Early Career Experience on Your Resume

Dear Deb:

I read your article about showing the most recent ten to fifteen years on a resume.  I am changing back to my original career of corporate training.  I have not worked as a teacher in 18 years.  What is the best way to show my experience from early career, which includes 10 years of training experience?   Can I just remove the actual years and write “10 years” next to the job instead?

You are the expert, so I will trust your advice.

Thanks,

Juan

Dear Juan:

That is an excellent question.  You are not alone.  Many people change careers and look for a way to show experience that falls outside what is traditionally shown on a resume. In your case, a hybrid style will allow you to show the experiences relevant to a different timeframe at the top of the resume.  Omitting the years is not the solution either. That raises a red flag for readers.  They may come to a conclusion far worse than the truth that you worked in the field 18 years ago.   

The best solution for your situation is to showcase your corporate training skills and knowledge in your “Profile” and “Core Competencies” sections of your resume.  After the “Core Competencies” section, create a section called, “Highlights of Career Accomplishments.”  In this place, you can showcase the top three to five accomplishments and include items from the period, 1985 to 1995.  You do not need to attach years or even an employer name.

If you have more questions about your resume, please feel free to write me.

Thanks!

Deb