How Far Back Should I Go in My Work History?

by Anonymous
(Somewhere)

I am working on my resume and I've been working for quite some time. I'm wondering... how far back do I need to go in my work history on the resume?

Comments for How Far Back Should I Go in My Work History?

Click here to add your own comments

Apr 20, 2009

Jobs History
by: Lee Roy Whetstone

all my jobs for the past 10 years

Jan 09, 2009

Go Back 10 to 15 years max
by: Kathi

Most experts recommend you limit your work history to 10 to 15 years, tops. Also, a resume should generally be no more than 2 pages. CVs may be longer, depending on your industry. But job experience should also be presented in a relevant way to the jobs you are seeking.

So, if you're seeking an IT job, have only been in the market 7 years since graduating college and your previous experience was working in a coffee shop or delivering papers or as a summer pool lifeguard, none of those jobs are particularly relevant to the career you seek. So, you might elect not to list them at all.

You might mention them in a cover letter, if there's some relevant skill or interest you want to present, however.

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Archived Employment History Questions.

For "Ask the Expert" question categories, follow these links:

Resume Questions

Other Questions:

Archives