No matter how long you’ve been in the workforce, Top Applicant offers resources to help anyone promote career success. When figuring out how many years of work history should be on a resume, our experts recommend considering these top concepts.
Time vs. Talent
For those early in their career, you may feel tempted to put every job you’ve ever had on your resume. However, the most effective resumes are not the longest! As you decide what to put on your resume, stay concise by only including roles relevant to the one you applied for. Throughout every career stage, here’s what our experts recommend for how many years of work history should be on a resume:
- Entry-Level Career Builders | 0-2 years
- Established Career Builders | 5-10
- Executive-Level Experts | 10+
So what changes with each tier of employment? Entry-level jobs are more readily available, as higher-turnover positions don’t expect a wealth of experience. As you become more established in your career, we recommend adding 5 to 10 years of experience to stand out for more competitive positions.
Executive resumes need to include more years to help company boards make important decisions based on specific details, projects, and achievements you’ve accomplished. No matter how long you’ve been working, blending personality and professionalism is key when sharing your story.
Share Your Unique Path
Instead of sharing your entire work history on your resume, include any applicable experiences in your cover letter or additional sections in your resume. This can help you share volunteer work, hobbies, and other aspects that make your career journey unique. It’s also a great way to explain things like personal career gaps, incarcerations, and military service. To share your story effectively, focus on finding an equitable balance between sharing parts of your personality and professional prowess.
Balance Professionalism With Personality
Our final tip for navigating how many years of work history should be on a resume depends on the company you apply for. If the organization seems to be more people-oriented, they may want to hear more about your experiences. But in more cut-and-dry interviews, it’s best to keep things professional and focused on your future. Tailoring your actions and words for success starts by building your profile with us!
Start Building a Better Resume
In the end, every resume is just as unique as the people that create them. That’s why we created Top Applicant! Our platform offers a space for every applicant to rise to the top of the resume pile with innovative tools and expert insights. Sign in to start building your career better, or keep reading for more ways to level up your job search!
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