Should you include unrelated or occasional jobs on your resume?

Not every job belongs on your resume.

If you’ve done freelance gigs, side jobs, short contracts, or roles outside your target industry, the instinct might be to include them all just to show activity or fill space.

But more is not always better. The wrong information can dilute your message or even create doubt.

So let’s be clear: your resume is not a timeline, it’s a positioning tool.

When you include unrelated jobs just to fill space, you risk confusing the reader or weakening your professional identity.

When You Should Not Include Unrelated or Occasional Jobs

❌ They Have No Strategic Relevance

If the role taught you nothing that connects with what you’re aiming for today in skills, mindset or industry, then leave it out.

❌ They Add Noise, Not Clarity

Your resume has limited space. If a past job creates distraction or makes a recruiter wonder “why is this here?”, it doesn’t belong.

❌ They Could Trigger Bias

Unfortunately, some job types (gig work, temporary jobs, cash-in-hand roles) may be misinterpreted. Even if unfair, it’s safer to avoid planting the wrong assumptions.

When it might be worth including occasional jobs

There are a few exceptions, but only if they clearly serve your positioning:

• ✔️ They showcase relevant transferable skills (e.g. teamwork, communication, process)
• ✔️ They show progression or commitment in a transition phase
• ✔️ They are the only form of professional experience and are framed with care

Example: One Experience, Two Ways

Minimal, focused, intentional… That’s a Strategic Resume

Your resume is not an archive. It’s your personal brand in one or two pages.

If a job doesn’t support the message you want to send, it doesn’t belong there. Even if it helped you grow some experiences are meant to stay off the page.