How Far Back Should a Resume Go? (2026 Guide)
How much work history should you include on your resume? Too much and you look outdated; too little and you seem inexperienced. This guide covers exactly how far back your resume should go based on your career stage and industry.
The General Rule: 10-15 Years
For most professionals, your resume should cover the last 10-15 years of relevant work experience. This timeframe:
- Shows recent, relevant experience
- Avoids age discrimination concerns
- Keeps your resume at 1-2 pages
- Focuses on your most impressive achievements
But this rule has important exceptions based on your situation.
Resume Length by Career Stage
Entry-Level (0-2 Years Experience)
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Start Building Free βInclude: All relevant experience, internships, academic projects, volunteer work
When you’re just starting out, include everything relevantβeven if it goes back to high school for recent graduates. Focus on transferable skills and potential.
Mid-Career (3-10 Years Experience)
Include: All professional experience, but summarize or remove early-career jobs
At this stage, your recent roles matter most. Early positions can be condensed to one line or grouped under “Earlier Experience.”
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Include: Last 10-15 years in detail, earlier experience summarized
Focus on leadership roles and strategic impact. Early-career positions can be a brief list without dates:
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Build Skills-Focused Resume β“Earlier career includes roles at IBM, Accenture, and Deloitte in software engineering and project management.”
Industry-Specific Guidelines
Technology
Go back: 10 years maximum
Tech moves fast. Experience from 15+ years ago may involve outdated technologies that hurt more than help. Focus on recent, relevant skills.
Healthcare & Medical
Go back: 15+ years
Clinical experience accumulates value. Include all relevant medical positions, especially specializations and certifications.
Academia & Research
Go back: Full career (CV format)
Academic CVs include complete publication history, grants, and teaching experience regardless of age. Different rules apply.
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Government & Security
Go back: Full career often required
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Start Building – It’s FreeSecurity clearances and government positions may require complete work history for background checks.
What to Do with Old Experience
Option 1: Remove It
If old experience isn’t relevant to your target role, simply remove it. No explanation needed.
Option 2: Create an “Earlier Experience” Section
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Create ResumeList company names and titles without dates:
“Earlier Experience: Marketing Coordinator at XYZ Corp; Sales Associate at ABC Inc.”
Option 3: Summarize in One Line
Group early career into a brief statement:
“10+ years progressive experience in financial services including roles at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.”
Education: How Far Back?
- Recent graduates: Include graduation year
- 5+ years out: Year optional, but usually included
- 15+ years out: Remove graduation year to avoid age bias
- High school: Remove once you have a college degree
Signs You’re Going Back Too Far
- Resume exceeds 2 pages
- Including obsolete technologies or skills
- Job titles that no longer exist
- Companies that have been acquired/dissolved
- Experience that doesn’t support your current goals
When to Include Older Experience
Sometimes older experience adds value:
- Prestigious companies (Google, McKinsey) always worth mentioning
- Directly relevant roles even if 15+ years ago
- Unique experience that differentiates you
- Industry requirements for complete history
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Related Resources
- How Long Should a Resume Be?
- Resume Builder
- What to Put on Resume with No Experience
- How to Explain Employment Gaps
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