Employers prefer to review a _____ resume when the work history is the most important consideration.

Your work history, also known as your work record or employment history, is a detailed report of all the jobs you have held, including the company or companies' name(s), your job title(s), and dates of employment.

Here is some insight into when you need to provide your work history to employers and how to provide it, along with tips for building your resume.

When you apply for jobs, companies typically require that applicants provide their work history, either on their resume, on a job application, or both.

Your work history is a list of the jobs you've held and the employers you've worked for, along with the dates you worked in each role.

A job application may ask for information on your most recent jobs, typically your last two to five positions. Alternatively, the employer may ask for your jobs across a number of years of experience, typically five to ten years of experience.

Employers generally request information on the companies you worked for, your job titles, and the dates you were employed there. However, sometimes the employer will ask for a more detailed employment history and more information on the jobs you have held as part of the hiring process. For example, they might ask for the name and contact information of your previous supervisors.

Employers review employment history to determine whether the applicant's work experience and the jobs they have held are a good match for the hiring company's requirements. They also look at how long the person has held each job. Many jobs of short duration may imply the candidate is a job hopper and won't stay long if hired.

Prospective employers also use your work history to verify the information you have provided. Many employers conduct employment background checks to confirm the information is accurate. Background checks have become increasingly common in all work industries, so make sure that the information you share is accurate.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to remember elements of your job history, such as the specific dates that you worked at a company. When this happens, don’t guess. Because background checks are so common, it is likely that an employer will spot a mistake on your history, and it could cost you a job.

When you can't remember your work history, there is information available that you can use to recreate your personal employment history. Below are some suggestions for creating your job history:

• Contact Prior Employers. Contact the human resources departments of your previous employers. Say that you would like to confirm the exact dates of your employment with the company.
• Look at Your Tax Returns. Check out your old tax returns and tax forms, which should have information on your employment over previous years.
• Check with your state unemployment office. Often, unemployment offices will provide individuals with their employment histories. However, they typically only have information on in-state employment histories.
• Contact the Social Security Administration. You can request earnings information from the Social Security Administration (SSA). After filling out a form, the SSA will usually release information on your work history. Keep in mind that sometimes the SSA charges a fee, depending on how far back you want the information to go and how much detail you need.

With the exception of the SSA, you should not pay someone to find your work history or to create a list of your work history for you.

• Keep Track of Your History. Once you have your work history, compile it into a list and save it somewhere. Be sure to update it regularly. You can then refer to this list any time you apply for jobs.

Job seekers typically include work history in the “Experience” or “Related Employment” section of a resume:

• In this section, list the companies you worked for, your job titles, and your dates of employment.
• One element to add to your work history on a resume is a list (often a bulleted list) of your achievements and responsibilities at each job.

You do not need to (and should not) include every work experience in your “Experience” section. Focus on jobs, internships, and even volunteer work that is related to the job at hand.

One useful tip is to make sure whatever work history you include on your job application matches what is on your resume and LinkedIn profile. Make sure there are no inconsistencies that could raise a red flag for employers.

Here's an example of an applicant's work history listed on a resume.

ACME MANUFACTURING CO., White Plains, NY
HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER (February 2021 – Present)

• Manage human resources operations for historic manufacturing firm employing a workforce of 1,500+ personnel.
• Responsibilities include talent acquisition and onboarding, employee relations, and benefits administration.

LAKESIDE INDUSTRIES, Rye, NY
HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST (November 2016 – January 2021)

• Assessed and devised solutions for employee relations issues affecting a 3,200-member workforce.
• Organized on-time administration and submission of EEO-1 surveys to the EEOC.

By Indeed Editorial Team

Updated July 7, 2022 | Published October 15, 2018

Updated July 7, 2022

Published October 15, 2018

Related: Chronological Resume Defined

In this career advice video, Sinead explains what a chronological resume is, how it is formatted and the benefits of using a chronological resume.

There are several resume formats you can use to present information to employers. The chronological resume format, also known as “reverse-chronological,” lists your professional experience from most to least recent.

This format is best used by those with a consistent work history and increasing job levels over time. If you have significant gaps in your career or have changed industries or positions multiple times, you might consider using a functional or combination resume format.

Image description

Chronological Resume Format

1. Name and contact information

2. Summary or objective

3. Professional history

4. Educational history

5. Skills and abilities

What is a chronological resume?

A chronological resume is a resume format that prioritizes relevant professional experience and achievements. Chronological resumes are one of three common resume formats. The three main types of resume formats include:

• Chronological resume: For candidates with rich, consistent professional experience.

• Functional resume: For candidates with several gaps or changes in their career.

• Combination: For candidates with a diverse background of experience or when skills and abilities are more relevant than work experience.

When deciding which format to choose, consider both your background and the job you’re applying for. For example, you may have a rich, consistent professional background typically represented in a chronological format. However, the job you’re applying for might place heavier value on your proven skills and abilities, in which case you might choose a combination format to highlight what’s important to the employer. For clues on which the employer values most, pay attention to the requirements listed in the job description.

You should use a chronological resume if:

• You have several years of experience in one career path.

• You have worked for several employers or clients in one industry.

• You have minimal or no gaps between jobs.

If you’re a recent college or high school graduate with little or no professional experience, you might consider using a functional or combination resume. A functional resume format is also useful if you have been out of work for a significant amount of time.

If you’re changing positions or industries, a combination resume might be a better fit. In this case, a resume that puts more emphasis on your transferable skills and abilities may be more beneficial to potential employers.

A chronological resume helps employers quickly understand the value of your most recent and relevant work experiences. As employers may only spend a few seconds on each resume, prioritizing the most recent information helps ensures your experience gets seen.

Related: Functional Resume Tips and Examples

How to write a chronological resume

Your resume should include information relevant to the position for which you’re applying. You can also include achievements and interests, but these should only be included at the end of your resume, and only if they are relevant. If your resume is multiple pages, consider removing optional sections like these to make it as brief, concise, and readable as possible.

The key difference between a chronological resume and other formats is how you structure your experience section. In this format, you will list your most recent experience first. When you are writing the details of each experience, you should reference the job descriptions that interest you to see which keywords employers are using. These terms can be a guide for what phrases to include when you describe your own experiences.

The placement of your professional experience and education sections depends on where you are in your career and the relevance of education to your chosen industry.

For example, if you are writing a resume as a student, you may want to prioritize your education section as it may be more helpful information for potential employers. This is especially true if you have relevant certifications, diplomas, or coursework. If you have been in the workforce for several years, you might consider placing your education after your experience section.

Name and contact information

Begin with your name and contact information. In this section, include your name, phone number, and email address. Optional information includes your mailing address or links to online portfolios if appropriate.

Summary or objective

You might also choose to include a short professional statement at the top of your resume. This section provides a quick context for employers as they review your application. Those with several years of experience in a specific industry should include a summary of their skills and experiences. New graduates or those still in school may want to consider an objective statement that describes your most valued, short-term goals.

Professional experience

Your professional experience section should include all relevant work experience starting with your current or most recent position, if applicable.

For example, if you’re applying for a dental assistant position, you should list your work history starting from your current employer and going back to the first job you obtained out of high school or college related to the dental or healthcare industries.

When you’re writing this section of your resume, consider which experiences are most relevant to the next step you want to take in your career. For example, if you worked at a fast-food restaurant during college or high school, you may not want to include it on a resume for a position in dental assistance (using our last example).

Education

Your education section should be structured similarly to your professional experience. List the most recent educational achievements first and go backward in time from there.

If you are currently enrolled in or have completed and obtained a post-secondary degree (Associate’s degree or above), you should not list your high school information. However, if you graduated from high school and did not seek a post-secondary degree, you might consider including your high school background with your GPA (if above 3.5) and any other relevant information related to your educational experiences.

Your education section should focus on degree acquisition and coursework but can also include other academic achievements such as certificate programs or awards.

Skills and abilities

Your skills and abilities section should highlight your most relevant competencies. Skills and abilities can include both hard (technical) skills and soft (interpersonal) skills. The most important consideration when listing your skills is whether they are relevant to the job. Carefully review the job posting to identify which of your skills the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate and include them in your skills section.

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Chronological resume example

Here is an example of a reverse-chronological resume using the practices listed above. Use this and other resume samples like it for inspiration as you write your own:

Janet Chobot
Little Rock, Arkansas | 123-​456-7891

Summary
An exceptionally organized and friendly dental assistant with 3+ years of successful experience working with dental offices and clients.

Professional History
Smith Family Dentistry, Dental Assistant
July 2017–Present

• Clean and prepare treatment rooms

• Prepare patient for dental treatment

• Answer common patient questions about dental procedures, treatments, and issues

E&H Dental, Office Assistant
August 2015–July 2017

• Organized client schedules

• Received patients upon arrival

• Handled client billing and paperwork

• By end of work experience, took on key dental assistant roles

Educational History
Little Road Junior College
August 2012–June 2014
Certified Dental Assistant Program

Skills
Dental assistant skills include: DANB certification • X-ray certification • Denture impressions • Calming personality and demeanor • Hygienic • Minor oral surgery experience

Related: 5 Resume Tips To Get Noticed

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