A complete guide to including your work experience in your resume

Crafting an impressive resume is a crucial step in the job-hunting process. Highlighting your work experience is one of the most significant aspects. Describing your working life throughout your career allows you to showcase abilities, knowledge, and achievements to potential employers, increase your chances of securing an interview.

This article will provide insights into effectively presenting your job experience in your resume. From highlighting past employment to describing responsibilities and achievements, we will offer practical advice on refining your resume. This will enable you to make it more appealing for job applications.

Whether you are a new graduate or an experienced professional, a well-crafted resume can set you apart from the competition. It can greatly improve your chances of securing your desired position.

Here is what we will cover:

• Why is work experience on your resume so important?
• How do I include work experience in my resume?
• How to format my work experience section
• Examples of work experience on a resume
• Conclusion
• FAQs

Why is work experience on your resume so important? 

Including your work experience on a resume portrays you as a qualified and competent candidate. It offers interviewers a quick overview of your employment history, including previous employers, skills, and responsibilities.

Moreover, your work experience shows them how you use your abilities and qualifications for the position. It also showcases your work ethic, commitment, and career development. This helps the hiring manager see if you are a good fit for the company.

Additionally, a well-documented work history enhances the likelihood of your resume successfully passing through an applicant tracking system (ATS), increasing your chances of reaching the hiring manager and securing the desired position.

How do I include work experience in my resume? 

The work experience section in your resume is not just about listing job titles and responsibilities. It is an opportunity to highlight your accomplishments, skills, and suitability for the position.

Here are some tips for effectively presenting your work experience:

1. Discuss achievements instead of responsibilities

To show the hiring manager that you are the best choice for the role, focus on your achievements rather than just listing your duties. Highlighting achievements showcases your performance in each position.

Use strong action verbs and numbers to create more impact. Tailor each achievement to align with the job description, emphasising transferable skills relevant to the role.

Here are some examples of achievement-based sentences versus responsibility-based sentences so that you can see the difference:

• Responsibility-based: Managed a team of sales representatives
• Achievement-based: Increased sales team productivity by 30% through effective leadership and training initiatives
• Responsibility-based: Sold e-commerce products
• Achievement-based: Increased sales revenue by 30% on an e-commerce platform within the second quarter

2. List out the relevant job titles

In your resume, include your job titles in reverse chronological order, starting with your current job first. This format focuses on your most recent position, making it easier for the application tracking system (ATS) to read.

For each position, include your job title, company name, location (city and state), and dates of employment. This provides clarity and context for your work experience. Always use the full name of the employers you have worked for and include a specific job title that matches what the ATS may be looking for.

Here is an example of what your job experience may look like in your resume:

• Sales Manager, ABC Company, Mandaluyong, Philippines (January 2023–Present)

3. Begin each bullet point with an action verb

Start each bullet point with a strong action verb to present your accomplishments in a clear and concise fashion. This creates a strong and impactful presentation of your achievements. Examples of action verbs include:

• Developed
• Managed
• Increased
• Streamlined
• Implemented

Be specific when writing about your accomplishments. For example, instead of saying "Responsible for encouraging learning for students at college," you could write

"Implemented a comprehensive university education curriculum, increasing students' pass rate by 30%."

4. Highlight quantifiable achievements

A resume should highlight your achievements to give hiring managers the confidence to interview you for the role. Make sure your achievements are quantifiable, using numbers, percentages, and other metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work. This showcases your ability to deliver measurable results and adds credibility to your accomplishments.

Instead of writing "Helped customers learn how to use their products", you can write

"Conducted customer training for product purchases, leading to a 50% increase in customer satisfaction."

Here are some other examples of quantifiable achievements you can mention in your resume:

• Conducted courses on public speaking for students, leading to a 50% increase in their public speaking pass rates
• Boosted online sales by 40% through online-centric marketing campaigns and ads

5. Identify which resume format you are going to use

When crafting your resume, choose a format that best highlights your skills and experience for the specific job you are applying for. Here are the three common resume formats:

Reverse chronological format

This is the most common format. In this layout, you list your jobs in reverse date order, starting with your most recent job at the top. It is a good option if you have a solid work history in your current field, as it highlights your experience and expertise.

Functional format

The functional resume format focuses more on your skills and abilities rather than your work history. Group your skills into categories and provide specific examples to illustrate them. This format is ideal if you have career gaps or are making a career switch, as it emphasizes your transferable skills.

Combination format

The combination format is a blend of the reverse chronological and functional formats. It highlights both your work experience and your relevant skills. Start with a summary of your skills, followed by your work experience. This format is useful if you want to showcase both your skills and your work history.

Choose the format that best highlights your skills and experience for the job you are applying for. Companies highly value candidates with both technical expertise and soft skills, ensure your resume presents a balanced skill set. A consistent resume with a cover letter can make your application look more professional and demonstrate your attention to detail.

6. Tailor your bullet points to the job you want

Thoroughly review the job description to identify the key skills and experience the hiring manager is looking for. Adapt your work experience descriptions to emphasize the skills and achievements most relevant to the desired position. Ensure your resumé includes clear and concise bullet points that highlight these skills and accomplishments.

7. Edit your resume to include keywords and skills relevant to the job

When updating your resume, carefully review the job description to identify the specific skills and experiences the company is seeking. Incorporate these keywords and relevant experiences throughout your resume, particularly in the work experience section.

This ensures that your resume aligns with the requirements of the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) used by many employers. For instance, if the job posting mentions proficiency in a particular tool or software, be sure to highlight any relevant training or experience you have with it.

How to format your work experience section 

Here are some tips you can use to format your experience in your resume:

1. Create a dedicated section for your professional experience

Create a clear and prominent section at the top of your resume titled "Work Experience" or "Professional Experience." This helps employers quickly see where you have worked and your relevant experience.

If you have developed transferable skills outside of traditional workplaces, include them in a separate section titled "Additional Experience" or "Volunteer Experience."

2. List your most recent work experience first

Many hiring managers prefer to see your job experience in reverse chronological order. This allows them to quickly see your most relevant and up-to-date experience. Start with your most recent position and work backwards. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are also designed to read resumes in this order. This ensures your latest experience is highlighted and efficiently analysed.

3. Use consistent formatting and clear, concise points

Maintaining consistent formatting and clarity is important. It enhances readability and makes your resume look more visually appealing. Use a consistent font, font size, spacing, and bullet point style for each job entry. Use clear bullet points to convey your achievements effectively.

Examples of work experience on a resume 

Referring to examples can help you format your resume and highlight relevant skills effectively. Here are some resume examples:

For a fresh grad

As a fresh graduate, you might not yet have relevant work experience. However, you can showcase your skills by including extracurricular or volunteer roles from school or outside activities. For example:

Intern, XYZ Skincare & Cosmetics, Davao, Philippines (February 2024–Present)

• Support marketing campaigns as an assistant to the Marketing Director
• Plan and set up activation events in seven malls across the city

For a mid-career switch

If you are planning on switching careers, focus on highlighting your transferable skills. Emphasize relevant areas of your previous jobs to show how you can contribute to the new role. Here is an example of how you can tailor your resume if you are moving from a career in marketing to project management:

Senior Marketing Executive, LMN Retail Estate, Metro Manila (January 2022–Present)

• Manage marketing projects from start to finish to ensure swift and timely delivery
• Frequently communicate with stakeholders in large-scale marketing campaigns to manage their expectations and requirements

For professionals

As a professional, you may already have multiple years of experience in your position and industry. Add these related roles, but avoid too many of them and stick to the most relevant ones instead:

Marketing Manager, BCD Co., Cebu (June 2015–July 2022)

• Planned, developed, and executed retail marketing campaigns to increase customer awareness by 20%
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to organize marketing activations across the country, driving a 35% increase in sales and customer engagement

For managers

If you re applying for a management role, including your leadership experiences in similar roles may be useful:

Business Development Lead, JKL Hotel, Metro Manila (October 2017–Present)

• Led a team of 10 business development professionals to grow and manage the hotel business, resulting in a 30% increase in sales revenue

Highlighting your career experience in your resume is about more than just listing previous roles. It includes emphasizing your skills, career progression, and achievements that are relevant to the job you are applying for.

Ensure that you leave an impression by including measurable achievements and action verbs. Keep your resume template consistent and clear. With these tips, you can stand out from other candidates and clinch an interview for your desired job.

Conclusion 

Crafting an impressive resume is pivotal in the job search process, with highlighting work experience emerging as a crucial component. Your work history serves as a testament to your skills, knowledge, and accomplishments, offering recruiters insights into your capabilities and suitability for the role. By strategically incorporating achievements, utilizing action verbs, and tailoring your resumé to match the job description, you can enhance your chances of securing an interview.

FAQs 

Here are some FAQs on including work experience in your resumé.

1. Can I just put years on my resume?
   You can include just years on your resumé, but it is preferable to use the MM/YYYY format (e.g., 01/2020 – 12/2022). This provides hiring managers with a clearer idea of your work history and aligns better with how Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) read dates.
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2. How long should a resume be for a job?
   A resume should ideally be around one or two pages if you have a long work history. A long resume usually takes time to read. Hiring managers may not have the time to go through your full resume. Make sure your resume is clear and concise. Limit each measurable achievement to two to three bullet points per job.
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3. What jobs should you put on a resume?
   In your resume include jobs that are relevant to the position you are applying for. Highlight roles where you demonstrated qualifications and skills mentioned in the job description. This approach showcases your ability to perform in the role and aligns your experience with the employer's needs.
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4. In what order should work experience be listed on a resume?
   On your resume, list your work history in reverse chronological order. Put the most recent job at the top. This format highlights your most recent and relevant experience first. If you are changing careers or have limited experience, you might also consider functional or combination resume formats.
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5. Can you leave jobs off your resume?
   Yes, you can leave jobs off your resume if they are not related to the role you are applying for. If you have many years of experience, focus on including the most relevant roles to keep your resume concise and targeted.
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6. How do I address maternity leave on my resume?
   Mention that you had been on a maternity leave within the employment period for the relevant employer.
   For example, you can list it as Maternal Leave from MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY' under the job title and company. This transparency is appreciated and shows your integrity and career continuity.
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7. How do I overcome an employment gap in my work history?
   It is usually best to be honest about any employment gaps by including them in your resumé. There are many reasons for employment gaps, including education, sabbaticals, or health issues. You can describe any relevant experience or skills you gained during the break. 
   For example, you can write: "Career Break (MM/YYYY - MM/YYYY): Took time off for family caregiving, during which I completed an online course in project management.”
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8. How many years of work experience should be on a resume?
   You can include all your relevant work experience on your resume, but it is recommended to focus on the most recent 10 years. Only include earlier experience if it is highly relevant to the role. Keep your resume clear and concise, highlighting the skills and accomplishments you have accumulated.