Recruiters read your resume dates before they read almost anything else, because those dates are what turn a list of jobs into a career timeline. Format them inconsistently and you risk an applicant tracking system misreading your experience entirely.
What is the correct date format for a resume?
Use Month Year (January 2022 or Jan 2022) or MM/YYYY (01/2022) for every date on your resume, and keep the same format from top to bottom. Avoid day-month-year, year-only entries, and mixing formats in one document. Consistency matters more than which of the two you pick, because consistency is what an applicant tracking system relies on to read your timeline correctly.
Jobscan’s free resume scanner flags inconsistent or unreadable date formats before you apply.
- How to write dates on your resume.
- Where to add dates to your resume.
You’ll also find examples of how to format your resume dates to create a good-looking resume that stands out.
The two resume date formats to use (and three to avoid)
The primary date arrangement on your resume should be month and year, in one of two formats.
- MM/YYYY (03/2022)
- Month Year (January 2022 or Jan 2022)
Avoid writing resume dates in the following formats:
- Day, month, then year
- Year only
- Mixed formats
Either accepted format works. What matters is choosing one and using it in every section, so the document reads the same way to a recruiter and to the ATS.
Resume date format quick reference
Here is the recommended date format for every resume section in one place. Copy the pattern that matches the section you are writing.
| Section | Recommended format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Work experience | Month Year to Month Year | Jan 2021 to Mar 2023 |
| Education | Year, or Month Year | 2023 |
| Certifications | Year | 2022 |
| Current role | Month Year to Present | Jan 2023 to Present |
| Overlapping roles | Separate entries, each with its own accurate range | Jan 2021 to Mar 2023, and Jun 2022 to Present |
Where to put dates on a resume
Dates are listed in most resume sections, making them all the more critical for the ATS. You’ll find dates in the:
- Work experience section
- Certification section
- Education section
- Volunteer section
Below, we will go over how to create the ideal resume date format for each section, with explanations and examples.
How to format dates in your resume work experience section
When most people think of dates on their resume, the mind immediately jumps to work experience. Including the start and end dates at your former jobs gives hiring managers a sense of your job timeline, including how long you tend to stay in a role. Keep this section concise and readable to make sure your resume is the right length.
What is the best resume date format?
Right alignment for your resume date format can take advantage of white space. The example below illustrates the best option for formatting the dates.
If you’re also wondering how to align dates on a resume in Microsoft Word, you would just use the tab stops. To set a right-aligned tab stop at the desired position, adjust it near the right margin at the top of the page, then type your text, press the Tab key, and the date will be right-aligned to the tab stop.
With Jobscan, you can always download your resume as a Microsoft Word file (.docx) as well as a PDF.
How to format dates in your resume certification section
Certifications can illustrate skill development, areas of expertise, and specialization, but it’s helpful to the hiring manager to know when you obtained your certification.
You can add the year you received your certification in a single line on the right, like in the example below.
How to format dates in your resume education section
If you’re a new graduate without experience, adding your graduation date to your resume can help the hiring manager gauge your knowledge and skills.
However, putting your graduation date on your resume isn’t always a good idea. That detail may unconsciously influence their hiring decisions.
Regardless of whether you choose to add your graduation date or not, below is an example of how to format the dates.
For multiple degrees, always place the most advanced degree first. This resume lists the Master’s degree before the Bachelor’s, and adds the completion year on a separate line.
How to format dates for your resume volunteer positions
Volunteer positions can tell the hiring manager about your non-work experience. Experience as a volunteer can benefit your resume if:
- You have gaps in your resume you can explain with volunteer work.
- You don’t have a lot of work experience to highlight on your resume.
- You want to show off skills you honed in your volunteer role.
- You are making a career transition and the volunteer work is relevant.
Dates can help indicate how long you stayed with an organization and whether you’re still a volunteer. This can eliminate confusion the hiring manager has about your current roles.
Volunteer resume sections look similar to work experience, and the format should be consistent with the rest of your resume. In these examples, the resume date format follows best practices for ATS readability.
How to include current or ongoing dates on your resume
When you have a certification or degree in progress, you can still include it on your resume. You just have to communicate it clearly, so the hiring manager is not left guessing about your skills and qualifications.
You can absolutely include any certification and add the expected completion date for the reader to know. If your degree is in-progress, explicitly state that you’re still in school and have yet to complete your program.
How to add overlapping dates for multiple positions on a resume
Sometimes, you may have had two jobs at the same time, or worked in different roles for the same company. That’s totally okay. It’s easy to show on your resume when you use the right format.
There are two main ways to list overlapping jobs:
Separate entries
If the jobs were different, list each one as its own entry. Include the job title, company name, dates you worked there, and bullet points for each role. Even if the dates overlap, just make sure to show the correct start and end dates. Always put the most recent job first.
Grouped entries (same company)
If you held multiple jobs at the same company, you can group them together under the company name. There are two ways to do this:
Stacked titles: List all your job titles one after the other with dates beside each one. Then, share bullet points that describe your work across the roles.
Separate titles, one company heading: Under the company name, list each job title on its own with bullet points for each one.
Below is an example of a work experience section with separate entries for overlapping dates.
Does your resume date format affect the ATS?
The ATS is the database that stores your resume once you apply for a job. It parses your resume for keywords and helps your resume rise to the top of the pile if it contains the keywords the hiring manager is searching for.
Your resume could be perfect, but if the dates are not properly formatted, the ATS won’t parse your resume correctly. Our latest study shows that 98.4% of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS to manage their hiring process.
Date formatting is one of the specific things the parser can get wrong. An inconsistent format, a missing month, or a year on its own can leave the system unable to calculate how long you held a role, which matters because recruiters filter candidates by years of experience.
Use Jobscan’s resume scanner before applying for jobs to check that your dates parse the way you intended. It analyzes your resume and compares it to the job listing using AI technology.
- Upload your resume.
- Add the job description.
- Scan your resume in seconds.
After scanning your resume, you’ll receive your Match Rate, like in the image below.
If the dates on your resume aren’t compatible with the ATS after running your resume through the scanner, you’ll see the following notice on your report.
The resume scanner will also make sure other areas are compatible with the ATS, like your listed address, contact information, past or present tense, section headings, skills, and more.
If you’re building your resume from scratch, try Jobscan’s free ATS resume builder. There are no hidden costs and it allows you to create an ATS-compatible resume that sticks out to recruiters! You can also build your resume with an AI coach. Jobscan’s AI Resume Builder asks about your experience one question at a time, turns your answers into strong, quantified bullet points, and keeps your dates consistent in an ATS-friendly template.
Once you’re ready to download your resume, make sure to do it with the correct file name and the correct file type.
Resume date format key takeaways
The correct date format for a resume is Month Year (January 2022) or MM/YYYY (01/2022), used consistently in every section. In the US, resume date formats generally follow a simple month/year arrangement, either using the full month name (e.g., January 2022) or a numerical month/year format (e.g., 01/2022). Consistency is key, so choose one format and stick with it throughout your resume. For current positions, “Present” is commonly used to indicate ongoing employment. Consistent dates also make for a good-looking resume overall.
FAQs
The correct date format for a resume is either Month Year (January 2022 or Jan 2022) or MM/YYYY (01/2022). Both are readable by an applicant tracking system. Choose one and use it for every date on the document, including work experience, education, certifications, and volunteer roles. Avoid day-month-year, avoid listing a year on its own, and never mix the two accepted formats on the same resume.
You can align the dates on your resume to the right or left. Both are acceptable and readable by the ATS. However, keeping a consistent style throughout the document is essential.
If you have a lackluster work experience section or have gaps in your professional career, it could be filled in by:
• The dates of your education
• Certifications, volunteer experience, and education dates
You can always delve deeper into the gaps in your cover letter, if these don’t apply.
A resume and CV, or curriculum vitae, are different documents. You can have a two page resume, but a CV is often longer and more comprehensive for academic purposes.
Academic committees don’t focus on dates but on:
• Education
• Teaching positions
• Academic accomplishments
• Publications
• Presentations
• Grants
• Fellowships
• Professional association memberships
Add dates to these achievements with a Month Day, Year format (e.g., June 1, 2021) or Month Year (e.g., June 2021).
There are 2 acceptable formats for the ATS to read:
• MM/YYYY (03/2022)
• Month Year ( January 2022 or Jan 2022)
Maintain consistent formatting throughout your resume, including alignment, bolding, and italicizing.
You shouldn’t leave out dates in your resume work experience section. If you’re including the role, you should add the date.
You can combat ageism by removing certain clues from your resume. Your resume education section date can point to your age. If your degree is older, hiring managers may consciously or unconsciously assume your age and make hiring decisions based on their perception.
You don’t have to include your degree in your resume education section if your degree isn’t recent and you think it will affect you negatively in your job search.
To keep your Google Docs consistent, pick one date format: MM/YYYY or Month Year. Use it throughout your document. Use formatting tools like tabs, tables, or the ruler to align dates uniformly. For great results, use a resume scanner like Jobscan.
If you had multiple roles, like freelance or part-time jobs, list each one under its own heading. Make sure to include the correct date ranges. Make sure the overlap is clearly communicated with consistent formatting.
Yes, you can abbreviate months. For example, use “Jan 2022” instead of “January 2022.” This is common and accepted. Just be consistent. Don’t switch between full and abbreviated month names. Choose one style and stick to it throughout your resume.
In Microsoft Word, use tab stops or tables. This will right-align your dates but keep the content on the left. Avoid spacing manually with the spacebar, as this leads to inconsistent formatting. You can even use ChatGPT to help with aspects of your resume, like aligning dates.
