How Long Should a CV Be in Ireland? A Practical Guide

If you’re applying for jobs in Ireland, you may be wondering: how many pages should a CV be? The answer depends on your experience, the type of role, and what’s common in Irish recruitment.

This guide explains the ideal CV length in Ireland, plus tips on when to keep it short and when to expand.

The Ideal CV Length in Ireland

For most Irish job applications, your CV should be:

• One page – if you are a student, graduate, or have under 5 years’ experience.
• Two pages – if you are experienced, applying for mid- to senior-level jobs, or have multiple roles to showcase.

Recruiters in Ireland generally don’t expect CVs longer than two pages. If you have more, cut it down.

Why CV Length Matters

Recruiters spend on average 6–8 seconds scanning a CV before deciding if it’s worth reading in full.

• A short CV shows focus and clarity.
• An overly long CV risks hiding your best achievements in unnecessary detail.

Tailoring length is just as important as tailoring content.

When to Keep a CV to One Page

Stick to a single page if:

• You’re a student or recent graduate
• You have limited work experience
• You’re applying for entry-level jobs

A one-page CV works best when you can summarise your experience without cutting key details.

When a Two-Page CV Works Best

Go to two pages if:

• You have 5+ years of experience
• You’ve held multiple relevant roles
• You’re applying for specialist or senior positions
• You’re in fields like IT, engineering, or healthcare, where detailed projects matter

Make sure page two adds value — don’t pad it out.

Tips to Manage CV Length

• Tailor each CV to the role
• Cut irrelevant details (old part-time jobs, outdated skills)
• Summarise early roles in one line each
• Use a clear layout so space is not wasted

Recommended Resources

• Irish CV Guide – full breakdown of format, structure, and best practices

Conclusion

So, how long should a CV be in Ireland?

• One page if you’re early in your career
• Two pages if you’re experienced

Quality matters more than quantity. Recruiters prefer a focused, relevant CV over a long one.