How long should a resume be after 7 years?

5 min read · Updated 21 October 2026

Length isn't a rule; it's a reading cost. The question is whether every line earns the space it takes.

One page or two

A single page works for most people with under ten years of experience. Two pages are fine when the second page has work a recruiter would want to read, not when it's padding.

What to cut first

• Old roles. Keep the title, company and dates; drop the bullets for roles more than ten years back.
• Duties. Any bullet without a result.
• Skills lists. Tools everyone in your field uses.
• Objective statements. Replace them with a two-line summary or nothing.

What to keep

Recent results, the work that matches the role you want, and anything a posting asks for by name.