Chronological Resume Format: Template, Examples, & Writing Guide

Choosing the right resume format can feel like picking the best route on a map: You want the one that gets you to the interview the fastest. For most job seekers, that route is the chronological resume. 

It’s clear, familiar, and preferred by almost all hiring managers because it shows your career growth step-by-step, starting with your most recent job. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what a chronological resume is, when to use it, and how to write it with some examples and templates. 

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What Is a Chronological Resume?

A chronological resume is a resume format that highlights your work experience and career growth. Also called a reverse chronological resume, it lists your job history from your most recent position backward. 

This format places your work experience section just below your professional summary, putting your career achievements front and center.

Chronological Resume Example

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When to Use a Chronological Resume

Chronological resumes are the most commonly used format, and hiring managers often prefer them. They make it easy for employers to quickly see where you’ve worked and how your skills have grown over time.

This format works best if you have several years of relevant work experience in the field you will be applying for. By placing your work history at the top, you can lead with your career growth to make a strong first impression.

Pro tip: If you have limited experience or are changing careers, try a functional resume format to highlight your skills instead. 

Chronological resume pros & cons

Still unsure whether you should use a chronological format? Consider these pros and cons: 

How to Write a Chronological Resume

All resumes feature the same sections; it's just the order that changes. Let's go over how to write your resume, the chronological way: 

Create your resume header

Your resume header is essential for hiring managers to contact you and set up an interview. Here's what to include: 

• Full name
• Job title
• Email
• Phone number
• ZIP code, city, and state
• LinkedIn or Bold.pro profile, if applicable
• Online portfolio, if applicable 

Write a professional summary

A resume summary is a quick overview of your most impressive accomplishments and skills. In three to four sentences, highlight what makes you a strong candidate. 

Here's an example: 

Highlight your work experience

The work experience section is the core of your chronological resume. Take your time to make sure it includes all the details that showcase your value as an employee. 

List your past roles in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent one. Write down your job duties in bullet points, and include quantifiable accomplishments whenever possible. To drive impact, start each bullet point with an action verb. 

Here's an example: 

List your skills

Your skills list is an effective way to highlight the hard and soft skills essential to your target role. Write down six to eight skills that showcase your strengths. For example: 

Pro tip: Read the job description to find the key skills the employer is looking for and add them to your resume. Including the keywords that describe the ideal candidate in your resume will help your application pass applicant tracking systems (ATS). 

Showcase your education

Your education section helps employers see the foundation of your skills and expertise. List your most recent degree first, including your school, degree name, and graduation date. Here's an example: 

Add optional sections 

Optional sections can give your resume an extra boost, especially if they're relevant to the job. Here are a few sections you can include:

• Certifications: Professional certifications or licenses that support your role
• Languages: Any languages you speak and your proficiency level, which can be valuable in global or multilingual workplaces
• Volunteer experience: Community involvement or leadership in nonprofit work, especially if it relates to your skills
• Hobbies and interests: Professional and relevant hobbies that demonstrate soft skills, creativity, or leadership
• Publications or presentations: Articles, reports, or conference presentations that showcase expertise in your field
• Professional memberships: Memberships in industry organizations that show your engagement and ongoing learning

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Chronological Resume Samples for Popular Jobs 

Check out these chronological resume examples to see how other job seekers showcase their work experience: 

Manager resume example

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Sales associate resume example

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Elementary teacher resume example

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Chronological Resume Template

Key Takeaways

Now that you know what a chronological resume is and when to use it, let’s wrap it up with some key points: 

• A chronological resume places your work experience front and center, starting with your most recent job.
• This format is best for job seekers with steady work experience in a field relevant to the job they’re applying for who want to highlight career growth.
• The work experience section is the core of a chronological resume and should focus on accomplishments rather than just job duties.
• Start each bullet point in your work history with a strong action verb and include numbers when possible to show impact.
• While this format is easy for employers to read and preferred by hiring managers, it can make gaps in employment, lack of relevant experience, or career changes more noticeable.
• Include education, skills, and optional sections like certifications or volunteer work to give a complete picture of your qualifications.

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