The rough guide
- Students and new graduates: one page, no exceptions.
- Up to about 8 years of experience: one page, usually.
- 8+ years: two pages is normal and expected.
- Nursing and most clinical roles: two pages is standard — licensure and clinical detail legitimately take space.
- Academia: a CV, which can run many pages and follows entirely different conventions.
- Federal applications: much longer, in a prescribed format.
Length is a symptom
A three-page resume at four years of experience is not a length problem. It means responsibilities are being listed rather than results, and cutting it will make it stronger rather than poorer.
The reverse also applies: a half-empty page usually means projects and jobs are being under-described, not that there is nothing to say.
What to cut first
- Anything from more than 15 years ago, compressed to a single line each.
- Duties that every person in your role performs.
- Skills sections padded with soft skills nobody can verify.
- An objective statement, which says what you want rather than what you offer.
- References available on request — assumed, and a waste of a line.