How Far Back Should a Resume Go?

Let’s be real: writing your resume can feel like cleaning out a closet. Do you keep everything just in case it’s useful? Or do you stick to only what fits now? If you've ever asked yourself, “How far back should a resume go?”, you're not alone.

Related: What Is the KIS Formula for Resume Writing

Resume writing isn’t just about listing jobs — it’s about strategically choosing what to include, what to leave out, and how to tell the most relevant story for the job you want.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how much work experience to include, when to leave older jobs off, and how to handle resume work history length in a way that gets results. We'll also break down the answers to common questions like: how many years to include on your resume, what to do if you have job gaps, and whether that job from 20 years ago still belongs.

Why Work History Length Matters

Before we dive in, let’s talk about why job history on your resume even needs to be limited.

Hiring managers typically spend 6–8 seconds scanning a resume. That’s not enough time to read everything — which means your resume has to be focused, formatted well, and filled with content that’s relevant now.

Here’s where some of the most common mistakes creep in:

Including every job you've ever had

Listing outdated or irrelevant experience

Using too much space on roles that don’t align with your target job

Your goal? Create a resume that highlights the most valuable, recent, and aligned experience — not just everything you’ve done.

How Many Years of Experience Should You Include on a Resume?

As a general rule, you should include the past 10 to 15 years of experience on your resume.

That covers the sweet spot where:

Your skills are likely still relevant

Technology and tools haven’t become obsolete

Employers can see a clear career progression without information overload

This timeline works well for most industries — especially fast-moving ones like tech, marketing, and healthcare.

But don’t worry, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all rule. The resume experience duration you include depends on your career level.

Resume Timeline Recommendations by Career Stage

Entry-Level (0–3 years of experience)

Include all internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer roles related to the field. You may only have 1–2 years to list, and that’s okay!

Mid-Level (4–10 years)

Focus on the past 7–10 years. Cut roles that don’t relate to your current career goals. Keep descriptions tight and results-focused.

Senior-Level (10–20+ years)

Stick to 10–15 years of relevant experience. You may include earlier jobs in a separate section (e.g., “Additional Experience”) without dates.

Career Changers

Tailor your resume timeline to highlight transferable skills, even if that means omitting unrelated work history altogether.

Related: How to Make a Resume with No Experience

How Far Back Should a Resume Go for Senior-Level Roles?

If you’re a senior professional or executive, you might be tempted to include everything — after all, you’ve earned it!

But hiring managers don’t need to see your entry-level job from 1999 unless it adds real value today.

Stick to the last 15 years, unless:

The older role is directly relevant to your target position

You held a leadership or landmark role worth noting

The experience shows rare or specialized skills

Use a format that emphasizes value over volume — and consider an executive summary that showcases career highlights upfront.

Should You Include Jobs From 20 Years Ago?

Here’s a question we hear a lot:

“Should I include jobs from 20 years ago on my resume?”

Answer: Not usually.

Including outdated experience on your resume can work against you by:

Making your resume unnecessarily long

Highlighting outdated skills or technology

Accidentally signaling your age, which can lead to unconscious bias

That said, you can include these older roles under a heading like “Early Career Highlights” without dates or full descriptions.

Example:

Additional Experience

Account Manager, ABC Corp – Led enterprise-level client projects

Sales Specialist, XYZ Inc. – Ranked top 5% nationally for three years

This way, you give credit to your long-term career without compromising your resume’s modern relevance.

FAQ Section

1. How far back should a resume go for a mid-level professional?

For most mid-level professionals, 10–15 years of experience is ideal. Focus on roles that are recent, relevant, and aligned with your current career direction. Leave off outdated jobs unless they directly apply to the role you're seeking.

2. Should I include jobs from 20 years ago on my resume?

Only if the job is highly relevant or showcases rare experience. Otherwise, it's best to omit it or include it briefly in a non-dated “Additional Experience” section.

3. How many years of experience is too much on a resume?

Once your resume stretches past two pages or includes outdated technology or irrelevant roles, it's too much. Keep your content tightly aligned with the role you're targeting.

4. Is it okay to leave older jobs off my resume?

Yes — especially if they don’t contribute to your current goals. Hiring managers expect resumes to be strategic, not exhaustive.

5. How far back should work history go for a career change?

Focus on transferable skills. This may mean reducing the timeline and emphasizing projects or achievements that relate to your new path, even if they come from volunteer work or freelance roles.

How to Decide Which Jobs to Keep

Here’s a quick checklist to evaluate each job on your resume:

✔️ Is it within the past 10–15 years?

✔️ Is it relevant to the job I’m applying for?

✔️ Does it show measurable achievements?

✔️ Does it highlight skills or tools I’ll use in the new role?

If the answer is “no” across the board, it may be time to cut it.

Pro Tip: Don’t worry about gaps if they occurred long ago. Focus on what the employer needs to see now.

Resume Formatting Guidelines for Work History

Whether you’re using a chronological resume or a hybrid format, here are a few best practices for presenting your work history:

List jobs in reverse-chronological order (most recent first)

Include job title, company name, location, and dates

Use bullet points to show achievements, not just tasks

Limit work history to 1–2 pages total

Keep formatting consistent and ATS-friendly

Limiting resume job history isn't about hiding your experience — it's about highlighting your most valuable experience.

How to Handle Gaps Without Going Too Far Back

Gaps in your resume don’t have to be a dealbreaker — but you shouldn’t stretch your resume timeline just to cover them up.

Instead:

Use a brief explanation in your summary or cover letter

Highlight freelance, consulting, or volunteer work

Focus on skills gained during time off (e.g., certifications, training)

Don’t risk weakening your resume just to fill space with irrelevant or outdated content.

Final Thoughts: Quality Over Quantity

So… how far back should a resume go?

The answer isn’t about the number of years — it’s about how relevant those years are to the job you want now.

Stick to the past 10–15 years for most professionals. Cut jobs that don’t align with your goals. Showcase accomplishments, not just job titles.

Remember: Your resume isn’t a career history book — it’s a marketing tool.

Need Help Trimming or Updating Your Resume?

At ProResumes.io, we specialize in strategic resume writing that tells your story — without overwhelming the reader.

We’ll help you:

Cut outdated experience

Highlight current skills

Format your resume for recruiters and ATS

Reach out for a free resume review and see how a leaner, sharper resume can open more doors.