Chronological Resume Writing Guide

The chronological resume is widely accepted and common resume format

A chronological resume is preferred by many employers because it clearly demonstrates your work history and professional growth. The chronological resume format:

• focuses on the chronology of your work history by highlighting dates of employment, places of employment, and job titles,
• lists job experience starting with your first job and ending with your most recent position,
• directly ties responsibilities and accomplishments to companies and time frames,
• is usually the preferred format if you are applying for a similar or more advanced position in the same field,
• is widely accepted by most job headhunters.

However, employers tend to prefer the reverse chronological order resume, because the format lists job history beginning with the most recent job listed first.

In both of them, you emphasize job titles and employers and describe in detail duties and accomplishments.

The chronological resume is easy to read and can highlight career growth. This format suit those whose career goals are clearly defined and whose job objectives align with their work history.

 Use the chronological resume format if:

• You want to highlight stability, consistency, growth, and development in your career.
• Your most recent position is the one most likely to impress prospective employers.
• You are looking for a similar or more senior position within the same industry.

The chronological resume is advantageous when:

• Your recent employers and/or job titles are impressive.
• You are staying in the same career field.
• Your job history shows progress.
• You are working in a field where traditional job search methods are utilized (e.g. education, government),
• Enables an employer to determine, at a glance, where and when you’ve worked and what you accomplished at each job.
• Is the most common and widely accepted format.
• Provides the employer with a clear sense of your career progress.

The chronological resume is disadvantageous when:

• You are changing career fields.
• You have changed employers frequently.
• You want to de-emphasize age.
• You have been recently absent from the job market or have gaps in employment.
• Limited work experience and employment gaps are obvious.
• Could reveal a history of changing jobs frequently.
• Could reveal if you were in the same job too long or have held the same type of job too long.
• Does not highlight skills and accomplishments as much as it highlights work history.

Check the spelling and grammar of your chronological resume. Use the word processor’s spell and grammar checker. If you are not confident of your ability to detect grammatical, punctuation and usage errors in English or other language or if you need help in organizing your resume, bring it to a professional for assistance.

Remember that your CV/resume must be targeted, scannable and generate hits. If you have difficulty with your CV writing or resume writing instead of staring at a blank piece of paper, use CV samples and CV templates, resume samples and resume templates.

Most recruiters expect to receive a cover letter together with your CV or resume. So, prepare a cover letter convincing the reader why you are the best candidate for the interview using cover letter writing tips.

Other Chronological Resume Info

Now to finalize your chronological resume topic, if your cover letter and resume are ready, you may email them through an international job search to job recruiters and headhunters worldwide.

Start preparing for job interviews and check the job interview tips dos and don’ts. Also, find out why people are not hired for available jobs.

In addition, on job search, visas, work permits, cover letters, CV & resume, job interviews and dress codes pages, you will find very useful tips for many different countries.

Good luck with your chronological resume!