Resume question.

11 Comments

1. Barb HansenJuly 25,2022 at 3:59PM UTC

   I've been in my tech career for over 25 years and a few years ago, a wise career coach told me to wack the first 12 to 15 years off my resume. So I would say 'no, you don't need to include that 2006 position'

   It will be interesting to hear what others have to say, especially some HR professionals/recruiters who are on the other side of the hiring conversation.

2. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterJuly 25,2022 at 4:01PM UTC

   The answer is: It depends. You say it is a relevant experience...but is it a relevant experience that you haven't duplicated since then? Did you work for a company that has significant name recognition? Did you hold a job title that is the same (or similar to) what you want next? These are some of the reasons to include a position from 2006.

   My rule of thumb (I write resumes for mid-career, high-achieving professionals) is to go back 15-20 years...again, depending on circumstances.

3. Teena JonesJuly 25,2022 at 4:15PM UTC

   you want to be clear and concise in what you say but you don't want to limit your personal experience. At a professional level two pages is ok. You can drop the job from 2006 and include the skills if the set of skills are not mentioned in other jobs. If those skills are specific to the job you are applying for you can do a short synopsis of those skills on your cover letter. Let both your resume and letter tell a short story of who you are.

4. AnonymousJuly 25,2022 at 4:29PM UTC

   2 pages isn't too long.

5. Cyndi LynnJuly 25,2022 at 4:35PM UTC

   Our HR only reviews the electronic application system. Folks who leave off jobs they think aren't relevant or too old are leaving money on the table. Not all hiring managers understand this and even fewer would tell applicants to revise their application, but I've seen it in action when I pushed back on a super low offer for the experience level. I was reviewing the attached resume, HR was just reviewing the minimal information the candidate had put in the system. The candidate revised and upon 2nd review the offer went up by around $15k.

   One way to trim this down is to limit the information on older jobs. If a subsequent job included similar or upgraded duties, I cut details significantly. Either the old responsibilities were irrelevant or performed at a much lower level. If I were applying for a job where old skills were directly relevant or part of the job description, of course I would expand on them.

   Example:

   Job description for Admin Assistant position used to say:

   • Assisted with implementation of electronic submission software

   • Revised current forms and generic correspondence notices

   • Processed incoming applications for Unit A

   • Provided support to internal staff for protocols

   • Processed ongoing applications for Unit B

   • Provided support to internal staff for registrations

   • Provided general administrative support - copying, faxing, directing phone calls, filing correspondence

   Now that job listing on my resume says:

   Processed applications for Units A & B; assisted internal staff on compliance with regulatory requirements; and maintained training records.

6. Joshua CorderoJuly 25,2022 at 5:06PM UTC

   If it's relevant then you should keep it on.

7. Megan LeasherJuly 25,2022 at 5:23PM UTC

   If it is relevant AND unique (not overlapping to experience in another role), I would vote to keep it. Two pages is definitely appropriate.

8. AnonymousJuly 25,2022 at 6:39PM UTC

   The last 10 to 15 years of continuous employment is the most important. If the prior experience adds more of the same I would like it under "other employment " and just list years work,company nane and role/title. That way it takes up less real estate but it there to show your history.

9. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 26,2022 at 12:14AM UTC

   A two page resume for 12 years experience is not too long as long as it's relevant information.

   I promise you, I have never ever had a hiring manager say they would not speak with a candidate because their resume was two pages instead of one or three instead of two.

   Your resume is a marketing document. It's meant to generate interest. To make the reader say "this person is doing exactly what we're looking for - we need to speak with them".

   Leaving important, relevant information off your resume is not helping you. You don't need to have as much detail in the 2006 position as in your current one, but if it's applicable experience, I'd include it.

   And make sure you're including any quantifiable results.

   Please let me know if you have any questions. GOOD LUCK!

10. AnonymousJuly 26,2022 at 12:27PM UTC

    Trim resume down to one page. Take out all unnecessary roles that don’t apply to job being sought. Resumes are scanned very quickly to get the job experience that is needed and if too long WILL be put aside! No AI tool is being used to replace this from happening. What surprises me is all the bad spelling and grammar used and gets immediately rejected if seen. Also leave out long intro paragraphs describing yourself and post that on cover letter that will only be read after you’ve past the requirements stage.

11. Cyndi RosenblattJuly 26,2022 at 1:05PM UTC

    I'll add that you don't always know what might be relevant to a hiring manager. I was hired for the job that led to my current role because of my graphics background. It made me stand out from the other applicants and opened up possibilities that were unrelated to the job description (but were used to justify an almost immediate raise and a promotion within a year). The hiring manager recognized the potential and hired me over people with much more direct experience.