How far back your resume should go depends on your experience and the role. In most cases, 10–15 years is enough; include older roles only when they add value.
General Guideline: 10–15 Years
For most roles, list the last 10–15 years of experience in detail. Older roles can be shortened (company, title, dates only) or omitted. This keeps the resume focused and relevant.
When to Go Further Back
Include older experience when it is highly relevant (e.g., same industry, same type of role) or when you have limited recent experience. For senior or executive roles, 15–20+ years may be appropriate. List older roles with fewer or no bullets to save space.
When to Stop Sooner
If you have many roles in 10 years, you may not need to go back further. If early roles are unrelated, you can list only the last 10 years in detail and omit or shorten the rest.
Consistency
List dates for all roles you include. Do not leave gaps unexplained. If you omit an old job, ensure the rest of your history is consistent and accurate.