Wondering how far back your Canadian resume should go? The short answer: 10 to 15 years is the sweet spot for most professionals. But the long answer? That depends on your industry, role seniority, and how relevant your earlier experience is to the job you’re targeting. Let’s unpack why that matters—and how to make strategic decisions that boost your chances without bloating your CV.

How many years of work history should be on a Canadian resume?

Quick Answer: For most job seekers, your resume should cover the last 10–15 years of employment. That window strikes a balance between showing relevant experience and keeping things concise and scannable—especially important in an age where recruiters spend less than 7 seconds on an initial scan.

Here’s the thinking:

• Hiring managers prioritise recent, relevant experience. Tech stacks change, industries evolve, and even job titles can shift dramatically in a decade.

• Older experience may date you. Including jobs from the ’90s or early 2000s can raise questions about how current your skills are—particularly in fast-moving sectors.

• Shorter is stronger. A 2-page resume is standard in Canada. Anything longer can feel like cognitive overload unless you’re applying for academic or executive roles.

As behavioural economist Bri Williams might say, “Don’t make people think more than they need to.” Less friction equals more attention.

Is there ever a case for going further back?

Absolutely. Context matters. Consider stretching your resume timeline if:

• You’re applying for a senior or executive role and foundational experience is relevant.

• You’ve stayed with the same employer for 15+ years and held multiple roles within that company.

• Your earlier jobs directly relate to the role you’re targeting now—even if they’re over 15 years old.

• You’re making a career pivot and your pre-2010 experience aligns more closely than your recent work.

🧠 Cognitive bias watch: Recency bias can work against you if your newer jobs aren’t as impressive or relevant. So bringing forward earlier, high-impact roles (even briefly, under an “Additional Experience” section) can frame your story more effectively.

Should I include jobs from my early career?

Generally, no—especially if they’re unrelated to your current field or level. That high school retail gig or lifeguard job might have shaped your work ethic, but unless you’re 19 and applying for your first full-time role, it’s best left off.

That said, strategic storytelling can save the day. You could summarise early experience in one line under an “Earlier Experience” or “Additional Background” section:

“Additional roles in hospitality and retail (2005–2010), building customer service foundations and team leadership skills.”

That’s commitment and consistency (Cialdini principle) in action—without needing to list every café you ever worked in.

What if I had a career break or worked abroad?

No need to panic. Canadian employers are increasingly open to career breaks for parenting, study, travel, or care work—especially post-COVID.

Here’s how to approach it:

• Be transparent but brief. A simple line like “Parental leave (2017–2019)” works fine.

• Focus on what you did, not just what you didn’t do. Volunteering, freelance gigs, or courses during that time? Highlight them.

• Foreign work experience can absolutely be included, but adjust job titles or explanations for clarity. Avoid acronyms that won’t make sense outside your country.

Tip: If you’re struggling to decide what to cut, run your resume past a professional. In fact, many Canadians are now outsourcing the job altogether, especially if they’re returning to the workforce or switching industries—some are even weighing whether it’s worth paying for resume help to stay competitive.

How should I format my resume to show the right length of experience?

Think beyond just what you include—how you structure it matters too.

Top tips:

• Use reverse chronological order, focusing on the most recent 10–15 years.

• Create an “Additional Experience” section to lightly touch on earlier roles without going into detail.

• Consider a hybrid format that balances a chronological timeline with a skills-based summary—especially if you’re pivoting or have a gap.

• Trim out tasks and responsibilities, and double down on outcomes and impact. Numbers, growth, savings, awards—they all matter more than daily duties.

Remember what Mark Ritson says: “Positioning is sacrifice.” You can’t include everything, so choose the bits that position you as the best candidate for the job you want.

Does the resume length rule change by industry?

Yes—and this is where behaviour-led creativity (a la Adam Ferrier) can really shine. Here’s how the 10–15 year rule shifts depending on your industry:

For early-career candidates, 1 page is usually enough. But if you’re mid-to-senior level, don’t fear going to 2 full pages—as long as every word earns its place.

What do Canadian hiring managers expect?

Here’s where social proof matters. Most Canadian hiring managers are used to seeing resumes that follow these norms:

• Clear headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills)

• Bullet-pointed responsibilities and achievements

• No personal info beyond name, contact, LinkedIn

• No photo

• No birthdate, marital status, or home address

They also expect customisation. That means tweaking your resume slightly for each application. Yes, it takes longer—but consistency (another of Cialdini’s persuasion pillars) helps signal that you’re genuinely interested in the role.

TL;DR – How far back should your resume go?

• 10–15 years is the standard

• Go further only if it supports your narrative

• Trim the fat: early jobs, irrelevant roles, or repetitive tasks

• Use sections like “Earlier Experience” to nod to older work

• Match the expectations of your industry and audience

• Consider getting help from a pro if it’s been a while since you updated your CV

FAQ

Q: Can I leave off jobs from over 15 years ago?
Yes—unless they’re directly relevant or you’re applying for a senior position where longevity matters.

Q: What if I worked at one company for 20 years?
Break it into roles (e.g., “Sales Associate (2005–2010), Sales Manager (2010–2020)”) to show progression.

Q: Will omitting older jobs hurt my chances?
Not if your recent experience tells a strong story. Focus on relevance, not chronology.

Experience matters—but so does presentation. If you’re still on the fence about how much to include, this discussion about the best resume writing service explores whether expert help is worth the investment—especially when the cost of missing out on a job opportunity is often invisible until it’s too late.

For further guidance on resume standards in Canada, see this trusted career advice resource.

The choice is yours—but remember, what you leave out of a resume can matter just as much as what you put in.