Length is a proxy for editing. A tight two pages reads as senior; a sprawling four reads as unable to prioritise.
The rule by stage
- Under 5 years: one page
- 5 to 15 years: two pages
- Over 15 years: still two, with early roles compressed to one line each
What to cut first
Roles over ten years old, beyond a line. Responsibilities that every person in that job had. School results once you have a degree. Interests, unless directly relevant. Referees — "available on request" is assumed and wastes a line.
What to never cut
Numbers. A CV that loses a page but keeps every quantified result is stronger than the long version.
Common questions
Is a two-page CV acceptable?
Yes, from about five years of experience onward. One page is better if you can do it without stripping results.
Should I include every job I have had?
No. Anything over a decade old, or irrelevant, gets one line or nothing.