How should you order information on a chronological resume?

Every resume should contain the same basic five sections. The difference between resume formats is how these sections are ordered on the page. Here is how to order the sections of a combination resume format: header, professional summary, work experience, skills and education. For more information about how to layout a chronological resume, see the diagram on our resume formats page.

Do recruiters have a resume format preference?

The resume you create should be formatted in a way that best showcases your unique work experience. While the chronological styling is usually considered the standard resume format, and recruiters are the most familiar with it, this choice is only effective for candidates who have clear work histories. People with transferable skills looking to move jobs or those that have gaps in their resumes should consider different options.

Chronological Resume Format: Best Layout & Examples

Q: How do I show a promotion in my chronological resume?

There are two options for how to list a promotion on a chronological resume. The easiest is to list it the way you list all the other jobs you’ve had by creating a separate entry in your work history. Here you would place the name of the employer, your job title, and dates of employment above a bulleted list of job responsibilities. The other option is to create multiple entries under one header for the company, listing each of the job titles you held, the dates you held them, along with a list of duties.

The Reverse-Chronological Resume Format

The chronological resume format is considered the gold standard by recruiters. Sometimes called the reverse-chronological resume format, this format lists your jobs starting with your current or most recent role, making it simple for hiring managers to see your career advancement at a glance.

This format works well for seasoned professionals with a strong career history. However, this format isn’t for everyone. In this guide, we’ll outline everything there is to know about the chronological format to help you decide if it is right for you.

Contact information
Resume summary
Work experience
Skills
Education

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How to Write a Chronological Format Resume

The chronological resume format is widely used and recognized by employers. It focuses on your work history so your extensive professional experience and career achievements take center stage. This resume format gets its name from the reverse-chronological order it uses to organize your list of job titles, starting with your most recent position.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to format a chronological resume:

Begin with an informative header.
Your resume starts with your contact information, which includes your full name, phone number, professional email address, and location (city and state is enough). Optionally, you may include a LinkedIn profile or personal website. Make this section clearly visible, ideally at the very top of your resume page.
Introduce yourself with a resume summary.
Include a brief summary at the top of your resume that highlights your key strengths, years of experience, and required qualifications. The resume summary acts as your elevator pitch to grab the hiring manager’s attention by showing them you can meet and even exceed their expectations for the role.
Highlight your work experience.
The work experience section is the centerpiece of a chronological resume. List your jobs in reverse-chronological order, as follows: job title, company name and location, employment dates (month/year – month/year), achievements (use bullet points and action verbs like “led,” “managed,” “increased,” etc.), and quantifiable accomplishments where possible (e.g., “Increased sales by 20% over one year.”)
List your education.
Your education section must include all your degrees and academic accomplishments. List your most recent academic qualification first. Include the type of degree earned, the name and location of the institution, and, if desired, additional details such as GPA, academic honors, or relevant courses.
Add a section for listing skills.
Your chronological resume should include a skills section listing your key abilities relevant to the job. Use a bulleted list to present a mix of soft skills, such as communication and time management, and hard skills related to the required technical expertise for the profession.
Include additional sections as needed.
Depending on your background and the job you’re applying for, you may also add certifications, professional affiliations, volunteer work, awards and honors.

When To Consider a Different
Format

Just because recruiters love this format doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for everyone. Some job seekers might be better off choosing a functional or combination format to show off their unique skills and experience. The resume format you choose will depend on several factors. Consider choosing either a combination or functional resume format if:

You have little to no work experience.
If you recently graduated or are just entering the workforce, you’ll want to emphasize your skills and education over your limited work history by choosing another format.
You’ve had multiple roles within the same company.
If you’ve been with the same employer for many years in various roles, choosing a combination resume format could better highlight your career progression.
You’re making a major career change.
Since a chronological resume format emphasizes direct work experience over skills, those making major changes in their professional lives should choose a functional or combination resume to highlight their transferable skills.
You have major employment gaps.
Long periods of unemployment between jobs will be highlighted with this format. Choosing a different resume format can make gaps in employment less noticeable.
You’re a job hopper.
If you have bounced around from job to job, are a freelancer, or work in the gig economy, this resume format will be difficult to use to your advantage. Instead, consider a functional resume format that focuses more on skills than on work history.

Resume Success Stories

3 Chronological Resume
Format Examples

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Highlights a Strong Career Progression

Highlights clear career progression.
Easy-to-scan layout helps recruiters quickly see growth.
Demonstrates upward movement, showing the candidate has risen through the ranks.
Effectively positions her for a new role as an event planner.

Field Engineer Resume Example Pacific Chronological

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Highlights a Solid Work History

Highlights a solid, gap-free work history.
It is ideal for mid-level candidates with consistent industry experience.
Its aligned dates make it easy to verify continuous employment.
It emphasizes stability and reliability in the candidate’s career path.

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Highlights Job Tenure for Those Switching Industries

Showcases broad experience and relevant roles.
Highlights 9+ years as an executive assistant.
Demonstrates transferable skills across industries.
Positions candidate well for a career shift into a new industry.

FAQ

Where can I find chronological format resume templates?

You can find chronological format resume templates on our resume template library. There you’ll find our entire collection of templates, categorized by style, format, or experience level. Feel free to browse our professional resume templates and edit your pick in our Resume Builder.

Where can I find chronological format resume examples?

If you’re looking for chronological format resume examples to better understand the achievements and qualifications you need to include, check out our collection of professional resume examples. You’ll find chronological resume samples for all job titles so you can draw inspiration for your resume.

What are the benefits of using a reverse-chronological resume format?

The benefits of a reverse-chronological resume include highlighting your most recent and relevant experience first, making it easier for employers to assess your qualifications. It clearly shows career progression and stability, which appeals to hiring managers, especially for roles requiring a strong, consistent background in a specific field or industry.

How to create a resume with the chronological format?

An easy way to create a chronological resume is with our Resume Builder. If you show 10+ years of experience, it recommends templates suited for this format. Simply enter your contact and job details, then choose content suggestions tailored to your role and achievements for a polished, professional resume.

What is the best resume format?

The “best resume format” depends entirely on a job seeker’s experience and their unique needs for the job search. Although the chronological format is sometimes praised as the best because of its popularity, job seekers with less than ten years of experience are better off using the combination or functional resume formats.

How do I show a promotion in my chronological resume?

To list a promotion on a chronological resume, either create separate entries for each role with titles, dates, and duties, or group them under one company header with individual job titles and timelines. Both options clearly show your advancement and responsibilities within the organization while maintaining a clean, chronological structure.

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