What do I Highlight on my resume?

Question

Hi! I have over 8 years of healthcare, healthtech, telecom and finance experience. Some of my roles were contract and I’ve also founded and adviced multiple startups.
Do I include my contract and founding/advisory roles? Should my resume be one page or two page to highlight the experience? I’ve also been promoted within a company multiple times - should I include all the roles or only the relevant ones? Thank you!!
Any advice on including certifications?

Answer 1

Hi there,

Great question — and congrats on having strong experience. The challenge now is focus, not volume.

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

1. Do I include contract roles?

Yes — if they add value.

If they show relevant skills, strong impact, or fill gaps, include them. Just label them clearly as “Contract.” If some were short or less impactful, you can group them under:

Independent Consultant (Selected Engagements)

Impact matters more than contract vs. full-time.

2. What about founding / advisory roles?

Yes — especially if you had real responsibility.

They signal ownership and leadership. Just make sure you:

Treat them like real roles (not hobbies)
Focus on outcomes (revenue, users, funding, growth)

If advisory roles were light-touch, you can group them into one section.

3. One page or two?

With 8+ years, two pages is completely fine.

But:

Keep it sharp.
No fluff.
Prioritize relevance.

If page two feels weak, cut it.

4. Promotions — list all roles?

Yes. Definitely.

Showing progression within a company is powerful. It signals strong performance.

You can stack them under one company with different titles and dates.

5. Certifications?

Include them if they are:

Recognized
Relevant
Still meaningful

Skip low-signal online courses.

Final mindset

Your resume is not a timeline of everything you’ve done.

It’s a focused story that says:

“Here’s why I’m a strong fit for this specific role.”

Be selective. Quantify impact. Show progression. Keep it clean.