Choosing the right order for jobs on a resume can make a big difference in how a job seeker is seen by employers. The way experiences are listed helps show skills and growth in a clear and easy-to-read format. Using the correct resume order helps hiring managers quickly understand a candidate’s background and qualifications.
This article will guide readers through the basics of how to arrange job history on a resume. It will share practical examples and tips so anyone can organize their resume for the best results.
1) Header with contact information
Every resume should start with a clear header that contains the candidate’s contact information. The header goes at the very top of the document, making it easy for employers to quickly find ways to reach out. For privacy, it’s common to include only the city and state rather than a full home address. A professional email address is essential, and it’s helpful to add a LinkedIn profile if available. For modern formatting tips and examples, check out this resume header guide.
Below is a copy-and-paste ready example of a full resume header with contact details:
John Allen
Denver, CO 80203
john.allen@email.com
(720) 555-1234
linkedin.com/in/johnallen
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2) Resume summary or objective
A resume summary or objective sits at the top of a resume, right under the name and contact information. The summary is best for people who already have work experience, and quickly highlights key skills and what they bring to a new job. An objective is better for those new to the workforce or changing careers, as it states career goals and what type of position they want. Either one should be direct and tailored to each job. For more guidance on when to choose a summary or objective, see this detailed comparison of resume summary vs. resume objective.
Example:
Resume Summary Example: Experienced customer service representative with 5+ years in fast-paced retail and call center environments. Skilled in problem-solving, building strong customer relationships, and using CRM software to manage records. Recognized for positive attitude and ability to resolve difficult situations quickly. Seeking to apply skills and experience to support and improve customer satisfaction at [Target Company Name].
3) Work experience in reverse chronological order
Listing work experience in reverse chronological order means showing the most recent job first, followed by earlier positions. This format makes it easy for hiring managers to quickly see recent roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments. It also matches what most applicant tracking systems and recruiters are looking for, making your resume more effective and professional. To further simplify the job search, tools like RoboApply help users optimize your resume and apply to jobs on multiple platforms efficiently.
Template Example:
WORK EXPERIENCE
Marketing Specialist
ABC Agency – New York, NY
March 2022 – Present
- Developed and implemented social media strategies that increased brand reach by 30%.
- Managed digital ad campaigns across Facebook and Google Ads.
- Coordinated with design and sales teams for campaign launches.
Marketing Coordinator
XYZ Corp – New York, NY
June 2019 – February 2022
- Assisted in planning and executing marketing events.
- Maintained weekly tracking reports for advertising metrics.
- Supported email marketing campaigns and content creation.
Marketing Intern
Bright Ideas Co. – New York, NY
January 2019 – May 2019
- Helped schedule social media posts and content editing.
- Researched marketing trends and presented findings to the team.
- Provided administrative support for the marketing department.4) Job title and company name
How job seekers list the job title and company name on their resume matters because it affects clarity and readability. Most hiring managers want to see the job title listed first, followed by the company name, location, and employment dates. This clear structure helps recruiters quickly identify the role and the organization where the experience was gained. Leading with the job title focuses attention on the candidate’s responsibilities and transferable skills, which is especially useful in competitive fields. For more details about arrangement options, visit this practical guide on resume order of jobs.
Example:
Marketing Coordinator
ABC Corporation, Chicago, IL
March 2021 – May 2025
- Developed and managed social media campaigns that increased engagement by 30%.
- Coordinated projects between creative and sales teams, improving workflow efficiency.
- Analyzed campaign results and adjusted strategies to boost return on investment.
This order keeps the most important information easy to find for recruiters and applicant tracking systems. For candidates who have held multiple roles at the same company, list each job title separately beneath the company’s name with the corresponding dates for each position.
5) Employment dates aligned right
Aligning employment dates to the right side of your resume makes information easier to scan and looks more organized. This format helps hiring managers quickly see when each job started and ended, without distracting from the job titles and responsibilities. The best way to do this in Word is by using tab stops, which keep dates neat and uniform across the page. For more tips, check out how to right-align dates on a resume in Microsoft Word.
Template Example:
John Doe
john.doe@email.com | (555) 123-4567 | New York, NY
EXPERIENCE
Marketing Specialist Jan 2022 – May 2025
ABC Company, New York, NY
- Launched digital campaigns, increasing social media engagement by 30%.
- Managed a team of 4 marketing assistants.
Sales Associate Feb 2020 – Dec 2021
XYZ Retail, New York, NY
- Achieved 110% of annual sales target in 2021.
- Provided excellent customer service to over 100 customers daily.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Marketing 2019
State University of New York
Skills
Social Media | Google Analytics | Microsoft Office
6) Key accomplishments under each job
Listing key accomplishments under each job makes a resume stand out to hiring managers. Instead of only listing job duties, applicants should include measurable achievements, awards, or special recognition wherever possible. This makes it clear what results have been delivered, not just what tasks were performed. Accomplishments can include sales figures, efficiency improvements, successful projects, or recognition by supervisors. For more detailed guidance on writing impact-driven bullet points, check out this guide on creating strong bullet points.
Example of listing key accomplishments for a job on a resume:
Sales Associate
Best Buy, Los Angeles, CA
March 2021 – June 2023
- Exceeded monthly sales targets by an average of 25% for 18 consecutive months.
- Recognized as “Employee of the Month” three times for top customer service scores.
- Trained and onboarded 10+ new team members, helping increase team sales by 15%.
- Initiated a customer loyalty program that improved repeat purchases by 20%.
7) Relevant skills section
A strong skills section makes it easy for employers to see what a candidate can do. This part of a resume should list abilities that fit the job description, focusing on both hard and soft skills. For best results, include 6-10 relevant abilities and use a simple list, such as bullet points or short phrases. Avoid extras like progress bars or long explanations, which are not recommended by hiring experts. Grouping skills under short categories like “Technical Skills” or “Soft Skills” helps make the section more organized and readable. For more details about effective skills sections, visit this helpful guide on organizing skills in a resume.
Example—Relevant Skills Section Template:
Skills
Technical Skills:
Microsoft Excel, Python, Data Analysis, SQL, Google Analytics
Communication Skills:
Public speaking, Business writing, Team collaboration
Project Management Skills:
Agile methodologies, Jira, Time management, Multitasking
Languages:
Spanish (professional), English (native)
This format makes it easy for employers to quickly see a candidate’s core strengths and match them with the job requirements.
8) Education details after experience
When listing education after work experience on a resume, the section should be simple and clear. Most job seekers list their work experience first to show their skills and achievements, then add education details after. This order works well for most professionals unless they are recent graduates or have little job experience. Always include details like degree name, school, location, and graduation year. For more tips on listing education, visit this guide on how to list education on a resume.
Example template for including education after experience:
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Office Manager
ABC Company, Chicago, IL
June 2020 – May 2024
- Managed daily office operations for a team of 30.
- Reduced supply costs by 15% by negotiating vendor contracts.
- Organized company events and scheduled executive travel.
Administrative Assistant
XYZ Inc., Chicago, IL
August 2017 – May 2020
- Supported HR and finance departments.
- Processed expense reports, managed scheduling, and handled customer inquiries.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration
University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Graduated: May 2017
9) Certifications and licenses
Certifications and licenses are important if the job requires specific skills or legal credentials. Job seekers should create a separate section for certifications and licenses, placing it after work experience but above education if they are key for the job. Use simple formatting and include the certification name, issuing organization, and date earned. This helps recruiters quickly find and verify your qualifications. For more tips on proper order and placement, see how to list certifications on a resume.
Example certification section for a resume:
Certifications & Licenses
Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State of New York — Issued June 2022
Project Management Professional (PMP), Project Management Institute — Issued March 2023
CompTIA Security+, CompTIA — Issued January 2024; Expires January 2027
10) Volunteer experience if applicable
Adding volunteer experience can help show important skills, work ethic, and community involvement. If the volunteer work matches the job being applied for, it should be listed in the main work experience section. If it is less directly related, it may fit better in its own section. This helps hiring managers see what extra value a candidate can offer. For more details, see how to list volunteer experience on a resume.
Use this format to present volunteer work clearly, showing organization, role, location, dates, and achievements.
Volunteer Experience
Community Food Bank, Volunteer Coordinator
Dallas, TX | January 2022 – Present
- Coordinated schedules for 30+ volunteers for weekly food distribution.
- Developed and led food safety training sessions, resulting in a 15% improvement in process efficiency.
- Assisted with inventory management and organized donation drives supporting over 500 families.
Including achievements or skills gained during volunteering can make this section stronger and more relevant to hiring managers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Job seekers often have questions about how to order and present jobs on their resumes. Choosing the right resume structure and section order helps employers understand a candidate’s background and skills quickly. Using clear formatting and proven examples can simplify the process.
Should work experience on a resume be listed in chronological or reverse-chronological order?
Most resumes use reverse-chronological order because it quickly shows the most recent and relevant work experience. Hiring managers prefer this format because it highlights career progress and job stability. Reverse-chronological order is recommended for most job seekers and is the most common style used today.
Reverse-Chronological Work Experience Example:
Work Experience
Marketing Specialist | Acme Corp | Boston, MA Jan 2023 – Present
- Managed social media campaigns for five brands
- Increased engagement by 30% in one year
Marketing Assistant | Bright Agency | Boston, MA Jun 2021 – Dec 2022
- Coordinated event logistics for major conferences
- Developed weekly email newsletters for 10,000+ subscribersAnyone looking to build or update their resume can optimize your resume using tools like RoboApply for fast results.
What is the best way to structure a resume with multiple jobs at the same company?
When a job seeker has held different roles at the same company, clearly list each position under the company name. This clarifies growth or changes in responsibilities and avoids repeating employer details.
Multiple Jobs at Same Company Example:
Work Experience
Tech Solutions Inc. | Austin, TX
Senior Software Developer May 2022 – Present
- Led team on enterprise platform upgrade
Software Developer Mar 2020 – Apr 2022
- Developed internal automation toolsA professional resume builder like RoboApply can help format and organize roles for simpler resume optimization.
How should recent graduates list professional experience on their resumes?
Recent graduates should include internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work in their experience section. Focus on transferable skills and measurable achievements. List each position just as a full-time job would be, including job title, organization, location, and dates.
Recent Graduate Work Experience Example:
Experience
Marketing Intern | Green Earth Nonprofit | Seattle, WA Sep 2024 – Dec 2024
- Wrote fundraising emails, raising $2,000 for community projects
- Organized Earth Day campaign reaching 500 participantsRoboApply helps new graduates create strong resumes and even auto-apply to jobs across platforms.
Which sections are essential to include on a professional resume?
A strong resume needs a few basic sections. These include contact information, a summary or objective, work experience, education, and relevant skills. Optional sections might cover certifications, technical skills, or volunteer work.
Essential Sections Resume Example:
Jane Doe
Boston, MA | janedoe@email.com | 555-555-1234
Summary
Organized administrative professional with two years of office experience and strong Microsoft Office skills.
Work Experience
Administrative Assistant | CoreLogic | Boston, MA Jul 2022 – Present
- Answered calls and scheduled meetings
- Managed data entry for monthly reports
Education
B.A. in Business Administration, Boston University, 2022
Skills
- Time management
- Microsoft ExcelWhen listing jobs on a resume, should the start date or end date dictate the order?
Jobs must be listed so the most recently ended or current position appears at the top. For ongoing jobs, the end date should be shown as “Present.” End dates determine the order—always list the job with the latest end date first, not the start date.
Job Order Based on End Dates Example:
Work Experience
Sales Associate | Trendy Fashions | Chicago, IL Jan 2024 – Present
Retail Assistant | Fashion Mart | Chicago, IL Jun 2022 – Dec 2023How can someone with little to no professional experience structure their resume effectively?
For job seekers lacking paid work experience, focus on volunteer work, internships, part-time roles, or academic projects. Highlight skills and accomplishments instead of job titles. A functional or skills-based resume format can also be used to shine a light on abilities rather than job history.
No Experience Resume Example:
Chris Nguyen
Dallas, TX | chrisnguyen@email.com | 555-555-9876
Objective
Motivated high school graduate seeking an entry-level customer service position. Strong communication and teamwork skills.
Skills
- Customer service
- Teamwork
- Problem solving
Projects
Community Food Drive Volunteer, May 2024
- Organized donations and distributed food to 75 families
Education
High School Diploma, Dallas High School, 2024Job seekers can build your resume with RoboApply for more templates and personalized suggestions.
