When crafting a resume, it’s essential to include only relevant experience to showcase your qualifications for the job you’re applying for. Including irrelevant experience may take up valuable space on your resume and distract hiring managers from the experience that is most important for the position.
However, there are times when seemingly irrelevant experience can be beneficial to include on your resume. Here are some instances when it may be appropriate to include unrelated experience:
- When you’re just starting out: If you’re a recent graduate or new to the workforce, you may not have much relevant experience to list on your resume. In this case, including unrelated experience, such as volunteer work or part-time jobs, can help show your work ethic and dedication.
- When the experience shows transferable skills: Sometimes, seemingly unrelated experience can still demonstrate transferable skills that are valuable for the job you’re applying for. For example, if you worked in retail but are applying for a customer service position, you can highlight how your retail experience required strong customer service and communication skills.
- When the experience shows career growth: If you have experience in a completely different industry but have worked your way up to a management or leadership role, that can demonstrate valuable skills like adaptability, leadership, and problem-solving.
Ultimately, when considering whether to include irrelevant experience on your resume, it’s important to keep the job you’re applying for in mind. If the experience doesn’t add value to your application, it’s best to leave it off. However, if the experience helps showcase your skills, work ethic, or career growth, it can be a valuable addition to your resume.
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