A one-page CV: what to cut first
Generic hobbies and long objective statements are the first to go.
A recruiter spends only a few seconds on a first look at your CV. One focused page gets read in full; three crowded pages get their first lines read.
1. The long objective statement
“Seeking a challenging role in a dynamic environment…” tells the reader nothing. Replace it with one line on who you are and what you do well: “Accountant with four years in month-end close and SAP.”
2. Generic hobbies
Reading and travel do not set you apart. Keep a hobby only if it shows a skill the job needs, such as a personal coding project or relevant volunteering.
3. Duties instead of results
“Responsible for customer service” describes the job, not you. Write what you achieved: “Cut response time from two days to six hours.” A measurable result saves two lines.
4. Extra personal details
Marital status, date of birth and a photo are not expected in many countries, and in parts of Europe they can count against you. Name, city, email, phone and a LinkedIn link are enough.