How Long Should Your CV Be in 2025 for Entry-Level Positions? Expert Advice and Guidelines | CV Builder

Starting your career journey is exciting, but figuring out the ‘rules’ of job hunting can feel overwhelming. One question we hear all the time is: “How long should my CV actually be?” Especially when you’re applying for entry-level positions, getting this right is crucial. Let’s clear up the confusion for 2025.

The One-Page Rule: Still Golden for Entry-Level?

For entry-level candidates – that means recent graduates, school leavers, or those with minimal professional experience – the answer is almost always yes, stick to one page.

Why? Recruiters and hiring managers are often swamped with applications. They typically spend only a few seconds scanning each CV initially. A concise, focused one-page CV makes it easy for them to quickly grasp your key qualifications and potential.

Think of it this way: your entry-level CV is a highlights reel, not your entire life story. You want to present the most relevant information in the most accessible way.

But What If I Have Lots of Projects or Internships?

It’s great if you’ve been proactive! However, even with multiple internships, volunteer roles, or significant academic projects, the goal is still to condense this onto one page for most entry-level roles.

Focus on Quality, Not Quantity:

• Relevance is Key: Only include experiences and skills directly related to the job you’re applying for. That summer job from three years ago might not be relevant for a graduate marketing scheme.
• Impactful Bullet Points: Instead of just listing duties, use bullet points to highlight your achievements and quantify them whenever possible. (e.g., “Assisted with social media campaign, resulting in a 15% increase in engagement.”)
• Concise Language: Avoid jargon, clichés, and overly long sentences.

How to Keep Your Entry-Level CV to One Page

Making everything fit without it looking cramped can be a challenge. Here’s how:

1. Tailor Ruthlessly: Customise your CV for every single application. Read the job description carefully and prioritise the skills and experiences they’re looking for.
2. Cut the Fluff:
   • Remove generic objective statements (a tailored professional summary is better).
   • Leave out high school details if you have further education.
   • Only include hobbies if they are highly relevant or demonstrate specific skills.
   • Don’t list obvious skills like ‘Microsoft Word’ unless specifically requested.
3. Smart Formatting: Use clear headings, bullet points, and sufficient white space. A clean layout makes a huge difference. Hint: Using a professionally designed template, like those offered by ThePerfectCV, ensures optimal formatting and readability without you having to wrestle with margins!.
4. Prioritise Sections: For entry-level, the typical order is:
   • Contact Information
   • Professional Summary (Optional, but good if tailored)
   • Education
   • Experience (Internships, placements, relevant part-time work, volunteer roles)
   • Projects (If applicable)
   • Skills (Technical and soft skills)

When Might Two Pages Be Okay (Rarely for Entry-Level)?

In very specific, rare cases for entry-level, a second page might be considered, such as:

• Highly technical or research-focused roles requiring detailed project lists or publications.
• Academic CVs (which follow different conventions).

But for the vast majority of graduate schemes, internships, and first jobs, one page is the standard and expectation.

Focus on Making Page One Count

Instead of worrying about filling space, concentrate on making your single page as strong as possible. It’s about presenting your best, most relevant self concisely.

Remember, tools like ThePerfectCV can help you structure your information effectively, suggest relevant skills using AI, and ensure your formatting is spot-on, making it easier to create that perfect one-page CV.

So, for your 2025 entry-level job search, keep it concise, keep it relevant, and keep it to one page. You’ve got this!

Ready to build a CV that gets noticed? Try creating your perfect one-page CV with us today!