How to Write the Work Experience Section of Your CV in 7 Easy Steps
This is a writing sample from Scripted writer Melanie Dawn
META: Detail your current and previous work experience in an easy-to-read format in your CV. This section is designed to get you noticed and match you with the job of your dreams, so be sure it’s concise and complete by following these seven simple formatting steps.
The work experience section is the bulk of your resume so it’s important to get it right. Here, you provide the solid proof that you have experience that’s relevant to the position you're seeking. Follow these seven steps to create a work experience section that gets you noticed.
1. Make a List
Compile your list beginning with your most recent or current position. Go backward from there but no more than 15 to 20 years. Only deviate from this if you’ve been with the same company for longer or if there is a position in your past that is highly relevant to the one you’re applying for now. A two-page resume is fine, but avoid three pages unless you are applying for an executive-level position with more than 20 years of experience to convey.
2. Include Locations and Dates
Add the city and state of each position as well as the month and year of employment. It’s possible to use only the year, but be consistent with your formatting. Avoid stretching the dates to make it look like you stayed longer in a position than you did. Managers are usually more interested in the contributions you made while in the position than the time you spent on the job.
3. Check the Listing
Under each position, list your responsibilities starting with the most important. Focus on transferable skills or ones that pertain to the position you're applying for. Include specific achievements, contributions, and any special accomplishments you experienced while employed. Your work experience descriptions should highlight what you did, when you did it, and how well you performed.
One way to include keywords is to read through the job description carefully with a highlighter. Circle or highlight major responsibilities and qualifications. Your resume should include similar wording.
4. Outline Your Experience
Formatting is crucial because you have to convey a lot of information concisely and in an easy-to-read format. Each employer should have its own section. Start by listing your job title, and put the company name on the following line. It’s a good idea to bold this information to make it stand out. The date should also go at the top.
5. Create Better Job Titles
Play up the job titles you’ve held. For example, if you performed various babysitting jobs while in college, you might list this as a Child Care Manager, or if you mowed laws for four years to put yourself through school, consider listing this as a Landscape Manager. Always stay within reason. For an academic CV, be sure to include any recent intern or fellowship positions, even if they were unpaid.
6. Make a Bulleted List
Your resume work experience section shouldn’t read like your cover letter. Instead, create a list of five to eight bullets under each position. Lead each bullet with a strong verb. Instead of using "worked on," for example, consider “analyzed" or "examined.” Use specific language to strengthen your accomplishments.
Try to incorporate relevant academic or science industry keywords when applying for an education or research-based position. The hiring manager probably isn't going to read your resume word-for-word but will be scanning for keywords relevant to the position. Some may even use recruiting software to match your resume with the current job description.
Quantify accomplishments whenever possible. Anytime you can provide specific numbers is a plus. Numbers are a big seller on resumes, so try to provide quantifiable metrics on at least 40 percent of your bullets. For example, include you finished a major project three weeks before the deadline or you were 20 percent under budget. Look at every accomplishment and see if you can attach a metric to it.
7. Consider Formatting
Other items to consider when crafting your work experience section include:
Always use present tense with a current position and past tense on a previously held job.
Avoid abbreviations unless they are commonly known.
Only use periods at the end of bullet points if it's a full sentence.
Use a thesaurus to avoid including the same words over and over.
Match your technical language to the job description.
Use a standard font like Arial or Times New Roman and make it at least 12 point.
Be sure to proofread and edit for flow.
Even though everyone’s work experience is different, the basic formatting and presentation should be the same when applying for a position. Just make sure it's detailed, concise, and current.
Need further help on how to write a resume? Check out LiveCareer's templates and samples and learn how to create a resume that gets you noticed.
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