How many years of experience should be included on a Résumé?

Dear Deb:

I worked as a systems analyst and project manager for IBM from 1984 to 1994.  After that, I shifted into a sales engineering role.  I still lead projects, but my main role is relationship building.  I have read that I should only show 10 to 15 years of experience.  However, I want to show the depth of my technical experience. I am concerned about omitting the IBM period during which I was closely involved in systems analysis, design, and development.  That experience is valuable.  Am I the exception to that rule?  I think we can trim other areas to make room for the early history.

Sam, East Hanover, NJ

Dear Sam:

Your sources are correct.  Résumés include the most recent 10 to 15 years of experience. The most recent experience is generally the most relevant.  Also, candidates find they are more marketable when only displaying 10 to 15 years. 

The early history is just that, history.  Because your IBM employment started in 1984, I would not recommend adding it. I’m not concerned as much about space as I am about the potential for you being "screened-out" of the candidate selection process due to age-related negative perception.  Ageism exists and it affects a broader range of ages than you may think. This is especially true in the IT industry.

Your résumé will have greater impact if we omit the early history, but pull the most valuable skills from that history for inclusion on your résumé.  For example, most of the technologies from that IBM period are no longer relevant. Listing them will make you appear as a dinosaur. However, the functional skills are valuable.  We can include those skills in your summary statement and possibly in a skills inventory, also called a core competencies section.  Another technique is to include a short bulleted list of top career achievements.

---

If you have a question for Deb, please email debra@careersdonewrite.com. The Ask Deb column appears every Friday on our blog at the Careers Done Write website.