How Long Should a CV Be in 2025? Finding the Ideal CV Length
How Long Should a CV Be in 2025? Finding the Ideal CV Length
“How many pages should my CV be?” It’s one of the most common questions we hear from professionals.
The short answer: less is more.
For most UK professionals, a one-page CV is ideal. Two pages should be your maximum, unless you’re in academia, medicine, or research, where longer academic CVs are standard.
But here’s the catch: it isn’t just about page count. What matters most is that your CV is concise, impactful, ATS-friendly, and easy for recruiters to skim.
In 2025, attention spans are shorter, applicant tracking systems are more sophisticated, and competition is tougher than ever. Recruiters don’t want a life story — they want evidence that you’re the right candidate.
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Think of Your CV as a Trailer, Not a Film
Your CV is the preview, not the feature-length documentary. Recruiters spend an average of 7 seconds reviewing each CV before deciding if it’s worth a closer look.
That means:
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If your CV is too long, it won’t be read.
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If it’s cluttered, it’ll be skimmed and discarded.
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If it rambles, it’ll get lost in the pile.
Your goal? Pique their interest enough that they want to bring you in for the “full story” — the interview.
How to Decide the Right CV Length
1) How much experience do you have?
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Under 10 years’ experience: One page is almost always sufficient.
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10+ years of experience: Two pages are usually fine, especially for senior executives or professionals with multiple contract roles.
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Academic or research roles: Use an academic CV, which can extend beyond two pages.
Whatever your level, remember: don’t pad your CV with fluff just to fill space. Recruiters spot this instantly, and it weakens your credibility.
2) Is every bullet point adding value?
Every line of your CV should work hard to prove your case. Weak or repetitive bullet points dilute your impact. Instead:
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Focus on measurable achievements, not generic duties.
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Use action verbs and results (e.g. Delivered £3m in new business in 12 months).
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Cut anything irrelevant to the role you’re targeting.
Think of each bullet as valuable real estate. Don’t waste it.
Why Keeping Your CV Short Matters
Imagine you’re a recruiter with 250 CVs to review. You’re tired, under pressure, and scanning documents as quickly as possible. What gets you rejected instantly?
❌ A CV that rambles for three pages.
❌ Fancy formatting that’s hard to read.
❌ Typos or spelling mistakes that signal carelessness.
❌ Paragraphs instead of sharp, skimmable bullet points.
A concise, well-formatted CV immediately puts you ahead of candidates who don’t respect the recruiter’s time.
How to Cut Your CV Down Without Losing Impact
If your CV is running over two pages, here’s how to streamline it:
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Condense content
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Use 4–6 bullet points for your most recent roles; 2–4 for earlier positions.
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Summarise roles over 10 years old into an “Early Career” section.
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Cut irrelevant experience (e.g. student jobs unless highly relevant).
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Tighten formatting
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Keep margins between 1.2–2.5 cm (0.5–1 inch).
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Use consistent spacing and section headers.
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Don’t go below font size 10 — recruiters won’t read it.
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Embrace white space for readability — it makes your CV easier to skim.
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Final Word
In 2025, your CV needs to be sharp, concise, and ATS-friendly. One page is often ideal, two pages is the limit, and more than that risks rejection.
Remember: your CV isn’t an autobiography. It’s a strategic marketing document designed to secure interviews.
If you’ve been applying without results, your CV length and formatting may be part of the problem. A UK executive CV writing service like CV Pilots ensures your CV is recruiter-approved, ATS-compliant, and tailored to maximise impact — no wasted words, no wasted space.
To find out more, visit our website www.cvpilots.co.uk If you have any further questions, you can either book a consultation call with one of our team, or get in touch via email on team@cvpilots.co.uk
