Chronological Resume Templates and Examples

What is a chronological resume?

A chronological resume is the most common resume format used by job seekers in the United States. Like the name suggests, your previous jobs are listed by date, in reverse order beginning with the current or most recent position on top.

This type of resume is the most popular option for most people. When using other formats like simple, modern, and combination, the jobs will usually be listed in chronological order too.

Who should use a chronological resume?

Most job seekers, since this is a safe choice
People who want to highlight career progression and achievements
Anyone with an extensive work history
Job seekers who want to create a resume in text-only format
People who have a consistent work history or career track

Who shouldn’t use a chronological resume?

People who lack a clear career progression
Applicants with limited work history
Applicants with multiple short-term work situations
Job seekers who want to create a more graphic and creative resume template

Chronological resume format and key components

While there’s no single resume format that you absolutely must stick to, there is one characteristic all great resumes have in common: they’re easy for someone to scan. The best resume format is one that’s organized and visually manageable, with no large blocks of text or sections crowded too close together.

Here are the main resume components to include if you’re going to use this style:

Contact information
When you list contact information on your resume you should always include the most up-to-date methods of communication. Things like full name, phone number, and email address are a given, but in our opinion, you may also want to include additional methods such as your Linkedin profile or website. Another point to take note of is that all of the information listed is something you are alright with a hiring manager reviewing such as a professional email address like your name rather than something silly like [email protected].
Summary or objective
It’s a good idea to start off your resume with a short introductory paragraph. You have some flexibility here, you might want to list your career objectives or list your general accomplishments so that the resume reader will quickly be able to see your goal. It makes sense to have a generic statement that can be used for a variety of jobs, however, you should also try to customize the section when appropriate for the specific position to which you are applying. Even doing something small like mentioning the company you’re applying for will help you stand out among the hundreds of other candidates that you might be competing with.

Sample chronological resume showcasing contact, objective, experience, education, and key skills

Work history
List each position, including your current role in reverse chronological order. Be sure to include the following for each job you worked.
– Full company name
– Date(s) of employment
– Job title
You also should describe your responsibilities in either bullet or paragraph form while making sure to highlight your accomplishments. Depending on your seniority and skills there are a variety of ways to describe and display your job history.
Education and certifications
This section can either be combined or listed separately depending on what is important to emphasize for the position. Key pieces of information here are the school or schools that were attended and the specific degree obtained. For professional certifications, you may need to list an identifying number or date obtained.
Skills
Most job seekers will choose to list skills as an opportunity to summarize their strengths and abilities. Make sure that you are listing only the most relevant and important attributes pertaining to your career path. Depending on the profession, you may want to emphasize technical over soft skills or vice versa.

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FAQs

Why are chronological resumes used?

Chronological resumes are great for showing career progression. Since your current and previous positions are laid out in reverse-chronological order, it’s easy for the reader to follow your advancement from one role to the next.

What are the most important parts of a chronological resume?

The most important part of a chronological resume is the experience section, which demonstrates how your career has developed over time. Other important sections include your contact information, objective, education, certifications, and skills.

Should I list references on a chronological resume?

Unless the job listing specifically calls for references, don’t include them on your resume.

How many pages should a chronological resume be?

It’s usually best to keep your resume limited to a single page if you can, two pages at the most.

What font should be used in creating my resume?

Use a classic, easy-to-read font like Times New Roman or Arial with a size of 11 to 12 points for your resume.

Should I include an objective in my resume? Is it always needed?

An objective section of a resume is optional. It can be helpful if you want to provide additional information that may give the reader more clarity, like if you’re changing careers or returning to the workforce after time away.

Should I list my work achievements?

Absolutely! This is your chance to stand out. Your resume is the place to show your most prominent achievements in your current and previous jobs. In a chronological resume, these would be listed according to the job starting with the most recent one.

How far back should resume work history go?

For most industries and professions, you only need to list the last 10 to 15 years of work experience on your resume. There are a few exceptions to this guideline. For example, if you held an impressive or relevant position that dates back more than 15 years; in this case, you would want to include it. Another exception would be if you’ve switched to a completely different career within the last 5 to 10 years; you may want to omit previous jobs that aren’t relevant to the field you’re applying in.

What should I do if I have a lot of short-term jobs?

One solution, if you’ve held multiple short-term jobs, is to use a functional resume, which places less emphasis on your career progression and more emphasis on your skills. If your short-term jobs were bookended by longer stints, like working two years at company A, spending a few months at company B, and then two years at company C, you could omit company B from your resume.

What should I do if I have had multiple positions at the same company?

Multiple positions with the same company should be grouped together on your resume. You only need to include the employer’s name once, but designate a section for each distinct position and then describe the specific accomplishments for that position underneath it.

Do I need to worry about keywords in my resume?

Nowadays, yes. Using keywords from the job description in your resume is very important. This ensures your resume bypasses automatic screening tools like applicant tracking systems and gives it a better chance of catching the hiring manager’s eye.
Related: How to find keywords in a job description to use in your resume

Should I clarify my gender or desired pronouns on my resume?

It’s personal preference whether to include your gender or desired pronouns on your resume. Candidates with a name that’s traditionally gender neutral may opt to include their gender to avoid confusion (i.e. a female candidate named Alex James being called Mr. James by mistake). Including your preferred pronouns can help hiring managers properly address you from the first interaction.

Should I list my hobbies or interests?

Generally, hobbies and interests should be left off your resume in favor of using the space for work accomplishments. The exception is if your hobbies are relevant to the job, like mentioning that you volunteer in your church’s finance department when applying for an accounting role or you manage a fan website for a game when you’re applying to the company that makes it.

What is the difference between a chronological and functional resume?

In a chronological resume, your work experience is listed according to the job it corresponds with, beginning with your most recent position. In a functional resume, your skills are grouped by category rather than with a specific job. The jobs you’ve held are listed in their own section.

What is a reverse chronological resume?

A reverse chronological resume is the most common resume format. In this type of resume, a candidate lists their jobs in reverse order, beginning with the most recent position and working backward.