How Many Jobs Should You List on a Resume?

Start with the job posting

The first place you should look for an idea of how many jobs to list on your resume is the job posting. Employers will likely share how many years of experience they want candidates to have, so depending on that range, you can gauge how many jobs they expect to see.

For instance, if employers say experience is not necessary, they won’t expect more than one or two jobs. However, if they’re looking for a candidate who has between five and 10 years of experience, they’ll expect to see around three to seven jobs since that’s what’s most typical.

Consider your total years of experience

Compare what the job posting requires with your total years of experience. If you’re within the range of the required experience level, you can include all your relevant jobs. 

A common guideline is to list one resume page for every 10 years of experience. Most candidates will include the last 10-15 years of work, or around three to seven jobs. You don’t need to include every position, just the ones that support your current career goals.

Prioritize relevance over quantity of jobs

Listing more jobs doesn’t always add value. Instead of including every single job you’ve ever had from your first after-school gigs or college part-time roles, focus on the jobs where you made the biggest impact or developed the most relevant skills. Quality over quantity shows you’re intentional and focused.

Resume work experience example

How to list multiple jobs at the same company on a resume

If you’ve held several roles at the same company, show progression while keeping your formatting clean. Here’s an example:

Use a combination format

A combination resume blends the best of both worlds: it starts with a summary of qualifications or key skills section, followed by a reverse-chronological work history. This format puts the focus on your most relevant strengths, even if they come from unrelated roles.

Start with a summary of qualifications

A summary of qualifications is what the name suggests, a brief preview of your most relevant skills for a particular job. This section is exclusive of combination resumes and consists of three to five bullet points that showcase your most relevant, high-impact achievements and skills. 

Having this section at the top of your resume, below your resume profile, helps hiring managers immediately see why you’re a strong candidate, even if your job titles don’t match the role.

Example:

Take advantage of these tips for career changers

Changing careers and having unrelated work history is very common, and employers are aware of this reality. Your “unrelated experience” doesn’t necessarily have to be a setback for your goals. 

Coming from a totally different background gives you a highly unique skill set and perspective that can help you innovate and push a team to lengths they hadn’t thought possible.

Here are some tips on how to convey all the value you have as a professional when changing careers:

• Tailor your work history achievements to reflect that you can meet the needs of the company. The job ad will likely tell you which areas of expertise and skills they need from a candidate. Identify those keywords and add them to your resume.
• Even if your past roles were in a different industry, highlight accomplishments that show relevant abilities like leadership, problem-solving, communication, or project management.
• If your resume alone doesn’t clearly connect the dots, use your cover letter to briefly explain your career change. Keep it positive. Focus on how your past experience prepares you for this new challenge and why you’re excited about the opportunity. Show that your shift is intentional and strategic, not random.

Use a functional resume format

For inexperienced job seekers, the functional resume format is an ideal choice because it emphasizes your skills and achievements rather than a traditional job timeline. It draws attention to what you know and can do rather than when or where you did it.

In a functional resume, you place your work history section further down the page. You share key details like job title, company, and employment dates, but you omit the traditional bullet points detailing your achievements. Instead, you add those accomplishments to your skills section. Here’s how:

Include internships, volunteer work, or personal projects

If you’ve never had formal work experience, don’t hesitate to list unpaid or non-traditional experiences that show initiative and transferable skills. Internships, class projects, freelance gigs, and volunteer work all count as experience, especially if they demonstrate leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, or technical abilities.

Avoid large, unexplained gaps

Gaps longer than six months should be acknowledged. Employers understand that people take time off for many reasons—whether it’s caregiving, travel, education, or a career pivot. The key is to provide brief context so they aren’t left guessing.

How to address gaps effectively

• Label gaps clearly on your resume (e.g., “Career Break” or “Professional Development”) with the dates.
• Mention productive activities during that time—freelance work, certifications, volunteering, or personal projects count.
• Use a career objective to explain your transition if you’re changing industries. This helps frame your gap as a purposeful shift and gives employers confidence in your direction.

Example: