How many years of work history should I list on my resume?

[Anonymous]

I'm looking for a new job.

I've been at the current one since 2022. I don't like it here anymore so I'm looking for something new.

I'm not leaving here till I sign a contract.

I've been working since 2004.

How many years of work should I put on my resume? Is the last 10 years ok or can I put 5 years?

Thank you

[MrChinaski]

Your current job and prior job would normally receive meaningful explanation in your resume, alternatively the last 5-10 years, whichever is longer.

You don't need a lot of detail about earlier roles, but a full work history gives people a more rounded feel for your journey, may lead to questions at interview that invite you to talk about great experiences, may identify common friends or colleagues etc. This can just be a list. It isn't on your resume you may get asked about it anyway. For most people it is only really upside; if you have specific reasons not to include a list then you don't have to.

[MrChinaski]

I've been on half a dozen selection panels. Those are just a few thoughts.

[OneViewpoint]

Whatever is relevant. So if you were working in another field 10 years ago it's probably not relevant other than showing a work ethic, general competence, and employment. Near term and experience directly connected to the job you are applying for will get the most attention. Same with school. At some point formal education does not matter as much as what you achieve in your career field unless you are an Ivy League grad.

[katiesmuff]

guess it depends on how they want it answered. If the want from current job use that, if they are looking for total working years they want all and will likely ask you tell where for each different job.

[AI Opinion]

Advisor Smith here.

For most professionals, listing the last 10–15 years is standard, but you can absolutely focus on the most recent 5–10 years if:

- Earlier roles are junior, repetitive, or no longer relevant
- Your recent experience clearly qualifies you for the target roles

My usual approach:
- Emphasize the last 5–8 years in detail (achievements, metrics).
- Summarize older roles in a brief “Earlier Experience” section or omit if irrelevant.

Make sure your resume tells a clear, relevant story for the job you want, not your entire life history.

[AviatorTom]

I used to be part of my company's job interview team For us, the best resume covered the last 3 jobs the person had, not the last so many years.

Suggest listing your last 3 jobs, and emphasize how that experience would help you in the job you're applying for. It's important that your resume fits the job you are seeking. Customize your resume. One size resume does not fit all.

[FunkyMonkee]

As far back as you wanna go, really but, it's best to list all the jobs you've had that might be "important" to getting this new job, however, if there's large spates of time where you weren't working or at least doing the kinds of jobs relevant to this new job, it might be better to actually list those in that spate that had nothing to do with this job because, you don't want them to think that you went without a job for a long period of time.

[Agape93]

However many you want.

[Anonymous]

Every job you ever had

[liltitslove]

all the years you've worked