A great CV should not have long historical details. It should be packed with relevant information. Professional CV writers with recruiter experience can help you develop a customized CV for a specific role. Instead of wondering how many jobs to include on your CV, allow expert CV writing services like ExecutiveONE to help you make the CV informative, brief and easy to read. Here’s what to do when considering how far back or how many jobs to include in a CV.
Include jobs in your CV that are recent and relevant
Are you applying for a role in a new field? Or are you applying for a job in an area you started working in ten years ago? If the latter is the case, you can set the 10-year mark as the cut-off point in your CV. In such a scenario, write work experiences on your CV chronologically. Start with the most recent role to the first relevant role.
However, if you are immigrating to New Zealand, applying for a role in a new field, want to shift careers, or maybe you are looking to return to an area you worked in a long time ago, the approach will be different. Cherry-pick relevant past experiences and include jobs in your CV even if they surpass the 15-year mark. You can also include part-time jobs in your CV. As you do this, remember that some roles and skills from a long time ago could be irrelevant. Therefore, tweak such experiences to reflect what is in demand in the present day and the advertised job.
Consider the level of the job
At the executive level, you should demonstrate your expertise in the desired role. This may require you to include jobs in your CV that span 20 years or more. You want to give the recruiter a clear outlook of where you started and how you progressed to your current role. If this takes up too much space, consider portraying your prowess through your achievements or in the executive summary. If that’s you, expert CV writers at ExecutiveONE can help you figure out how to include jobs in your CV, demonstrate your expertise and keep it concise and punchy.
Consider the industry
Some job advertisements and sectors limit how many jobs to include in a CV. Other sectors deviate from rules like the 15-year mark and allow expansive explanations. For example, in academia one can include roles in your CV that demonstrate your expertise in practice, research, and instructing.
Instead of applying a blanket 2-page CV rule, tailor your resume to fit the specific role. Research and learn what the best practices are in the industry. For example, you can ask colleagues or people in your networks (but in the relevant sectors) for advice.
Include jobs in your CV that match the requirements in the job ad
Is the job you are gunning for a non-advertised or an advertised role? If it is the latter, double-check the job description and requirements by the recruiter. What did the recruiter request applicants to do in their CVs? A recruiter may specify how far back you should go in your CV, especially for senior roles where experiences are vast. In either case, you can boost your chances by including roles aligned with the position at hand. It is an excellent way to get noticed.
How many jobs to include in your CV? The bottom line
How far back a CV should go or how many jobs to include in a CV is not a question with a simple straight answer. Several factors influence the length of your CV. As an executive, you may not have the time or opportunity to comb through all these factors and the specifics in a job ad. Fortunately, CV writing services like ExecutiveONE.co.nz can do it for you and help tailor your CV to the advertised job. Contact our representatives or ring us on 09 974 9637 to book an appointment and give yourself the best shot at securing an interview.
