How Far Back Should a Resume Go?
When updating your resume, one common question is: how far back should you go? Including every job you’ve ever had may seem like a good way to showcase experience, but in reality, most employers are only interested in the last 10 to 15 years. Beyond that, older roles become less relevant, take up valuable space, and can make your resume look outdated.
However, there are some exceptions to this general rule. Let’s break down the key factors that determine how much of your work history to include, as well as best practices for structuring your resume effectively.
The 10-15 Year Guideline
For most job seekers, limiting your resume to the past 10 to 15 years ensures you highlight your most recent and relevant experience. Employers are primarily interested in what you’ve done recently because it better reflects your current skills and expertise. Roles from decades ago may no longer be applicable to the modern workplace, and older technologies, methodologies, or responsibilities may no longer align with today’s industry standards. Also, including older roles on your resume can introduce the potential for age-related bias to creep into the hiring process.
When to Go Beyond 15 Years
There are a few situations where it makes sense to include experience from more than 15 years ago:
Career Changers – If you are transitioning to a new field and had relevant experience prior to the 10-15 year mark, it may be worth including. For example, if you worked in marketing 18 years ago and are returning to the field, you might list that role on your resume.
Long Tenure in One Role – If you have worked for the same company for 20+ years, breaking it into different roles or highlighting key achievements can be useful. However, earlier responsibilities should still be summarised to avoid unnecessary detail.
Highly Relevant Experience – In specialised fields, such as academia, research, or government roles, experience from further back may still be valuable and a comprehensive CV (rather than a resume) may be required.
In you’re unsure on the difference between a resume and a CV, check out my blog post here: What is a CV versus a Resume in Australia? — TLW Resume Services
Prioritising Recent and Relevant Experience
Your most recent and relevant experience should be front and centre. Always list jobs in reverse chronological order, meaning your current or most recent role appears first. Older roles should take up less space, with fewer bullet points and less detail. Instead of listing every responsibility, focus on achievements, results, and key contributions.
Combining Similar Roles for Conciseness
If you have held multiple similar positions, particularly short-term contracts or roles within the same industry, you can consolidate them to keep your resume streamlined. For example, if you worked three short-term contracts eight years ago as a leasing consultant in real estate, rather than listing each separately, you could combine them into a single experience.
Leasing Consultant – Various Agencies | March 2016 – July 2018
Managed leasing processes for up to 120 properties across three agencies, assisting clients with property viewings and lease agreements.
This approach keeps your resume concise and avoids unnecessary repetition.
Ideal Resume Length Based on Experience
The length of your resume should align with your career stage:
One page – Suitable for recent school leavers, entry-level roles, or those with approximately five years or less of work experience.
Two pages – Ideal for mid-career professionals with more than 5-10 years of experience who need space to highlight key achievements.
Three pages of more (rare cases) – Senior executives or professionals in specialised industries with extensive experience may require additional pages to showcase leadership and strategic impact, but only if all information remains relevant and compelling.
Final Tips for a Strong Resume
Keep it focused – Prioritise roles that showcase your strengths and align with the job you’re applying for.
Acknowledge career gaps – Career gaps are common due to a number of different reasons, including study, health, caregiving and travel. The key is to acknowledge any gaps briefly on your resume, but also frame them in a positive way showing your readiness to return to work. For more tips on how to address employment gaps, check out this Indeed article: How To Explain Gaps in Employment on Your Resume | Indeed.com
Use clear formatting – Avoid clutter and ensure your resume is easy to read.
Highlight achievements – Use the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to demonstrate impact.
For more detail on what to include in the perfect resume that will actually get you noticed by potential employers, check out my blog post here: What Should a Resume Include? — TLW Resume Services — TLW Resume Services
If you're unsure whether your resume strikes the right balance of being relevant but also demonstrating your comprehensive expertise, our professional resume writing service can help!
Get in touch today for a professional resume review! Get in Touch with Us - TLW Resume Services — TLW Resume Services