We get asked about CV length for non-academic, UK-based roles a lot in Application Advice appointments, so I thought it was worth tackling here.<\/p>\n
There are all sorts of rumours about which types of employers prefer a one, or a two page CV\u2026and very few hard and fast rules. A quick internet search will give you all sorts of contradictory messages.<\/p>\n
I do recommend using a one-page CV for roles within an investment bank \u2013 it\u2019s generally accepted that this is preferred<\/em>.<\/p>\n Other than that, most<\/em> employers will accept a 2-page CV (and if you're not sure, check!). \u00a0Many employers believe that a one-page CV doesn\u2019t give an applicant enough opportunity to expand on their experience and skills. More important<\/em> is how the CV is structured and written.\u00a0 It needs to look neat and tidy, and your first page should quickly demonstrate your suitability for the role.<\/p>\n First impressions count<\/strong><\/p>\n Your CV should look professional and be easy to read. Use a more modern font such as Arial, and try not to go below font size 11.\u00a0 Space out your different sections, and make main headings stand out by using bold text.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also a good idea to check that your 2-page CV doesn\u2019t look too empty. Too much white space will make your CV look a bit threadbare, and it might be better for you to move to a one-page format. See how everything looks on one page before deciding on your final version.<\/p>\n Get that first page right<\/strong><\/p>\n The first page on your CV must be strong enough to hold the recruiter\u2019s attention, especially\u00a0if you're applying to a\u00a0sought-after role (such as management consulting).\u00a0 It must include as much essential experience and skills as possible. \u00a0Suggestions include:<\/p>\n Top tips for one-page CVs<\/strong><\/p>\n Editing a one-page CV can be really tough. Here are my top tips for writing an effective one-page CV:<\/p>\n Do:<\/strong><\/p>\n Don\u2019t:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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