How Many Jobs Should I List on my Resume?
When considering how many jobs should you list on a resume, it’s not just a question of quantity, but a strategic selection to align with the job description and elevate your interest with a potential employer. A resume is more than a mere list of your work history with all of your previous jobs; it’s a tailored marketing document that showcases your most relevant experiences and recent jobs to potential employers. The challenge lies in striking the right balance—too few jobs might not demonstrate your expertise, while too many can overwhelm and dilute your core competencies. In this article, we’ll explore how to select the ideal number of jobs to list to ensure that your strategy works and you land the role you are most interested in. It’s important to remember that every job listed should serve a purpose, even short-term jobs, whether it’s to show that you worked part-time during a job search, or that you possess a lot of experience.
Resume Strategy
Developing a strategy is oftentimes one of the hardest parts of the process. How do you know what you should and should not include? It’s a good idea to consider what the role (or target position) is and write a list of what relevant positions you have held that align closely with that opportunity.
If you’ve worked for the same company for 20 years but held many different jobs that you can list, I recommend including the past ~10 – 12 years. You can then list ‘Previous Professional Experience’ and include any previous job title.
If you have over 15 years of experience in a field and were recently laid off, it’s critical to show (even if it’s a one-line bullet), what you have been during during that gap. Caregiver? Part-time position at a retail location? Pursuing a degree/certification?
Alternatively, you may have taken on a few roles that don’t all line up with what you ideally want. Can you show that although you worked at restaurants as summer jobs, you actively pursued education/certifications in the field you want? Or, can you dive into the world of online learning to help make your resume more relevant?
Recent Graduates & Entry-Level Professionals:
For recent graduates, creating a resume can be daunting. Often, you are faced with the challenge of limited work experience or ‘job hopper’ roles due to school. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t make it stand out and be relevant to the job listing. Consider your internships, whether they are in the ideal industry/position you are targeting or not. Having internship experience shows real-world learning and thus transferable skills. Additionally, transferable skills whether hard skills or soft skills are abilities gained through other experiences, like part-time jobs or volunteer work. For example, project management, leadership, and teamwork skills are highly valued.
Additionally, it’s crucial to select jobs or a recent experience relevant to the positions that you’re applying for. You should ask yourself: ‘Does my first job experience align with the job I want?’ Can I point to skills learned that are relevant, even if the past job is in a different field from the job ad. If the answer is yes, it should be on the resume. Otherwise, it’s best to leave it out.
Finally, as a recent graduate, you should learn to effectively present your relevant jobs and skills. This means using bullet points to concisely highlight your achievements and responsibilities. It’s about quality, not just quantity. It is also best practice to tailor your resume for each job application. This shows potential employers that you have done their research and are genuinely interested in the role.
Experienced Professionals:
When it comes to listing years of work experience, there’s a fine line to walk. I have found with my clients that experienced professionals often worry about age discrimination. This is a valid concern, but there are ways to structure a resume to alleviate this.
Firstly, I recommend including only the recent 10-12 years of work experience. This period is most relevant to current job markets and oftentimes shows your best achievements. Older jobs can be summarized or omitted unless they are highly relevant. This approach keeps the resume fresh and focused. Remember, LinkedIn is a great place to leave your previous experience as you are not concerned to be going to 3, 4, even 5 pages!
Now, the 10-12 years rule is significantly varied. You may be in academia where including an extensive career background is the norm – as is 5+ page resume! You could be an executive where you can also include more information, possibly capturing 15-18 years. Alternatively, you may have 5 positions over 8 years… do you really want to include that 6th role and have an overwhelming resume? This is where a little strategy, alignment to the new position responsibilities, and guesswork come into play.
You may want to consider the type of layout for your resume to best highlight your experience whether functional, in chronological order or a combo. A functional resume format can be beneficial. It emphasizes skills and accomplishments rather than a chronological work history. This helps to draw attention away from age and towards competence. My go-to is almost always a combination.
Lastly, all job seekers, regardless of age, should ensure their resumes reflect current industry standards. This includes being up-to-date with relevant technology and trends. Demonstrating ongoing learning and adaptation is key to overcoming potential age biases.
Transferable Skills for Transitioning into a New Industry/Position:
Transitioning to a new industry or position often means reevaluating your skill set whether technical skills or other different skills you’ve picked up. Identifying transferable skills is crucial in this process. These are skills that are valuable across different jobs and sectors. For instance, effective communication, leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability are universally sought after.
When shifting industries, think about how your existing skills apply in a new context. For example, a teacher moving into corporate training already has strong public speaking and educational skills. Similarly, a salesperson transitioning to a customer service role brings negotiation and client engagement expertise.
It’s important to frame these skills to align with the new industry or position, oftentimes you may create a separate section to call out skills. This means using industry-specific language and examples. If you’re moving into a tech role, discuss how your problem-solving skills helped in learning new software or resolving IT issues in your previous job.
Also, consider the format of your resume. A functional or combination resume can be more effective than a traditional chronological one. This style allows you to focus more on skills and less on specific job titles or companies.
Remember, the goal is to show potential employers that, despite a career change, you have valuable and relevant skills. It’s about making a strong case for your adaptability and potential to thrive in a new environment.
10-12 Years of Experience?:
The standard practice of listing 10-12 years of work experience on a resume is driven by relevance and conciseness. This timeframe is generally considered the most relevant to current job markets. It helps hiring managers quickly see your recent accomplishments and the skills you’ve developed that are applicable today.
Going back more than 10-12 years can make your resume overly lengthy and less focused. It risks including outdated skills and experiences that may not be applicable in today’s rapidly changing job landscape. Moreover, it can inadvertently draw attention to your age, which could lead to unconscious bias.
This doesn’t mean you should omit significant earlier experiences. Instead, you can summarize older roles briefly. Highlight key roles or achievements that showcase your long-term development. This approach maintains the focus on your recent and most relevant experiences.
In essence, the rationale behind this timeframe is to present yourself as an up-to-date, skilled professional. You want to show hiring managers that you are not just experienced, but also that you have kept pace with current developments in your field.
Balancing Detail and Conciseness:
Creating an impactful resume involves balancing detail with conciseness. It’s essential to provide enough information to showcase your skills and achievements without overwhelming the reader. To achieve this, use bullet points for clarity. They help in breaking down information into quick, easy to grab details. In each bullet, focus on specific achievements and quantify whenever possible. Also, keep your job descriptions brief yet informative. This approach allows you to cover more ground without sacrificing depth. Remember, a concise, well-structured resume makes a strong impression and is easier for hiring managers to navigate.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
The key to crafting an effective resume lies in understanding how many jobs to list and presenting your experiences strategically. Remember to focus on recent and relevant jobs, especially those within the last 10-12 years. Highlight transferable skills, especially when transitioning industries or roles. For recent graduates and seasoned professionals alike, it’s crucial to balance detailed accomplishments with conciseness. Tailoring your resume to each job application demonstrates your commitment and alignment with the role. Keep these principles in mind, and you’ll create a resume that not only tells your professional story but also resonates with potential employers.
For additional help writing your resume, check out my popular articles: