Let’s be real: Your resume is not meant to showcase your complete life story.

Crafting the perfect resume is crucial for getting attention from recruiters and hiring managers—so much so that you are invited for a job interview.

The resume leads to the job interview, and it’s the interview that leads to the job offer.

But what about those jobs that don’t quite fit your career narrative?

Remember, your resume is a marketing tool designed to highlight your best qualities and experiences.

By carefully curating the information you present, you can create a compelling narrative that matches your career goals and stands out to potential employers.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career journey, knowing when to strategically exclude certain jobs can make all the difference in how recruiters perceive your application.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career journey, knowing when to strategically exclude certain jobs can make all the difference in how recruiters perceive your application.

For personalized guidance on resume crafting (and LinkedIn), consider reaching out to professional resume writing services.

Tom Sorensen is a certified resume writer by the US-based PARWCC,  the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Careers Coaches™ that helps career professionals.

4 scenarios to leave out from your resume

So, when should you drop a job from your CV? Here’s the brutal truth:

• Jobs older than the last 10-15 years. We work in a different world where few people now know what this is: Shorthand, facsimile, telex.
• Job-hopping more than a kangaroo? Short-term positions that lasted months – not years! Just include which year you started and which year you left. Do not include months.
• Irrelevant experience. If you are looking for a tech job, drop the barista job at the café. If you’re transitioning to a new field, you might omit jobs that don’t relate to the new direction unless they demonstrate transferable skills.
• Controversial employers. Worked for a company with a sketchy reputation? Sometimes, silence is golden. Unless it’s directly relevant, consider leaving it off.

Not about hiding but about highlighting

So, there you have it. The cold, hard truth about what to leave off your resume.

Four things to delete from your resume. Aim for a length of two pages and 600-700 words.

It’s not about hiding; it’s about highlighting.

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