Chronological Resumes

The most common, and preferred, organizational methods for developing a resume is the chronological resume format. In this resume format, the experience section is the central focus. Your work experience is listed by job in reverse chronological order with your most recent, or current job, listed first. Individuals employing a chronological resume are encouraged to include a career summary or objective statement before the section detailing their work experience. Many people use chronological resumes when applying for jobs in an industry where they have several years prior work experience. Chronological resumes are also popular for job-seekers applying for university or legal jobs.

Job-seekers that want to detail specific work experience, or those applying at companies run by more traditional managers, will benefit from using a chronological resume. These resumes are also effective for highlighting prominent and pretigious employers a job-seeker has worked for in the past. However, chronological resumes do not effectively convey to potential employers specialized skills or knowledge, and they are not encouraged for individuals seeking career transitions or that have problematic work histories. For those with a spotty or problematic work history, a functional resume may be a better choice.

The following is a useful chronological resume template: