This resume format highlights your work experience in reverse chronological order in the experience section.  

There are advantages to this format:

  • It shows that you can account for your job history, consistency and companies you worked for. 

  • This format also shows credibility to the hiring manager that you have a consistent work history. 

There are disadvantages to this format:

  • If there is a gap or break in your work experience timeline, then the chronological resume makes that gap stand out

  • Shows that you have been jumping around – some employers may not like that

  • Can show your age to employers – this may work against younger and older applicants 

You have to determine whether this format works for you based on your work experience and job history.
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Chronological Resumes
.Name 
Address 
City, State, Zip
Telephone number * Email address


SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

In this section, make a summary statement of your experience.  For example, if you have been working for a while, you can say something like this: "A payroll professional with ten years of experience in a multi-million dollar apparel company."  If you are a recent gradulate with little experience, some people call this an objective.  Objectives that are written poorly do not help.  For example: "To obtain a position where I can utilize my skills in a corporate environment."  This does not help you because it is too generic.  So if you do not have an objective that is unique, I would leave this section out.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/WORK EXPERIENCE

In this section, you need to list all of your employers starting with the most current and work your way back.  Do not leave out any full time employment.  This works in your favor.  If you have paid part-time work, please include it.  Paid work experience is valuable.  If you have internships, please include them because this is valuable to an employer.  Below is an example of how you should set up your work experience on the resume.

NAME OF EMPLOYER        DATES WORKED
City, State
Title 

This should be your most current job.  Then give a brief description of your job responsibilities.  Use action words to describe your accomplishments.  Do this for every job in reverse order.

EDUCATION

This section should include your college's name, degree obtained and the month and year you received it.  If you are a recent graduate, include things like your GPA (only if it is really good), whether you were on the Dean's List, honor societies, etc.   


ACTIVITIES/COMMUNITY SERVICE

This section should mention relevant student activities, community service or outside leadership activities.

SPECIAL SKILLS/LICENSES

If you have special computer skils, licenses or other credentials, it should be in this section.


REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Never put down your references on a resume.  Once the employer is interested in you, they will ask for your references.  There are different views on this subject.  Use your discretion.

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