Adding Old Jobs on a Resume

ATS, Resume Length, and the value of Older Jobs

When people search online for resume advice, two of the biggest keywords are “ATS” (Applicant Tracking System) and “resume length.” Those are the usual suspects and everyone wants to know how to get past the alleged auto-reject filters and whether their resume should be one page or two.

But here’s an interesting question that doesn’t get asked enough: what should you do with the jobs that are really far back in your career?

That’s where strategy comes in.

A resume that’s overloaded with decades of detail isn’t just hard to skim; it can confuse both the ATS and the recruiter. By trimming older roles and consolidating them into a “Previous Experience” section, you’re improving keyword density, tightening up your resume format, and giving your most relevant, recent skills room to stand out.

In other words, you’re answering the unasked question recruiters really care about: are you qualified for this role today?

The Rule of Relevance

The longer ago a job was, the less relevant it typically is to who you are as a professional today. Employers and recruiters want to see what you’ve been doing most recently because that’s where your skills are sharpest and most up to date. If you’re in a fast-moving industry like tech, finance, or healthcare, even roles from 8–10 years ago may feel dated if they don’t connect to today’s responsibilities.

Think of it this way: every line on your resume is valuable real estate. Filling it with old responsibilities means you’re crowding out space where you could be emphasizing skills, results, and keywords that match the job description. A modern resume format should prioritize the past 10–15 years, focusing on quantifiable achievements that show direct impact.

The Ageism Risk

Listing jobs older than 20 years comes with risks, especially around ageism. Even if it’s unspoken, hiring managers often do quick math when they see dates. A resume that stretches too far back can inadvertently put more focus on your age than on your qualifications. We see a definitive spike in lost interest for non-executive roles if the candidate has professional experience over 20 years ago, absurd as this notion is.

Instead of proving you’ve “been around forever,” focus on proving you’re current, adaptable, and equipped with today’s tools and technologies. If you’ve been working for 25 or 30 years, that’s an accomplishment, but showcasing every job may trigger bias while also creating a document that’s unnecessarily long. Most recruiters expect a professional resume length up to 2 pages. three if you’re a senior executive with major leadership accomplishments. Anything more risks being skimmed or skipped.

The Smarter Alternative: Previous Experience Section

If you’ve held roles earlier in your career that still add credibility, you don’t have to erase them. Instead, use a “Previous Experience” section at the bottom of your resume.

Here’s how it works:

• Create a section titled Previous Experience (or Additional Experience).
• List your role and company name in bold italics.
• Leave off the dates.

For example:

• Sr Account Executive with Mobly Studios, LLC
• Account Specialist with Tiger Games, Inc

This approach allows you to acknowledge your full career without bogging down the page or creating keyword density issues for the ATS. It’s a clean way of saying, “Yes, I have more depth than what I’ve listed here, but the roles above are the most relevant to the job I want today.”

Final Takeaway

Think of your resume as a targeted career story, not a full autobiography. You don’t need to prove you’ve been working since the 90s—you need to prove you’re the right candidate today. Keep your length under control, focus on your last 10–15 years of impact, and use a “Previous Experience” section to quietly acknowledge the rest.

The result: a modern, ATS-friendly resume that highlights your value, avoids ageism risks, and positions you as a strong candidate for the role you want next.