The Truth About CV Length & What Recruiters Want to See

“Marketing aims to know and understand the customer so well, the product sells itself." – Peter Drucker. Your CV is your product. And in today’s fiercely competitive job market, knowing how to position it sets you apart.

The “One-Page Rule” Is History – Here’s What Counts Now

Once upon a time, the golden rule was squeezing your career into a single page. But here’s the truth: a CV’s no universal “correct” length. Instead, what matters most is whether your CV is clear, engaging, and easy to skim.

The 6-Second Reality Check

Like their global counterparts, recruiters spend an average of six seconds scanning each CV. Let that sink in—six seconds to decide if you’re a “yes," “maybe," or “no." With unemployment rates high and a flood of applications for every job, recruiters focus on spotting essential qualifications, skills, and experience.

This isn’t to say they don’t care about the details, but they’re looking for standout points that match the job requirements. If your CV isn’t readable at a glance, it’s already lost the race.

Why “Less Is More” Means “Clean and Clear”

Many South African job seekers need to pay more attention to their CVs. Tiny fonts, paper-thin margins, and a blizzard of bold text don’t make your CV stand out—they make it overwhelming.

Here’s a recruiter’s secret: clarity trumps creativity. Fancy graphics and packed pages can work against you. What they want is:

• An uncluttered layout
• Clear sections and headings
• Legible fonts
• Strategic use of white space

A CV should feel like a neatly curated gallery, not an overstocked warehouse.

The Art of the “Skimmable” CV

You can think of your CV as an advert. It should tease, not tell all. Focus on creating a document that gets recruiters saying, “Tell me more.” Here’s how:

• Stick to simplicity: Use a clean, professional font like Arial or Calibri at a readable size (11–12 points).
• Leave room to breathe: White space isn’t wasted space—it’s essential for readability.
• Highlight key points: Use bullet points for achievements, not long-winded paragraphs.
• Tailor for impact: Adjust your CV for each role, emphasizing skills and experience that match the job description.

Length vs. Readability: The South African Context

Whether your CV is one, two, or even three pages is less important than how effectively it communicates your value. For experienced professionals, a two-page CV is perfectly acceptable—and sometimes essential—to cover significant achievements and qualifications.

However, more isn’t better unless every word adds value. A three-page CV filled with repetitive or irrelevant information will lose interest faster than load-shedding disrupts dinner plans.

The Proof Is in the Stats

In a recent survey, 74% of recruiters preferred CVs with a clean, easy-to-read format over those crammed with unnecessary details, where diverse industries like finance, healthcare, and tech demand precision and professionalism. A well-formatted CV makes a powerful first impression.

Examples Speak Volumes

Take two hypothetical candidates applying for a project management role. One submits a tightly packed single-page CV with dense text and excessive jargon. The other submits a two-page CV with clear headings, concise bullet points, and measurable results (e.g., “Delivered a R2M project two weeks ahead of schedule”). Guess who gets shortlisted?

What Recruiters Want in the South African Job Market

1. Relevance: Tailor your CV to each job application. Don’t include unrelated experiences that don’t add value.
2. Achievements: Use numbers and specifics: “Reduced costs by 20% through streamlined procurement processes.”
3. Keywords: Align with the job ad. Recruiters increasingly use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), and keyword matching can be the difference between getting noticed and ignored.

Wrapping It Up

Your CV isn’t just a document—it’s your first handshake with a potential employer. It should tell a story, spark interest, and open doors.

So, forget the outdated “one-page rule.” Focus instead on readability, relevance, and results. A CV that showcases your unique value—clearly and concisely—will do the heavy lifting for you.

Your CV is the stage; your skills are the show—make every second count.

???? Virtual Staff South Africa