How to Write a Resume Work History Section (With Examples)

Your work history is more than just a list of past jobs; it’s the clearest way to show employers what you’re capable of and why you’re a strong fit. Done well, it connects your experience to the role you want, highlights real impact, and gets your resume noticed. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to write a work history section that’s focused, effective, and easy to read. Let’s make your resume work harder for you.

Why Your Work History Section Matters

Your work history is the first thing most hiring managers scan. Before they get to your skills or summary, they want to know where you've been, what you’ve done, and whether you can deliver results.

This section isn't just a list of previous jobs. It's proof. It's where your professional experience translates into measurable impact, career growth, and job readiness. Potential employers look for signs of consistency, promotion, and relevant responsibilities that match what they need today.

And it's not just human eyes you’re writing for. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) read your resume work history line by line, picking up job history patterns and keywords that signal you're a match. If this section is weak, vague, or misaligned, you risk getting filtered out before a real person ever sees your application.

A strong work history section tells a clear, confident story of your career. Make every role count.

What to Include in Your Resume Work History

Job titles that reflect your actual role

Your job title is one of the first things a hiring manager will notice. Make sure it reflects the level and nature of the work you actually did. If your official title was vague or internal (like “Team 4 Lead”), update it to something clear and standard, like “Customer Support Supervisor.” Clarity helps your resume work history stand out and gives quick context for your job responsibilities. Just be honest, no inflating titles, but don’t undersell them either. The goal is to highlight your relevant experience with accurate, recognizable roles.

Company name and location (or “Remote”)

Include the company name and its city and state. If the role was fully remote, say so clearly. This helps recruiters get a sense of your employment history and whether you’ve worked across time zones or outside traditional office setups. These small details support the overall credibility and clarity of your work history.

Dates of employment (and how exact they should be)

List your dates of employment using month and year (e.g., April 2021 – July 2023). This is the standard most employers expect, and it gives enough context without oversharing. If you’re worried about short gaps or overlapping roles, don’t stress, just make sure the timeline of your resume work history is clean and consistent. If you're in a recent job, you can use “Present” as the end date.

Key responsibilities and wins

This is the heart of your entry. Focus on your job responsibilities, but emphasize your measurable achievements. What did you improve, increase, reduce, or streamline? For example, “Managed onboarding for 50+ hires” is more effective than “Handled onboarding tasks.” These details show your professional experience in action and create a more compelling resume example for each role. Avoid vague bullet points and aim for key achievements that make your contributions clear.

(Pro tip: Unsure if your bullet points are pulling their weight? Huntr’s AI Resume Review gives fast, line-by-line feedback so you can sharpen your work history instantly.)

Optional extras: promotions, awards, and major projects

If you were promoted, recognized, or led key projects, this is the place to mention it. These elements show growth, leadership, and your ability to make an impact. Don’t overload each role, but including a few relevant accomplishments can elevate your work history. It’s also a chance to highlight job experience that reflects your career progression over time, even within a single company.

How to Format Your Work History Section

Use reverse chronological order

The most effective format is reverse chronological order, where your most recent role comes first. This is what hiring managers expect and what the chronological resume format is built around. It highlights your latest and most relevant experience right away. If you’re using a modern resume format, this structure keeps your career story clear and focused.

Stick to a clean, consistent layout

Keep your layout uniform across all entries. Use the same style for dates, job titles, and bullet formatting. A consistent work history layout makes it easier for recruiters to scan, especially if your resume is reviewed quickly or by an ATS. A resume format that’s clean and well-structured also helps your resume stay concise and in an easy-to-read format, which is key for standing out.

(Pro tip: Struggling with formatting? Huntr’s Resume Builder handles layout and design, so you can focus on your content without wrestling with Word templates.)

Bullet points vs. paragraphs: what works best

For your resume work history, bullet points beat paragraphs. They’re easier to skim, better for highlighting impact, and let you control pacing. Aim for three to five bullets per job, focusing on key outcomes. A strong resume example uses bullet points to clearly outline accomplishments without getting lost in walls of text.

Where to place it on the page

Your resume work history should go right below your resume summary unless you're a recent grad or switching careers, in which case, your skills might take the lead. In a traditional resume format, your experience is the main event. Put it front and center where recruiters expect to find it.

How Far Back Should Your Work History Go?

The 10–15 year rule (and when to break it)

Most resumes work best when your work history focuses on the last 10 to 15 years. That’s usually enough to show your career progression without crowding the page with outdated roles. But there are exceptions. If an older job directly ties to the position you’re applying for or includes standout achievements, it can earn a place. Just make sure every role listed adds value to your employment history and speaks to your current career goals.

(Pro tip: If you’re not sure what’s worth keeping based on the job you’re applying for, Huntr’s Job Tailored Resumes tool helps you trim and tailor your resume based on relevance, not just age.)

If you’re early in your career

If you’re writing a resume after your first job or still building experience, it’s okay to include part-time jobs, internships, or campus roles. For entry-level candidates, anything that shows relevant experience, even outside traditional work settings, counts. Don’t underestimate volunteer work, side hustles, or academic projects that helped you build skills.

If you’ve changed industries

When making a career change, focus on your transferable skills. These are the capabilities that cross over regardless of industry. Tailor your job history to highlight relevant achievements, even if the field was different. Cut anything that doesn't serve your new direction. Your relevant experience should guide what stays and what gets trimmed.

If you’ve held one job for many years

If you’ve been with the same company for a decade or more, show your career progression within that time. Break it into internal promotions, changing job titles, or key milestones. Long tenure can show stability, but it’s your professional experience and the results you delivered that matter most. Use your job history to reflect growth, not just time served.

Writing Better Work History Bullet Points

Start with strong action verbs

Every bullet in your resume work history should kick off with an action verb. These verbs instantly add energy and clarity to your job responsibilities. Instead of saying “Responsible for managing client accounts,” say “Managed 10+ client accounts.” Words like “led,” “improved,” “designed,” and “launched” signal initiative and impact, which is exactly what hiring managers want to see.

Focus on achievements, not just duties

Don’t just list what you were assigned to do; show what you accomplished. Swap basic tasks for relevant accomplishments. Compare “Handled customer service emails” to “Resolved 95% of customer issues within 24 hours.” That’s a measurable achievement. Each bullet should connect to something valuable: time saved, problems solved, or revenue generated. A good resume example brings the job description to life by showing results, not routines.

Use numbers to show impact

Whenever you can, quantify. Numbers turn general statements into proof. Think of key achievements like “increased revenue by 15%” or “cut delivery errors by 30%.” These measurable achievements help employers quickly understand your value. If you worked in customer-facing roles, metrics like customer satisfaction scores can stand out. Use data to back up your job responsibilities and give your claims weight.

Trim filler text

Not every task deserves space. To keep your work history strong, cut anything obvious, outdated, or too vague. Avoid generic phrases like “worked well with others” or “helped with projects.” They dilute your impact. Keep your resume concise and only include what reinforces your strengths. A tight, specific resume format reads clearly and helps each bullet land with more power.

Adapting Work History for Different Resume Types

Chronological resumes: the gold standard

The chronological resume is the most widely used format for a reason. It lays out your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. This chronological resume format makes it easy for hiring managers to follow your career path and spot your most relevant experience quickly. It works best when you have a solid track record with few gaps and want to highlight steady career progression.

Combination resumes: when you need to show range

A combination resume blends skills and experience. It’s ideal if you're switching careers, have held many roles, or want to spotlight both technical and soft skills alongside your work history. The combination resume format starts with a summary of your key strengths, then follows with the format of your previous jobs. This lets you show off your versatility without losing the structure employers expect.

Functional resumes: proceed with caution

A functional resume focuses on skills over timelines, grouping your transferable skills into categories like leadership or communication. It can be useful if you have large employment gaps or little traditional experience. But many hiring managers and applicant tracking systems are skeptical of the functional resume format, especially when work history is hard to trace. If you use this structure, be sure your resume still includes dates and job titles to maintain credibility.

How to Handle Unique Work History Situations

If you have employment gaps

Employment gaps aren’t deal-breakers if you present them thoughtfully. A functional resume can help shift focus from your job history timeline to the skills you built during those periods. You might also consider a hybrid resume format that includes consulting, volunteer work, or courses completed during that time. Clarity and honesty matter more than trying to hide the gap.

If you’ve freelanced or consulted

Freelance or consulting work counts as valid work history, especially when it's tied to relevant experience. Create entries just like you would for a full-time job. Include your title, a general “Freelance” or “Consultant” label, and highlight client names or personal projects where possible. Emphasize the transferable skills and measurable results you delivered. Treat it like the real experience it is.

If you’re returning to the workforce

Coming back after a break doesn’t mean starting over. Focus on your past employment history, recent learning, and how you're actively preparing for your job search. A brief note in your summary or cover letter can acknowledge the gap and refocus attention on your readiness. Potential employers care more about what you can do now than what you’ve been doing every year prior.

If your titles don’t reflect your actual contributions

Sometimes a job title doesn’t match your real impact. If that's the case, clarify under the title by adding context in your bullet points. Use your resume example to show scope and leadership. Focus on relevant accomplishments and transferable skills that line up with the job you want. Recruiters will notice substance over titles if your contributions are clear.

Real Examples of Strong Work History Entries

Entry-level sample: Food service

Food Service Associate
Fresh Bite Café, San Diego, CA
March 2022 – Present

• Greet up to 75 customers daily, take accurate orders, and handle cash/card transactions using POS systems
• Assist kitchen team during peak hours, improving service speed and order accuracy
• Maintain cleanliness of dining and prep areas, contributing to a 98% sanitation score in recent health inspections

This resume example works for entry-level candidates or those listing part-time jobs. It shows relevant skills like customer service, teamwork, and reliability, without needing long experience. The tasks are simple, but framed with impact.

Mid-career sample: Marketing

Marketing Specialist
Bold Concepts Agency, Denver, CO
July 2018 – November 2023

• Launched integrated campaigns that grew lead generation by 38% year-over-year
• Managed content calendar across 3 digital platforms, aligning strategy with product releases
• Collaborated with design and sales teams to develop messaging that increased click-through rates by 22%

This resume example blends job description clarity with clear, measurable achievements. It’s ideal for professionals aiming to show career progression and range within their professional experience.

Experienced sample: Product management

Senior Product Manager
BrightCore Technologies, Remote
January 2015 – Present

• Led cross-functional teams to develop and launch 5+ SaaS products used by over 40,000 customers
• Spearheaded a mobile app redesign that improved user retention by 30% and customer satisfaction scores by 18%
• Built roadmap prioritization process that reduced product delivery delays by 25%

For those at a senior career level, this resume example emphasizes leadership, impact, and innovation. It demonstrates long-term job history while making results the star of the story.

(Pro tip: Once you’ve added your own entries, run your resume through Huntr’s Resume Checker to spot gaps, weak spots, or formatting issues before you apply.)

Conclusion

A strong work history section isn’t about listing every job you’ve ever had; it’s about telling a clear, confident story of how you’ve grown, contributed, and delivered results. When each bullet is focused, specific, and tied to impact, your resume becomes easier for both hiring managers and ATS systems to understand and trust. If you want help refining your work history section without second-guessing every word, consider signing up for Huntr today to build a smarter, faster resume.