A chronological resume is one of the most common resume formats and there’s a good reason for it: Employers tend to prefer it because it’s straightforward and easy to scan.

If you’ve never created a resume before, and you’re sitting down to build one from scratch, you probably have a chronological resume in mind. And while that might be the best choice for you, it’s worth learning what chronological resumes do well – and how to properly format one so that you can use this resume type to best advantage.

The chronological resume is one of the most commonly used styles, and its familiarity alone makes the information easier to absorb. Ideally, it shows the progression of a career clearly.

It can be easier to compile, too, since its orientation toward dates helps you to nail down the details of your own job history.

As it emphasizes work history, the chronological resume is most effective for candidates with solid experience in the field. By showcasing your work history front and center, you immediately show the employer that you have related experience and skills.

In this article, You will learn when a chronological resume format is commonly used and how to write a chronological resume.

A chronological resume is generally useful for people who:

• Are applying for a job that he/she has a lot of experience doing.
• Have been employed over the past 5 or more years with no long periods of unemployment.
• Want to emphasize his/her current or most recent job.

Sections on a Chronological Resume

Profile or Summary of Skills Section

• List your most relevant skills, education and experience for the position.

Employment History Section

• List your work experience starting with your current job or your most recent job.
• Include your position title, the company name, city, province and dates of employment.
• Describe your relevant experience and accomplishments under each job.
• Use verbs to help describe your skills and accomplishments.
• Only include the past 10 to 15 years of your work experience.

Education and Training Section

• Generally comes after the Employment History section.
• Include any courses, certifications and training that relate to the position.
• You can list courses that you are currently taking as well as education that is completed.

Volunteer Experience

• Include your volunteer experience if it is relevant to the job.
• Include your position title, the company name, address and duration of service.
• Be sure to explain how your volunteer experience is relevant by describing the skills you use in the position.

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