What Jobs Should You Include on a Resume
Creating an effective resume requires strategic decision-making about which jobs to include. Not every position you've held needs to make it onto your resume. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you make the right choices.
General Rule: Relevance is Key
When deciding what jobs to put on your resume, focus on positions that directly support your application. Your resume work history should create a clear narrative about your professional growth. The key is selecting relevant work experience that demonstrates your qualifications for the target role.
The fundamental principle is to include jobs that support your candidacy for the specific position you're applying for. Your resume should tell a coherent story about your professional journey and qualifications.
Jobs You Should Always Include
These essential positions form the backbone of your resume employment history. Smart choices about jobs to include on your resume can make or break your application. Focus on roles that showcase your most valuable and current professional experience.
1. Current and Recent Positions
- Include your current job and positions from the last 10-15 years
- These demonstrate your most relevant and up-to-date experience
- Show career progression and current skill level
2. Directly Relevant Experience
- Positions that match the job requirements
- Roles that used similar skills or technologies
- Experience in the same industry or field
- Jobs that demonstrate required competencies
3. Leadership and Management Roles
- Any position where you supervised others
- Project management experience
- Team leadership responsibilities
- These showcase valuable soft skills
4. Significant Career Achievements
- Jobs where you received promotions or recognition
- Positions that resulted in measurable accomplishments
- Roles that demonstrate career growth
Jobs You Might Consider Including
Your resume work history can benefit from certain positions that add strategic value. Consider these jobs to include on resume when they strengthen your overall candidacy. These roles often provide context or demonstrate transferable skills that enhance your application.
1. Career Transition Positions
- Jobs that show how you moved between industries
- Roles that demonstrate transferable skills
- Positions that explain career pivots
2. Contract or Consulting Work
- Relevant freelance projects
- Consulting engagements
- Contract positions that add value to your candidacy
3. Part-time or Volunteer Work
- If it's relevant to the target position
- When it fills employment gaps
- If it demonstrates commitment to the field
Jobs You Should Consider Excluding
Not all positions deserve space in your resume employment history. Some jobs can actually weaken your application or create unnecessary questions. Be selective about what jobs to put on resume to maintain focus and impact.
1. Very Old Positions (15+ years ago)
- Unless they're highly relevant to the current opportunity
- Outdated technology or methods
- Positions that don't add value to your current candidacy
2. Irrelevant Short-term Jobs
- Brief positions unrelated to your career path
- Jobs that might raise questions about job-hopping
- Temporary work that doesn't demonstrate relevant skills
3. Potentially Problematic Positions
- Jobs you left under negative circumstances
- Positions that might create bias (though be careful about legal considerations)
- Roles that contradict your professional narrative
4. Redundant Experience
- Multiple similar positions that don't add new information
- Repetitive roles that don't show progression
- Jobs that duplicate skills already demonstrated
Special Considerations
Different career stages require unique approaches to selecting relevant work experience. Your resume work history strategy should match your professional situation and goals. Consider these specific guidelines when determining jobs to include on your resume for your circumstances.
For Recent Graduates
- Include internships and co-op programs
- Relevant part-time work during school
- Significant volunteer experiences
- Academic projects that demonstrate skills
For Career Changers
- Focus on transferable skills
- Include volunteer work in the new field
- Highlight relevant training or education
- Show progression toward the new career
For Senior Professionals
- Summarize early career positions
- Focus on leadership and strategic roles
- Highlight board positions or advisory roles
- Include speaking engagements or publications
How to Handle Employment Gaps
Strategic gap management is crucial for maintaining a strong resume employment history. Your approach to gaps affects which jobs to include on your resume and how to present them. Handle gaps honestly while emphasizing your relevant work experience and continued professional development.
1. Address Gaps Strategically
- Include relevant activities during gaps (education, volunteering, consulting)
- Use functional resume format if gaps are significant
- Be prepared to explain gaps in cover letter or interview
2. Don't Hide Short Gaps
- Gaps of a few months are normal
- Focus on the value you bring rather than timeline perfection
Formatting Tips for Job Listings
Proper presentation of your resume work history maximizes impact and readability. How you format jobs to include on your resume affects hiring manager perception. Strong formatting helps highlight your most relevant work experience effectively.
1. Prioritize by Relevance
- List most relevant positions first (if not using chronological order)
- Give more detail to relevant positions
- Use bullet points to highlight achievements
2. Tailor for Each Application
- Customize which jobs to include based on the specific role
- Adjust emphasis and details for different opportunities
- Remove or add positions as relevant
3. Use Consistent Formatting
- Include job title, company, dates, and location
- Use action verbs and quantify achievements
- Maintain consistent date formats and styling
Red Flags to Avoid
Common mistakes in resume employment history can damage your credibility and chances. Avoid these pitfalls when deciding what jobs to put on your resume. Maintain honesty and professionalism throughout your relevant work experience presentation.
1. Don't Lie or Omit Strategically
- Never fabricate positions or dates
- Don't hide jobs to cover illegal activities
- Be honest about employment timeline
2. Avoid Overloading
- Don't include every job you've ever had
- Quality over quantity
- Keep resume to 1-2 pages for most professionals
3. Don't Include Inappropriate Information
- Avoid jobs that might reveal protected characteristics
- Don't include positions that could create conflicts of interest
- Skip roles that don't add professional value
Final Recommendations
- Quality over Quantity: It's better to have fewer, well-described relevant positions than a long list of every job
- Tell Your Story: Your job history should create a narrative that leads logically to the position you're seeking
- Stay Current: Regularly update your resume and reconsider which positions to include as your career evolves
- Seek Feedback: Have others review your job selections to ensure they make sense from an outside perspective
Remember, your resume is a marketing document designed to get you an interview, not a comprehensive work history. Choose positions that best position you for success in your target role.