Trying to decide how much work history to include on your resume? You’re in the right place.
Whether you’ve been working for 2 years or 25, it’s easy to feel stuck. Should you list that job from 2005? What about the one you barely remember?
Here’s the truth: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
However, there are proven strategies that can help you determine what to keep and what to cut, ensuring your resume consistently meets the mark.
At BoxResume, we write ATS-friendly resumes that get results. If you’re still unsure how far back to go, we’re here to help.
Why This Decision Matters More Than You Think
Your resume is not your life story. It’s your marketing tool.
Hiring managers only spend 6-8 seconds scanning each resume. If yours is cluttered with irrelevant roles from decades ago, you might lose their attention before they ever see your best work.
The goal?
Create a clear and focused snapshot of your most relevant and recent accomplishments.
So, How Far Back Should Your Resume Go?
✅ General Rule: Stick to the Last 10–15 Years
Most career experts, including the team here at BoxResume, recommend including no more than 10 to 15 years of work experience.
That range offers the perfect balance. It gives hiring managers a solid sense of your professional growth without overwhelming them with outdated information.
But What If You’ve Been Working Longer?
Here’s where it gets more personal.
Let’s break it down by career stage so that you can tailor your resume timeline to your unique journey.
Students or Recent Graduates (0–2 Years)
If you’re starting, go ahead and list:
- Part-time jobs
- Internships
- Volunteer work
- Extracurricular activities or leadership roles
Even that high school job at the ice cream shop counts, especially if you learned valuable skills like customer service, teamwork, or sales.
The key is to show transferable skills and relevant experience, even if it wasn’t in your target industry.
Example:
Cashier at Scoopz Ice Cream | 2020–2022
Suggested new flavors that boosted weekend sales by 12%. Trained three new hires in customer service and point-of-sale (POS) systems.
Pro Tip: No need to worry about how far back to go just yet. Focus on showing potential.
Early-to-Mid Career (2–15 Years)
If you’re in this range, your resume should cover only the most recent and relevant experiences.
Forget the summer jobs and internships unless they directly support the role for which you’re applying.
Stick to these principles:
- Include your last 3–6 roles (within 10–15 years)
- Tailor each bullet point to the job description
- Cut older jobs that no longer reflect your current value
“But what if my early jobs helped shape my career?”
Great question. That brings us to a potent trick…
Use an “Earlier Career Highlights” Section
Let’s say you worked in engineering from 2003 to 2008, took a break, and are now applying for an engineering role again. That older role might still be relevant.
Add it in a summary format, like this:
Earlier Career Experience
Electrical Engineer | PowerCorp Inc. | 2003–2008
Managed substation upgrades across three states. Promoted twice. Delivered $1.2M in savings through project redesign.
Short. Focused. Impressive.
This section lets you include relevant experience without cluttering your main timeline.
Seasoned Professionals (15+ Years)
If you’ve been in the workforce for two decades or more, it’s time to prioritise impact over history.
Here’s how:
- Stick to your most recent 15 years
- Highlight leadership, results, and certifications
- Summarize older roles if they’re relevant; otherwise, skip them
Many employers look for fresh achievements. Too much outdated content may come across as obsolete or raise concerns about age bias, a real issue.
Instead of listing everything, spotlight the wins that matter right now.
“But my first job taught me everything I know.”
Sure. However, your resume isn’t about where you started; it’s about where you are now and where you are going.
How Many Jobs Should Be on Your Resume?
That depends on:
- How long you were at each job
- How relevant each one is
- How many accomplishments you can show
A good benchmark? List 3 to 6 jobs with full bullet points.
Use short summaries for any extra roles.
Remember: Quality beats quantity. Every job on your resume should earn its place.
What If You Have a Career Gap?
Career breaks happen. Whether it was for caregiving, illness, travel, or a sabbatical, don’t panic.
Here’s how to handle it with confidence:
1. Include a simple label
Career Break | 2020–2022
Focused on full-time caregiving while maintaining certification in HR.
2. Show growth
Mention freelance work, online courses, or any other activity that demonstrates your ongoing growth and ability to stay sharp.
3. Be honest and brief
No need to overshare. Just be clear and professional.
Resume Format Matters, Too
The extent to which your resume goes back also depends on how you structure it.
🔹 Chronological Resume
List jobs from most recent to oldest. Great if you have a steady career path.
🔹 Functional Resume
Focus on skills and achievements, not dates. Ideal for career changers or gaps.
🔹 Hybrid (Combination) Resume
It’s the best of both worlds. Focuses on skills first, then work history.
This is the format we recommend most at BoxResume — and it’s also ATS-friendly.
Keep It ATS-Friendly
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes for:
- Keywords
- Job titles
- Formatting consistency
Too much outdated experience may confuse these systems. Stick with modern roles, clear formatting, and job-relevant keywords.
Need help with ATS optimisation? That’s our specialty.
Let us check your resume for you.
Final Thoughts: How Far Back Should Your Resume Go?
📌 If you’re early in your career, include all relevant jobs, even if they’re part-time or temporary.
📌 If you’re mid-career, Stick to the past 10–15 years. Drop unrelated roles.
📌 If you’re a veteran professional, prioritise recent achievements. Summarise older roles if needed.
No matter where you are, the most important thing is this:
Your resume should support your story, not bury it.
Need Help Deciding What to Keep or Cut?
Let us take the guesswork out of it.
Our resume experts at BoxResume know what hiring managers and ATS software are looking for in 2025.
We craft custom, keyword-optimized resumes that stand out in any stack.
✅ Ready to upgrade your resume?
Talk to us now, and let’s make your experience work for you.
