Chronological Resume Format, Templates & How-to Guide

There are several formats to choose from when creating a resume. Arguably the best one of them is the chronological resume. It works perfectly if your work history is consistent and you have no employment gaps.

Read on, see some chronological resume templates, and find out if it’s the right format for you (probably, it is!).

This article will show you:

• What is a chronological resume.
• Who the chronological resume format is best for.
• A chronological resume template.
• Expert tips on writing an effective chronological resume.
• Examples of chronological resumes for over 30 professions.

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What’s the Difference Between a Chronological Resume and a Reverse-Chronological Resume?

Let’s start by getting one thing straight.

The definition of chronological is that it’s the order in which things happened. The reverse chronological means that it’s the opposite order, which starts with the latest things that have happened, not the oldest ones.

Confusing? Don’t worry because when it comes to chronological and reverse-chronological resumes, they are used interchangeably because they mean the same thing. That’s why, not to get confused, I’ll use only the term chronological resume in this text from now on.

So, what exactly does that mean?

Since we’re talking definitions, here’s a guide about just that: What’s the Definition of a Resume

What Is a Chronological Resume?

A chronological resume lists your work experience starting with the current or most recent one at the top, followed by previous ones. This type of resume focuses on your work history and professional achievements. It’s a great format for experienced job-seekers with tons of accomplishments.

Let’s not forget about one more thing: the chronological resume format is arguably the recruiters' favorite. A study from Jobvite reveals that 92% of recruiters regard previous work experience as the number one hiring factor—and the chronological resume brings the readers’ attention to your experience and job titles.

So, if you choose to format your resume in reverse chronological order, you can rest assured the recruiter will find what they're looking for.

Plus, chronological resumes are easiest to scan for the ATS. Over 98% of Fortune 500 companies use Applicant Tracking Systems, or ATSs, in their recruitment processes, so selecting this resume format seems your best option.

Check a professional example of a chronological resume below.

Want to make 100% sure your resume passes the ATS scan? Read: How to Write an ATS Resume

Chronological Resume Format—Example

You can use this inspiring chronological resume example as a wireframe for your own resume. Now, let’s find out if this format is the best choice for you. 

Talking about inspiration, we’ve amassed 100 quotes that can help you. Check here: Top Resume Quotes to Support You

Who Is the Chronological Resume Good For?

 The chronological resume is most advantageous when:

• You have several years of professional experience.
• Your career progression has been steady, and preferably in one industry.
• You don’t have gaps in employment on a resume.

The chronological resume order is very versatile. It means you don’t need to have many years of experience to use the chronological resume format. For example, if you’re making a recent college grad resume, you only need to rearrange the order of your resume sections and put the education resume section first. Just make sure the entries in each section follow the reverse chronological order.

Have you done contract work for years? Learn to show it the right way. See here: Listing Contract Work on Your Resume

Chronological Resume Pros & Cons

The chronological resume format seems like a perfect choice. However, it has some advantages and disadvantages that need to be addressed.

Chronological Resume Pros

• Highlights experience and achievements.
• Easy to scan.
• Easy to follow a career progression.

Chronological Resume Cons

• Requires consistent formatting.
• Exposes gaps in employment.
• Not the best for career changers or candidates re-entering the market.

If you think none of the advantages of the chronological resume format would work in your case, consider opting for one of the other common resume structures:

• Functional resume works fine if you want to focus on your skills and hide gaps in employment. It’s perfect for making a resume for creative jobs that require portfolios. However, it is difficult to scan and conceal your experience.
• Combination resume is good if you wish to draw the recruiter’s attention to both your skills and experience. It also allows you to hide gaps in your employment history. It’s good only for highly-specialized professionals and, unfortunately, it makes formatting and organizing your resume tricky.

You might be tempted to ask artificial intelligence for help writing your application documents. Before you do that, read our guide: AI Resume Pros & Cons

Chronological Resume Format

Let’s start with what a resume should look like and take a closer look at how you can make the most of each of these resume sections on your chronological resume:

1. Resume Header

It’s what your recruiter sees first. And, since you want to be remembered and later on contacted, you must do this part right.

Your resume header should include:

• Your name
• Your job title
• Contact Information

Even though this section of a chronological resume seems like a no-brainer, it may get tricky when you start thinking about what job title you should put at the top.

• If you’re pursuing a consistent career path (and this is what a chronological resume is best for), including your current job title makes perfect sense.
• If you’re making a career change resume, use the job title you’re aiming for.

Pro tip: Consider adding your LinkedIn profile to a resume. Your recruiters will surely check your online presence. Make it easier for them.

2. Resume Summary or Career Objective

A resume profile is the first section of your chronological resume that gives the recruiter a glimpse into what you can do. There are two common types: a resume summary and a career objective. Which one should you choose?

• A professional resume summary proves you’ve got lots of experience. It includes your accomplishments, relevant skills, and experience that might help you impress your recruiter.
• A resume objective can demonstrate your skills and your motivation. It’s ideal for a resume with no experience or an entry-level resume.

3. Professional Experience 

The next section on your chronological resume is perhaps the most important one. 

Here’s how to make the most of your work experience on any resume:

• Put your latest or current position up top. Follow it up with the previous ones. This is exactly how the reverse chronological resume order works.
• List the dates worked, your job title, and the company name for each position you held. 
• See to it that your recent work history is scannable. Use bullet points, not paragraphs. Up to 3 bullets per position will do.
• Focus on presenting achievements on your resume rather than responsibilities.
• Make a special subsection for your key achievements to give them more prominence.
• Start all bullet points with strong resume action words such as delivered, managed, boosted, achieved, etc.
• Present the experience that’s relevant to the position you’re seeking. Omit everything else.

Need more advice on tailoring your resume? Head straight to our guide: How to Tailor Your Resume to a Job Description

4. Education

Depending on how much (or little) experience you have, you may want to put your education section above the experience section on your document. Either way, this part of your chronological resume should clearly communicate your value to the employer. 

If you have more than two years of professional experience, list only:

• University Name
• Graduation Year
• Degree
• Minor or Major

If you’re fresh out of school, you may consider adding information on:

• High GPA (3.5 or higher)
• Relevant Coursework
• Dean’s List
• Cum Laude
• Study Abroad

Learn more about including your degree on a resume: How to Put Your Degree on a Resume

5. Skills

The skills section is an important element of your chronological resume template. You don’t need to organize your skills in chronological order, but make sure the list of skills on your resume consists of the relevant ones.

Here’s how to get the skills section on your resume right:

• Make a master list of all the skills that you have. Include your soft skills, hard skills, as well as technical skills.
• Take a good look at the job offer to see what skills the employer is looking for specifically. Note down these skills.
• Return to your master list, and find the skills you identified in the job offer. These skills are exactly the ones you need to highlight on your chronological resume.
• Select up to 10 of these skills and list them in the key skills section on your resume.

6. Additional Sections 

Putting additional sections on your chronological resume can always earn you extra points. Remember only to add the sections that may boost your chances. 

Here’s a couple of extra section ideas:

• Achievements
• Certifications
• Hobbies and interests
• Languages
• Volunteering

Not really sure what sections to include on your resume? Read our guide What to Put on a Resume

Creating a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide and use content from Certified Professional Resume Writers to have a resume ready in minutes.

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Chronological Resume Samples and Why They Work 

Now, let’s take a look at two chronological resume samples: one for a junior position, and the other for a more senior role, to see what makes them effective. 

Chronological Resume Example—New Grad 

Even though Calvin has just graduated from college and doesn’t have huge experience, he decided to choose the chronological format. He also consciously put the work history section above the education section. Why?

The top hiring factors that employers take into consideration when hiring recent grads are:

• Internship with the employer’s organization
• Internship experience in the relevant industry
• Major

Calvin happens to have completed an internship in the relevant industry, and his chronological resume structure reflects the way employers assess candidates’ aptitude for the role. If an internship is what they value most, it’s exactly what they see first on Calvin’s resume.

He also gives a lot of attention to the education section and the other sections. The first one clearly shows that Calvin has a lot of potential for becoming a dedicated employee, and it's where he mentions his key achievements. The position he’s seeking calls for strong communication skills and problem-solving skills, and this is exactly what Calvin highlights throughout the document. 

Here comes the other chronological resume example, this time for a more senior role:

Chronological Resume Example—Managerial Position 

As you can see, Matthew is an experienced sales manager. He chose the chronological resume template to highlight his rich work history and key achievements. Also, he uses bullet points to make his work history easy to scan.

In contrast to the previous example, the education section on Matthew’s resume has been reduced to the necessary minimum. Rather than present the details of his college education, Matthew has chosen to include such sections as Associations and Certifications to show he treats his career development seriously. The parts that recruiters pay the most attention to (i.e., job titles and achievements) are bolded to make them stand out. 

Is your mind set on the chronological resume format? Then copy and adjust the template below.

Have you been promoted at work? Learn to highlight it properly. See more: Showing Promotions on Your Resume

Chronological Resume Template

If you’re looking for beautifully designed, ATS-compliant chronological resume templates, well, you’re in luck. Head straight to our articles: Blank Resume Templates: 15+ Best Blank Resume Forms to Fill In Now and Word Resume Templates

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key Takeaways

Here’s everything you need to know about writing a chronological resume:

• The chronological resume format is one of the most versatile ones out there.
• Reverse-chronological resumes draw the recruiter’s attention to your work history.
• To make the most of your chronological resume, you must tailor it to the job offer.

Do you have any questions about writing a chronological resume? Maybe you’d like to share advice on how to get everything right? Give us a shout-out in the comments below. We’re always happy to help!

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• Oxford Learner's Dictionary: Chronological Definition
• Jobvite: 2021 Recruiter Nation Report
• Kelsey Purcell, "2024 Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Usage Report: Key Shifts and Strategies for Job Seekers"