Are You Showcasing the Right Things on Your Resume?
As a resume writer, I work with many clients who feel strongly about including certain experiences on their resume. Experiences that matter deeply to them, but may not matter at all to a recruiter.
Recently, I worked with a client who had spent time living in Germany, during which he was the primary caregiver for his child. This was a meaningful chapter in his life, but unless he was applying for a job in Germany or pursuing a role in childcare, that information wasn’t relevant to his target role as a U.S.-based Project Manager.
So, you might be wondering: “Dianna, how do I know what should be on my resume?”
I like to call it the R&R of Resume Writing - Relevance and Recency.
Step 1: Is it Relevant to the job you're targeting?
This is the first and most important filter. Ask yourself: Will this help me get the job I want?
Let’s break experience down into three categories:
Direct Experience: This is your golden ticket. It’s the exact kind of work you’ll be doing in the job. For example, listing your digital marketing campaigns if you’re applying for a marketing role.
Transferable Experience: These are skills that apply across many roles - communication, problem-solving, leadership, etc. A teacher transitioning into a training role, for example, might highlight curriculum development and public speaking.
Non-Relevant Experience: While these experiences may have shaped you, they don’t relate to your target job. For example, being a pet sitter doesn’t really serve a marketing resume (unless you're applying to Petco’s marketing team)!
Step 2: Is it Recent enough to be effective?
Now that you’ve identified what’s relevant, ask: Is it current?
Generally, the rule of thumb is to focus on the last 7–10 years of experience. If you’re an executive or in a highly specialized field, you might stretch that to 15.
Why? Because industries change. Fast.
Take marketing, for example. Twenty years ago, success meant understanding print ads and maybe some early email campaigns. Today? It's all about digital-first strategies, omnichannel experiences, social media algorithms, influencer partnerships, and data analytics.
If your most recent marketing story is from 2004, it might feel like you're submitting a time capsule instead of a resume.
A Mindset Shift: It’s Not About What’s Important to You
Here’s a hard truth: what feels meaningful to you may not be relevant to the hiring manager. Resumes aren’t autobiographies, they’re strategic marketing documents.
Ask yourself:
“Why would the recruiter care about this?”
“How does this help me get the interview?”
If you can’t make a clear connection, it might be best to leave it out.
Need a Second Opinion on Your Resume?
If you’re unsure what’s helping (or hurting) your chances, let’s talk!
I offer a free 30-minute consultation where we can walk through your resume together, identify what’s working, and clean out anything that's getting in the way of your next great opportunity.