The Common Ways To List Employment History In Your Resume

  1. Reverse Chronological Order (Most Common):

List your work experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent or current job and working backward. This format is widely used and is preferred by most employers.

  1. Functional Resume (Skills-Based):

If you want to emphasize your skills and qualifications over your work history, you can use a functional resume. In this format, you group your skills and accomplishments by category rather than listing jobs in chronological order.

  1. Combination/Hybrid Resume:

A combination resume combines elements of both the chronological and functional formats. It allows you to highlight your skills and qualifications at the beginning of the resume, followed by a reverse chronological listing of your work experiences.

  1. By Relevant Projects:

Instead of listing positions, you can organize your resume by highlighting key projects or achievements. This approach is especially effective if your work involves specific projects or accomplishments.

  1. By Company or Industry:

If you’ve had multiple roles within the same company or have worked primarily within a specific industry, you can organize your resume by company or industry rather than by individual positions.

Choose the format that best highlights your qualifications and aligns with the job you’re applying for. In most cases, the reverse chronological order is a safe and effective choice, but the other formats can be useful in specific situations.