As a job seeker, grabbing a recruiter’s attention quickly is your top priority. You can do this by creating a standout chronological resume. This resume format showcases your work history and accomplishments in a structured way, starting with your most recent experience.
In this guide, you will learn how to craft a chronological resume that gets you noticed by recruiters. You can also use our free chronological resume templates and check examples for different types of jobs to help you.
What is a chronological resume format?
The chronological resume (or reverse chronological resume) format highlights your work experience, starting with your most recent job.
This is a popular type of resume format because it quickly shows recruiters your career progression and how your competencies and skills have developed over time.
Here is an example of what a chronological resume looks like:
When do you use the chronological resume format?
Use the chronological resume format when:
- You have a steady career trajectory.
- Your have recent work experience that is relevant to the position you are applying for.
- You are applying for a role in traditional industries such as finance or marketing.
- You have minimal employment gaps.
You can check out the best resume formats in this article.
7 steps to writing a chronological resume
Crafting your chronological resume is straightforward. Here’s how you do it:
Step 1. Start with your contact information
Your contact information must be updated and error-free so recruiters and hiring managers can easily reach you. Here’s a quick guide:
- Use your full name exactly as it appears on professional documents.
- Include your contact number. Don’t use your work number unless you’re applying internally.
- Add your professional email address.
- Include your location. Just list your city and state.
- Add your LinkedIn URL or a link to your portfolio
Here is an example:
Step 2. Write a strong resume summary
Your resume summary is your elevator pitch to recruiters and hiring managers. At a glance, your summary shows what you bring to the table and whether you’re fit for the role.
When crafting your resume summary, try to:
- Keep it short, around 3-4 sentences long.
- Focus on your years of experience, key skills, and major accomplishments.
- Tailor it to the job you are applying for.
Here’s an example:
Step 3. Outline your work experience in reverse chronological order
Writing your employment history in reverse chronological order means starting with your most recent job. This makes it easy for recruiters to see your career growth, progress, and accomplishments over time.
Recruiters also prioritize your most recent position since it’s critical in deciding whether to read deeper into your resume or move on to another candidate.
Here’s how you write your work experience section in your chronological resume:
- Start with your current or most recent job.
- Write your job title, company name, location, and dates of employment.
- Describe your quantifiable achievements and the impact you made while in that role. You can put these in 3-5 bullet points.
- Start with strong action words like “optimized,” “improved,” or “increased.”
- Tailor your resume work experience section to the specific job you are applying for.
Here’s an example:
Step 4. Include your education
Your education section shows recruiters your qualifications, competencies, and expertise.
Here’s a guide on writing your education section:
- Write the full title of your degree or program.
- Include the name of your school or university.
- Mention the period you attended.
- Include your GPA if it’s strong (if it’s 3.5 or higher.)
- List your honors, academic achievements, or awards if applicable and relevant.
- If you studied a minor, you can also include it.
Here’s an example of what an education section of a recent graduate might look like:
You can check our full guide on formatting your resume education section in this article.
Step 5. Add your key skills
Your skills section is also an important part of your chronological resume. This gives recruiters and hiring managers a rundown of your top hard skills and soft skills.
Here’s what to remember when writing your key resume skills:
- Check the job description to indentify skills recruiters are looking for.
- Choose 6 to 10 skills that match those in the job description and directly relate to the specific job you are applying for.
- Don’t list generic skills unless specifically mentioned in the job description.
It is also worth noting that when you submit your application, it usually goes into an applicant tracking system (ATS). This is a type of software most companies use to streamline their hiring process. Recruiters use the ATS to search for specific keywords like hard and soft skills to look for top candidates. Only job applications that contain those keywords will show up in the search results.
When you create your chronological resume through Jobscan’s resume builder, you will get job-specific skills suggestions that match the job you are applying for.
Here’s a sample list of suggested skills for a junior accountant.
This saves you time and helps you increase your chances of getting noticed by recruiters. Try building your resume today!
Step 6. Add optional resume sections
There are also other optional resume sections you can include to help you stand out. But, only add them if they’re relevant to the specific job you want.
Here are some optional sections:
- Volunteer experience
This shows that you are proactive and willing to contribute to make a difference. When writing your volunteer experience, specify the role you played, the name of the organization, dates you served, and the measurable accomplishments, and key skills you used. - Certifications
Certifications validate your expertise, knowledge, and skills in a specific area. They show recruiters and hiring managers that you meet industry standards and that you are committed to continuous learning. - Honors and awards
In a competitive job market, your honors and awards can set you apart from other candidates. These show that your work and excellence have been recognized and valued by others, whether in academics or in your field.
Here’s an example of how to list certifications on a resume:
Step 7. Tailor your resume to the job you are applying for
Tailoring your resume to the job you are applying for shows recruiters, hiring managers, and potential employers that you’ve put in the effort and that you’re the right fit for the role. This increases your chances of getting noticed and landing interviews.
Here’s how you tailor your resume:
- Carefully study the job description and identify the skills and qualifications required for the job.
- Adjust the sections of your resume to match the needs of the job and show recruiters that you are the best candidate for the role.
- Focus on proving your skills and expertise by adding relevant and measurable accomplishments.
- Incorporate keywords found in the job description into your resume if applicable.
- Make sure to proofread your resume.
Ensure your chronological resume is perfectly tailored to the job you are applying for by using Jobscan’s resume scanner. The tool analyzes your resume against the job description and gives you a comprehensive report on how to optimize your resume for the job and the ATS.
Build your standout chronological resume with Jobscan
To make it easier and faster to create your chronological resume, use Jobscan’s resume builder. You can craft, edit, and download as many resumes as you need all for free with no hidden costs.
All you have to do is:
- Upload your resume, import your LinkedIn profile, or create from scratch.
- Enter your job title.
- Choose skills from our suggested skills list.
- Pick from 5 ATS-friendly resume templates.
- Add your contact information, work history, education, skills, and certifications.
- Click “Jobs” to view personalized job listings.
- Scan your resume with Jobscan’s resume scanner to optimize it for the ATS.
- Download your resume as a PDF.
Here’s a video explaining how to create your chronological resume through our resume builder.
Chronological resume template
Here is a ready-to-go template for a chronological resume to help you create yours. You can just copy the format below and edit it to showcase what you bring to the table.
[Your Full Name]
[Your Email Address] | [Your Phone Number] | [LinkedIn Profile or Portfolio Link]
Resume Summary
Write 2–3 sentences summarizing your career, highlighting key skills and achievements.
Example:
“Customer service professional with 10+ years of managing client relations, improving satisfaction scores, and streamlining processes to increase efficiency.”
Work Experience
(List your jobs in reverse chronological order. This means you start with the most recent work experience.)
[Job Title]
[Company Name], [City, State]
[Start Date] – [End Date or Present]
- Focus on measurable results (e.g., “Increased sales by 20%” or “Reduced operational costs by 25%”).
[Previous Job Title]
[Previous Company Name], [City, State]
[Start Date] – [End Date]
- Use action verbs to start each bullet point.
- Highlight skills or achievements relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Education
(Include your highest level of education first.)
[Degree or Certification]
[School Name], [City, State]
[Graduation Year]
Skills
(List your relevant technical, hard, and soft skills.)
- Skill 1
- Skill 2
- Skill 3
Optional Sections (Include if applicable and relevant to the job)
- Certifications: List relevant certifications (e.g., “Certified Project Manager, 2022”).
- Volunteer Experience: Include organization names, roles, and achievements.
- Awards: Mention honors or recognition related to your career.
Chronological resume examples for different jobs
To help you craft a standout chronological resume, here are 15 samples for different types of jobs.
You can also check our comprehensive library of resume examples to guide you.
1. Chronological resume for recent data science graduate
If you have limited professional experience, craft your chronological resume by following these tips:
- Start with your most recent experience. This can be through internships or leadership roles in organizations or clubs. Use reverse chronological order to list them.
- Focus on your education. As a recent graduate, place your education section at the top and emphasize relevant coursework, honors, and GPA (if 3.5 or higher).
- Highlight transferable skills. Showcase the abilitie and skills you gained from internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work, especially if they’re directly related to the job.
- Quantify your achievements. Use strong action verbs like “optimized,” “organized,” or “led” to describe specific accomplishmets in each role.
- Keep it organized and consistent. Use the reverse chronological format throughout yourr resume so that it’s clear, easy to read, and well-structured.
Here is an example of a resume for a recent data science graduate using the chronological resume format:
2. Registered nurse chronological resume
When crafting your chronological resume, here are three tips:
- Focus on your recent clinical roles first. Recruiters want to see your hands-on experience.
- Highlight your nursing license or any relevant certifications that demonstrate your credibility.
- In your work experience section, include specific and measurable achievements.
Here is an example:
Read more: Registered Nurse Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords
3. Software developer chronological resume
When writing a software developer resume in reverse chronological resume format, you need to:
- List your most recent roles first.
- Focus on key projects and technologies. This shows recruiters what your current technical skills are and whether they align with the job requirements.
- Feature in-demand skills like Java or Python to validate your expertise.
Here’s a sample chronological resume for a software developer:
Read more: Software Developer Resume Examples for 2024
4. Retail sales associate chronological resume
For a role in sales, you need to:
- Highlight your most recent roles. Show how you assisted customers or upsold products.
- Show your sales achievements.
- Mention your years of work experience.
- Include measurable results as these demonstrate your ability to drive sales.
Here’s an example of a chronological resume for a sales associate:
Read more: Sales Associate Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords
5. Customer service representative chronological resume
For a role in customer service, you should:
- Highlight your recent experiences with resolving customer inquiries, handling complaints, and improving customer satisfaction.
- Focus on customer service skills and other soft skills such as problem-solving, communication skills, and leadership.
- Mention quantifiable results to show recruiters that you are efficient and successful in your previous roles.
Here’s an example of a chronological resume for a customer service representative:
Read more: Customer Service Resume Examples for 2024
6. Teacher chronological resume
When crafting a reverse chronological resume for a teaching position, it’s important to:
- Highlight key teacher skills in your work history section. These include creating effective lesson plans, assessing student progress, and offering support.
- Mention your teaching experience.
- Demonstrate how you’ve fostered learning and helped your students.
Here’s an example:
Read more: Education Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords
7. Accountant chronological resume
If you are applying for an accounting role, you need to:
- Highlight your experience and expertise in preparing and analyzing financial reports, managing records, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
- List your credentials to demonstrate that you are qualified for the profession. For example, you can mention that you are a Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Management Accountant.
- Tailor your resume to match the technical skills and certifications required for the job.
Here’s an example:
Read more: Accounting Resume Examples, Skills and Keywords
8. Administrative assistant chronological resume
When writing a reverse chronological resume format for an administrative assistant role, you need to:
- Focus on your skills in organizing, scheduling, and communication.
- Outline your competencies with office software, data entry, and managing tasks.
- Emphasize in your work experience section how you’ve improved efficiency and provided strong administrative support in your previous roles.
Here’s a chronological resume sample for an administrative assistant.
Read more: Administrative Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords
9. Construction manager chronological resume
With a chronological resume for a role in construction, you need to:
- Focus on your practical experience with construction tasks, safety protocols, and equipment use.
- Include relevant certifications to show your qualifications and expertise.
- List measurable accomplishments in your resume to establish your credibility.
Here’s an example:
Read more: Construction Project Manager Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords
10. Creative marketing professional chronological resume
For a role in creative marketing, you need to:
- Highlight your experience with content creation and brand strategy.
- Include any relevant certifications or courses to demonstrate your proficiency.
- Add a link to your portfolio and successful projects.
- Mention measurable accomplishments in your resume work experience section.
Here’s an example:
Read more: Digital Marketing Resume Examples, Skills and Keywords
Other resume formats: combination and functional resume
There are two other resume formats aside from the chronological resume format. These are functional or skills format and combination resume format.
Functional resume
The functional resume format (or skills format) focuses on your skills and abilities. In this format, your work experience is outlined near the bottom of your resume with minimal detail. This can be used if you have employment gaps or if your skills speak louder than your experience. However, recruiters don’t always like this format as it’s hard to get a full picture of your career. Additionally, this format is not always ATS-friendly.
Here’s an example:
Combination resume
The combination resume format (or hybrid resume) combines the chronological format and functional format. This resume format shows a summary of your key skills and a reverse chronological list of your work experience.
Here’s what it looks like:
Do’s and don’ts when writing your chronological resume
Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when starting your resume:
- Add your updated and correct contact information.
- Start with a compelling resume summary that shows your skills and expertise.
- List your work experience in reverse chronological order. This means you start with your most recent job.
- Include measurable accomplishments and use strong action words when describing your achievements.
- Add your key skills relevant to the job you want.
- Tailor your chronological resume to the specific job you are applying for.
- Keep your formatting consistent.
- Proofread your resume for grammar and spelling errors before you submit.
- Update your chronological resume regularly.
- Use outdated contact information.
- Include irrelevant job experience that don’t relate directly to the job you are applying for.
- Use long and wordy paragraphs.
- Use an unprofessional email address.
- Use fancy fonts and complex formatting.
- List personal information like your marital status or social security number.
- Exaggerate or lie.
Key takeaways
Here are some key pointers to remember:
- The chronological resume format organizes your resume starting with your most recent work experience.
- This format is a good choice for those with a stable and steady career trajectory.
- When creating an effective chronological resume, you need to tailor your resume sections to the specific job you are applying for. You can do this by carefully studying the job description and taking note of specific skills and qualifications required for the job. Then, you need to incorporate those skills into your resume to make yourself stand out to recruiters.
- When writing your work experience section, include measurable achievements to show your credibility and expertise.
- You can create a standout chronological resume by using free tools such as Jobscan’s resume builder.
Frequently asked questions
You can list down your key skills in a separate section. Focus on hard skills but make sure that you highlight only those that are directly related to the job you are applying for.
The chronological resume format is best for individuals who have a strong and steady work history in a given field or industry. It is also a good choice for those who have no significant employment gaps.
To make an ATS-friendly chronological resume, you need to make sure your resume contains the specific keywords and qualifications required for the job. You also need to make sure your formatting is clear and simple so that the ATS can parse it correctly. You can use free online tools like Jobscan’s resume builder to make sure your resume is compatible with the ATS.
You need to carefully study the job description and identify the key hard and soft skills required. Try to match your skills section with those that are mentioned in the job description.
The chronological resume format is not ideal for job seekers with employment gaps and frequent job changes. It is also not recommended for those with limited work experience.
With the chronological order format, you structure your resume starting with your most recent job experience.