How Far Back You Should Go on Your Resume?
When you have a ton of experience, it can be tough to pick out exactly how far back you should go on your resume. Here are five tips to follow.
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FAQs: How Far Back to Go on Your Resume
Q: What are the benefits and drawbacks of going back more than 10 years in your resume?
Specific positions might require you to submit a more thorough resume or CV, such as jobs in academia or management positions. Having plenty of professional experience that goes over more than 10 years can prove that you are qualified for a high-level position without the recruiter going over your resume in detail.
Drawbacks to a resume that includes older jobs include possible age discrimination issues. Younger candidates who might not have the same experience as you might land the job instead simply due to their youth. Age discrimination is prevalent in many industries and affects those 64 to 66 years old more so than other age groups, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A lengthy work history section also runs the risk of creating a resume that’s more than two pages long; employers generally lose patience with resumes of that length.
Q: Is it okay to include irrelevant work history if I’m making a career change?
If you are making a career change, then it is perfectly fine to list some work history that does not line up perfectly with the new industry you want to break into. This is where you will need to emphasize your transferable skills and how you can apply them in your new workplace. Your job search does not have to be limited to the careers you have previously held.
Q: Do I need to write a cover letter?
Writing a professional resume is only the first step to creating a great job application. You also need to craft the perfect cover letter as well. If you’re truly pressed for time for an application, then you can always use a cover letter builder tool. These tools have plenty of templates, examples, and other tips for you to use to craft the perfect cover letter in minutes.