CV Length

There is quite widespread disagreement about the ideal CV length. Depending upon whose opinion you listen to it can be between 1 and 4 pages. And actually trends have changed a bit through time. Previously longer CVs were more common, but as time has moved on more concise CVs are becoming increasingly popular.


There is little argument that no CV stands out like a one-page CV, and the vast majority of people want their CV to stand out from the crowd. So if you can say everything which needs to be said in a powerful and proactive manner in one-page rather than two, three or four then the one-page CV is the best solution in a lot of cases.


Unfortunately, however, it is extremely difficult to write powerfully, pertinently and concisely at the same time. And even most professional CV writers struggle to achieve this - which is why they don't!


Indeed, most professional writers take the easier option of writing a more bog standard length CV.


However, there are a small/limited number of very talented CV writers who can take what another writer would say in three pages and condense it very effectively into one page. Not only that, but the very best CV writers can not only say the same thing in fewer words, but they can actually say more in fewer words.

Such talented writers are very few and far between - but they do exist.


So the next time you hear someone say that the ideal CV length should be, e.g. three pages, you may wish to think about the possibility that actually one page would be best as long as it sent out the same message (or even a stronger message) than the three-page version.


A lot of people (including many professionals) don't think this is possible, but I write CVs day in, day out - and in my experience it definitely is possible. Not only that, but it could probably apply to your CV too.