Getting your resume employment history right is the key to making sure you both highlight your best professional accomplishments and come across in the best light to potential employers. Employers are interested in seeing your professional track record and want to know how your past jobs have prepared you for the role you are applying for. In this article, we will discuss how to approach writing out your resume employment history, including making sure your resume is complete, organized, and up-to-date.
1. Evaluate How Far Back to Include
When listing out your employment history, first evaluate how far back you should go. Generally speaking, when it comes to the length of your resume, the further back the job is, the less details you want to include. The focus should mainly be on the most recent 10-15 years of your work history. However, if you are a recent college graduate or a professional who has only held a few jobs, you should include a broader array of employment highlights.
2. Make Sure Your Resume Stays Up-To-Date
Staying up-to-date with your resume is an important part of the job search process. Be sure to indicate the years during which you worked at each job. If you are currently employed, you should also list the expected end date. Employers want to know what you have most recently been up to so they can get an idea of your current experience level.
3. Have Clear Job Titles And Responsibilities
When crafting your resume employment history, make sure to write out each job title and list out the various jobs you held at each company. Mentioning specific achievements and responsibilities will help make it easier for employers to understand what you have achieved with each of your former employers. Also, be sure to quantify your accomplishments in terms of numbers and percentages, where possible, to better communicate the impact of your work.
4. Don’t Discuss Reasons For Leaving Previous Employers
When creating your resume employment history, it is important to remember not to discuss reasons for leaving each of your previous employers. Keep the focus positive and focus on the specific accomplishments and job roles for each of your positions. You can discuss your reasons for leaving during a job interview.
5. Make It Easy To Follow
When writing out your resume employment history, make sure to use a consistent format and structure that is easy to follow. This includes using the same language and labels for each of your job titles, chronological order and dates of employment.
6. Include Volunteer Work And Internships
Including volunteer work and internships on your resume employment history will demonstrate a commitment to learning and personal growth. Volunteering and interning are great ways to learn about a potential career and gain experience.
7. Relevant Courses and Certifications
One of the best ways to demonstrate that you are a professional and be competitive in today’s job market is by taking relevant courses and certifications. For these to be included on your resume employment history, they should be relevant to the job you are applying for and should be professionally-accredited.
8. Demonstrate Professional Growth
As you write your resume employment history, it is good practice to demonstrate an up-to-date knowledge of the industry in which you wish to work. Make sure that your resume reflects how your skills and knowledge have grown over time. Including course, certifications, and relevant training will also demonstrate your dedication to professional development.
9. Use of Action Words
Writing an effective resume employment history requires that you know how to use action words correctly. Use power words like “created”, “trained”, “streamlined”, “ launched”, “managed” and “initiated” to give your resume an extra boost and make it stand out from the crowd.
10. Include Contact Information
At the end of your resume employment history, make sure to include contact information for each of your former employers. This will give potential employers a way to easily get in touch with references who can vouch for you.
People Also Ask
Q: How Many Years Does a Resume Cover?
The length of a resume will vary depending on the job and experience level of the applicant. Generally speaking, employers are most interested in the experiences of applicants from the last 10-15 years.
Q: How Do You Describe Job Duties on a Resume?
Include a list of job duties under each job title. In addition to the duties, include specific accomplishments with each job. Focus on quantifying achievements and outcomes where possible, while using action words to describe the duties.
Q: How Far Back Should You Go on a Resume?
The focus of your resume should be on the most recent 10-15 years of your employment history. However, if you are a recent graduate or professional with only a few jobs, you should include a broader array of experiences.
Q: How Do I List Multiple Positions at One Company on My Resume?
List multiple positions at the same company by indicating each role, its dates of employment, and its relevant accomplishments. Make sure that if you took on a leadership role or held other high-impact positions in your tenure at the same company, you list them out separately to demonstrate growth and show the impact of your work.
Q: Should I Mention References on My Resume?
No, you should not include references on your resume. A potential employer will ask you to provide this information during the application process.
Conclusion
Writing a resume employment history is a key part of the job application process. It allows potential employers to gain insight into the accomplishments and experiences a candidate has and provides employers with an opportunity to understand how the candidate would fit into the company. Use this guide to ensure that your application has all of the information it needs to make a positive impression on potential employers.