I'm applying for a security higher level management position which I have directly related experience for the past 7 years although it's all middle management stuff. Before I got into the security industry I had 3 years retail Store Management experience with 3 different stores. I had to drop down to middle management because I didn't have enough experience to qualify for more Store Management positions after the last job I had was bought out. The job application is asking for 10 years job history, but I've always been told not to put more than 7 years on resume. I want to make my resume as strong as possible

Is there a way I could add the retail store management experience to my resume, possibly group the 3 different positions in 3 years so it doesn't look quite as bad. I still have room on the 2nd page of my resume for only 1 job.

My current headings on my resume are

PROFILE
SKILLS
WORK EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

Thanks

Whoever told you that gave an arbitrary number. I'm told 10 years is the limit.
What matters most is that your resume should sell you.

Adding those 3 years of experience would probably be a good addition for this position, so I would add them and ignore the other advice about limiting yourself to the last 7 years.

Hi defscarlett,

I agree with stijnhommes that the 7-year cutoff seems arbitrary. It's true that employers will pay closer attention to your recent experience (last ten years or so), but that doesn't mean your previous jobs should be dropped.

You can group the retail experience into one section on the resume, but you will probably have to separate these for the job application that you're completing. It sounds like you have relevant experience over the last 7 years, so I'm sure the employer will focus more on that than earlier positions.

Good luck with this job opportunity!