How Far Back Should a Resume Go?

Think Strategically, Not Chronologically

Your resume is not a full career diary—it’s a marketing document. The goal is to highlight your most relevant, impressive, and recent accomplishments that align with the role you’re targeting.

For most professionals, we recommend focusing on your last 3–4 roles or the most recent 7–10 years. This is typically the sweet spot that balances experience without overwhelming the reader. Hiring managers rarely dig deeper than that unless you’re applying for a niche technical role where legacy experience is critical such as operating machinery, flying a plane etc.

When to Leave Out Older Roles

Let’s say you're applying for a senior management role. If your 9th and 10th years on the resume include junior or trainee-level positions, including them may dilute your perceived level of seniority. In that case, you’re better off excluding them altogether. It’s still factually correct, but now the narrative is better aligned to your current target level.

This approach doesn’t hide the truth, it simply prioritizes the story you want to tell.

Should You Include Your Graduation Year?

For most cases, we recommend leaving your graduation year off, especially if it’s over a decade ago. It subtly shifts the focus to your experience rather than how long you’ve been in the workforce. It’s a small change that can make you appear more seasoned, and it's still completely accurate.

The exception to this is if you've recently re-joint back the workforce after taking a year or two to complete a course, then it makes sense to leave the year on so you don't have an awkward gap on your resume. It also shows your continued interest in professional development.

Why Less Is More

Your resume has to be easy to scan. Cramming in every job you’ve ever had makes it long and cluttered. Hiring managers don’t have the time to sift through three pages of outdated experience. If it’s not relevant, recent, or remarkable, it probably doesn’t belong on your resume.

In summary:
- Stick to the last 7–10 years or your top 3–4 relevant roles.
- Leave off early-career or junior roles that no longer serve your narrative if you are in a senior level.
- Avoid listing graduation year, unless it is to fill a gap.
- Keep your resume targeted and clean, not exhaustive.