Though CVs tend to be a page long, there are some situations where you’ll need a CV on two pages. The two-page CV format is, as it sounds, a CV that extends over two pages. It uses the conventional CV format with a personal statement, work history or experience, skills, education or qualifications, and any additional sections like interests, accomplishments, or certifications.
The 2-page CV layout is a great option for the most experienced candidates who need to include their vast array of qualifications, work experience, and skills for complex roles. However, choosing the right structure and content to include in a 2-page CV is of vital importance – it's not for cramming every minute detail of your career!
Ready to get started on your CV? Although creating a CV longer than 2 pages might seem a daunting task at first glance, we're on hand to make creating a top 2-page CV super easy! We’ve gathered all the information you need about how to write a two-page CV that recruiters will absolutely love – and there are plenty of stylish CV templates to choose from.
Discover our collection of two-page CV samples to help you craft a showstopping CV – with details about when and how to use the two-page CV format, along with what information to include, what to leave out, and how to decide between a 1-page or 2-page CV. Once you’ve read all our CV help and tips, you can create your own using our online CV builder.
What is the structure of the 2-page CV?
When writing a CV on two pages, there are several key elements you’ll need to include. These will be much the same as other CV formats, but with some core differences that you’ll need to keep in mind. The 2-page CV design should include your contact details, personal statement, work history, academic history, skills and, in some cases, any other relevant details.
Contact details
[This should feature at the top or directly at the side of your CV. Always include your full name, address, phone number and email address. If you have a LinkedIn account or portfolio page, you could also link this here if it’s relevant to the job.]
Personal statement
[After your contact details, you’ll need to write out your personal statement. This should be a brief summary of your career achievements and plans for the future. Even in a CV on 2 pages, you should still keep this section concise and on-point, covering no more than four sentences. Don’t repeat this on the second page of your CV – the second page should be for new information only.]
Work history
[This is arguably the most important part of your CV, so if you’re writing a CV in 2 pages, always include this on the first page. Your work history should cover the most relevant positions to the role, with details of your responsibilities and achievements. Start with your most recent position, then work backwards.]
Skills
[Your skills section should include details of both your technical and transferable skills for the role. This section can be placed down the side of your CV or after the work history section. Don’t be tempted to repeat your skills section on both pages.]
Academic history
[Similar to your work history, you’ll need to use bullet points to cover your most relevant qualifications, working backwards from the most recent. If you need to fit a lot of work experience into a two-page CV template, you could include the details of your education on the second page.]
What about any additional information?
The 2-page CV format is unique because it gives applicants a bit of extra room to showcase any other relevant information that might catch their recruiter’s eye. This can vary between roles, but the second page can be used to list out any relevant voluntary work you’ve undertaken, publications you’ve written, conferences you’ve worked on, or even hobbies. The key rule is ensuring every detail you include is relevant to the job application. Your covering letter should also be used to complement your CV, so don’t be tempted to rehash details from it either.
KEVIN KNIGHT
99 Cunnery Road Manchester M3 7GJ
07912 345678
kevin.knight@example-example.co.uk
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Decisive Marketing Manager with 12 years of experience driving company growth through creative and innovative strategies. Resourceful team leader skilled at analysing market trends and customer needs to develop highly effective and targeted marketing campaigns.
WORK HISTORY
Digital Marketing Manager, 01/2019 - Current
Rainbow Marketing Agency, Manchester
- Worked directly with clients to achieve successful marketing campaigns.
- Responsible for devising marketing strategy for prominent clients.
- Managed internal web-based demand generation campaigns by collaborating with internal channels to drive brand consistency and best practices.
- Realised greater team efficiency and effectiveness by creating award-winning programmes, strategies, and sales tools from concept to completion.
- Managed key digital channels, including YouTube and TikTok content development, Google, Facebook and Instagram Ads.
- Evaluated Google Ads campaigns against ROI and KPI targets and identified opportunities for further growth and improvement.
Assistant Digital Marketing Manager, 01/2015 - 12/2018
Creative Solutions Ltd, Manchester
- Supported Digital Marketing Manager in improving operations and resolving issues to deliver top-notch customer service.
- Delivered an exceptional level of service to each client by listening to campaign briefs and answering questions.
- Assisted in managing team of 8 employees, overseeing the hiring, training, and professional growth of employees.
- Managed multi-channel advertising campaigns to support sales objectives.
- Maximised media coverage through tactical planning and communications.
Digital Marketing Executive, 09/2011 - 12/2014
Manchester SEO Boutique , Manchester
- Analysed usage patterns to understand ways in which customers used company products and services.
- Managed annual marketing budgets for 10 clients.
- Collaborated with developers, advertisers and production managers to market products and services.
- Planned and executed social media campaigns, achieving over 50% engagement.
- Utilised Google Analytics and HubSpot to monitor PPC advertising and newsletter campaigns.
SKILLS
- Digital content generation
- Marketing and advertising
- Client relations
- Performance analysis
- Project management
- Cost Per Lead (CPL) tracking
- Segmentation techniques
- Digital campaign analytics
- Database marketing
- Google Ads
- Email and SMS campaigns
EDUCATION
Manchester Metropolitan University, 2011
Master of Science: Digital Marketing
University of Manchester, 2009
Bachelor of Arts: English Literature
CERTIFICATIONS
Microsoft Advertising Certified Professional
Google Analytics Individual Qualification
Google Ads Marketing Certification
HubSpot Content Marketing Certification
OMCP Digital Marketing Certification
Two-page CV format samples
Looking for a sample 2-page CV to show you how it’s done? We’ve got just the ticket. Take a look at our two-page CV examples below to see a selection of designs and experience levels.
Sample 1 – Simple two-page CV format
A great example of a 2-page CV where the candidate wants to show their journey from entry level to a senior role – in this case, administration officer to chief operating officer (COO). That’s topped off with a concise list of their accomplishments to set their CV apart from the competition.
Sample 2 – Bright CV on 2 pages
This 2-page CV sample for a photographer demonstrates how small design features can make things more appealing to recruiters. The addition of colour in the header, subheadings, and page breaks makes it easier to navigate the CV from the professional summary to the portfolio at the end.
Sample 3 – 2-page academic CV
Academic researchers have to balance a long list of research, teaching, and administrative responsibilities. This 2-page academic CV showcases them all in the best light, including a concise section for selected publications. It’s all topped off with a simple format so recruiters can easily find what they’re looking for.
When to use a two-page CV format
If you’re wondering whether to create a one or two-page CV, then there are some key factors you’ll need to consider. If the criteria below sound relevant to you, then chances are a CV on two pages is the best option.
Here are some examples for when a 2-page CV template would be the best choice:
You’re a senior candidate
If you’ve been in the industry for years and have lots of experience under your belt, when it comes to your CV, a two-page format is the way to go. With this CV format, you can dedicate a whole page to your illustrious work history, showcasing all your major achievements. Many senior positions will require an extensive work history, and the 2-page CV format means you can display all the relevant information from your career without scrimping on your skills, qualifications, and additional accomplishments.
You want to showcase your career path
With certain job roles, it might be necessary to showcase your entire career, starting from your entry-level positions into senior roles. This could be to show your experience with different departments or aspects of the role that your senior positions alone don’t demonstrate. It could also show your dedication to working up the career ladder, particularly if you don’t have specific industry qualifications. When it comes to this kind of CV, 2 pages is a must.
You have extensive qualifications
If you’re a real go-getter when it comes to qualifications, then a 2-page CV template for UK jobs could be just what you’re looking for. With a 2-page academic CV, for example, you’ll have more space to list the relevant details for multiple degrees, diplomas, and other courses to showcase to employers, possibly along with a publications section, without compromising on your work history and skills. You should always ensure the qualifications you include are truly relevant to the role – that French GCSE is unlikely to be useful in a computer analyst role (unless it’s in France!).
You have additional sections to include
If you’re applying for a specialist role – or you have some extra special accolades to share, you may need some extra space to showcase them. For example, if you’re a recipient of many industry awards, you might like to include a whole section for them. Or perhaps you’ve written many scholarly articles in industry journals – then a section for your published articles could come in handy for a 2-page academic CV. Sections for voluntary experience and relevant hobbies can also be useful for some career paths. CV examples can give you some ideas for the kinds of information to include. Before writing your CV, take a look at a 2-page CV example for added inspiration – there might be an important piece of experience you’ve forgotten to add until now.
When not to use a two-page CV format
If you’re not sure whether to use a one-page or two-page CV, the main question to ask is – do you really need that extra page? What you shouldn’t be using it for is to pad out your CV. If you start waffling in your personal statement or work history, that won’t impress employers. Listing out irrelevant qualifications from years ago won’t help either. Unless the role calls for it, the kinds of jobs that will require a two-page CV will not need a full account of your GCSEs and A levels. Adding a hobby section to your CV might be fun, but if it’s not absolutely relevant, it needs to go. Don’t be tempted to include your entire work history either. Focus on the last three to four jobs, or the past ten years of your career.
You should also avoid using a two-page CV format if you’re an entry-level candidate. You won’t have enough experience to include, and, as a result, most of your CV will be overly padded out. That’s the kind of mistake that’s likely to get your CV put to the bottom of the pile.
Download two-page CV format by job
There are a number of different industries and job roles where a 2-page CV is suitable. On our CV builder, you can search for a wide range of different job types and experience levels to filter down content and build your own CV on two pages.
Take a look at some of our 2-page CV examples below to see how different jobs vary, what’s included, and how it all comes together.
Dos and don’ts for the best two-page CVs
Planning to use the two-page CV format? You’ll need to keep these rules in mind when writing your CV – or risk being overlooked by employers.
Do
- DO: use a templateUtilising a 2-page CV template for UK jobs can make the CV writing process much easier. Rather than trying to create a CV from scratch, you’ll have expert designs and fonts on hand to make the details of your career stand out to recruiters. Whether it’s a 1- or 2-page CV, templates feature stylish pre-made designs to streamline the time you spend on creating your CV, so you can focus on filling the two pages with all the details of your career.
- DO: focus on your unique accomplishmentsFor senior candidates, a 2-page CV is an opportunity to show everything you have to offer, including the most unique details that make you stand out. If you’ve received a prestigious industry award, include it within the achievements section. Maybe your voluntary work will give you the edge, or you’ve hosted a conference on a specialist subject. Whatever your unique experiences and core skills are, that second page gives you plenty of valuable room.
Don't
- DON’T: include irrelevant informationA 2-page CV is intended to provide additional space for senior candidates who have a lot of work experience to include. As such, try to avoid details about jobs and qualifications that don’t really relate to the role you’re applying for. If you’re not sure whether to choose a 1-page or 2-page CV, consider which details could be removed if absolutely necessary. If you find that’s about the length of one page of content, there’s no need to make your CV any longer.
- DON’T: submit a 1.5 page CVIf you opt for a 2-page CV, it’s important that the choice is justified. Writing a CV that’s somewhere in-between 1 and 2 pages can look incomplete and unprofessional. If you find yourself at 1.5 pages, there are a few formatting tools you can use to get yourself down to 1 page or up to a full 2 pages. These include the font size, font style, heading size, line spacing, section spacing, and page margins.
Frequently asked questions about the 2-page CV format
Can my CV be 2 pages?
It’s absolutely fine to make your CV 1 page or 2 – but you’ll need to think carefully about whether a two-page CV is going to be the best choice for your application. If you’re applying for a senior-level role, then extensive work experience may be required. Managerial roles or positions that require technical expertise, such as a data analyst role, will likely benefit from a CV with two pages. However, if you’re just starting out in the world of work, then in most cases, a one-page CV will be more appropriate.
Should a CV be one or two pages?
Most applicants will have to decide whether to make their CV one page or two. Ultimately, this will depend on the job role and your experience level. Most candidates should keep their CVs contained to one page. However, if you’re applying to a senior position, then a longer CV might be necessary to cover all the required experience.
If you do decide to write a 2-page CV, make sure you fill both pages of the CV template. If the second page only has a couple of sentences, it could look sloppy and unprofessional to employers. This alone could be enough to determine your choice between a 1 or 2-page CV for UK jobs – as it will be easier to make it fit on one page than extend it to fill two.
Can a CV be more than 2 pages?
When it comes to a CV, 1 or 2 pages should be the absolute limit unless it’s an academic CV. While some wouldn’t admit it, recruiters are highly unlikely to read every part of a CV that’s three pages or longer. At best, they will skim-read for the relevant information. At worst, they’ll be put off by your inability to keep things concise – and put your CV straight into the ‘no’ pile.
How to write a 2-page CV
A 2-page CV should include the following sections:
- Contact section – Alongside your name, include your address, phone number, and email address.
- Personal statement – A 3-4 sentence summary of your CV, including key skills, qualifications, or experience. Despite coming first, it’s easiest if you write this last.
- Work history – Detail your previous roles starting with the most recent.
- Skills – Add a bullet-point list of key skills, including both hard (technical) and soft (transferable) skills
- Qualifications – List your relevant qualifications in reverse-chronological order.
- Interests – Where relevant, you can list your interests outside of work.
2-page CV: key takeaways
Ready to build your 2-page CV? Remember that it’s best suited to applicants with lots of experience, who can’t fit all their work history or qualifications onto a single page. Like our two-page CV examples, your CV should include all of the following:
- Contact details
- Personal statement
- Work history
- Skills
- Education or qualifications
- Additional sections like interests, publications, or certifications where relevant
It’s also important that your CV is 2 pages long, rather than one and a bit, one and a half, or almost two. Rather than adding in unnecessary details to pad it out, it’s better to make small changes to the formatting to make sure it fits nicely onto two pages. If that doesn’t work, it might be easier to trim it down to a single page.
Be sure to read through our other help and tips when writing your CV. Then, when you’re ready to get started, choose from our 2-page CV templates for UK applicants to make the process quicker and easier.
Related CVs
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