Chronological Resume

Whether you’re actively looking for a job or you simply want to keep your resume updated, it’s essential to use a format that will be the most effective at getting you the job you want.

Although there are many different types of resume formats to choose from, the chronological resume template usually outperforms them all. Why? Keep reading below to find out 10 reasons why you should be using a chronological resume.

What is a Chronological Resume?

Before we go any further, we first need to define what a chronological resume even is. A chronological resume template lists your work experience in order chronologically, placing current jobs at the top and past positions at the bottom. It’s a resume style that puts your work history and accomplishments in the spotlight.

Usually, these resumes begin with your name and contact information and a summary or objective statement. Below, you’ll list your professional work history and educational history. And finally, you’ll end the document with a list of your skills and abilities.

Why the Chronological Resume Template Works Best

Now that you understand what a chronological resume is, here are a few standout reasons why it’s the best choice.

1. Hiring Managers and Recruiters Prefer It Over Other Formats

The best way to impress a hiring manager or recruiter is to make your resume as easy to follow as possible. It makes their job easier, quicker and gives them a feel for your work experience right off the bat.

Formatting your resume chronologically will most likely improve your chances of landing the job, as it offers dates, titles, and essential information that will give the reviewer more context.

2. Applicant Tracking Systems Can Scan It Easier

Many companies, especially larger corporations, use applicant tracking systems (ATS) as a streamlining mechanism to sift through the thousands of resumes they get on a daily basis. It screens and tests potential hires and can even do other administrative tasks such as scheduling interviews, checking references, etc.

These systems are created to intentionally search for keywords and specific backgrounds in order to find the right, qualified candidates. Chronological resumes are easier for these systems to scan.

3. It Makes For a Neat and Organized Document

The chronological nature of this resume makes the document look put together and organized. It adds a nice flow, so whoever is reading it can clearly see when you worked and where. The secret is in the structure.

4. It’s Universally Accepted by the Job Market

This type of resume is one of the most common resume formats out there, which means the majority of companies accept it. It’s simple and to the point, which is why it’s so widely used by job seekers and loved by recruiters and hiring managers.

5. It’s Easy to Change

One of the best things about a chronological resume is that it’s highly flexible and easy to edit. You can change whatever you need to quickly and easily because you only have to worry about one section. Say you need to update your work history or add a new job. All you’d need to do is find the date and add or edit as necessary.

6. It Highlights Consistent Work Experience

Using this particular format is a surefire way to showcase your work experience in an organized and visually appealing manner. It’s a wonderful way to prove that you’ve had consistent professional expertise in a particular industry or position.

7. It’s Easy for Job Seekers to Write

The straightforward, easy-to-read chronological resume makes it easier for the person creating it. It doesn’t require much creativity, just organization, knowledge of the time frames when you worked at specific companies, and well-written descriptions of your skills and achievements.

8. It Showcases Growth in Your Career

If you’re someone who has worked for the same company for a number of years, you can use a chronological resume to showcase all of your promotions. This will let recruiters and hiring managers know that you’re loyal to the company you work for, you are willing to grow, and you continually accept new opportunities and challenges.

9. It Offers Immediate Context to Recruiters

Instead of the recruiter or hiring manager having to examine each line for the dates you worked, they can easily find the dates in chronological order and see how long you worked for each company.

10. It’s Transparent

Let’s say you’re someone who has job hopped for a while, and then maybe there was an extended period when you didn’t have a job. You might think that using another type of resume will conceal this fact better. However, it could actually do the opposite.

Many recruiters and hiring managers are trained to find issues with people’s resumes to weed out incapable candidates. Think about it. They are going to find out about your job hopping phase or unemployed time at some point, so why not be open and honest about it? Honesty is the best policy. Trying to hide it will only make a negative impression.

Who Should Use the Chronological Format?

A chronological resume format can be beneficial for those who have grown in their careers over time or have experience working in the same industry but for diverse businesses. Consistency is vital when it comes to using a chronological resume. It’s also an excellent format to use if you have little to no gaps in employment.

Sometimes it can backfire, especially if you’ve consistently changed jobs within a short amount of time or you’ve been out of work for an extended amount of time. These particular situations could be a concern to the person reviewing your resume. In these cases, you may want to lean more towards using a functional or combination resume template.

Overall, the type of resume you choose ultimately depends on the type of job you’re applying for. Think about whether the company would value your skills vs. your work history. What are the most relevant things to the person hiring you? Determine what that is and decide accordingly.