategic impact, team management, budget responsibility, and organizational results. These do not compress into 3 bullet points.

You have publications, patents, or certifications that matter. If these credentials are relevant to the role, include them. Do not cut important qualifications just to hit one page.

ATS and Resume Length

One of the biggest myths in resume writing is that ATS systems penalize longer resumes. They do not.

ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) parse your resume for keywords, skills, and experience. They do not have a page counter that rejects anything over one page. What they care about is parseability and keyword relevance.

Despite this, 77% of job seekers report having "ATS anxiety," worrying that formatting or length will get them automatically rejected (PR Newswire, 2026). Most of that anxiety is misplaced.

What actually matters for ATS:

• Use standard section headers ("Work Experience," "Education," "Skills")

• Avoid tables, columns, text boxes, and graphics that confuse parsers

• Include keywords from the job description naturally in your content

• Submit as .docx or PDF (check the application instructions)

• Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman) at 10-12pt

The real risk is not resume length. It is formatting that prevents the ATS from reading your content at all. For a detailed guide, see our article on how to make an ATS-friendly resume.

How to Trim Your Resume (2 Pages to 1)

If your resume is too long, here is where to cut:

Remove experience older than 10 to 15 years. If a role does not support your current application, it is taking up space that could go to something better. For details on this, see our work history timeline guide.

Tighten your bullet points. Each bullet should be one line, two at most. If a bullet takes three lines, it is trying to say too much. Split it or cut it.

Cut the objective statement. Replace it with a 2 to 3 line resume summary that focuses on your top achievements and target role.

Remove "References available upon request." This takes up a line and adds nothing. Employers will ask for references when they need them.

Reduce margins carefully. You can go as low as 0.5 inches on all sides, but do not go lower. Anything below 0.5 inches looks cramped and may get cut off when printed.

Drop generic skills. "Microsoft Office" and "team player" are not differentiators in 2026. Replace them with specific tools, certifications, or hard skills relevant to your target role.

How to Expand Your Resume (1 to 2 Pages)

If your resume feels thin, do not pad it. Add substance instead.

Add metrics to every bullet point. "Managed marketing campaigns" becomes "Managed 12 marketing campaigns that generated $2.4M in pipeline revenue." Numbers justify space.

Include relevant projects. If you led a migration, built a system, launched a product, or completed a certification project, give it a bullet or a short section.

Expand your skills section. List specific tools, platforms, programming languages, and certifications. Be precise: "Salesforce (Admin Certified)" is better than "CRM software."

Add a professional development section. Recent courses, certifications, conferences, and training programs show that you are actively growing. This is especially useful if you are changing careers or returning after a break.

The test is simple: can you justify every line on your resume as directly relevant to the job you are applying for? If yes, the length is fine.

FAQs

Q1. Is a two-page resume too long?

No. For candidates with 10+ years of experience, two pages is standard. A ResumeGo study found recruiters are 2.3x more likely to prefer two-page resumes. However, 17% of hiring managers still prefer one page, so know your audience.

Q2. What is the ideal word count for a resume?

475 to 600 words. TalentWorks found this range produces an 8.2% interview rate, nearly double the average. Resumes over 600 words see a 43% drop in callbacks.

Q3. Does resume length affect ATS screening?

No. ATS systems do not penalize longer resumes. They evaluate keyword relevance, formatting, and content structure. A two-page resume with strong keywords will outperform a one-page resume with weak ones.

Q4. When should I keep my resume to one page?

If you have less than 5 years of experience, are changing careers, or if the employer specifically requests one page. In these cases, brevity and focus work in your favor.

Q5. How long do recruiters actually spend reading a resume?

The initial scan takes about 7.4 seconds. But total review time is longer: 2 minutes 24 seconds for a one-page resume, and 4 minutes 5 seconds for a two-page resume. More pages means more time spent considering your application.

Conclusion

The one-page rule is outdated for most professionals. If you have the experience and achievements to fill two pages, use them. If you do not, a focused one page is perfectly fine.

Aim for 475 to 600 words. Lead with your strongest achievements. Cut anything that does not directly support the role you are targeting.

If you want to build a resume that hits the right length with the right content, try our AI Resume Builder. It helps you create ATS-ready resumes sized to your experience level and target role.