How Far Back Should One Go on a Chronological Resume?

by Mark

At the age of 52, I have had a lengthy work history in the restaurant business back to my teens. There was a 10 year gap when I was in sales. I didn't want to make my resume too lengthy, so I only went back 20 years. Is this correct?

ANSWER: Hi Mark... Most experts say you need only go back 10 to 15 years tops, in most cases. Most of the time, anything more distant than that is not that relevant anyway, as it was so long ago, it can't have a lot of bearing on today's skills. However, you are the best judge of whether anything from back then might impact significantly on your present skills or knowledge base.

So use your judgment, but know that it's perfectly OK to only go back 10 years or so.

To your success,
Kathi