Vera i do not know what jobs you have hired for, but I can only guess that they have to do with the kitchen or restaurants or things of that nature. Those skill sets that you are looking at are going to be the same from job to job. The technology has not changed that much over a few decades where a cooks resume will look significantly different from one job to the next.
There are other jobs where things do change. Take an auto mechanic for example. technology has drastically changed. If there was a mechanic who is experienced in working on cars before they were all computerized that could be an important skill if the shop deals with older cars. If he did not include his work from 20 or 30 years ago then his prospective employer woiuld never know he had that valuable skill set and could very possibly look him over for a younger guy willing to work for less money.
As you once said,'you really don't know' what jobs I've hired for, nor what skills would have been required for those positions. Suggesting cooking hasn't changed over the past 20 years shows a lack of understanding of the industry. Food science, dieticians, agriculture, equipment, sustainability, raw foods....do you honestly believe these, as just a few examples, were the same 20 years ago?
GB, we can argue my post all day long, as I believe you are wont to do. Call me paranoid, but that is what I see. The original post asked for suggestions, I gave mine. You feel they were incorrect. However, I disagree with you. Further discussion on how the food industry specifically has changed over the past 20 years isn't really in response to the original query, is it?
A resume should list enough information to get you a phone call. Employers usually have more prospective applicants than ever before. It's not unusual for one job posting to net 50 resumes. A resume that is 2 pages or more long isn't necessarily a way in the door. All your pertinent information should be on one page, and extremely easy to read. A qualified employer can sift through concise resumes quicker. The interview process is the place to go into greater detail regarding specifics.
If you'd like to continue the discussion regarding auto workers, doctors, teachers, etc, rather than keep the conversation general, which is what the OP seemed to require, perhaps another thread should be started. I tried to keep my original response general.