chronological order resume template free

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

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• 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 Templates

Classic chronological templates are popular for a reason - they do their job. Use one of the tried-and-tested resume formats below to secure your interview.

Double Column

Chronological resume template. Education position is reversed to focus more on the experience.

Single Column

Reverse chronological resume template. Classic one-column style for chronological resumes.

Chronological timeline template. Additional line between job titles makes up for a clean and presentable resume.

Professional resume template. A sleek and straightforward design that conveys a sense of professionalism and competence.

Modern resume template. A stylish two-column design with a pop of color to stand out from the crowd.

Creative resume template. Showcase your unique personality with a custom design that speaks to your creativity.

In This Guide:

What is a chronological resume template, who should use a chronological resume, tips for building the best chronological resume template, chronological resume templates pros and cons.

Chronological resume template is the most commonly used format in resumes, and recruiters prefer them to others. A reverse chronological order resume template lists your jobs, starting with the current or most recent one at the top. It provides comprehension opportunities for hiring managers to see your experience.

Have it in mind that chronological and reverse chronological resume templates are essentially the same thing. Because they list your experience chronologically, but in a reverse way, starting with your most recent job. You can use Enhancv builder to build your chronological resume in the best way possible.

People who can get all the advantages that chronological resume templates offer are jobseekers at any professional level with a consistent work history without gaps between roles.

However, reverse chronological order can work for just about anyone looking for a job. This resume formatting is simple and professional, and you can effortlessly apply it to any resume design.

Resumes in chronological order are very convenient for students because this formatting is the easiest way to organize their limited experience.

Choosing this format is easily understood by recruiters because chronological resume templates are the most popular layout hiring managers see.

A chronological resume is arranged in a way to emphasize your professional experience - your education and certifications, skills, other relevant activities, or volunteer experiences. A summary statement is optional in chronological resume formatting. Excluding the cases in which you are higher-level management or changing your current professional field.

If you think a chronological resume template is not a good fit for your case, you can try a functional or combination resume template. A functional resume is focused on your skills and abilities and lists your roles and education at the bottom.

A combination resume blends a functional resume and a chronological resume and emphasizes both your skills and experience in equal measure.

Let’s create your perfect chronological resume by following the best practices.

The reverse-chronological format resume template can be applied to any design – modern or traditional. It only depends on your professional field and the type of company you are applying to. Modern design is appropriate when you are in more creative and innovative industries and want to make your resume pop up from the rest of the applicants. Use the traditional design without icons, graphics, and flashy colors for applying for positions in more traditional companies.

The best font to use for resumes is a classic, easy-to-read font, like Times New Roman or Calibri. You can use modern fonts, which are also appropriate, like Helvetica, Verdana, Ariel, or Lato. Keep in mind that ATS systems don't mind the font as long as it's readible serif or sans-serif. The regular font size for resumes is 12 points. Larger fonts are acceptable for headings, your name, or titles of sections. If you're having trouble fitting your content on one page, you might try making your font 10.5 points, but don't go lower.

Your resume should be easy for the hiring manager to digest all your best work. Using the right font in combination with colors can help that. Use white as the background, black for the text, and the remaining color as an accent. It is advisable to use for the third color some shades of blue, green, or dark red. Avoid too flashy colors.

Select the best layout

Your resume should always begin with your full, searchable name. Your name should be the biggest thing on the page. Recruiters are spending a few seconds on your resume, they should know whose it is. Show your location, there is no need to put your full home address, but recruiters expect to see your city and state. Add your contact information like your phone number and professional and easy-to-read e-mail address.

As we mentioned before, for the Chronological resume template, you can skip the summary statement section . It can be a plus to add one or two sentences about who you are as a professional and what is your experience.

Your work experience section on the Chronological resume template is the most important one. You should include responsibilities and accomplishments for each job you’ve held. If you want your resume to stand out more, you can organize your experience in two separate sections. The first one, under the header “Relevant work experience” to a specific job you are applying for, and the second section is Work Experience.

Right after your work experience section, you should list your education in reverse chronological order first on the list you should add your academic degrees, following your training and certifications . Do not list your high school diploma once you have attended college unless relevant to your professional field.

You can list your achievements on a chronological resume template in your work experience section. If you can additionally emphasize your achievements, you can lay them out in a separate section. People who don’t have much work experience can use achievements in education, volunteering, or project sections. When you list achievements, make sure they include the time frame, scale, and results.

You can design your Chronological resume template in two columns to fit all information on one page. Recurred prefer one-page resumes because they are easy to scan for the key points they are looking for in a candidate.

• The chronological format is the most commonly used, and most recruiters prefer them. This resume format draws attention to your work experience and career advancements.
• A chronological resume template is the easiest format to read for ATSs because emphasizes your work experience by putting it on top of the page.
• This resume layout works for anyone looking for any kind of job, and it is student-friendly.
• Chronological format is not recommended for people with gaps in their work history.
• This format is not a good choice if you are applying for a position in a field in which you don’t have previews experience.
• If you are just starting your career, chronological resume formatting will emphasize your lack of experience.

Frequently asked questions about chronological resume templates

Is the chronological resume best, what is the difference between a chronological and functional resume, why do most employers prefer chronological resumes to functional resumes, how far back should a resume go.

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Chronological Resume Templates & Writing Tips

Choose from our best chronological resume templates.

Blending a classic single column layout with helpful color accents and dividers for ease of reading, the Simple CV template is a balanced choice.

Professional

If you’re looking for a design that is subtle, elegant, and combines the best of the old and new, the Professional CV template is the perfect choice.

This interesting Cool resume example uses a twin-column format and charming icons to differentiate sections.

This Modern resume example displays define sections with a traditional black-and-white color pattern.

Contemporary

This Contemporary resume example counts with thin lines and a classic single-column format that will make the perfect first impression on any hiring manager.

For a balance between lighthearted creative and serious profesional, the Creative CV template offers visualizations and a functional two column design.

Why You Should Use the Chronological Resume Templates

Chronological resume templates are one of the most popular styles, and for good reason. They put your most important qualifications front and center, showing at a glance the job positions and responsibilities you’ve held. Many businesses value real-world experience highly, so making this factor stand out on the page is a smart idea. If you've worked for well-known companies, the chronological resume format really shows it off.

When you apply for a management position, potential employers often look for similar experience in past jobs. For example, someone with experience coordinating projects usually should have the skills and personality to handle other leadership responsibilities. The closer your career trajectory matches the qualifications the company is looking for, the better your chances of getting hired. Chronological resume templates are a great fit in any industry, from construction and manufacturing to health care and marketing.

4 Chronological Resume Templates FAQs

Which is the best resume template to use.

The resume you choose makes a statement about your personality and about how you view the position you're applying for. There's no one "right" answer. You want the resume to leave recruiters with a great impression from the moment they see it.

Bold design elements and colors can be excellent for job positions where creativity and initiative are valued, such as marketing. Selecting a traditional layout can transmit an air of professionalism appropriate for weighty responsibilities. Your goal is to stand out in a positive way.

With a chronological resume, single-column layouts draw immediate attention to your most important work experience. A double-column format feels modern and lets you include additional information without crowding the page.

Is the chronological resume template free?

You can create a chronological resume template for free on a trial basis. This can help you get started customizing your resume and choosing the look and feel that fits your goals.

Do you want to work with even more resume templates, professional resources, and amazing resume-building tips? Signing up gives you access to all of those things and more, including a powerful resume builder for putting your personal touch on things.

How should I format the chronological resume template?

Chronological resume templates are always formatted with your current job (or most recent) at the top. List other job positions in reverse-chronological order, going from most recent to least recent. You don't have to include every job you've had, only the ones that highlight your most important qualifications.

Under each job position, list a few bullet points with your responsibilities or accomplishments. Keep sentences short, powerful, and clear with action verbs.

What if holding a degree is essential for the job? In that case, you may want to put educational qualifications first, followed by work experience.

Does the Chronological resume template work with Microsoft Word?

Creating an eye-catching chronological resume template is a breeze with the resume builder. The simple and friendly interface guides you through the process, showing you exactly what to do. Along the way, HR-approved layouts and expert tips help you avoid common mistakes and create a resume that makes an amazing first impression.

Include some of the professionally written job description bullet points to give the resume extra flair. You can customize headers, fonts, sizes, and layouts to make the template completely unique. Afterward, download the finished chronological resume in Word format (.docx) and make any additional changes you want.

More Resume Templates Like This

Using color and a two column design, the Awesome resume template gets a lot of information across with an air of creativity.

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Chronological Resume Templates Free To Download

What is a chronological resume.

A chronological resume is a resume that lists your jobs and their descriptions by the date you held those jobs. [the_ad id=’148032′] Technically, your jobs should be listed in a reverse-chronological order – that is to say, your most recent job should be listed first and your least recent job listed last.

Listing your jobs and experience in this way makes a lot of sense. Usually your most recent experience can be the most relevant experience you have when applying for a new job. It can also be where you have the most contacts to use as references that could give you a leg up on the competition.

While there are technically different ways to format your resume besides using a chronological resume layout, almost all resumes will still have some part of the work history listed out and it will almost always make the most sense to list chronologically with your most recent job first.

General Layout of a Chronological Resume

A chronological resume is going to be no different than any other type of resume and should include all of the following sections:

• Heading with name and contact information
• Objective or Professional Summary
• Combination of Job History & Work Descriptions
• Education Information

Your resume may also contain a skills section depending on the type of job you are applying for.

Chronological Resume Format Vs. Other Resume Formats

Combination

Download Free Chronological Resume Samples

All of the following resume templates for download are based on a chronological format.

Reverse Chronological Resume Template

This resume template lists your work experience in a reverse chronological order, with your most recent experience first and your least recent experience last.

File name: Reverse-Chronological-Resume-Template.docx

File size: 7.7 KB

Total downloads: 0

Chronological Resume FAQ

What is a chronological resume.

A chronological resume is a type of resume where you list your work experience from most recent to least recent. Learn more here.

How do you write a chronological resume?

Just like you would most other resumes. But with a chronological resume, your work experience and the way you describe your past jobs will be the centerpiece of the resume.

Learn more about creating a chronological resume by clicking here.

Who should use chronological resume?

Almost everyone should be listing their job experience in a chronological format, with their most recent experience first and their least recent experience last.

But you may want to emphasizes specific skills over general job experience. Learn more about which resume would be right for you by clicking here.

What order do you list work experience on a resume?

You should almost always be listing your work experience

What is a chronological / combination resume?

A combination resume is a type of resume format that combines the chronological and functional formats.

In truth, almost all resumes are some type of a combination resume – especially on this website.

What type of resume do employers prefer?

An employer prefers the type of resume that will put you and your skills in the best light.

Having said that, most employers are conditioned to look at your work experience from most to least recent experience so do keep that in mind. Part of a building a good resume is being predictable in how you communicate information, so make a good first impression in that regard by using the chronological format when listing old & current jobs.

All Formats

• Graphic Design

28+ Chronological Resumes

You’ve heard – for almost a thousand times – that resumes are the most important job application documents. And, if you don’t have an eye-catching, professional file to submit to a hiring manager, it is as good as fit for the bin. You see that’s not a good thing. Here is the solution: if you have written a resume before, or you are considering writing one, go the chronological way. If you have no idea what that means, the sample resumes below should give you an idea.

Reverse Chronological Resume with Summary Template

Professional Chronological Resume Template

Chronological Resume Template For Nursing Students

> What does the term ‘Chronological Resume’ Mean?

Chronological resume template format.

Administrative Chronological Resume Sample

Modern Chronological Resume Template in Word

> What you must include in a Chronological Resume?

Sample chronological resume format.

Sample Chronological Resume Template

Chronological Resume Template for Human Resource

Accounting Chronological Resume

Administrative Chronological Resume

Basic Chronological Resume Template

Business Chronological Resume

Chronological Resume Outline

Customer Service Chronological Resume

Education Chronological Resume Format

Engineering Chronological Resume

Entry Level Chronological Resume

Experienced Retail Chronological Resume

Internship Chronological Resume

IT Project Manager Chronological Resume

Job Seeking Chronological Resume

Modified Chronological Resume

Office Assistant Chronological Resume

Pharmacy Technician Chronological Resume

Professional Work Experience Chronological Resume

Reverse Chronological Resume

Simple Chronological Resume Example

Standard Chronological Resume Format

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Chronological Resume Guide: Template and Tips

Learn when to use a chronological resume format, and get tips on how to write your own.

Your chronological resume tells the linear story of your career, starting with your most recent position and working backward. In highlighting your accomplishments and responsibilities, each position will logically build upon the previous, showing how you’ve grown your skill set over time.

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.

2. They incorporate the type of information that applicant tracking systems (ATS) are programmed to screen for. They filter qualified candidates by credentials such as job titles, company names, or role-related keywords.

Other common resume types include functional resumes, which highlight skills, or combination resumes, which mix elements of chronological and functional resumes. Learn more about [the various resumes you may want to consider]. In this article, we’ll walk through the chronological resume format and offer some tips as you write your own.

What is a reverse chronological order resume?

A reverse chronological order resume is another name for a chronological resume. Although they sound like they could be opposites, people use both phrases to refer to the same type of resume in which a person highlights their work history, starting with the most recent position.

Chronological resume format

If you have less than 10 years of work experience, you’ll likely aim to create a one-page resume, while your resume will likely be longer if you have more experience. Therefore, it’s important to be strategic with the information you include and keep it relevant to your desired job type.

Your chronological resume will include several key sections:

Objective or summary (optional)

Work experience

Certifications.

Skills (optional)

Before getting started, read through a few job descriptions for roles you are interested in. Highlight specific keywords, tasks, and skills, and list ways you’ve incorporated each of them into your work experience. You’ll likely want to include most (if not all) of those list items in your resume, so keep that list nearby.

Chronological resume template

Use this chronological resume template to write your resume as we detail what to include in each section below.

Your resume header is at the top of your resume, typically leading with your full name in a more prominent font than the rest of the document. You may use a larger font size, bold text, or write in all capital letters.

On the line below your name, write key contact information, including your email address, phone number, city and state, and website or portfolio address if you have one. Keep this information on one line, separating each item with a vertical bar.

Objective or summary

Depending on your work experience and job search goals, you can include an objective or summary below your header, if you don't mind. You can use either type of statement to add context to your resume.

A resume objective is an introductory sentence expressing who you are, the value you bring, and what you want moving forward. For example: "Social media coordinator with agency experience looking for a position managing social media strategy, planning, and execution for a major health care brand."

Resume objectives can benefit people who recently graduated college, are changing careers, or are looking to advance their careers. 

A resume summary briefly summarises your career and accomplishments so far. For example, "Senior project manager with eight years of experience successfully leading large teams and identifying opportunities to reduce overhead and cost."

Resume summaries help people with some work experience or varied work experience succinctly state the common themes of their careers. 

Your work experience is going to be the bulk of your chronological resume. For each position, you should include:

Company name

Dates of employment

Results-oriented list of accomplishments

If you choose to, you can include one sentence summarising your job responsibilities for each role before listing your accomplishments. You may add this brief description if your job title doesn’t fully capture your range of responsibilities or you prefer that organisational style.

This is the section where you’ll incorporate items from the list of keywords, tasks, and skills you created while researching job descriptions. Try to frame all of your tasks as accomplishments, focusing on your work's impact rather than the routines. Use action words to show how you participated actively in your work.

Be accurate, as your future employer may verify the information on your resume before finalising your job offer.

Dealing with employment gaps

Since your dates of employment are prominently featured, chronological resumes tend to highlight gaps in your work history. There was a time when employers saw employment gaps as a red flag. Now, as they’ve become increasingly common amongst people in the workforce, there are more ways to work around an employment gap on a resume.

If you practiced or learned a relevant job skill during your employment gap, you can put an entry on your resume highlighting what you did. For example, if you took time off from work so that you could raise children or care for a family member, you may want to add "caretaker" to your resume to highlight your empathy and communication skills. If you were the primary head of your household, you might even write an entry showcasing your budgeting, scheduling, and delegation skills. Similarly, you can add an entry for any side hustle, contract, or freelance work you did during that time.

Your story didn’t stop when you stopped working for an employer, so get creative as you portray your growth and contributions.

Showing promotions on your resume

There are a few ways to demonstrate promotions on your resume. The two most common ways are: (1) by stacking multiple job titles under a single company header or (2) by creating separate entries, one for each position.

If you want to optimise your resume for ATS scanning, creating separate entries for each position is typically best. This increases the likelihood that the ATS will "read" your resume more accurately. If you submit your resume directly to a recruiter or hiring manager, you can choose whichever format you prefer.

Unless you just graduated, your education section should go below your work experience. If you have more than one degree, organise them with the most recent. For each degree, include:

School name

Degree obtained

Field of study

If you are a recent graduate, you may also opt to include:

Dates attended or graduation date

GPA, if it is 3.0 or higher, or CGPA, if it is 7.5 or higher

Honours, achievements, relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, or study abroad programmes

If you have relevant certifications or professional certificates, you may choose to include a dedicated section on your resume. Alternatively, you can add certifications as a subsection within your education section.

For each certification, include:

Certification name

Awarding institution

Date it was awarded

Expiration date (if applicable)

Relevant skills

Including a separate section for your skills is only sometimes necessary, especially if you can incorporate job-related skills throughout your work experience section. However, if there are additional skills you’d like to highlight, include a section at the end of your resume and list your technical and workplace skills.

Getting started

Learn best practices as you write your resume using the project-centred How to Write a Resume course from SUNY Online, or further explore your potential with the Career Discovery Specialisation . Sign up for Coursera today and begin a 7-day, full-access free trial to browse more personal development courses.

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Editorial Team

Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...

This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

Reverse Chronological Resume Templates

The most commonly used resume format is a reverse-chronological one as it shows hiring managers how you progressed throughout your career.

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Resume Templates

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Chronological Fresher's Resume Templates

This is the most widely used and accepted type of resume format. Due to it being so popular, it makes it easy for the recruiter to spot all the relevant and important information in this format. Not just that, this resume format download is easier to use as you just need to put relevant information in place.

The structure of reverse-chronological resume

• Contact Information/ Contact Details
• Resume Headline/Resume Summary/ Career Summary
• Work Experience
• Educational Qualifications
• Skills/Certifications
• Any additional sections (Like: Hobbies, Extra-Curriculum)

This resume format puts emphasis on your work experience because that is the most important thing for the recruiter. Being the highlight of your job resume, here is how you should write it -

• Start with your most current job and follow it with your previous works
• Make sure you mention your position, name of the company and dates
• Mention all the details in bullet points as it makes it easier for the recruiter to skim through it without overlooking any important detail
• Try to use industry-related keywords like supervised, achieved, accomplished, managed
• When mentioning your achievement, try to quantify them
• If you have an ample amount of work experience, then only mention experiences that are relevant to that particular position

To better understand the advantages and disadvantages of the reverse-chronological resume format, please consult the differential table below.

• Makes it easier for the recruiters to spot important information because they are familiar with it.
• It will go through the ATS (Application Tracking Software) without any problem.
• This resume format highlights your work experience.
• You need to put extra efforts to catch the recruiter’s eye because this resume format is widely used.
• If you have a large employment gap then the recruiter will notice them immediately.
• Not the ideal choice for those looking for a career change.

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