When you are about to send in a resume, you’re probably thinking the more professional experience I add, the more likely it is I’ll land an interview.
Not so fast; sometimes less is more.
So, do you have to put every job on your resume?
The key lies in including your most relevant work history and understanding when to leave off jobs that have little to do with the position you want.
In this article, we’ll talk about:
- When not to include a job on your resume
- What to include if you don’t have a lot of experience
- Whether to include or not include a job you were fired from
While it’s tricky to know what skills and experience to include or exclude, and you may be asking yourself, “Can I leave a job off my resume?”, there are tools to help.
Use our AI resume builder to instantly receive personalized suggestions to help you remove unhelpful information and add only relevant details that will impress any hiring manager.
Along with our builder, use the tips below to understand what jobs you should leave out and make your resume shine!
When Not To Include a Job on a Resume
Since you’re wondering when to remove work experience from a resume, it’s essential to understand the specific circumstances when leaving a past job out helps you the most.
There are a number of circumstances when the omission of a job could actually improve your resume, generally because it does not help to sell you to the employer.
Take a look at the different types of jobs you shouldn’t include on a resume below.
1. Short-term positions
If you had a job for a few months or less, the experience isn’t relevant to the position you are applying for, and you’re not short of work experience overall, it probably isn’t necessary to include the job.
Including multiple short-term jobs may make you appear as a “job hopper,” which can be a red flag for potential employers.
However, if you are writing a student resume or an entry-level resume and have little experience, it could be a good idea to include these positions.
2. Jobs from over 10 years ago
Employers are generally only interested in the last 5 to 10 years of your work history.
By limiting your work history, you shift the focus away from your age and toward your most valuable and current skills and experiences
If your recent positions contain consecutive, relevant positions, employers will not be concerned about jobs in the distant past. They add no weight to your resume.
3. A job from a company with a bad rep
Rightly or wrongly, employers may form an opinion of you through association. However, the role may be central to your resume or include a significant achievement that you don’t want to leave off.
Just be prepared to explain how you had nothing to do with your former company’s bad reputation during the interview, and you can also use AI to help you prepare.
Highlight your specific achievements and contributions rather than the company itself. Emphasize how you progressed through the company, showcasing promotions, awards, and increased responsibilities.
Should You Leave a Job Off Your Resume if You Were Fired?
You may have relevant experience, but it may not have ended well. If you were fired from a previous role, you’ll need to decide if it’s worth adding to your experience section.
It may be better to leave the job off your resume altogether if it was a long time ago or just for a short stint. Of course, if you were fired because you didn’t do what you were supposed to do, then it would be wise to list the job in your resume.
However, you may not even be at fault for being let go from your position. For example, you may have let go due to budget problems or pressure from investors.
Here are some things you can do if you want to list a job you were fired from:
- Do not mention that you were fired
- Avoid negative language
- Use neutral language, such as role termination
- Focus on your achievements
- Keep it brief and professional
- Demonstrate growth and learning
Studies show that 38% of employers favor experienced employees over recent graduates. So, even if you were let go for some reason, you may not want to miss the chance to add a past role that can set you apart.
When Not To Leave a Job Off Your Resume
If you’ve asked yourself or someone you know, “Should you put every job on your resume?” as you now know, there are some past positions that you can leave out.
While some positions you can leave off your experience section, other past roles are absolutely essential.
1. Long-term positions
Leaving out a job you held for 6 months or less shouldn’t be any trouble at all. However, not including a job that you had for over a year will leave the employer scratching their head, as it will leave a huge employment gap.
-
💡 Our expert’s advice
Long-term employment can demonstrate loyalty, dedication, and career growth. Include jobs where you’ve been promoted or taken on increased responsibilities over time.
If the long-term job is directly relevant to the position you’re applying for, it’s crucial to include it, regardless of how long ago it was.
If your long-term position was with a well-known or respected company in your industry, it can add credibility to your resume.
2. You’re short of relevant experience
If you have little relevant experience, can you omit jobs from your resume? Well, you would be seriously damaging your chances of getting an interview by leaving off a relevant position.
Even if the job ended badly, you should include it.
Focus on skills that are applicable across industries. For example, communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills are valuable in many roles.
Maybe you learned some invaluable skills in generative AI, project planning, administration, or teamwork activities. Squeeze what you can from your experiences to make a solid resume.
-
💡 Our expert’s advice
Even if a job is not directly related, emphasize specific accomplishments that demonstrate your capabilities. If you’re a recent graduate or have limited work experience, highlight relevant coursework, research papers, or case studies.
3. You are applying for a job with a security clearance
Your resume is usually an opportunity for you to showcase your strengths on your terms. However, in these circumstances, it is necessary to be meticulous and list every position you’ve had.
The same is true of omitting jobs from applications. If you’re completing a job application form and are asked to list every position, you should do so.
Security clearance processes involve extensive background checks. Omitting jobs can lead to discrepancies that may raise red flags during these checks.
Providing a complete work history shows honesty and integrity, which are essential traits for positions requiring security clearance.
4. Successful past roles
Including jobs where you achieved significant results provides concrete evidence of your capabilities, making you a more attractive candidate.
Achievements demonstrate your skills, abilities, and strengths better than anything else. Include measurable achievements such as any impressive KPIs you smashed, company records that you beat, or projects you worked on.
Your work history should tell a cohesive story of your professional journey. Successful positions contribute to this narrative, showcasing your growth and development over time.
Key Takeaways
Knowing whether to add more or less to your resume is not always easy, especially if a previous job ended too quickly or not in the ideal way.
Is it illegal to leave a job off your application?
No. But, if you leave out a job that you shouldn’t, you may not get hired!
With the right resume templates and tools that can give you suggestions, you’ll be able to create an impressive resume, along with the following tips we mentioned, such as:
- Avoid adding jobs you were fired from, if possible
- Do not add jobs that were short-term unless you don’t have any other experience
- Include jobs that you were in for a long time and had success
- Use positive language on your resume
Follow these tips to include the jobs you should have on your resume and leave out the jobs you shouldn’t to help you land your dream job.
FAQ
No, you do not need to include every job on your resume. Focus on listing roles that are relevant to the position you’re applying for, especially those that showcase the skills and experiences most aligned with the job description.
Including every job can clutter your resume and distract from your key qualifications. If you have gaps or unrelated jobs, consider summarizing them briefly or focusing on transferable skills. Always aim for a clear, concise resume that highlights your most relevant accomplishments.
You do not need to remove unrelated jobs entirely from your resume, but it’s important to be strategic. If the experience helped you develop transferable skills like communication, leadership, or problem-solving, consider including it but keep the details brief.
You can also group unrelated roles under an “Additional Experience” section to avoid gaps in your work history while keeping the focus on more relevant positions. Ultimately, prioritize space for roles that align closely with the job you’re applying for.
Including a 2-month job on your resume depends on the situation. If the role is relevant to the position you’re applying for, and you gained valuable skills or experience, it can be worth mentioning.
However, if it was a short-term role unrelated to your career goals or it ended under unfavorable circumstances, you might consider leaving it off. If you do include it, be prepared to explain the short tenure during interviews, focusing on what you learned or accomplished in that time.
Struggling with Resume Writing?
Ease the process with our templates
Related Posts
