Let’s be real—nobody wants to read a novel when they scan your resume. But figuring out what jobs to include (and how far back to go) can be tricky. Should you list every role since college? Only the last 10 years? What if that part-time job from a decade ago actually matters?
Here’s the deal: There’s no one-size-fits-all rule. Some careers demand a deep work history. Others? Just the highlights. We’ll break down the standards, when to bend them, and how to keep your resume sharp—not stuffed.
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How many years should you go back on a resume?
How far back should your resume go? Honestly, it depends. The key question is: Does this old job actually matter for the role I want now? Once a resume stretches past two pages, hiring managers start skimming. In all honesty they prefer seeing the last 10–15 years max—you can show growth without drowning the hiring managers in ancient history. But if an older job gave you killer skills? Keep it. If you switched careers? Maybe just focus on the last five years.
The bottom line?
- Recent work (10–15 years) usually does the heavy lifting.
- Older jobs? Only if they’re still relevant—like if you gained transferable skills or big wins.
- Career changers? Trim the fat. Focus on what aligns now.
No hard rules—just what helps tell your story best.
Check out: How To Create a Winning Customer Service Resume
When to go back 5-10 years
Why cut your work history to under 10 years? Usually, it’s because you made a big career switch.
Picture this: You graduate with a business degree and land a solid job as an executive assistant. For eight years, you kill it—great reviews, respected companies, the whole deal. But over time, you realize something: This just isn’t fulfilling anymore. So you pivot. Nursing calls your name.
Fast-forward five years: You’ve got your nursing degree, finished clinicals, and now you’re applying for nursing jobs. Here’s the move—only list the nursing-relevant stuff on your resume. Sticking to the last five years keeps the focus sharp. No distractions about your age or why you switched careers. Just proof you belong in healthcare.
But what if your old jobs feel totally unrelated? Ditch ‘em. Fill that space with skills, certifications, or awards instead. Just know: If you land an interview, someone might ask about the gap. So prep a confident answer.
Related: Common Resume Mistakes That Could Cost You Jobs
When to go back 10-15 years
Most career coaches suggest listing 10-15 years of work history—usually covering three to five jobs. But here’s the thing: it’s not one-size-fits-all.
Take a 30-year-old teacher, for example. Their decade of experience might break down like this:
- 4 years earning their degree
- 1 year as a teaching assistant
- 3 years at their first school
- 2 years (and counting) in their current role
That’s a solid snapshot of their career growth. For many professionals, 10-15 years neatly captures everything from fresh grad to seasoned expert—maybe even a promotion or two.
But some people? They’ve stayed at one or two companies that whole time. And that’s fine!
So, how much should YOU include?
- Check the job description. Some roles want 5 years; others demand 10-15.
- Focus on relevance. If your early 2000s retail gig doesn’t apply to your corporate HR career now, trim it.
- Adapt for each application. Tweaking your resume to match the role makes you a much stronger candidate.
Bottom line? Show enough to prove your expertise—but not so much that the hiring manager’s eyes glaze over.
When to go back further than 15 years
Let’s be real—most hiring managers don’t care what you were doing two decades ago. These days, sticking to the last 10-15 years of work history is the sweet spot. Anything older? It’s usually just taking up space.
Take this scenario: You spent five years as a graphic designer at a small agency. Then, you jumped to a bigger role—Creative Director—where you’ve been for the past 12 years. When updating your resume, does that early design gig still matter? Probably not. Focus on your recent wins—that’s what employers actually care about.
But (and there’s always a but)—if you’ve been in the same role for 15+ years, that’s different. That kind of long-term commitment and deep expertise? That’s worth keeping. It shows loyalty, mastery, and serious staying power—all things hiring teams love.
Bottom line? Unless your ancient job history is directly relevant (or shows insane career growth), keep it short and recent. Your resume isn’t an autobiography—it’s a highlight reel.
Related: Best Tips On How To Write An Internship Resume
What Belongs on Your Resume?
Resumes aren’t one-size-fits-all. You’ve got options—chronological, functional, or a hybrid of both. But how far back should you go? That depends. Early in your career? Maybe just the last few years. A seasoned pro? You might stretch further—but only if it’s relevant.
Think about the job itself. Industry, role, seniority—they all shape what you include. Scour that job description like it’s the last slice of pizza. What skills pop up repeatedly? That’s your cheat sheet. Your resume shouldn’t just list experience; it should show all you have done and how you excelled in them.
Some fields break the rules. Academia? Those resumes read like novels (two pages minimum). But for most jobs, brevity wins. Trim the fluff. Every line should serve a purpose: proving you’re the best hire.
At the end of the day, you decide what matters. This isn’t about stuffing in every detail—it’s about curating the highlights that make employers think they need you more than you need them.
Best Practices for the Professional Experience Section
Let’s be real—nobody wants to read a novel when they’re scanning resumes. Keep yours tight and to the point—one page is usually plenty. (Unless you’ve got decades of experience under your belt—then maybe stretch to two.)
But here’s the thing: Even senior folks shouldn’t ramble. If you’re pushing past a page, every line better earn its spot. No fluff, just the big wins that prove you’re the right hire.
Consider the position
How far back should your resume go? Honestly, it depends on the job.
Just starting out? For entry-level gigs, employers usually don’t expect much—if any—relevant work history. But hey, even that part-time café job or internship could count toward the “1-2 years of general experience” some listings ask for.
Now, if you’re gunning for a senior role? That’s a different story. We’re talking 10+ years of solid, relevant experience here.
Here’s the thing: Don’t treat your resume like an autobiography.
- No experience? List everything you’ve got—it all helps.
- Mid-career with 6+ years under your belt? Skip that summer job from two decades ago. Nobody cares.
- Going for a director or executive role? Keep it tight. Highlight the big wins and recent wins—not your entire career timeline.
Oh, and keep it to 1-2 pages unless you’re a seasoned pro with a story worth telling. Even then, be ruthless—only the good stuff stays.
Pro tip: A smart resume format can make all that experience shine without overwhelming the hiring manager.
Minimize irrelevant roles
Want hiring managers to notice the right stuff? Then your resume needs to put the spotlight on your most relevant skills.
Let’s be real—your last few jobs might include roles that don’t exactly fit your target position. And that’s okay! For those, keep descriptions short and sweet. A quick summary of your duties and wins is enough. Why? Because it saves precious space for the important stuff—the jobs that actually align with what recruiters care about.
Pro tip: If your work history’s all over the place, try a functional resume. Instead of listing every single job in order, this format highlights your skills and biggest wins front and center. Sometimes, less chronology translates to more impact.
Address any work gaps
Got gaps in your work history? You’re not alone. Maybe you stepped back to earn that MBA, raise a family, or handle life’s curveballs. Ignoring those empty spaces on your resume might feel easier—but trust me, a quick explanation works better.
Here’s the trick: Slot in a brief note (just a line or two!) beside the gap. Keep it simple, like:
- [2018–2020: Full-time MBA student at Stanford]
- [2017–2021: Focused on raising my young kids]
See how brackets work? They tidy up the story without shouting “GAP HERE!” at hiring managers.
Pro tip: If you were in school during the break, expand on it in your Education section—details like your degree program can turn a gap into a “Oh, that makes sense” moment.
Add a career note section
Ever feel like your early work history is just taking up space? Here’s a neat trick: Add a “Career Note” section right after your main experience. Think of it like a highlight reel—just the good stuff, no fluff.
This works especially well for older roles. Why? Because you can skip the dates (smart move if you’re wary of age bias) while still showing off that solid foundation.
Example:
Let’s say you’re applying for a direct sales role needing 6 years of experience. You’ve got it—but here’s the catch:
- 2019–2022 → Easy, it fits neatly in your last 6 years.
- 2008–2011 → Way back, but those skills still matter.
Instead of forcing ancient dates onto your resume, summarize the key wins in your Career Note. Maybe you crushed sales targets or mastered cold-calling back in the day. If it’s relevant, own it—even if it happened when flip phones were still a thing.
Pro Tip: Don’t downplay older experience just because it’s not recent. If it helped shape your skills, give it the spotlight it deserves.
Include older jobs if necessary
Should you include older jobs on your resume? Absolutely—if they help prove you’re the right fit.
Gaps or unrelated recent roles can leave hiring managers guessing. But digging into your past to highlight relevant experience bridges that gap. Think of it like this: if your last few jobs don’t show the skills needed for the role you want, those earlier positions might save the day.
How far back is too far?
- Normally, 10–15 years is the sweet spot (anything older risks age bias).
- But here’s the trick: Relevance beats recency. If you handled similar tasks 12 years ago—and they align with the job posting—it’s worth including.
Struggling to decide? Ask yourself: “Does this old job help tell the story of why I’m perfect for this role?” If yes, give it space. If not, leave it out.
Frequently Asked Questions About How Far Back to Go on a Resume
Even with decades of experience, less is more when it comes to your resume. Stretching beyond 15 years of work history—or cramming in more than two pages—can backfire. Why? Sadly, some employers might make unfair assumptions about adaptability or tech skills based on dates alone.
So, what’s the sweet spot? Match the job description. If they ask for 10 years of experience, focus on your most impactful last decade. If they don’t specify, 10-15 years is a safe bet.
Let’s be real: no one wants to dig up ancient job history. But here’s the thing—dates matter. If you skip them, most hiring systems (and human recruiters) will toss your resume aside. Even if that one relevant role was ages ago, or you only stayed somewhere briefly, include it.
Now, if you’re using a skills-focused resume, you can keep the work history short. Just slap a quick timeline at the bottom—simple bullet points. The key? Balance. Show enough to prove your experience, but don’t drown them in irrelevant details.
Honestly? Probably not. Here’s the thing: recruiters get it. Layoffs happen—especially these days. Gaps in employment? Totally normal. Neither reflects how you’ll actually perform in a role.
Unless it’s absolutely necessary, skip the details on why you left a job. That info just clutters your resume, stealing attention from what really matters: your skills and experience. Now, about resume length—should it be one page or two? That depends. How much work history do you have? What’s relevant to the job you want?
Keep it tight. Keep it focused. And let your qualifications speak for themselves.
Honestly? Don’t do it. Sure, padding your years of experience might seem like a quick fix, but it’ll almost always come back to bite you. Imagine sitting in an interview, sweating bullets because the hiring manager starts digging into that “five years of experience” you claimed—only to realize you can’t back it up. Awkward. Worse? If they catch you in a background check. Good luck recovering from that.
Conclusion
How far back should your resume go? Honestly, it depends.
Most hiring managers only care about your last 10-15 years of work—that’s where the gold is. They want to see what you’ve been up to lately, how your skills have sharpened, and why you’d be a killer fit for their team right now.
Just starting out? No sweat. You don’t need to pad your resume with fluff. Been around a while? Don’t dump your whole career onto the page. Trim the fat—keep what’s actually relevant to the job.
Here’s the real secret: A great resume isn’t an autobiography. It’s a highlight reel. Ditch the outdated stuff. Skip the unrelated gigs. Every line should scream, “This is why you should hire me.”
And hey—clarity is king. If your resume’s easy to scan, you’re already ahead. Hiring managers are busy. Make their job easier, and they’ll love you for it.
At the end of the day? It’s not about how much history you include. It’s about telling the right parts of your story—the parts that get you hired.
