chronological resume in a sentence

Chronological Resume - Writing Guide With 5 Free Templates

The chronological resume - also known as the “reverse chronological resume” - is the most popular resume format out there.

Particularly advisable for those with rich work history, the chronological resume prioritizes and lists your work experience and achievements from most to least recent.

This article is here to teach you all there is to know about creating a chronological resume.

What is a Chronological Resume?

Chronological Resume Structure

When to Use a Chronological Resume Format?
4 Free Chronological Resume Templates
How to Create a Chronological Resume - Step by Step
9+ Chronological Resume Examples for All Industries

What is a Chronological Resume?

A chronological resume lists your work experiences and achievements starting from the current or most recent one, and following up with previous jobs below.

For this exact reason, the chronological resume is the perfect choice for job-seekers who have plenty of experience and achievements to list on their resume .

What’s most important, studies point to the chronological resume being a favorite among recruiters, too.

Why? Well, because you are applying for a job, so work experience in your resume will be the first thing a recruiter looks out for.

But worry not, you can structure your resume in a chronological format even as a recent graduate too. Or, you can opt for other popular formats fitter to your profile.

But first, let’s go through the basics.

The chronological resume follows a straightforward structure. The only thing to keep in mind is that your current or most recent experience - be it professional or educational - comes first.

The second most recent will follow, and so on.

Here are the main and most popular sections for the chronological resume structure:

Contact information
Professional title and resume summary/objective
Work experience and achievements
Education section
Your top soft/hard skills
Include optional sections (languages, certificates, volunteer experience, etc)

If you’re a recent college graduate and want to build your resume in the chronological structure format, you still can.

All you have to do is rearrange the order of your resume sections so that the education resume section comes first.

Here, too, make sure that your education entries are listed from the most to least recent, and you’re good to go!

If reading this is already looking too complicated and time-consuming, try out the Novorésumé online resume builder . Novorésumé provides 8+ free resume templates that follow the chronological resume structure.

When to Use a Chronological Resume Format

The three main types of resume formats are the chronological, functional/skills-based one, and a combination resume format of the two. What you choose to use will depend on the type of job you are applying for and your experience level.

In the majority of cases, the obvious choice is the chronological resume. It is common, it highlights just the right sections, and job recruiters prefer it over the other formats.

Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean you should just cross the other options off your list, especially if your work experience doesn’t amount to much.

Consider these other two formats, taking into account their advantages and disadvantages as well:

Functional Resume

Perfect for students or recent graduates, as it highlights your skills.
Offers creative space for a varied portfolio
Difficult to pass through the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) that most companies use to scan through countless resumes they receive daily.
It conceals your experiences, however minor they might be.

Combination Resume

A great choice for job-seekers with a diverse skill-set, because it highlights both skills and experiences.
It can mask gaps in your employment history since you can also list your skills, so it’s the second-best option for those who lack work experience.
It is a really good fit only for highly specialized professionals who have a very diverse skill-set. Say, for example, that you’re applying for a role that requires expertise in 3-4 different fields, and you want to show all that in your resume - then, the combination resume really is the one for you.
It is hard to organize. As a professional with a diverse skill-set, it might be a challenge to decide which part of your expertise to prioritize in the combination resume format.

4 Chronological Resume Templates

Below, you will find 5 chronological resume templates out of many free resume templates. Dig right in to find the best match for you.

#1. Creative Chronological Resume Template

#2: Modern Chronological Resume Template

#3: Professional Chronological Resume Template

#4: Functional Chronological Resume Template

How to Create a Chronological Resume

Now that we mentioned the traditional structure, let’s go through each section one by one to create the perfect chronological resume.

#1: Start With a Contact Information Section

Depending on the template you have chosen for your chronological resume, there is a possibility that your name will be directly followed by your professional title right at the top.

How do you fill up your professional title in chronological resume format? Easy. If you’re not looking to change career paths your professional title should be your current title. However, if you’re changing career paths, then choosing the combination resume mentioned above might be a better option for you.

Regarding the rest of the contact information section on your chronological resume, it should be current and lacking any typos. The mandatory elements of the information section include:

First and last name
Phone number
Email address
LinkedIn URL (optional)

#2: Add a Resume Summary or Resume Objective

Second in the chronological resume comes your ‘profile’ as a candidate, which is expressed through a resume summary or a resume objective .

Wondering what the difference is?

Well, the summary is a short (2-3 sentences) overview of your career so far and it is used in 90% of resumes - especially by those with two or more years of work experience. A summary is a perfect fit for the chronological resume.

On the contrary, a resume objective represents your aspirational career goal and highlights your skills, making it perfect for entry-level professionals with little work experience, or job-seekers looking to completely switch career paths.

#3: Fill in Your Work Experience

This is, without a doubt, the section that weighs the most when it comes to the chronological resume, so it’s vital that you get it right.

Your work experience section is there to show the recruiter what you can bring to the table through your past accomplishments and responsibilities and what the company would be gaining were they to hire you.

Feeling pressured? Don’t. There are many practices to help your work experience section stand out in the eyes of the recruiter.

If you are looking for more tips and tricks to help you take your resume to the next level, head over to our beginner’s guide on how to write a resume .

Here are the key points you should keep in mind when it comes to the work section:

This is the most important so we’ll be repeating it as many times as it takes: your current or latest job position should be placed on top. Then come the previous ones, all the way to your earliest job position.
For each entry, list your job title and position, the company and its location, as well as the dates when you were employed.
List your achievements and responsibilities, with a higher focus on quantifiable achievements, whenever you can.
Use bullet points instead of just text to express what you have achieved and what you were responsible for in every job entry.
Tailor the resume to the position you are applying for. For example, if you’ve had too many jobs in the past and some of them don’t relate to the field you are now applying for, then they are just taking space. Feel free to omit them.

Here’s a close-up of a work experience section in the chronological resume:

#4: Add an Education Section

Generally, the education section comes right after work experience.

If, however, you have just graduated college and want to create a chronological resume to start applying for jobs, the education section can replace the experience section that you’d be lacking.

Either way, the education section should be brief but jam-packed with information that can communicate your values and skills to the recruiter.

Here’s what the education section consists of:

Program Name: E.g. “MA in Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies”
University Name: E.g. “University of Greenwich”
Period Attended: E.g. “08/1214 - 05/2018”
(Optional) GPA: E.g. “3.9 GPA”
(Optional) Honors: E.g. “ Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude”
(Optional) Academic Achievements: E.g. Papers you might have published, or awards received.
(Optional) Minor: E.g. “Minor in Political Science”

#5: Spice Up Your Chronological Resume With Your Skills

Needless to say, the reverse-chronological order doesn’t really apply in the skills section.

What you can do, however, is begin by listing your hard skills and then your soft skills.

Unsure of what this means?

Hard skills are measurable abilities. These can range from programming in Python language to knowing how to use Photoshop and InDesign.
Soft skills are personal skills. They vary from attitude to flexibility, motivation and teamwork.

Listing your skills has its own peculiarities, so don’t pay this section less attention than the ones above it, especially if you’re a recent college student. Pay attention to skills specifically required at the job ad and if you have them, make sure to include them.

Here’s an example of how your skills section can look like:

#6: Include Any of These Optional Sections

Last but not least, come these optional sections.

Having them in your resume can earn you extra points and even separate you from the competitors, but only if they don’t make your resume longer than it should be (1-2 pages maximum) and if they are relevant to the job position.

Some of those sections include (but are not limited to):

Languages : If you speak two or more languages, don’t fail to put that in your resume. To list them, simply categorize your proficiency level into native, fluent, proficient, intermediate, or basic .
Hobbies & Interests : They can help humanize you and show a part of your personality that work and education can’t. If
Volunteering Experience : Studies show that volunteering experience actually raises your chances of getting hired .
Certification & Awards : If you have awards that make you stand out in your field or certifications from experts that are relevant to the position you are applying for, don’t hesitate to show them off!

Not sure how adding volunteering experience works? Check our article on how to list volunteer experience on your resume .

10 Chronological Resume Examples for All Industries

Now let us walk you through a few practical examples of what the chronological resume looks like depending on the industry.

#1. Business Chronological Resume

In the world of business, accomplishments matter. This is why in this business chronological resume , the work experience section is jam-packed with measurable information on what the employee achieved in his previous professional experiences.

#2. Computer Science Chronological Resume

Computer science jobs are heavily based on hard skills - in addition to your previous work experiences, that is. So, make sure to include your hard skills on your computer science resume to impress recruiters.

#3. Architect Chronological Resume

As you can see from the example above, the sections that follow your work experience and education can be placed according to your profile. If, for example, you’ve worked on some side projects that you feel do your resume more justice than your skills, feel free to prioritize those projects.

In this article, you can find what’s expected from an architect’s resume in more detail.

#4. Nurse Chronological Resume

Action verbs can really make an active professional like that of a nurse shine. So when you list your achievements under your experience, use strong verbs that can paint a picture of who you are and what you can do.

#5. Pharmacist Chronological Resume

With plenty of attributes up their sleeve, the chronological format is the perfect choice for a pharmacist’s resume .

#6. Project Manager Chronological Resume

Project manager resumes have good chances to show industry expertise - given they hold the manager title - and highlight successful projects. Feel free to do both in your chronological resume, as shown above.

#7. Web Developer Chronological Resume

As you can see in the example, the candidate has chosen to place his courses and training above his education. When you have followed courses or have been trained in the exact field of work where you’re applying, it makes sense to rank the field-specific courses and training higher than your university education.

This article has more information on how to perfect your Web Developer Resume .

#8. Teacher Chronological Resume

This is another “special” example of a chronological resume. Right after the experience section, the candidate has listed their volunteering experience. Not normally the case, it makes sense here because the volunteering experience has been as a tutor - which is pretty much the same thing as a teacher in the teacher resume .

In cases when your volunteering experience is directly connected to the job you are applying for, feel free to list it under professional experience as well.

#9. Bar Manager Chronological Resume

For more info on how to update your own bar manager chronological resume for 2024, this is the article for you.

#10. Human Resources Chronological Resume

The example says it all: the chronological resume does wonders showing the peak of your work experience first, and then going back to your professional history and skills. This article on the HR chronological resume has more tips on how to perfect it.

Discover More Resume Templates

Combination Resume Templates
Creative Resume Templates
Functional Resume Templates
Minimalistic Resume Templates
High School Resume Templates
One Page Resume Templates
2 Page Resume Templates
Google Docs Resume Templates
Word Resume Templates

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap!

Let’s do a quick recap of the main points covered in this article:

The chronological resume - or reverse chronological - is a top choice among candidates with years of professional experience and a favorite among recruiters.
The chronological resume focuses on your work experience, starting your current or most recent one, and following up with the rest - from most to least recent.
Recent college graduates that want to use this format can - simply replace the work section with the education section, following the same reverse-chronological order.
Save time and energy building the reverse chronological resume from scratch by using online resume builders , such as the one Novorésumé offers.

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Chronological Resume: The Best Format? (And How to Write It)

By Biron Clark

Published: December 4, 2023

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

If you’re wondering whether you should use a chronological resume format (also referred to as reverse-chronological resume format) or trying to get help with how to write it, then this article is for you.

And if you’ve been told to use a functional resume because you’re changing careers or have a work gap , then this article will help you, too! (And my advice on this topic might surprise you).

Here’s what you’re going to learn:

What is a chronological resume? And what is a functional resume?
Why it’s NOT beneficial to use a functional resume in most cases, and why the chronological resume format will get you the most interviews
How to write your chronological resume

Definition: What is a Chronological Resume?

Chronological resumes are resumes written in a format that lists your work experience based on the dates it occurred. Working downward from the beginning of your Work Experience section, you should start listing your most recent positions first. So the top of the section will contain your current or most recent job. Below that on your resume will be your next most recent job.

This is how to write a chronological resume, which is also commonly called the reverse chronological resume. (They’re the same, just different terms. Always start with your most recent job at the top of your Work Experience. Here are some examples ).

What is Reverse Chronological Order?

As mentioned above, reverse chronological order means that your previous jobs are listed in order of date, beginning with your most recent position at the top. Your final entry in the list should be your oldest or least recent position. This is why the term reverse chronological resume is sometimes used.

Note that you’re NOT obligated to list every job on your resume! You can choose where to begin telling your career story, or whether to omit a certain job for strategic reasons (for example, if it was only a three-month position, and isn’t related to your current career path).

So I’m not suggesting that you must start with the first job you ever held. However, once you’ve chosen a starting point for your resume work history, you should list those positions in reverse chronological order as described above.

Chronological Resume Example:

If you’re still not 100% clear on what chronological order on a resume looks like, here is an example work history section from a chronological resume:

Work Experience

IBM (2019-Present) Senior Product Manager

Brief paragraph describing the role. Don’t write too much here, because you should mostly show your accomplishments and work via bullet points .

Launched a Groundbreaking Product: Led the launch of XYZ product, resulting in a 25% increase in market share within the first quarter.
Implemented Strategic Partnerships: Fostered key partnerships that boosted revenue by 30% and expanded the product’s reach to new markets.
Streamlined Processes: Initiated a process overhaul, reducing project delivery time by 20%, improving efficiency, and ensuring timely product launches.

Microsoft (2016-2019) Product Manager

Brief paragraph describing the role. Two or three sentences is ideal, and you should try to put numbers and metrics whenever possible.

Product Revamp: Spearheaded a product revamp that led to a 40% increase in user engagement and a 15% growth in customer satisfaction.
Cross-functional Collaboration: Fostered collaboration between development and marketing teams, resulting in a 25% reduction in time-to-market for new features.
Revenue Growth: Implemented pricing optimization strategies that contributed to a 20% growth in product revenue over the course of two years.

Notice that the most recent or current job is listed at the top of the work history, and then you move downward for each previous job. The resume date format can vary slightly, depending on what you think is best for your work experience, just make sure that you keep it consistent.

So now you know what chronological resumes should look like, including a real example/template you can use to figure out your own! Next, I’ll explain why recruiters and hiring managers prefer this format, and why it will get you more interviews.

Should Your Resume Be Chronological?

After recruiting for 5 years, I can say without a doubt: Yes, your resume should be in chronological format.

The first reason that you should use a chronological resume date format is: this is what hiring managers and recruiters are accustomed to seeing and prefer.

Why do Recruiters Prefer Chronological Resumes?

Functional resumes are confusing and difficult to gather info from.

When I worked as a recruiter , I had multiple hiring managers send a functional resume back to me, and tell me to have the candidate rewrite it in chronological format. They simply don’t want to read a functional resume because they cannot gather enough info from it.

(If you don’t know, a functional resume lists your skills and past work without any dates. It groups them by skill type or functional area and not by chronological order. So that’s the definition of a functional resume).

This deprives hiring managers and recruiters of important info and context. They’re not as able to understand your career story or see how recently, or for how long, you used certain skills. Therefore, they are less likely to feel confident in inviting you to interview.

(Hiring managers want to interview people who are likely to be able to step into the job and succeed. They want the necessary info to make that decision before occupying their time with an interview).

So, with each online job getting hundreds of applicants, there’s no reason for a hiring manager to struggle to understand the one or two functional resumes they receive. They’ll just move on to a resume that’s written in the format they prefer – which is chronological, with an easy-to-follow resume date format.

The Best Resume Format for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) have been the superheroes of the hiring game in recent years. It’s like a super-smart software wizard designed to make recruiters’ lives easier.

What does it do, you ask? Well, it’s the maestro that scans, parses, and ranks resumes based on keywords, qualifications, and experience. Many companies use these systems for initial resume screenings, so if your resume does not align with the system you might be filtered out of the hiring process even if you are the best candidate for the job.

So should you be using chronological resumes to optimize for applicant tracking systems? Yes, definitely!

Chronological resumes present a clear and organized account of your career path. This straightforward format works well with ATS algorithms, ensuring a smooth and easily comprehensible read for the system to grasp your professional history clearly.

When is a Chronological Resume Not Advantageous?

Many experts will tell you that a chronological resume, or a reverse chronological resume, is not advantageous when you’ve had gaps in your work history, when you’ve had a non-traditional or unusual career path, or when you’re attempting to change careers.

However, even in these cases, most hiring managers will prefer reverse-chronological resumes if they are well-written and the resume date format is easy to follow.

You can explain work gaps right in your employment history section.

You can tailor your work experience to show the pieces of work you’ve done that are most relevant for the job you’ve applied for now… even during a career change.

For more help with this, we have a full article on how to write a resume for a career change. If you click that link, I explain more about why a functional resume isn’t ideal, and one of the career coaches who I featured in the article confirms it. To quote her:

As a former corporate recruiter, I am not a fan of functional resumes. Recruiters are taught to scan resumes chronologically. When you take the experience out of context or “order,” it often gives the recruiter the impression you are trying to hide or fudge the experience.

The bottom line is: Trying to hide the dates and order of work will only frustrate and confuse hiring managers and cost you job interviews.

So my answer to, “Should resumes be chronological?” is a resounding “Yes.”

Now that we’ve covered what differentiates a chronological and functional resume, and which you should be using if you want to get more interviews, let’s talk about how to start writing it!

How Do You Write a Chronological Resume?

To start writing your resume, make sure you understand the format and have reviewed the reverse chronological resume example from earlier in this article.

Then, here are the steps to write your chronological resume:

1. Enter company names, dates of employment, and job titles .

You can list dates in terms of years, or months and years. Whatever you decide, keep it consistent.

You can also list the city/state of each job if you choose. This is also optional and is a personal decision when setting up your chronological resumes.

2. If you held multiple roles within a company, show each job title separately on your resume .

This is important so that employers can see that you advanced/progressed in the company. Recruiters typically love this!

Here’s another example of a chronological resume, where you can see two distinct job titles listed under one single employer. This person was promoted from Sales Rep to Branch Manager.

3. Write bullet points describing each role you’ve held .

Each role should have multiple bullet points describing what you accomplished and did for the employer. (Not just saying, “responsible for ___”.)

It’s much better to start with a verb like, “led six team members…,” or “grew our department revenue by…”)

This article has resume bullet examples to help you.

4. Write a brief paragraph to describe each role (above the bullet points) .

This is optional. As you can see in the resume example above, it’s possible to go directly from job titles to bullets, without any paragraph content.

However, if you’d like, you can write a brief paragraph about what you did in the role overall. This can provide more context to the reader.

However, this paragraph should be concise, and you should never put it instead of bullets. I recommend 2-3 sentences at most. The bullets are more important and will be read more closely.

5. Add metrics and data when possible .

You’ll get more interviews by being specific and talking about results on your resume, rather than responsibilities. So try to pack your bullets with metrics… like dollar amounts, percent increases, number of people you led or trained, etc.

You don’t need to be in sales to have metrics! (I hear this common objection a lot).

For example, if you’re an editor for a company’s news blog, you could write:

“Edited and published 30 articles per month for the company blog, which was read by 40,000 people each month and generated an average of 10 qualified leads for the business .”

The more specific you can be on your resume, the better. So if you see an opportunity to add facts, data, and metrics in any of the paragraphs OR bullets you’ve written, do it.

Here’s another example of how to write about results rather than responsibilities:

Which sounds more impressive…

“Responsible for leading the customer service team and handling all inbound requests for the company”

“Led the 22-person customer service team which handled 250+ inbound requests per day via phone and email”

That second option is going to grab attention and get you more interviews from top employers.

6. Add other necessary resume sections .

After you’ve written your professional experience in chronological order, you then need to fill your chronological resume out with the other key sections, including:

Your header/contact info.
A resume summary paragraph.
Your skills section.
Your education section.

If you need more help understanding what order to put these in, and how everything fits together in the “big picture” of your resume, this article has more info on the important sections of a resume.

7. Consider adding optional sections .

You can also include one or more of the optional resume sections on your chronological resume:

Volunteer work/community involvement.
Honors & awards.
Testimonials from past coworkers/managers.
A secondary skills section (sometimes it makes sense to separate your skills into two sections. See the image below for an example).

If you read everything above, you now know why the chronological resume (also called reverse chronological resume) is the format that employers prefer.

It shows the important information that they want to see in your work history, including information that functional resume formats don’t include – like how recently you did each type of work, and for how long.

Without this information, many employers will not be interested in interviewing you.

They just can’t possibly know enough to determine whether you’re a good potential fit for their job. So at best, they’ll ask you to send a chronological resume instead, and at worst, they’ll invite other candidates to interview and you’ll never hear from them.

So that’s a scenario that we want to avoid, and you can do that by writing your professional experience in reverse chronological order.

By combining this with sections detailing your skills, your education, and other key qualifications, you will get more callbacks when you apply for jobs so you can find a new job faster.

If you want to see more resume examples and advice, this article has 3 more work experience examples that follow the advice above.

About the Author

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How to Write a Chronological Resume | Definition and Examples

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What is a chronological resume?

When to use a chronological resume, how to write a winning chronological resume.

A well-written resume contributes to assisting you to land your dream job. Make your resume as outstanding as possible in order for hiring managers to obtain as much as they can from it. The chronological resume when written well will help you make a remarkable first impression. This article explains the elements of a chronological resume and offers a step-by-step guide to writing and formatting a chronological resume.

A chronological resume is a type of resume where you list your work history in a chronological format with your current or most recent job appearing first, and the rest following in descending order. Because of this resume format, the chronological resume is also known as the reverse-chronological resume.

The reason why most employers prefer chronological resumes to functional or combination resumes is because it is a basic, easy-to-follow layout. In this regard, hiring managers easily identify the positions you have held and the duration you have held them.

Although chronological resumes stand out to recruiters and hiring managers, this type of resume mostly suits candidates with rich work histories. (If you are fresh to the workforce or have not been employed for a considerable time, a combination or functional resume is highly recommended.)

The following scenarios give examples of when a chronological resume can be most practical to use:

Your work history indicates progressive practice within the same field, and you are still searching for a position in the same field . The chronological resume here highlights to employers that you are already working in your preferred field. Additionally, it shows that your skills are current, an aspect that increases your chances over competing candidates.
You have served in reputable companies . Working for acknowledged employers is an added bonus to your work history as it reveals the credibility of your experience. In this regard, employers perceive you as a great asset.
You are a recent graduate, and you possess some experience in the position you are applying for . The fact that you are a recent graduate might be discouraging to some employers. However, listing your experiences in the position notifies the potential employers of your expertise in the field.
You are seeking a senior executive position. It is easy for a recruiter to track your career progress with a chronological resume. This type of resume underlines your skills and accomplishments, which is something most employers are eager about when hiring rising stars.

You can follow these steps to write a chronological resume:

1. First, include contact information in your chronological resume

Include your personal information. The following items should be included:

Telephone number
Email address

You may present your personal details as shown below:

Example:

Grace Hathaway 123 Spruce Avenue Boston, MA 78965 617-123-5670 [email protected]

2. Second, include an objective in your resume

This section displays the opportunity where you can give a brief summary of your career objectives.

A short and precise example may be: ‘To obtain a challenging intensive care unit position that focuses on pediatrics.’

3. Third, include work experience in your resume, beginning with your most recent position

List all the companies you have worked for. Begin with your most recent position to your very first position. Indicate the duration and dates you were working for each specific employer. Be sure to use bullet points when listing your duties and responsibilities under each position. Bullets make it easy for the hiring manager to follow your resume. It is an added advantage if you try to begin each bullet point with action words, such a ‘built,’ ‘organized’ or ‘consulted.’

The following is an example of how your ‘Work Experience’ section might look:

WORK EXPERIENCE

Pediatric Care Nurse , October 2009–Present

Boston Children Hospital, Boston, MA

Duties and Responsibilities

Evaluating necessary patient care
Helping in pediatric surgeries
Giving comprehensive care to children in the intensive care unit
Requesting for additional examinations as needed

Practical Nurse , May 2005–August 2009

Marian Manor Nursing Home, Boston, MA

Performed basic bedside care
Helped patients with personal hygiene, dressing and bathing
Monitored patients and reported any serious reactions to treatment

4. Fourth, include your education background in your resume

Similar to work experience, begin with your highest degree and move backward. List all educational institutions you have attended and the degrees or diplomas you have obtained from them.

A common mistake made by most people is the mentioning of all educational facilities, including elementary. Mentioning a high school diploma is usually not necessary when continued education such as college or trade school is listed.

Your education section might look like this:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing , June 2010

Northeastern University, Boston, MA

Practical Nursing Diploma , May 2004

Emerson College, Boston, MA

5. Fifth, include any relevant volunteer experience in your resume

Document any type of organizations you have worked with, especially in volunteer programs. This is an optional section of your resume but may act in your favor.

Below is a way you may include a volunteering experience in your chronological resume:

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Volunteer , Fall 2015–Present

Friends for the Homeless, Boston, MA

Coordinated and managed workgroups that built 20 homes for low-income families and the homeless
Planned and launched an initiative that collected donations of gently used furniture and other household items to place in the built homes
Led the preparation of Labor Day parade float to increase community awareness of the organization

6. Sixth, include your references in your resume

It is recommended to state that references are available upon request.

A good example of a credible reference might look like this:

Dr. Smith Brown 30 Memorial Drive, Avon MA 3467 857-568-2378 [email protected]

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Chronological Resume Example (With Writing Tips)

When to Use a Chronological Resume

When to use a different resume format, what to include in a chronological resume, tips for writing a chronological resume, how to format a chronological resume, chronological resume example, frequently asked questions (faqs).

What is a chronological resume, and when should you use one? A chronological resume lists your work history in reverse chronological order. That is, the top of your resume lists your most recent job first. Your previous role is directly below that, and so on.

This type of resume affords you the opportunity to give pride of place to your most recent and outstanding talents, skills, and expertise, ensuring that a hiring manager will be interested enough to read through your entire resume.

Review information on when to use a chronological resume, when to choose a different format, what to include, writing and formatting tips, and examples.

Key Takeaways

Chronological resumes are a good fit for most job seekers. If you have a limited job history, employment gaps, or did some job hopping, consider using a different format.
Include the standard sections—contact information, education, and experience—in your resume and consider adding optional sections like a profile.
Pay attention to your word choices and formatting. Your resume should be easy to scan through, as well as be full of details that match the job description and play up your most relevant qualifications.

Chronological resumes are the most commonly used format, and for good reason. Most employers prefer candidates who have current or very recent experience in their career fields. Plus, it's the easiest option to create.

The more experienced a potential new employee is, the less likely it will be that the employer will have to spend time and money to train them after they’re hired.

If you have a straightforward work history—one where you have work experience in the job area you are targeting, with few significant unemployment gaps—then a chronological resume is the way to go.

While it’s fine to include several job descriptions in your “Professional Experience” section, you don't need to present more than 10 years of employment in the work history section of a resume. Doing so may result in your application being screened out by employers guilty of ageism.

While most candidates will opt for the chronological resume format, it's not always the best choice. Consider a non-chronological functional resume or a combination resume format if you:

Have done a lot of job-hopping
Have employment gaps
Do not have a work history
You're working in a different field than the one you're currently targeting

These alternate resume formats allow you to place your most relevant experience at the top of the document, even if the role isn't the most recent one.

Take a look at the sections you'll include in a chronological resume:

Contact information: This is where you'll inform potential employers how to reach you. This should go on the very top of the page—along with your phone number, email, and address. This section also includes your name in a bigger font size.
Experience: This is generally the heart of your resume, where you share your previous work experience. In a chronological resume, this is listed in order from most to least recent.
Education: In this section, you'll list your education background, along with any certifications, professional development, and academic accomplishments.
Skills: Here, you'll highlight your hard skills, such as computer skills and language skills.

You can also choose to include an objective statement, resume profile, or career summary on your resume. These optional sections generally summarize your skills and experience. In the case of an objective statement, you also call out your employment goals.

As you're writing your resume, keep these tips in mind:

Create top-notch job descriptions: As you describe your previous jobs, look for ways to make them sound impressive . Try adding numbers and incorporating action verbs . Don't limit yourself by simply listing out day-to-day responsibilities. Instead, look for ways to highlight your achievements.
Avoid "I" and "me": It's customary to write resumes in the third person. So, in a job description, instead of saying "I managed a team of five people," you'd simply say, "Managed a team of five people."
Match your qualifications to the job : Employers are most interested in your relevant qualifications. That is, it's lovely if you're skilled at accounting best practices, but if you're being hired for marketing, that may not be very meaningful to your hiring manager. Look for ways to showcase skills that are mentioned in the job ad and are needed in the role at hand.
Carefully eliminate all typos and errors: Having a typo makes your resume appear unprofessional. It also reflects poorly on you, as well as potentially makes you appear sloppy and poor at handling details. Read through your resume carefully to catch—and remove—errors and typos.
Include relevant keywords: Both hiring managers and automated tracking systems (ATS) look for keywords in resumes . Including them in the document can help you increase your chances of landing a job interview.

A resume is a formal document, with fairly set guidelines for how it should look. If your resume looks different from the usual format, you should have a very good reason. For instance, a design-focused role might offer more freedom to deviate from the norm. Here are some formatting strategies to keep in mind:

Consider using a template: Resume templates , which are available through word processing software such as Google Docs and Microsoft Word, can help you cut down on the labor to create the document. A template can be a very helpful starting point as you create or update your resume.
Choose a readable font: Make sure to choose a standard font (think: Times New Roman or Arial) that's easy to read. Don't make the size too small because you're looking to include lots of information on a single page.
Make sure it's easy to read on the screen and when printed out: Few people want to read a document with cramped margins and a tiny font. Try to make your resume easy to scan by using bullet points, strategically bolded text, and incorporating plenty of white space.

This is an example of a chronological resume. Download the chronological resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for a text version of the resume.

The Balance

Chronological Resume Example (Text Version)

James Applicant Edmond, OR 555-555-1212 james.applicant@email.com

Energetic and motivating leader with a proven ability to effectively manage both staff and long and short-term projects. A self-starter and strong independent worker who excels at analyzing products and procedures in order to generate new ideas that improve efficiency and production quality.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

COMFORT, INC., Edmond, OR MANAGER (2018-Present) Manage daily operations of a $1 million foam insulation company.

Train and supervise work crews in more efficient product installation techniques resulting in reduced material waste by 20% and labor hours by 43%.
Instrumental in developing sales team’s knowledge in the areas of building science and energy conservation in order to provide customers with the information to successfully plan for, and utilize, spray foam insulation.

MILITARY BASE. Edmond, OR DATA NETWORK MANAGER (2016-2018) Managed command and control data network used to generate video representation of geographic area surrounding the ship. The team consisted of 38 individuals from four departments.

Production Control Officer - Coordinated the efforts of 135 personnel utilizing 37,000 man hours. Completed 520 jobs totaling over $4 million during a 13-month refurbishment period.
Assistant Command Duty Officer - Directed daily routine utilizing a duty section of 600 personnel from 12 different departments.

MILITARY BASE. Edmond, OR INSTRUCTOR PILOT (2012–2016) Administered, coordinated, and supervised flight and academic training for the United States flight training program that encompassed over 200 instructors and 600 students in five units.

Coordinated and supervised four Flight Commanders to ensure that pilot completion rates met quarterly and annual goals.
Managed and scheduled 11 instructor pilots and 38 flight students to complete primary and intermediate level flight training.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, MBA in Finance, 2021
UNIVERSITY OF COSTA RICA , Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics, 2012
Aviator - Advanced Flight Training, United States Flight Patrol

In what order should work history be listed on a resume?

In a chronological resume, which is the most common format, work history is listed in reverse chronological order. Your current or most recent job is listed first, followed by your other jobs in descending order. Your oldest job is listed last.

What is the difference between a chronological and a functional resume?

A chronological resume focuses on your employment history, while a functional resume highlights your skills and qualifications for a job. A combination resume includes your top qualifications plus your chronological work history.

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Writing Tips

How to Write a Chronological Resume or CV

3-minute read

16th April 2020

A resume or CV is your first chance to make an impression when you’re applying for a job. In a chronological resume, you list your work experience in reverse chronological order (i.e., starting with your most recent role). But what do you need to include in a chronological resume?

What Goes into a Chronological Resume?

Your resume should be tailored to the position you’re applying for, so the exact content will depend on the role. However, you should always include the following sections in a chronological resume:

Personal Information – Your name and contact details, including your address, email, and telephone number.
Profile/Personal Statement – A brief statement of your skills, experience, and career goals. This should be no longer than two or three sentences.
Career History – A list of your current and previous jobs, starting with the most recent. For each entry, include dates of employment, employer names, the roles you held, and your key responsibilities and achievements .
Education and Qualifications – A summary of your educational and professional qualifications, starting with the most recent.
Additional Skills/Interests – List any additional skills, interests, or hobbies you have that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.
References – Names, job titles, and contact details for one or two people who have agreed to provide a reference for you.

If you’ve got other relevant experience (e.g., voluntary work), you can either fit it into one of the sections above or add a separate section.

Is a Chronological Resume the Right Choice?

Chronological resumes are ideal for showing off your progress through your career, particularly if you have plenty of experience in the relevant field.

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If you have a gap in your career history, or you’re applying to work in a new field, you may want to focus on your transferable skills instead. In this case, a functional resume might be a better choice.

How to Present Your Resume

There are no strict rules for how to present a chronological resume, but we do have a few tips to help ensure your resume is professionally presented :

Try to use headings and formatting (e.g., bold or italic fonts) to help highlight important information and make your resume easier to skim read.
It’s important to be clear and concise , so make sure all information you include is relevant to the position.
Remember that whoever reviews your application is probably reading a whole pile of others too! As such, try to stick to a maximum of two pages .

Finally, attention to detail is vital. Even small mistakes can put off a prospective employer. But if you want to make sure your writing is error free, our expert team of proofreaders is always on hand to help!

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Chronological Resume Writing Guide

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Wondering how to order your resume?

You may be deciding if you should list your latest job at the top or at the bottom . Or what you should focus on more.

We’ve got you covered.

With a chronological resume, you can highlight your work history, achievements , and roles in past jobs, especially if you’re an experienced job seeker .

This format is a great way to show career stability and can be the right choice for many job seekers.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to craft one, what to include, and get expert advice. Plus, you can also use our resume building tools and samples to help yourself craft a stunning application.

What is a Chronological Resume?

A Chronological Resume is a popular format that allows you to list your work history from your most recent job to your earliest.

It is a favorite of HR specialists because t he format is clear and easy to read .

Research shows recruiters spend just 7.4 seconds on a resume , so this format helps them catch the most important details of your work history quickly.

A chronological format starts with a summary, then l ists jobs in reverse order , and ends with your education.

You can also add sections like skills or volunteer work if they fit the job you’re applying for.

Pros and Cons of the Chronological Resume

Let’s look at the benefits of using this type of resume format, and some disadvantages. It’s great for those with a clear career path or deep expertise in a specific field, helping them move forward in that area.

Clearly lists responsibilities and achievements for each job.
Easy for hiring managers to read and see your career path.
A very clear format.
It can be used for the Applicant Tracking Systems, which is currently used by 99% of Fortune 500 companies . Using a resume template can optimize it for these systems more.

However, it may not be the best depending on your level of experience and work history.

Not the best format for those with gaps or regular job changes.
It’s a common format, so it might not stand out or showcase personality.
It may not highlight your skills as much as you may like.

In cases like these, using other types of resume formats such as the functional or combination resume is better.

Tips for Writing the Chronological Resume

Making a chronological resume can raise certain questions, such as what do I need to include in the work experience section ?

The following tips will serve as guidelines for learning how to create a resume with the typical chronological resume format.

Start and end dates (month and year)
Job title and company name
Responsibilities and achievements
Use action verbs , statistics, and facts to back up your claims.
Always maintain a formal tone and structured layout.
Check for errors to ensure a good final product.
Different layouts exist for students and other individuals.

Make sure the best parts of your experience stand out by using AI-powered suggestions that you can create with our resume builder.

Consider trying out a number of templates to find which one goes best with your resume.

Chronological Resume Templates

Once you understand what to include in your chronological format, using the correct tools such as a resume template will make the process much easier .

Here are some ways templates can help:

They provide example sections to guide your personalization.
They’re flexible and fit many professions and levels.
They highlight relevant sections and leave out unnecessary ones.

With ResumeCoach you can find plenty of chronological resume templates for all different styles and levels to help you build your ultimate resume to land the job of your dreams.

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How to Use a Reverse...

How to Use a Reverse Chronological Resume Format

10 min read · Updated on February 07, 2024

Everything you need to know about writing the most common resume format

For most professionals, a chronological resume is the best format to capture skills, experience, and achievements. That's because this resume format focuses on the employment history section, which gives plenty of space to explain the candidate's career trajectory.

The reverse-chronological resume format is also what hiring managers prefer to see , meaning that an alternate structure could even decrease your chances of landing the job.

To keep that from happening to you, let's explore how to use a reverse-chronological resume format. You'll also find a few guiding examples that can help you to produce a perfect example of the most popular resume out there.

What is a chronological resume?

The chronological resume is a format that focuses on the employment history section where work experience is listed. The main idea is that you start with your most recent or current position and work backward through all your relevant experience of the past 10 years.

NOTE: This structure is sometimes called the “reverse-chronological resume format.”

It's been said that past behavior is the most reliable predictor of future outcomes. Therefore, prospective employers rely on your career accomplishments to get an idea of what you can do for them. That's part of what makes the reverse-chronological resume format so popular.

When hiring managers can quickly digest what you've done in the past, they are able to get a feel for whether you'll be the right candidate for their team. By focusing your career history on the most recent experiences and working backward for about 10 years, you provide the most up-to-date and accurate representation of what you bring to the table.

It's critical to note that the structure of your reverse-chronological resume is important, too. How the information is laid out on the page will aid the hiring manager – who's spending mere seconds glancing at it – to easily find the information about your career history they want.

How to structure a chronological resume

Your chronological resume will contain at least six sections with relevant headers. Here's an outline of what you should include in your chronological resume:

Contact information

You want the hiring manager to contact you for an interview, right? Well, here's the place to make sure they have the details they need to do just that. Include your name (it doesn't have to be your full legal name – just use whatever you go by), location, phone number, and email address. You can also add links to your LinkedIn profile (if it's been properly optimized) and any online portfolios you may have

The headline grabs the reader's attention. Write a one-line blurb that contains the title of the job found in the job description, along with a couple of relevant keywords that will help you to stand out from the crowd.

A summary or professional profile

Your professional summary is a three to five-sentence paragraph that outlines the major events of your career. Start with something that mirrors the title on the job description and match it up with the hard and soft skills you have. Throw in at least one achievement.

This is the place for a bulleted list of skills. Include 9-12 skills that you have that will show the hiring manager you have what it takes to get the job done. Use the same language and keywords you find in the job description to ensure that your resume makes it past the ATS .

Work experience or employment history

Now you've come to the nitty-gritty part of your resume – what you've done, when, and where. Keep in mind that hiring managers will look to your past accomplishments to see what you have to bring to their team. It may be tempting to dump everything you've ever done , but relevancy is critical.

Let's take a closer look at how to write this section.

Always list the name of the company you work for first. This is important because if you have a company where you held multiple roles, you can stack the roles to show progression. You need the following information as a sub-heading:

Employer name

Dates worked

Then, add 4-5 bullet points to discuss various aspects of your time in the position. You can focus on topics like:

Projects or tasks you completed

Skills you used

Awards and achievements

Numbers and statistics that quantify your successes

Make sure to list these entries starting with your most recent or current job and working backward, as this is a fundamental component of the reverse-chronological resume format.

For your education, you can (and should) include degrees and the colleges you've attended. However, don't forget about things like professional development classes, certifications, and licenses. Spell out acronyms and omit your graduation dates. Again, this section should be presented in reverse-chronological format.

Additional sections like awards, hobbies, or languages

Sometimes, there are things you've done outside of the regular work day that are also important to securing a new job. You can create additional sections on your resume for things like public speaking, special projects, and awards. Just remember, if you're adding it to your reverse-chronological resume, it needs to be relevant to the hiring manager who will receive it.

Tips on when to use a reverse-chronological resume format

The chronological resume is considered the standard resume format because it suits the widest range of professionals, including people in healthcare, IT, law, HR, business, and education. It's especially useful if you've enjoyed a progressive career with advancements through promotions and new jobs.

The chronological resume is less suitable for creative or independent professions, where gig work and short-term contracts are part of the career path. In those cases, alternative resume formats like functional or hybrid models may be more suitable.

Expert Tip: You should try to use the hybrid format instead of the functional format. There' a bit of a stigma associated with using the functional resume format .

How to use reverse-chronological resume format

Now that you know what a chronological resume is, what the outline looks like, and who should use it, let's dig into the actual writing part.

The format of your chronological resume is almost as important as the writing, because a clean and organized layout is one of the best ways to show that you're a professional and motivated candidate.

Make sure to use bold or italics to highlight the key information within your resume, including the employment history section.

Examples of chronological resumes

To get a sense of what goes into a great chronological resume, let's look at the employment history section for a customer service representative:

Customer Service Representative, Fort Worth, TX

August 2020 - present

Handled customer calls and responded to queries about services, product malfunctions, promotions, and billing

Worked to address all customer concerns in a timely and effective manner

Calmly handled 200+ calls each day

Developed successful tactics to upsell products and services to customers

Piloted a feedback program that resulted in a 15% increase in branch sales

Here's an option for a Server:

Rooster Bar & Grill, Boston

Lead Server

June 2018 - August 2022

Managed a staff of 15 as the Lead Server at a high-end downtown restaurant

Achieved promotion to Lead Server six months after joining the team

Upsold wine pairing suggestions to customers, based on preferences

Memorized ingredients and allergens on a menu of 30+ dishes

Performed bartending responsibilities during holiday weekends and special events

Check out this example for a Sales Associate:

ABC Pet Shop, Durham, NC

Sales Associate

September 2021 - present

Maintained a clean shop environment and neat product displays

Gained recognition for reliability and zero absence work record

Fed animals and made sure they had access to fresh water

Answered customer questions and referred to other departments

Helped customers find products that best fit the needs of their pet

Maintained accurate work logs and reported inconsistencies

Chronological resume template

If you're looking for a little more help creating a flawless chronological resume, here's a template that can allow you to quickly plug in your information and be assured of the right format. These are the essential sections, but you may find hobbies, memberships, or other additional sections to be necessary on your resume.

Header information

Your name & job title

Phone number

Email address

LinkedIn profile

Professional summary

Add a paragraph explaining who you are, what you do, your industry and your area of expertise. Show off your soft and hard skills and give an example of a past accomplishment to show how you can add value to a new employer.

Employment history

Employer name and job title

Dates worked and location

Main duties and responsibilities

A key skill demonstrated

Measurable achievement #1

Measurable achievement #2

Degree name, school

Dates attended, location

Optional bullet point for GPA

Optional bullet point for leadership positions

How to adapt the reverse-chronological resume format for students

Whenever possible, first-time job seekers should aim to create a reverse-chronological resume. However, they may have to resort to an alternative if they lack experience.

Trying to land your first job as a student or recent graduate can feel daunting, especially when you don't have much experience to show. While it may be tempting to try out another style of resume, the reverse-chronological resume format can actually be adapted to the needs of students with little effort.

If you don't have any traditional employment to show, simply rename the section “Experience.” This allows you to include any volunteer positions, hobbies, side jobs, internships, or school activities that can serve as your work history for the time being. You may also wish to move the Education section above the Experience section, as it's likely to be more relevant to your current aspirations.

The rest of the rules of the chronological resume apply, including listing your positions from most recent to oldest and making bold section headings. Here's an example:

Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America

May 2022- present, Richmond

Awarded the highest honor for scouts after passing a lengthy review process

Planned and completed the final project involving new traffic patterns at deadly intersections

Reviewed accident records and worked with city officials to develop a crosswalk plan

Worked to educate the local community on safe pedestrian practices

Treasurer, National Math Honor Society, Arcs High School

September 2021 - May 2022, Richmond

Managed bookkeeping and revenue for the high school chapter of a national organization

Tracked payments and expenses and created reports for the Club Supervisor

Worked to eliminate unnecessary spending, resulting in 20% additional profit for the club

Organized four fundraisers that brought in $10,000 over the course of a year

Petsitter, Private client

June 2020 - present, Richmond area

Supervised and took care of three dogs for a neighbor during a two-week vacation

Took dogs on walks twice a day and fed them according to owner's instructions

Reported issues and behavior changes to the owner and adapted accordingly

Land your dream job

With these tips, templates, and adaptable examples, you're on your way to creating a great chronological resume, wowing the socks off a hiring manager, and landing your dream job.

Find more resume writing advice in our related articles below, or upload your resume for a free resume review from our experts!

This article was originally written by Anna Muckerman and has been updated by Marsha Hebert.

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How to Format a Chronological Resume

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Learn how a chronological resume can help you land that dream job

Maybe you've just graduated from college, are looking for a career change, or—given the times—you just plain need a job! No matter what the reason, writing a resume is your first step in securing that job.

The confusing part about resumes is that there are several different types to choose from: functional, chronological, combination , targeted, and mini, to name a few. This article is going to discuss the chronological resume—what it is, and how to write one.

What is a chronological resume?

A chronological resume is perhaps the simplest resume to write and is often the format that is most preferred by employers. It is a fact-based resume that allows employers to quickly skim through and get a feel for your work experience and qualifications. It's easy to write because it is dictated by your own history.

A chronological resume lists your work history in order of date, starting with your most recent position and working backwards. While it's a great format for those with a solid work history, it can be a little more problematic for those with varied jobs or recent graduates, since it can highlight frequent job changes, gaps in employment, or a lack of experience.

If you are a recent graduate or have little experience, you can always put the education section ahead of the work experience section. Sometimes it can also be helpful to look at chronological resume examples to visualize how to best organize your resume.

What should I include in my chronological resume?

A chronological resume contains the following components:

Personal details: Your name and contact information, including mailing address, telephone number, and email address.
Objective: This is an optional section where you can briefly define your career objectives.
Work experience: Start with your most recent position. List all of your work experience, even if it wasn't employment based. Use bullet points to describe your duties and responsibilities; provide the most information about your current position and less for each remaining one. Try to begin each bullet point with an action word (e.g., consulted, organized, or built).
Education: Begin with your highest degree and work backwards. Include all schools you have attended and list any diplomas, degrees (including majors and minors), and awards you've received.
References: It is best to simply state that references are available upon request, unless they have been specifically requested.

Strong resume? Check. Dream job? Check.

A well-written resume goes a long way in helping you land your dream job. A resume is like a first impression; you only get one chance. If yours is riddled with errors or lacking vital information, you probably won't get that all-important interview, so be sure to go over your resume carefully. Our resume editing experts are always more than happy to take a second look to ensure that your resume is as perfect as it can be.

Image source: Tookapic/Pexels.com

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Exploring the 6 Different Types of Resumes

N avigating through the job market requires an impressive resume, one that highlights your skills, experience and achievements effectively. It's the initial step towards getting noticed by recruiters, and it often determines whether you'll move to the next stage of the hiring process.

The right resume format doesn't just present your qualifications but does so in a manner that aligns with your career goals and the specific job you're targeting.

This guide explores the different types of resumes and their unique features, helping you choose the format that best suits your professional profile.

Do I need a resume?

In the realm of job hunting, a resume is more than just a document — it's a marketing tool, a bridge that connects job seekers to potential employers. Its role is pivotal as it provides a concise and compelling snapshot of your professional journey. It encapsulates your work history, skills, accomplishments and unique qualities that make you an ideal candidate for the job.

Moreover, the importance of a well-structured resume is heightened due to the use of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) in the recruitment process. These automated software applications streamline the hiring process for employers by filtering out resumes that don't meet specific criteria.

A poorly formatted resume, or one that doesn't include key terms relevant to the job description, may fail to make it past these systems. Hence, understanding different types of resumes and the strategic use of keywords are vital steps toward crafting an ATS-friendly resume that gets you closer to your dream job.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Writing the Perfect Resume

What different types of resumes exist?

While every resume shares the common goal of selling your professional abilities, not all resumes are the same. Each type has its unique structure, purpose and benefits.

Here are the different types of resumes:

1. Chronological resume

The chronological resume, or reverse chronological resume, is a time-tested format favored by many hiring managers. This format presents your work history in reverse chronological order, with the most recent job listed first and the rest following in descending order.

In a chronological resume, each job listing typically includes the job title, the company's name, the company's location and the dates of employment. Following this information, a list of job responsibilities and accomplishments is given in bullet points. This allows hiring managers to see at a glance not only where you've worked but also what you've achieved in those roles.

This format works particularly well for job seekers with a clear career progression in a single field without significant gaps in employment. It allows recruiters to quickly see the career trajectory and understand how the applicant's experience fits with the new role.

2. Functional resume

A functional resume, also known as a skills-based resume, places the focus on skills and competencies rather than work history. This type of resume usually begins with a summary of qualifications, followed by a list of skills and examples of their use in work or other settings.

The employment history is typically listed towards the end of the resume, often providing only a basic list of positions without detailed descriptions of each role.

This format can be particularly useful for job seekers with gaps in their employment history, those who are changing careers and have skills transferable to a new industry or recent graduates with limited work experience but possess relevant skills acquired through coursework, internships or extracurricular activities.

Related: How to Build a Better Resume in 4 Easy Steps

3. Combination resume

The combination resume, or hybrid resume, merges elements from both chronological and functional resumes. It typically begins with a section highlighting your skills and achievements. This is followed by a detailed chronological work history.

This format allows you to showcase your relevant skills and accomplishments at the top of the document, helping to catch the hiring manager's eye. Following this with a chronological listing of your employment history allows the recruiter to see your work trajectory and understand the context in which you've applied your skills.

The combination resume can be effective for job seekers with a solid employment history who want to change fields or those with a robust set of transferable skills and experiences across multiple sectors.

4. Targeted resume

A targeted resume is tailored specifically to a particular job posting. Instead of a generic resume sent to multiple employers, a targeted resume aligns your skills, experience and qualifications precisely with the job description. Each section of your resume, from the objective statement to the employment history, is customized to highlight why you are the perfect fit for the specific role.

This format can be more time-consuming to create as it requires tweaking your resume for every job application. However, it can pay off, especially when applying for jobs in highly competitive industries. A well-tailored resume can stand out among a sea of generic resumes and increase your chances of securing an interview.

5. Infographic resume

An infographic resume visually presents your career history and skills using charts, graphs, images and other graphic design elements. This format can make your resume stand out and show your creativity and innovative thinking.

Infographic resumes can be particularly effective in fields such as graphic design, marketing and other creative industries. However, it's essential to remember that some applicant tracking systems (ATS) may struggle to read and process these types of resumes, so if you're applying through an ATS, it's better to stick with a more traditional format.

6. Non-traditional resumes

Non-traditional resumes break away from the standard formats and allow for more creativity. These may include video resumes, LinkedIn resumes, digital portfolios, personal websites or social resumes.

Non-traditional resumes can demonstrate your skills in a way that traditional resumes may not, such as showcasing your video editing skills through a video resume or your web design skills through a personal website.

Just as with the infographic resume, if you're applying through an ATS, a more traditional resume format would be better. Non-traditional resumes are typically best when sent directly to a hiring manager or when you're working in a creative industry that values innovative presentation.

Each of these resume formats has its strengths and is best suited to specific situations. Carefully consider your career goals, work history and the needs of the job you're applying for when choosing your resume format.

What circumstances should you consider in resume writing?

Crafting a resume can sometimes present unique challenges based on personal circumstances. Here are a few special scenarios and how to handle them:

Writing a resume for a career change

If you're making a career change, your resume should highlight transferable skills and any relevant certifications. Although your work history might not be directly related to the new field, showcasing your adaptable skills can convince hiring managers of your suitability for the role.

Handling employment gaps

Employment gaps can often be a concern for job seekers. However, these can be managed strategically on a resume. Use the space to highlight any productive activities during the gap, such as volunteer work , courses or freelance projects.

What is a mini resume?

A mini resume is a brief summary of your top skills and career highlights. It's often used for networking purposes, perhaps on a business card or LinkedIn summary. It offers an at-a-glance overview of your professional qualifications.

Related: 7 Tips for Networking

What are some additional components of a job application?

Apart from a well-structured resume, a few more elements add to the strength of your job application:

Cover letter

A cover letter serves as an introduction and provides context to your resume. It allows you to elaborate on certain points in your resume and express your enthusiasm for the job.

Just like your resume, your cover letter should be tailored to the specific job you're applying for, focusing on how your skills and experience make you an ideal candidate.

The job title on your resume can significantly influence its appeal to hiring managers. It should accurately reflect your role and responsibilities while aligning with the industry norms. Misrepresenting a job title can be detrimental to your application and professional reputation.

ATS-friendly resumes

Incorporating relevant keywords and phrases from the job description into your resume can enhance its visibility in an applicant tracking system (ATS). ATS-friendly resumes are concise, straightforward and void of complex formatting, ensuring they can be read and understood by the system.

Related: 3 Ways an ATS Can Help Your Business Source the Top Hires

What are resume builders and resume templates?

With a plethora of resources available, creating an attractive and professional resume has never been easier. Resume builders are online tools that provide step-by-step guidance to generate a well-structured resume. They offer various templates, customization options and pre-written phrases to assist you in the process.

On the other hand, resume templates serve as a predesigned framework for your resume. They come in numerous styles and formats, allowing you to choose one that aligns with your personal taste and the industry's standards.

While these tools simplify the resume creation process, remember to personalize your resume and reflect your unique professional journey accurately. A tailored resume stands out more to hiring managers than a generic, cookie-cutter one.

What are some tips for effective resume writing?

No matter which resume format you choose, following certain writing tips can optimize your resume:

Highlight relevant experience

The most effective resume isn't necessarily the one that includes all your experiences but the one that strategically highlights the most relevant ones. Avoid detailing every job you've had and focus on the ones that matter to the job you're applying for.

Include a skills section

A well-crafted skills section can be a game-changer, particularly for functional or combination resumes. Here, include hard (technical) and soft skills relevant to the job. Be specific; instead of saying "good communicator," consider "experienced in public speaking and client presentations."

Use bullet points

Use bullet points for easy readability. They help break down information into digestible pieces, ensuring that key points don't get lost in dense paragraphs. Remember to write bullet points as complete sentences with periods at the end, following our client's style preference.

Include a resume summary or objective

The top of your resume should contain a summary or an objective, a brief snapshot of your qualifications. This section should be concise yet impactful, as it's likely the first thing a hiring manager will read.

Looking forward

Crafting the perfect resume is an evolving process that may require several drafts and iterations. While these different types of resumes and their corresponding tips provide a general guideline, remember that there's no one-size-fits-all solution. The most effective resume will be the one that best showcases your unique skills, experiences and career goals.

Always revisit and revise your resume for each job application, ensuring it aligns with the specific job requirements and expectations. With a well-structured, compelling resume, you're one step closer to securing that dream job.

Explore Entrepreneur.com for more insights and resources to guide your professional journey.

Exploring the 6 Different Types of Resumes

How to Use chronological in a Sentence

Chronological.

His art is displayed in roughly chronological order.

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What Is a Chronological Resume? (With Tips and Examples)
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Chronological Resume

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ATS Friendly Resume Tips : Chronological Ordering. #applicanttrackingsystem #chronologicalordering
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Bible study, can you complete this bible sentence on this bible quiz?
Job Application Class 12 |Letter of Application|Cover Letter|Tool for Job| Resume Format/Writing
Chronological and Functional CV || Degree semester 6
Which resume template is best?

COMMENTS

How to Write a Chronological Resume (Tips and Examples)
Chronological resumes typically follow a standard structure to help employers review your information quickly. You can include the following sections on a chronological resume: ... [City], [State] Professional Summary [Two to three sentences that highlight years of experience, relevant skills, education, certifications and achievements ...
Chronological Resume
The chronological resume format is a top choice among job seekers and a favorite among recruiters, too. Check out our free chronological resume templates. ... Well, the summary is a short (2-3 sentences) overview of your career so far and it is used in 90% of resumes - especially by those with two or more years of work experience. A summary is ...
Chronological Resume Template, Examples, & Format
To ensure you order your chronological resume correctly, here's a resume template you can copy and paste into Google Docs or Microsoft Word and fill in with your information: 1. Resume Heading. FIRST AND LAST NAME. Email: [email protected] | Phone: 908 555 555 | Address: 118 Washington Ave.,
How to Write a Chronological Resume (Plus Example!)
The best course of action for writing a chronological resume is to start off with a rough outline (or use a template ). In your head or on paper, list out every work-related experience you've had. Based on that information, decide how you want to sort that information and how many "sections" of your resume you want to create.
Chronological Resume Writing Guide with Template & Examples
Copy to clipboard. Olivia BurtonFlight [email protected], Massachusetts. #2. Write a Compelling Resume Objective or Resume Summary. The next step in writing a chronological resume is to include a brief but impactful resume statementto catch the recruiter's attention.
Chronological Resume: The Best Format? (And How to Write It)
Then, here are the steps to write your chronological resume: 1. Enter company names, dates of employment, and job titles. You can list dates in terms of years, or months and years. Whatever you decide, keep it consistent. You can also list the city/state of each job if you choose.
Complete Guide to Writing a Chronological Resume
Use standard section headings. Use section headings such as "work experience," "education" and "skills" to make it easy for the ATS to identify each section clearly. 4. Add optional sections. Optional sections can enhance your chronological resume in several ways, including: Magnifying certain skills.
Chronological Resume Guide: Template and Tips
Chronological resumes are among the most common types of resumes for two main reasons: 1. They tend to be straightforward and easy for potential employers to follow, listing the information they're looking for, like your work history, job responsibilities, and major accomplishments. ... A resume objective is an introductory sentence ...
How to Write a Chronological Resume
617-123-5670. [email protected]. 2. Second, include an objective in your resume. This section displays the opportunity where you can give a brief summary of your career objectives. A short and precise example may be: 'To obtain a challenging intensive care unit position that focuses on pediatrics.'. 3.
Chronological Resume Example (With Writing Tips)
What is a chronological resume, and when should you use one? A chronological resume lists your work history in reverse chronological order. That is, the top of your resume lists your most recent job first. Your previous role is directly below that, and so on.
How to Write a Chronological Resume or CV
Chronological resumes are ideal for showing off your progress through your career, particularly if you have plenty of experience in the relevant field. ... The last bullet point at the end of How To Present Your Resume, the last sentence you are missing an s in As. Reply. Proofed. 16th April 2020 at 16:42. Thanks, Amanda. Now fixed. Reply. Name ...
Chronological Resume Format: Tips & Tricks (Example)
On a chronological resume, the first job on your resume is your current or most recent job. Below that is the next most recent job, then the next most recent, and so on, until you reach the "beginning.". The "beginning" can be your first job, the most relevant job, or your first job after college.
How to Write a Chronological Resume
Include the following in your experience section: Start and end dates (month and year) Job title and company name. Responsibilities and achievements. Use action verbs, statistics, and facts to back up your claims. Always maintain a formal tone and structured layout. Check for errors to ensure a good final product.
How to Write a Chronological Resume · Resume.io
Using a chronological resume to find a job. The term chronological resume is a bit of a misnomer, as this format actually puts employment history and education in reverse chronological order.That means you list your last or current job first, and your first job last. Likewise, when using chronological order in reverse, you list your highest educational achievement first and earlier milestones ...
Chronological Resume Examples & Writing Tips for 2024
A chronological Resume helps put your work experience front and center. Follow our tips to write the best chronological resume to catch the attention of hiring managers, recruiters and employers. ... This is a three to five-sentence paragraph that sums up your key qualifications and gives a hiring manager an idea of who you are. The summary ...
Chronological Resume Guide: Template and Tips
Chronological resumes are among the most common types of resumes for two main reasons: 1. They tend to be straightforward for potential employers, listing the information they want, like your work history, job responsibilities, and significant accomplishments. ... A resume objective is an introductory sentence expressing who you are, the value ...
How to Use a Reverse Chronological Resume Format
The chronological resume is a format that focuses on the employment history section where work experience is listed. The main idea is that you start with your most recent or current position and work backward through all your relevant experience of the past 10 years. NOTE: This structure is sometimes called the "reverse-chronological resume ...
How to Format a Chronological Resume
A chronological resume contains the following components: Personal details: Your name and contact information, including mailing address, telephone number, and email address. Objective: This is an optional section where you can briefly define your career objectives. Work experience: Start with your most recent position.
Our Chronological Resume Template Guide
The chronological resume format is a simple one that contains very basic information only. When using the chronological resume template, keep phrases and sentences short and to the point. Stress previous experiences that directly relate to your job objective. Finally, ensure that each of the jobs and duties you list begins with an action word.
Chronological Resume
A chronological resume is one of the three main resume types, and is one of the simplest to create. In this type of resume, your work history is listed with either your current job or the most recent position you've held listed first. Hiring managers typically prefer chronological resumes over functional or combination resumes because it is ...
Best Resume Formats for 2024 [8+ Professional Examples]
The 3 best resume formats in 2024. Now that we've gone over some more specific ways to format your resume, here are the three most common resume formats used by job seekers today: Chronological resume format (aka the standard resume format) Functional resume format (skills-based resume) Combination resume format.
Resume Formats That Help Get You Job Interviews
The 3 basic resume formats. There are three basic resume formats to choose from. They are: Chronological - Lists your work history in order, starting with your most recent job first. Functional - Focuses on your skills and accomplishments instead of your work history.
How to Write a Resume for a Job in 2024
3. List your name and contact information. To start writing your resume, create an eye-catching resume header that quickly highlights your contact information and job title. Your name should always be the largest element on your resume to make it stand out, so use a font size larger than 20 points.
Examples of "Chronological" in a Sentence
Sentences. The chief events are in chronological order. 1432. 166. The chronological centre of the great beehive tombs seems to be slightly lower. 399. 106. The teacher showed the students how to create their history timeline to show the events inchronological order. 289.
Writing a Skills-Based Resume: Template & Examples
[Three to five sentences detailing your professional background and touching on the key qualifications that make you a great fit for the role.] PROFESSIONAL SKILLS ... The choice between a skills-based resume and a traditional chronological resume depends on your unique background, career goals and the expectations of the employer or industry. ...
Exploring the 6 Different Types of Resumes
1. Chronological resume. The chronological resume, or reverse chronological resume, is a time-tested format favored by many hiring managers. This format presents your work history in reverse ...
Intervention Specialist Resume Example (With Tips)
Here is a sample resume for an individual with more than three years of experience in the intervention specialist role: Contact. Chuck Ferris. Chicago, IL | 304-555-0192 | [email protected] Summary Result-driven, empathetic and dedicated intervention specialist with over five years of professional experience.
Examples of 'Chronological' in a Sentence
adjective. Definition of chronological. Synonyms for chronological. His art is displayed in roughly chronological order. Here's a chronological timeline of the events of the case. —. Emma Dibdin, Town & Country , 4 June 2022. His episode is the most chronological, tracing the course of the Stones from band to brand. —.
Easy Steps for a Chronological Resume-TEMPLATE
Easy Steps for a Chronological Resume-TEMPLATE. resume careercoaching careerresourcecenter chronologicalresume. To create your resume, download the easy-to-use MS Word template in the attachment box. FULL NAME (Credential, if applicable) Street Address, City, MI 00000. (000) 000-0000 [email protected]. LinkedIn (Hyperlink this phrase to your ...
Welcome to the Purdue Online Writing Lab
Mission. The Purdue On-Campus Writing Lab and Purdue Online Writing Lab assist clients in their development as writers—no matter what their skill level—with on-campus consultations, online participation, and community engagement. The Purdue Writing Lab serves the Purdue, West Lafayette, campus and coordinates with local literacy initiatives.